Group Exercise

Click here to see an example of a group exercise video (please register or login to see videos) A group exercise normally consists of between 4 and 6 candidates who are observed by assessors.  The group exercise will focus on solving a problem or the completion of a task. Whilst working as a group your behaviour will be observed and recorded by an assessor. The assessor will be assessing you against a list of specific competencies.  They could be looking for evidence of good communications skills, team work or how you deal with others. Once you have read the brief and you know how much time you have to complete the task – agree a structure.  For example, if you have 15 minutes agree that you will all brainstorm for 5 minutes; agree what you are going to do for 5 minutes and then for the last 5 minutes put the plan into action. You do not need to speak first but you do need to contribute early on in the exercise. Listen and respond when other people speak – build on their ideas if you can. Encourage someone who has not spoken yet to take part in the discussion – either by asking them what they think or by encouraging them to speak through smiling or other method of positive body language. If you don’t agree with an idea that has been put forward – say, ‘I think that’s a good idea but what I was thinking was that we could …….’ If a member of the group is over-bearing and taking up too much of the valuable exercise time you can make your mark by addressing the individual and saying, ‘I think you have some good ideas – but what does everyone else think we could do?’ Make sure someone takes responsibility for time.  If no one volunteers make sure you put your watch on the table in front of everyone and ensure that all know that they have to keep an eye on the clock.