While being in the race for your dream internship or job, you might face the stadium in which you have to take an assessment. Exciting, challenging and maybe even your first time. Luckily, there is a lot of useful knowledge and preparation material out there to prepare yourself optimally.

Often times when having to take an assessment within a hiring procedure, you cannot really study specific knowledge or learn anything by heart. However, there are some things that can help you perform at your best on the day of your assessment.

Prepare yourself optimally by asking the employer beforehand:

• What type of tests will be sued and what do they measure?
• What is the length of time to complete the assessment(s)?
• Are calculators or other tools allowed while taking the test?

Get acquainted with different types of assessments

After you've gathered all this information, conduct some research on the tests that you will face. You can use the internet, a library or even someone in your network to look up the assessment. On 123Test (https://www.123test.com/articles/assessment/) you can find some free assessment tests that help you get warmed up and will prepare you for certain types of questions that you may encounter. Moreover, more in-depth information about preparation for assessments is provided in these two helpful books:

• Assessment Doen, Hoe Werkt het in Jouw Voordeel? - Bas Kok en Ferry de Jongh (2015) (Dutch)
• Testing Series: How to Succeed at an Assessment Centre - Harry Tolley and Robert Wood (2005) (English)

Preparation on the day of your assessment

Be well rested. A good rest may be one of the most important preparations for an assessment. Make sure to get a good night's sleep before the day of your assessment. Moreover, take your time to get ready and have a good meal, so you will not arrive exhausted, hungry and in a hurry.

Do you find it difficult to prepare for your assessment?

Then sign up for the Student Career Services workshop: How to prepare for assessments. Our career coaches and trainers will give you in-depth and practical advice and assignments to get well prepared. (https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/students/career/student-career- services/training/how-prepare-assessments)

Want to learn more?

This column was written by Student Career Services Tilburg and is published on the Career Portal. Are you looking for an internship, starters function or career guidance? Visit the Tilburg University Career Portal! You can make an account for free! Also, a lot of interesting career events are posted on the portal. So take a look! https://tiu.jobteaser.com/en/dashboard

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