Group Discussion Exercises 2026. Practice Exercise. Full Guide

1. Introduction

Not sure if you should practice to prepare for job assessment exercises? Research has shown that 60-80% candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.

Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

2. What is a Group Discussion Exercise?

A group discussion exercise, also known as a group assessment interview, is an assessment centre exercise where candidates are divided into groups to work on a task. Group discussions are often used by employers to assess your interpersonal skills.

During a group discussion, assessors observe each team and individuals throughout the exercise to see how they work together and interact to finish the task at hand. This helps the assessors understand how well you work with your team members.

Check out this short video below for a quick guide with example tasks and top group discussion tips to pass your exercise.

Check out our quick video below for more information about virtual assessment centres and why employers use them:

Now that we know what a group exercise means, why are they actually used in recruitment?

3. How Are Group Exercises Assessed?

How group exercises will assess you often varies depending on the type of assessment and the specific needs of the employer. Often, employers use different criteria to grade each individual in a group.

Below are some of the key competencies assessors will score you on in a group discussion exercise.

Employers use Group exercises to test job candidates at assessment centres for two main reasons: to measure competencies and to assess values.

Let’s take a quick look at these two reasons to find out what they really mean.

What Competencies Do Group Exercises Measure?

Group discussion assessments contain various elements which allow assessors to assess candidates to determine their suitability. These competencies generally include:

Problem Solving	Time Management
Communication	Confidence
Confidence	Negotiation
Teamwork	Leadership

Discover more about competencies, how employers assess these and some quick tips in this short video below.

These are the competencies group discussion exercises measure. Let’s now see how group exercises assess values.

How Do Group Exercises Assess Values?

Group exercises allow employers to assess a candidate’s values and determine whether they align with the company’s values and culture. This allows the employer to assess the candidate for their competencies in the role and their behaviours outside the role.

Because employers generally have values that guide their operations, it is important that employees also share the same values with the employer to ensure a smooth operation for the company both internally and externally.

These are the two main reasons why employers use group exercises at assessment centres. Let’s now take a look at some group assessment examples you can encounter at an assessment centre.

4. Examples of Group Discussion Exercises

What are the examples of group discussion exercises?

The common examples of group discussion exercises you can expect employers to use depends on the various competencies and requirements that are most valued by the employer for the role. 

Here’s an example group exercise you can use to practice!

Example Group Discussion Exercise

In the group exercise, the assessor may ask you to play the role of the manager of a small team who is in charge of developing a product that is due to launch next fall season. During the making of this product, you found out a co-worker in your team was not meeting up to their given tasks for the project. 

Here are some actions you can take for this role play assessment example:

1. Privately discuss the issue with the co-worker to understand the cause, and offer support or additional resources as needed.
2. Reallocate the co-worker’s tasks to other team members who are able to work in this area of production.
3. Discuss with the team to review individual responsibilities and the timelines to ensure everyone is on the same page for expectations for the remainder of the product development process.
4. Offer any additional training or coaching to help the co-worker improve their performance for their tasks and meet expectations.

While there may be a variety of the types of group exercises used, we have found that the following 3 group exercises are the most commonly encountered:

1. Case Study Exercises
2. Role-play Exercises
3. Group Presentation Exercises

Let’s take a look at each of these exercises to see what they involve.

Case Study Exercise

What is a case study exercise?

In a case study group exercise, the assessor gives each group a case study to analyse and come up with solutions or recommendations. This is usually under timed conditions and the assessors will observe how you and your team members tackle the case study exercise.

What does a group case study exercise measure?

The group case study exercise in an assessment centre is usually related to the role or the industry that you are applying for. During this exercise, your assessors will assess competencies such as problem solving, leadership, time management, and communication.

From case study exercises, let’s also check out role-play exercise, another common assessment centre group exercise example.

Role-play Exercise

What is a group role-play exercise?

In a group role-play exercise, your employers will provide you and your team members with roles to play in a work-related scenario. Your group will be required to discuss and make decisions to resolve the problem in the scenario. This is a leaderless group discussion exercise.

What does a group role-play exercise measure?

In a role-play group assessment, your assessor aims to measure your suitability for the role and your values. Competencies such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, empathy and confidence are generally assessed in a role-play exercise.

Having considered role play, let’s take a look at another assessment centre group exercise example: the group presentation exercise.

Presentation Exercise

What is a group presentation exercise?

A group presentation exercise in an assessment centre involves giving a presentation as a group. This presentation will be based on a given topic where you and your teammates will do some research and present your findings.

What does a group presentation exercise measure?

In an assessment centre presentation group exercise, your assessors will assign your team with a specific time limit to do your research and draft your presentation and a separate time duration to give your presentation. During this exercise, the recruiters will measure your skills such as communication, confidence, and teamwork.

These are the common assessment centre group exercise examples you could encounter during your job screening process. 

Now that we’ve covered what they are and often involve… How do we pass them? We’ve got you covered!

5. How to Pass a Group Discussion Exercise

Don’t miss our top helpful tips to pass a group discussion exercise developed by our expert team below!

5 Tips to Pass a Group Discussion Exercise

1. Stay confident. Confidence is often assessed as part of the exercise. Speak clearly and maintain eye contact to demonstrate this. Take deep breaths to remain calm and remember the practice you’ve done to prepare.
2. Stay focused on the objective. Ensure your discussion focuses on the task given to you and not on another topic. Ensure to re-read the brief to ensure you meet the key points.
3. Manage your time. Remember that your time management skills are also being assessed. Break down the task into different steps and budget enough time for each step.
4. Contribute to the discussion. Listen actively to your team members when they share their ideas but also try to offer yours. Remember that your knowledge of the topic, communication and leadership skills is being assessed.
5. Structure your presentation. Try to have a clear and engaging introduction, and comprehensive discussion on the topic, and a good conclusion.

Looking to start practicing group exercises for your upcoming assessment centre?

So, who uses group exercises in their recruitment processes? It’s more than you think!

6. Which Industries use Group Exercises?

Many industries use group exercises to assess job aspirants in their recruitment process to employ the best talents. The top industries that use group exercises include:

Hospitality	Engineering and Construction
Technology	Sales and Marketing
FMCG	Retail and Customer Service
Consultancy	HR
Public Services	Education

Employers in these industries use group exercises to screen candidates to determine whether they are a good fit for the role. Here are just some of the many companies that use group exercises in their hiring process:

Which Employers Use Group Exercises For Recruitment?

Many employers from big industries across the globe use group exercises in their recruitment processes. Some top employers include:

ARUP	EY	Science and Technology
BBC	EDF	Siemens
Aldi	Nomura	Toyota
BP	HP	Unilever
BMW	MI5	Bloomberg
Nestle	NHS	Boeing

That’s all about the assessment centre group exercise. If you have other questions, here are the top questions other candidates are asking.

7. Group Discussion FAQs