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Are you applying for the BBC journalism apprenticeship? Or wondering how to get into BBC graduate schemes? Find everything you need for your BBC assessment practice applicable across the globe including the UK in this guide.
Our website provides scientifically validated practice assessment tests, interviews, and assessment center exercises that can be used to practice and prepare for the recruitment and assessment process.
Not sure if you should practice to prepare for the BBC assessments? According to research, 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A recent study (Bradley et al, 2019) found that candidates who do not practice assessments, tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers.
How to prepare for the BBC recruitment process and tests to get the job?
1. Complete your BBC Online Job Application
2. Practice for BBC Assessments Tests
BBC uses a variety of aptitude assessment tests. These may include:
You may get rejected already after your aptitude tests. These tests sift out 50-80% of candidates. The only proven way to get to the next round is to practice.
3. Prepare for the BBC Video Interview
Be prepared for a BBC video interview and gain real experience to familiarise yourself with recording answers to questions that typically come up in BBC interviews. Improve your BBC interview technique using:
Use the STAR+R method for your answers and practice each answer several times.
4. Prepare for the BBC Assessment Centre exercises
BBC makes use of a variety of competitive exercises during the assessment center to find the right candidates. Ensure that you practice a variety of exercises including:
For your final interview, practice with our video interview platform and record yourself answering the interview questions using the STAR+R method.
Continue reading to get answers to these critical questions:
Looking into assessments with BBC, click on the table below to practice assessments relevant to your assessment process!
Go Premium to get lifetime access to all the practice assessments listed above and ace your BBC assessments first time.
Before we dive into the assessments, let’s discover more about the company first.
Headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, the BBC i.e., British Broadcasting Corporation is a public service broadcaster which was originally established in 1922. BBC employs around 21,000 of whom approximately 17,900 belong to the public sector broadcasting.
The BBC is established under a royal charter and operates under its agreement with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Now, what are the job functions available for you to apply at BBC?
There are a number of job functions at BBC jobs. Some of these fields in which you can work at BBC are:
To apply to these roles and prove to be a great fit, make sure you keep in mind BBC’s values. What are they? Let’s find out.
Good to know: The BBC was established by the charter and the charter also sets out the BBC’s five public purposes.
The BBC public purposes are as follows:
Now, you will need much more research than this to write a good resume that aligns with BBC’s expectations and to impress the BBC talent acquisition team for your upcoming interviews.
Below, we have mentioned some more pointers that will give you a head start on your research.
Now that you know all about the British Broadcasting Corporation, let’s jump right into the BBC recruitment process.
The BBC hiring process is divided into 4 stages of assessment which aim to evaluate you on the basis of your personality, cognitive skills, behavioural traits, and technical skills to bring out your best qualities and find the best fit for the job.
What is the BBC recruitment process?
The 4 stages of BBC assessment process are:
Get your pad and paper ready as we dive in!
What is the BBC online application process?
The BBC online application process is a typical and simple process through which the BBC aims to get the first impression of you and understand where you come from. You will be required to fill the following details in your application:
Regardless of how you apply, the most important and job winning part of your BBC application is your resume. Therefore, make sure you take some extra time and build a resume that can get you to the next stages of the BBC hiring process.
If you want more tips to prepare for your BBC online application process, watch the following short video by GF:
Once your resume gets selected by the BBC talent acquisition team, you will be required to attend the second round of assessment at BBC, i.e., the BBC assessment tests.
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What are the BBC online assessments?
The BBC assessments measure various skills and personality traits in you and select the right person for the job depending on your report. These assessments will present questions that will be MCQ-based.
The BBC assessments you face will depend on the position you apply to and the location of the job. These include:
Let’s discuss all these assessments in detail below.
What is the BBC numerical reasoning test?
The BBC numerical reasoning test aims at measuring your capability to perform mathematical problems and interpret numerical data and comprises various questions related to graphs, percentages, and tables. The nature of questions will be MCQ-based.
What does the BBC numerical reasoning test measure?
The BBC numerical test aims to gauge your:
Gain key insights in this under 1 minute video about the BBC numerical reasoning test:
How to pass the BBC numerical reasoning test?
Below, we have provided 7 top tips which will help you ace your BBC numerical test:
Practice FREE QUESTIONS similar to BBC assessment tests, register with GF and take your FREE numerical reasoning test, or test your numerical skills with this example question below!
BBC-style Numerical Reasoning Test Question Example
Solved it? Check the bottom of the page for the answer.
Practice even more BBC-style numerical reasoning questions with worked-solutions and professional score reports including personalized tips based on your performance. Boost your practice with 10,000 math questions to identify areas for development.
Or practice solving BBC numerical reasoning test questions with these 5 example questions with worked solutions in our video below:
The next BBC online assessment test is the BBC verbal reasoning test. Let’s get into the details of this BBC assessment.
What is the BBC verbal reasoning test?
The BBC verbal reasoning test aims at assessing you on the basis of your verbal skills and whether or not you can draw logical conclusions from written information. This BBC verbal reasoning test will present you with an unseen passage where you will be required to answer questions regarding the passage.
Take a break from reading and discover more about your BBC verbal reasoning test with this short video on all you’ll need to know about verbal reasoning tests:
How to pass the BBC verbal reasoning test?
We’ve got you covered with these 7 top tips to help you ace the BBC verbal reasoning questions.
Feeling confident? Try your best at with FREE BBC-style verbal reasoning test questions or have a go at this quick question below!
BBC-style Verbal Reasoning Question Example
Got the answer? Check it out at the bottom of the page.
For even more BBC online test practice, register with GF today and practice more BBC-style verbal reasoning tests with answers, worked-solutions and professional score reports including personalised tips based on your performance.
Practice even more BBC verbal reasoning questions with 5 example test questions with worked solutions to help prepare for your upcoming BBC assessment:
Let us now move on to the next online assessment you are likely to face during your BBC online assessment stage i.e., the BBC logical reasoning test.
What is the BBC logical reasoning test?
BBC’s logical reasoning test measures your problem-solving skills and assesses your ability to come to conclusions based on logic. The BBC logical reasoning questions will be MCQ-based where you will be required to analyse, evaluate, and draw conclusions from data.
Discover more about BBC logical reasoning tests with this under 1 minute video:
How to pass the BBC logical reasoning test?
To pass the BBC logical reasoning test, we have come up with some expert tips to help you ace your BBC abstract reasoning test.
Practice FREE logical reasoning test questions, with our FREE logical reasoning test which are similar to BBC tests or have a go at the following BBC-style logical reasoning test question below:
BBC-style Logical Reasoning Question Example
If you are looking for BBC-style logical reasoning tests with answers, worked-solutions and professional score reports including personalised tips based on your performance, then GF has you covered.
Gain more experience on solving BBC-style logical reasoning questions, practice along with this in-depth video with 5 logical reasoning practice questions and worked solutions:
Once you are done with your logical reasoning test, you may also be required to take a BBC situational judgement test.
What is the BBC situational judgement test?
BBC situational judgement test is used to assess your decision making skills and situational awareness. The BBC situational assessment will present you with various real workplace scenarios and ask you to select the option that suits the situation and solves the problem.
What does the BBC situational judgement test measure?
The BBC situational judgement test assesses various skills such as:
Looking for even more insight into BBC situational judgement tests? Watch the following short video:
Now that you know all about the BBC situational judgement tests, read on to find some of our expert tips to pass your upcoming BBC situational judgement test.
Here’s a sneak peek into what your BBC situational judgement test may look like with our example question our expert team has developed below:
Kickstart your BBC-style situational judgement test preparation, sign-up for GF’s Situational Judgement Test package today to access real questions, live test reports, and progress charts!
During your BBC online assessments, you may also be required to take the BBC personality test. Keep reading to find out more information on this.
What is the BBC personality test?
BBC personality assessments assess your personality traits and whether or not you fit well in the work culture of the company. These tests are used in a variety of settings, including clinical psychology, counselling, human resources, and personal development.
What does the BBC personality assessment measure?
How to prepare for the BBC personality test?
Familiarise yourself with personality assessments with our Work Personality Questionnaire today and gain first-hand insights into a personality-style test such as the BBC personality assessment.
Once you are done with the BBC online assessments and ace them, you will be required to take the BBC pre-screen video interview. Read on to find out more.
What is the BBC video interview?
The BBC video interview is generally associated with the assessment process of the BBC journalism apprenticeship. And sometimes for other BBC jobs as well. This interview will require you to answer pre-recorded or written interview questions and record yourself answering these questions.
Good to know: For your BBC video interview, you are able to re-record your answers as many times as you need. Use this opportunity to familiarise yourself with their platform.
Discover more about video interviews such as the BBC interview with our quick video below!
You will be required to answer both behavioural and competency-based questions. Therefore, make sure you organize your answer well.
How to pass the BBC video interview?
Check out our top 7 tips to organize and structure your BBC journalism apprenticeship interview answers below:
Let’s put these tips to use and try to answer the following BBC video interview question.
Good Answer:
Absolutely, I’ve been following the recent climate change summit closely, and it’s been a topic of great interest to me. The reason it caught my attention is twofold. First, the urgency of addressing climate change is something that affects all of us, and it’s crucial to bring attention to the global efforts being made to combat it. Second, the summit exemplifies the power of international cooperation and diplomacy in tackling complex issues.
One particular aspect that fascinated me was the commitment of various countries to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. Seeing nations that have historically been at odds come together to address this critical issue gives me hope for the future.
Looking for more interview practice? Prepare for your BBC video interview questions commonly used by BBC with over 60 unique video interview sets used across top industries on our Practice Video Interviewing Platform.
After your BBC video interview, you will be invited to the next stage, which is the BBC assessment centre, which will be the last stage of your BBC hiring process.
What is the BBC assessment centre?
The BBC assessment centre comprises various assessment exercises to test the true potential of the candidate. This assessment centre may be held on-site or depending upon your role, you may be required to attend a BBC virtual assessment centre.
What exercises are included in the BBC assessment centre?
The two main assessment centre exercises you will be required to go through are:
Read on to understand each of these BBC assessment centre stages well.
What is the BBC group exercise?
The BBC group exercise aims to understand how well you work in a team and how you collaborate to tackle the issues of the organisation. You will be put in a group and then will be given a topic or case study which you will be required to solve keeping in consideration the views of your teammates.
How to pass your BBC group exercise?
To help you prepare for your upcoming BBC group exercise we have come up with some expert tips.
Get ahead in your BBC group study exercise by practicing with our group study exercises to uncover how top employers such as BBC assess you through group exercise and written exercises and gain professional tips to improve your performance against competencies.
Next up, you will be required to sit for a final interview. Let’s get into the details of this BBC final interview.
What is the BBC final interview?
The BBC final interview will be the last stage of your BBC assessment process. This BBC interview will be a one-on-one conversation with a senior manager or director of your field and may last for around 30 minutes.
BBC Final interview tip: It is essential that you go through your resume before going in for this interview. Ensure you are familiar with the key skills and experiences included.
BBC final interview example questions
The BBC recommends that you prepare three experiences ready in advance where you are expected to elaborate: one challenge, one setback and one accomplishment. Use the STAR+R format to structure these answers.
BBC Final Interview tip: BBC Interviews sometimes require you to give a small presentation in front of your interviewers. Make sure you practice your presentation skills and know all about a good presentation through our dedicated article on BBC presentation exercise.
We also recommend asking your own intriguing and thought-provoking questions at the end of your interview. Here are some questions you may ask your employer:
Want to know what questions could come up in your BBC interview? Practice the Essentials with GF and discover more potential BBC interview questions with our Question Identifier Tool (QIT).
After this last stage of your BBC assessment process, you will receive an offer letter after a week or two, once the employment checks and other formalities are done.
If everything gets approved, you will be joining your dream job at BBC. Congratulations!
But wait, before you go!
Are you a student looking for opportunities to kickstart your career with BBC? We have got you covered! Below are some of the entry level career opportunities available at BBC. Read on to find out.
What graduate schemes does BBC offer?
BBC offers various career options for recent graduates and graduation students who are interested in pursuing a career in media, journalism, technology, and related fields. The various early career schemes offered by BBC are as follows:
Let us discuss each of these BBC graduate schemes briefly.
What is the BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme?
The BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme is a highly competitive and prestigious program designed to develop aspiring journalists and seeks to recruit talented individuals who are passionate about storytelling, news reporting, and journalism in its various forms.
What is the eligibility criteria for the BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme?
Now, after knowing the BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme eligibility, you must be aware of the assessment process. Read on and find out.
BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme Assessment Process
The BBC Journalism trainee scheme assessment process comprises the following 5 stages:
BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme application dates: The online applications for the BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme start in the month of September.
Now let’s move on to the next BBC early careers program, i.e., the BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship.
What is the BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship?
The BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship is an opportunity for aspiring journalists to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the fast-paced and ever-evolving field of digital media. The BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship lasts for a duration of around 2 years.
BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for the BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship can vary, but it typically requires candidates to have a strong interest in digital journalism, writing skills, and a passion for storytelling. Some prior experience or coursework related to journalism or media studies may also be preferred.
BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship application dates: The online applications for the BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship start in the month of September.
BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship Assessment Process
The assessment process for the BBC Digital Journalism Apprenticeship is divided into the following stage:
Next up we have the BBC Production Apprenticeship. Let’s find out more about this.
What is the BBC Production Apprenticeship?
The BBC Production Apprenticeship is a program designed to provide individuals with hands-on experience and training in television and radio production. It is an opportunity for aspiring producers and production professionals to gain practical skills, work on real BBC projects, and kickstart their careers in the media industry. This program lasts for up to 2 years.
Now, before entering into any BBC you must know the eligibility criteria of the program you want to enter.
BBC Production Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the BBC Production Apprenticeship may vary, but it typically requires candidates to have a strong interest in television or radio production, creativity, and a passion for storytelling. Some prior experience or coursework related to media production may also be preferred
BBC Production Apprenticeship application dates: The application dates for the BBC Production Apprenticeship start in the month of September like the starting date of the other BBC graduate schemes.
Next, we have the BBC Future Leaders Program, let’s discuss this in detail.
What is the BBC Future Leaders program?
BBC Future Leaders Program is a leadership development initiative offered by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) to identify and nurture individuals with leadership potential within the organization. This program is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders who can contribute to the BBC’s mission and drive innovation and change within the media industry.
BBC Future Leaders Program Application Process
Participation in the Future Leaders Program is typically by invitation or through a competitive application process. Candidates may need to demonstrate their leadership potential and commitment to the BBC’s values during the selection process.
With this, we have provided you all the information to help you get into your dream company. Refer to the following FAQs section to gain more insights into the BBC recruitment process.
The BBC hiring process may take several weeks to a few months to complete depending upon the urgency to fill the role, the number of applicants, stages of assessments involved, and the nature of work.
BBC uses digital assessments for roles related to technology, digital media, online content production, etc. These BBC digital assessments may be characterized as BBC video interviews, BBC digital skills assessments, BBC coding assessments, and other BBC online assessments.
You can search and apply for BBC jobs through the BBC Careers website. The website typically provides a user-friendly job search and application process.
Some example questions asked in the BBC apprenticeship interview are:
BBC takes around 30 days to screen around 500 job applications across all job titles. Hearing back for the roles such as that of IT Coordinator has the fastest hiring process and hearing back after an interview generally takes a day or two. However, the correspondence roles have the slowest hiring process.
While dress codes can vary by position and location, it’s generally advisable to dress professionally and conservatively for a BBC interview. Business attire is often a safe choice.
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Correct answers to example questions:
Numerical Reasoning Test: C
Verbal Reasoning Test: B
Logical Reasoning Test: C
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