Group assessments are a core part of South African graduate recruitment. They test collaboration, communication, leadership and problem-solving under time pressure — all traits employers value. This guide gives targeted, practical exercises you can run solo or with peers to build the behaviours assessors look for on assessment days.
Why group assessments matter for SA graduate applicants
Group assessments reveal how you behave in realistic workplace scenarios. Assessors watch for:
- Clear communication and active listening
- Impactful contribution without dominating the group
- Leadership and facilitation when needed
- Structured problem-solving under time constraints
For context on how group exercises fit into the wider process, see the Graduate Programme Assessment Day Timeline: What Happens, What to Prepare and How to Impress. For tactics to survive and shine, read Survive and Shine in Group Exercises: Tactics for South African Assessment Days and Graduate Programmes.
Typical group exercise formats you should prepare for
Common formats you’ll meet on SA assessment days:
- Group discussion / debate
- Case study / problem-solving task
- Role-play with stakeholders
- Team presentation with Q&A
- Building or simulation exercises (e.g., resource allocation)
Refer to Group Task Roles That Win: Leadership, Facilitator and Contributor Tips for SA Cohort Assessments to practice effective role behaviours.
Practical exercises to practise (step-by-step)
Below are exercises you can use with 3–6 peers or adapt for solo practice (using timers and self-review).
H3: 1. 10-minute structured debate (communication + persuasion)
- Setup: Pick a business or social topic (e.g., “Should entry-level hires be rotated across departments?”).
- Time: 10 minutes (2 minutes prep; 8 minutes discussion).
- Objective: Make concise, evidence-based points and respond to counterpoints.
- Tips: Use a one-sentence opening, follow with two supporting points, and close with a summary.
H3: 2. Tower-build challenge (teamwork + planning)
- Setup: Provide paper, tape and straws. Goal: build the tallest free-standing tower in 12 minutes.
- Time: 12–15 minutes.
- Objective: Rapid role allocation, time management and adaptability.
- Tips: Start with a 60-second planning phase; assign roles (designer, builder, timekeeper).
H3: 3. Case-study carousel (problem-solving + prioritisation)
- Setup: Create a short business case (1–2 pages). Rotate two teams between different cases and present recommendations.
- Time: 25–30 minutes per case.
- Objective: Prioritise facts, create a clear structure (problem → options → recommendation).
- Tips: Use the SQ3R approach: Situation, Question, 3 options, Recommendation.
H3: 4. Role-play stakeholder negotiation (influence + empathy)
- Setup: One team negotiates resource allocation with a “stakeholder” (peer plays stakeholder with preset priorities).
- Time: 15–20 minutes.
- Objective: Show active listening, compromise and persuasive framing.
- Tips: Clarify interests vs positions; offer trade-offs that preserve shared value.
H3: 5. Presentation + rapid Q&A (presentation + confidence)
- Setup: 5-minute group presentation on assigned topic, followed by a 5-minute Q&A from peers.
- Time: 10–12 minutes.
- Objective: Clear structure, shared speaking time, handle unexpected questions.
- Tips: Allocate speaking sections and rehearse concise answers.
H3: 6. Silent collaboration drill (non-verbal communication)
- Setup: Give the team a planning task but ban verbal communication for the first 3 minutes.
- Time: 10–12 minutes.
- Objective: Observe non-verbal signals, create visual plans, then verbalise conclusions.
- Tips: Use diagrams or quick sketches to align before verbal discussion.
Exercise comparison table
| Exercise | Skills Practised | Time Needed | How to Adapt Solo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structured debate | Persuasion, quick thinking | 10 mins | Record two viewpoints and self-critique |
| Tower-build | Planning, delegation | 12–15 mins | Build a small prototype and time each stage |
| Case-study carousel | Prioritisation, structured thinking | 25–30 mins | Write bullet recommendations and compare to sample answers |
| Role-play negotiation | Influence, empathy | 15–20 mins | Play both roles and note language changes |
| Presentation + Q&A | Public speaking, handling pressure | 10–12 mins | Present to a camera; simulate Q&A with notes |
| Silent collaboration | Non-verbal cues, clarity | 10–12 mins | Do timed sketch planning then explain aloud |
Practising specific group roles
Assessors expect flexibility: you may need to lead, facilitate or contribute depending on the situation. Key habits:
- As a leader: propose a clear structure, check time, invite quieter voices.
- As a facilitator: summarise, manage turn-taking, keep the group on task.
- As a contributor: make concise, relevant points and support others’ ideas.
For role-specific tactics, review Group Task Roles That Win: Leadership, Facilitator and Contributor Tips for SA Cohort Assessments.
Mock assessment day agenda (practice version)
Run a simulated half-day to mirror real assessment days:
- 08:30 — Registration and icebreaker (15 min)
- 08:45 — Group task 1: Tower-build (20 min)
- 09:10 — Short break & feedback (10 min)
- 09:20 — Case study + group presentation (40 min)
- 10:10 — Role-play negotiation (20 min)
- 10:35 — Individual reflection and assessor-style scoring (25 min)
Use the mock agenda to practice pacing and transitions. For timeline expectations, consult Graduate Programme Assessment Day Timeline: What Happens, What to Prepare and How to Impress.
Common pitfalls and corrective drills
- Pitfall: Talking too long — Drill: 30-second point practice; teammates count overlong contributions.
- Pitfall: No structure — Drill: 60-second planning phase before action.
- Pitfall: Domination or silence — Drill: Enforce a “no-repeat” rule until everyone has spoken once.
- Pitfall: Weak handover in presentations — Drill: Practice two transitions per presentation and time them.
After practice, use deliberate feedback loops. See Feedback-Friendly Strategies: How to Use Assessor Comments to Improve Your Next SA Interview for making feedback actionable.
Presentation, wardrobe and stress management
- Dress professionally and comfortably — follow local norms and industry expectations. See Assessment Day Wardrobe, Presentation and Etiquette Guide for South African Candidates.
- Manage nerves with breathing exercises and short visualisation before tasks.
- Prepare for curveball tasks — practice unexpected scenarios and rapid reprioritisation. Read recruiter tips at Handling Stress and Unexpected Tasks on SA Assessment Days: Real-Life Tips from Recruiters.
Final checklist before your assessment day
- Run at least three full group practice sessions covering different formats.
- Practice each role (leader, facilitator, contributor) at least once.
- Time your contributions: keep most comments under 60 seconds.
- Prepare a 30-second personal introduction and a one-line closing remark.
- Dress rehearsals and quick grooming check.
For interview-specific preparation (panel interviews and scripts), complement your group practice with Interview Preparation South Africa: How to Stand Out in Panel Interviews at SA Corporates and Government and Panel Interview Scripts and Responses: Handling Tough Questions from South African Interview Panels.
Conclusion
Consistent, realistic practice builds the behaviours assessors reward: clear structure, collaborative impact and calm under pressure. Use the drills above, perform full mock assessment days and apply assessor-style feedback. For inspiration, read the Case Study: How a Successful Candidate Navigated a Major SA Bank’s Graduate Assessment Day and iteratively improve your approach.
Good luck — practise with purpose, seek honest feedback, and treat every group exercise as a chance to demonstrate professional behaviour.