Graduates First – Job Assessment Experts – here to help you get your dream job, first time!

ICAS has teamed up with Graduates First to support you even further!

Graduates First is an online platform offering access to more than 160 practice job assessments and other useful recruitment resources when you sign up and purchase one of its assessment packages or bundles.

The platform will help you prepare for ICAS-authorised employers’ hiring processes, whether you are applying for an apprenticeship, internship, placement year or graduate job. Its aim is to help you land your dream job first time.

What can I practise?

With Graduates First, you can practise:

• Aptitude tests, including numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, verbal reasoning, personality tests and situational judgement tests.
• AI-powered video interviews.
• Coding-style assessments.
• Game-based assessments.
• Assessment centre exercises.
• Step-by-step employer job application guides for more than 100 top employers, including many ICAS-authorised employers.

After each assessment, you will receive personalised feedback reports containing your score, answers, step-by-step solutions and tips for improvement. You can monitor your performance using tracking charts and share your reports and video interviews for further feedback.

Take one step closer to CA job assessment success with Graduates First.

How to access the platform

1. Visit the Graduates First website and explore the range of practice job assessments available.
2. Choose the assessments relevant to you from the Premium bundle, Essential bundle, nine industry-specific packages or ten assessment-specific packages. Alternatively, sign up for free to access one numerical, verbal and logical reasoning test.
3. Enter the personalised ICAS coupon code at checkout to receive 30% off.

Once you have logged into the platform, view your purchase by expanding the “My Practice” tab in the left-hand panel and navigating to the relevant assessment tab. Use the videos under “My Learning” to gain useful tips and advice about each assessment, and explore the Employer Guides to learn more about top employers’ hiring processes.

Common questions

How can I view all the assessments I’ve taken and my results?

Under the “My Results” tab in the left-hand panel, you will find all the assessments you have taken, along with each individual report and score.

Can I download and share my feedback reports?

Yes. You can download each feedback report in PDF format and share it with professors, friends and family. For video interviews, you can also share your recording’s unique URL with others so that they can provide feedback.

What do the percentile scores mean?

When reviewing assessment scores, most employers will look at percentiles. Percentiles tell you how well you performed in comparison with similar candidates. For example, a graduate will be compared with a group of other graduates.

What are game-based assessments?

Game-based assessments are completely game-like in their process and structure. Candidates take part in interactive gameplay, tackling challenges, puzzles and scenarios designed to measure specific skills, knowledge or competencies.

Game-based assessments are becoming an increasingly common assessment tool for employers, particularly within banking, finance, accounting and consulting.

What do I have to do in a video interview?

Video interviews are similar to face-to-face interviews, where you would normally be asked questions by the employer. In a video interview, the questions are predetermined and your answers are recorded. You will have a set amount of time—often a couple of minutes—to prepare, followed by a set amount of time to answer each question.

Why do employers use assessments in their recruitment processes?

More than 80% of employers use some form of assessment test during recruitment. These online assessments allow employers to quickly measure the skills, behaviours and personalities of large numbers of candidates and identify the people who are the best fit for the role and company.

Employers will often use a combination of assessments—for example, numerical, verbal, personality and situational tests, video interviews and assessment centres—to build a more rounded picture of candidates and their skills.

How can I pass employers’ assessment tests?

Practising assessments is the only way to succeed at employers’ job assessments (Bradley et al., 2019). Practice helps you become familiar with the questions, improves your ability to work under time pressure and reduces anxiety.

What should I do if I experience a problem?

If you experience a problem or have a question about the platform, contact the Graduates First team at enquiry@graduatesfirst.com. They will be happy to help.