In-Basket Exercise - Online Practice Tests

An in-basket exercise simulates a work situation where you, as a manager, are required to make real-time decisions regarding prioritizing and managing schedules and tasks, workload challenges under pressure, and proving good judgment skills.


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Our in-basket test practice provides you with three tests, which increase in difficulty, a comprehensive guide, full answer explanations, and solutions. Our training support provides you with a gradual learning process, enabling you to arrive with confidence so you can land the job and improve your managerial skills in the future.


Who Uses an In-Basket Exercise?

This aptitude test tends to be used for candidates who are already employed and looking to move up professionally (to middle management). Fields in which the in-basket exercise is utilized include the following:

US Police Force  Canada Civil Service Banks Accounting  Supervisors
US Civil Service Fire departments Recruiters Social services PWC

The Process of an In-Basket Test

Assuming the role of a manager at a made-up company, the candidate is given material and information generally found in the inbox of the manager. The candidate must respond to the material as though she or he is the manager. Provided with general information about the fictitious company, the candidate is expected to react in real time to each professional scenario that comes his/her way. The candidate is expected to prioritize emails and respond accordingly. He/she is provided with supporting information to assist in responding and in the decision-making process. Additionally, the candidate will participate in a role-playing exercise in which an assessor will act as an employee and interact with the candidate.


The Purpose of an In-Basket Exercise

These exercises provide employers with a more precise assessment of a candidate's abilities and performance. In-basket exercises help determine how a candidate works under pressure and how he or she budgets time. For instance, a candidate may be asked to prepare a timeline to demonstrate the different phases of a project. In addition to providing employers with valuable information regarding a candidate's abilities and work ethic, the in-basket assessment also familiarizes the candidate with the position and his/her potential responsibilities. 

What Does an In-Basket Exercise Measure?

Aside from assessing a candidate's leadership style and ability, the in-basket assessment also measures the following: 

Decision-making Empowering others Interpreting & Processing information Delegation
Managing resources Working with others Written communication  Problem Solving

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