ARUP Assessment Tests

Careers at ARUP

The company was founded with a clear philosophy and values, which drive Arup’s success and how the company operates to this day. It strives for an open-minded, inclusive and diverse workforce that approaches modern engineering and design challenges in a way that is innovative, and focuses on endurance and quality.

Arup offers a graduate programme, internships and apprenticeships in a wide range of disciplines such as civil engineering, digital consultancy and project management. Its 16,000 employees work in 33 countries and there is a great appreciation for diversity and collaboration

The aim is that every employee has the support for development that they need.

The application process for Arup is streamlined and comprises three steps:

• Online application
• Aptitude tests
• Assessment centre

The final stage of the application process is the virtual assessment centre. During this you will undertake an interview, a technical/written exercise, and a group exercise.

ARUP Online Application

Once you have found a vacancy that interests you, you can submit your online application. This includes background information such as personal details, your work history, and other achievements and skills that make you the right person for this position.

The first stage of the process is to submit your credentials and answer the initial questions about why you are suited for the role. Many of these questions will be ‘motivational’ questions, ie they are interested in knowing what motivates you.

Make sure that you can clearly state why you are interested in this specific role, what drew you to Arup as a company, and why they should hire you.

It is important to note that for the early careers programmes you may only submit one application per recruiting period, so it is important that you apply for the role that you are most passionate about and suited to.

ARUP Aptitude Tests

ARUP Situational Judgement Test

A situational judgement test is a type of psychometric test that assesses your values and behavioural choices, rather than knowledge or practical skills.

You will be presented with hypothetical workplace scenarios and asked to pick a response which you feel is the most appropriate in that situation.

There is no way to ‘cheat’ these kinds of tests, but you should be mindful of the company’s values and ethics, as well as the demands of the role you have applied for.

Arup has a strong emphasis on teamwork, diversity and collaborative work, so when applying, keep that in mind when answering this questionnaire. Have a look at some situational judgement test tips for more advice.

There is no time limit for this test, but it is best to do it in one sitting. You can do practice situational judgement tests to get familiar with the type of questions asked and the format of the test.

ARUP Assessment centre

The assessment centre is now done completely online, but you will still get the chance to meet with the hiring team and recent graduates. There are three tasks involved:

ARUP Individual Written Task

The written task will be based on the type of role that you’re applying for. Often you will be given a case study with a problem relevant to the job you will be doing, and you will have to prepare a response.

Depending on your area of expertise, there may be more technical elements to the task, so make sure you are confident in your core skills and recent developments in the field.

ARUP Group Exercise

This may be similar to the individual task, in that you will be given a case study or some research to discuss and present as a group. As well as being assessed on how well you deal with the brief of the task, this is primarily an opportunity for the hiring managers to observe how you work in a group setting.

Try to act as naturally as possible as they want to see your personality. If you find the prospect daunting, have a look at some advice for group exercises that can help you.

ARUP Interview

Lastly, there is a competency-based interview, which is usually with two or more staff relevant to the position you have applied for.

A competency-based interview means that the questions are more situational or behavioural-centred; common questions include:

• Why did you apply to Arup?
• Tell me about a time you found an innovative solution.
• How have your experiences prepared you for this role?
• Tell me about a time you were critiqued and how you reacted.

To do well in this interview, you need to make sure that you know your CV well and have clear examples of your strengths, weaknesses, and any technical skills expected of you.

It is also a good idea to research Arup and its recent business news, so you can discuss specific details about what interests you about the profession and the company. Many people find interviews intimidating, but there are plenty of helpful interview tips that can help you make a lasting impression.