SSE Assessment Tests

Careers at SSE

As an energy provider, SSE operates over a wide range of sectors and requires staff with expertise in a wide range of specialisms. If you are looking at the graduate scheme, then its training programmes are in the following areas:

• Finance
• Business and commercial
• IT and technology
• Engineering
• Project sales

The graduate development programme is a 3-year training opportunity that gives you invaluable hands-on experience while pursuing relevant qualifications. Similarly, apprenticeships are 3–4 years and cover a range of disciplines such as jointer, fitter, digital, and lines.

For early career pathways, including apprenticeships and the graduate scheme, the application process looks like this:

• Online application
• Online tests
• Virtual interview
• Assessment centre

There are a variety of different areas of business that you can apply for at SSE, which means that there will be some differences in the types of assessments that you are asked to do.

SSE’s own graduate pages set out what the online stage covers. It comes in two parts, a situational judgement test and a set of ability tests covering numerical, inductive and deductive reasoning.

SSE does not say who builds the tests, but it points candidates towards SHL practice questions, which is a useful steer on the style to expect. Strong verbal reasoning is worth building too, since the situational judgement test, the video interview and the final assessment all turn on reading a scenario quickly and accurately.

SSE Aptitude Tests

SSE numerical reasoning test

Most positions require a numerical reasoning test, since they show an aptitude with processing and interpreting numerical information such as schedules, financial reports, and progress statistics. Generally, numerical reasoning deals with basic arithmetic, percentages, graphs, and data interpretation.

If you are applying for a financial or sales position, you may also be expected to answer financial reasoning questions, which are more specific to that area and require more knowledge of terminology and financial concepts.

SSE inductive reasoning test

Inductive reasoning tests show you a series of shapes or patterns and ask you to work out the rule connecting them, then apply it. There is no wording and no arithmetic, which is rather the point, because they measure how quickly you find structure in unfamiliar information.

They reward a systematic approach. Take one feature at a time, such as rotation, shading or the number of elements, rather than trying to absorb the whole sequence at once. Working through plenty of practice patterns is the fastest way to build that habit.

SSE deductive reasoning test

The third ability test is deductive reasoning, a form of logical reasoning that hands you a set of facts and asks what must follow from them.

This means that you use the information given to you to follow the logic to find the correct answer. They do not rely on any prior knowledge, so you will have all the information that you need to deduce the answer within the question, though they can be quite abstract.

SSE situational judgement test

One of the tests that everyone is asked to complete is a situational judgement test, a practice that is becoming more common in recruitment in general.

As the name suggests, a situational judgement test assesses your behaviour and values by presenting workplace scenarios and asking you to rank responses in order of which you think is most suitable. This way, recruiters can get an understanding for how you might perform on the job and whether you are a good cultural fit for the company, as your responses will be measured against their values and guidelines.

SSE digital interview

The next step is a digital interview, which means that you will not be interviewed by a person, but record your answers and submit the videos for evaluation.

The SSE virtual interviews take 30–40 minutes to complete; there are 5–6 questions for which you are given 3 minutes of preparation and 4–5 minutes to answer.

At this stage, you will be asked questions about your motivations and interest in the industry. Some of the typical questions are:

• Why do you want to work for SSE?
• What do you think are the biggest issues facing the UK energy industry?
• Tell us about a time you worked collaboratively with other people
• Tell us about a mistake you made at work and how you responded

SSE virtual assessment centre

The assessment centres are currently being conducted virtually, but still consist of the same activities as the in-person centres.

Group exercise

The group exercise is a great way for you to show how you perform in a more realistic working situation. Typically, the group is given a topic to present or issue to solve, and then you will be observed as you work together to find a solution.

Hiring managers are more interested in how well you work as a team – who listens to others, who has input, and how well tasks are delegated – rather than the overall outcome of the exercise itself.

SSE Presentation

You will be given a case study relevant to your area of interest and asked to record a 10-minute presentation on the topic.

This is to assess your research skills and ability to process and relay technical information to others, as well as interpersonal skills such as public speaking, which can be important for various roles.

SSE Interview

For the interview you will typically meet with two managers from the department that you have applied to, who will ask you competency- and strength-based questions. They will require you to demonstrate technical knowledge and skills in your area, as well as previous experience that demonstrates your suitability for the role.

For this, it is important to research SSE and find out as much as you can about its ethics, values and most recent business activity – particularly news that is relevant to the sector that you have applied for.