An assessment center (AC) is a place where participants are observed by trained assessors while participating in a variety of exercises. The AC method is used by human resource management for the selection of applicants, of graduates for entry positions; the promotion of employees into managerial positions; or the identification of individual development plans for the personal strengths and development needs of managers. Besides the classical group assessment, different forms of ACs are in use, such as individual assessment, assessment of management potential, intercultural ACs, or development ACs. ACs are a diagnostic method used internationally.

This entry describes the basic elements of the AC and outlines the method and describes each of the typical activities conducted to assess applicants’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes through real-life activities ...