Assessment centre tips — how to stand out in CIMB, Maybank, and similar formats
by Yee San Ong·May 19, 2026
Malaysian banks and large GLCs love assessment centres for management associate and graduate programmes. Having done four of them, here's what the observers are actually watching.
Group discussion: Contribution matters more than dominance. The person who talks loudest usually isn't seen as the leader, the person who synthesises others' ideas and moves the group forward is.
Role plays: Read the scenario carefully. Don't rush into character. Take 30 seconds to understand what the task is actually asking before starting.
In-tray/case exercises: Prioritisation is the skill being tested. Be explicit about how you're prioritising, not just what you're doing.
Presentations: They care about structure and confidence more than design. Three clear points delivered well beats a beautiful slide deck delivered poorly.
The thing most people miss: You're being observed between exercises too. How you treat other candidates, the admin staff, and downtime says something.