Strategy & Middle East Referral

Question

Dear Prep Lounge Audience,

I have recently heard that Strategy & has introduced a Cognify assessment tests for its associate positions in the Middle East office before the CV review process. Does anyone know if an employee referral allows me to skip the Cognify tests and straight towards a CV review instead ?

There seems to have other companies this year I know introducing psychometric assessments such as Bain and previously McKinsey. Is there any other Tier 2 or Tier 3 firms who newly introduce psychometric tests such as Oliver Wyman or Kearney in the Middle East ? The ME region is usually relieved of the psychometric testing in my own opinion.

Answer 1

Hello!

Usually, referrals don´t help with that.

What a referral actually does is ensuring that your CV is reviewed by someone in HR, so it doesn´t even guarantee that you are invited to the test/interview.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 2

Hi there,

In general, referrals do not allow you to “skip” any stage of the process. That said, it's still possible you will skip it.

There are a few other firms that have introduced those tests but it does depend on the region. Sorry to not be more specific, but honestly these are all constantly moving AND even for a given office/region it can change based on the candidate, recruiting channel, etc.

Answer 3

The purpose of those tests is to filter among a big pool of applicants. Depending on the type of referral and from whom you got it, you might be able to skip the test.

For example, a candidate I know skipped the test as she was approached by a recruiter online to apply for the role.

Answer 4

Hi there,

referral usually ensures your CV will be checked, but as said, it wont change the recruiting process, you must go all steps as anyone else at least in MBB.

Good luck!

Lucie

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