Mott MacDonald Online Assessment
Mott MacDonald Practice Guide with Sample Questions
- Every year, thousands of graduates compete for positions at Mott MacDonald, one of the world's largest employee-owned engineering and development consultancies.
- With over 20,000 employees across 150 countries, landing a role here means joining a company that shapes critical infrastructure worldwide. But before you can begin that journey, you need to pass the Mott MacDonald online assessment.
Aptitudeprep
Aptitudeprep
- This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what to expect from the Mott MacDonald online assessment, including the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), personality assessment, and numerical reasoning sections.
- You'll find sample questions, expert strategies aligned with Mott MacDonald's PRIDE values, and insider tips from successful candidates to help you stand out from the competition.
Whether you're applying for the graduate scheme, an industrial placement, or a summer internship, this guide covers everything you need to prepare effectively and increase your chances of progressing to the interview stage.
Understanding the Mott MacDonald Online Assessment
- The Mott MacDonald online assessment is a strengths-based evaluation designed to identify candidates whose natural abilities and working preferences align with the company's culture and values. Unlike traditional competency-based tests that focus on what you can do, strengths-based assessments explore what you naturally enjoy doing and do well.
Assessment Provider: Mott MacDonald uses Cappfinity (now part of the Cappfinity platform) to deliver their assessments. This is important because many preparation resources incorrectly assume the test uses SHL format questions. While some numerical reasoning elements may be similar, the overall approach and scoring methodology differs significantly.
Assessment Structure at a Glance
|
Component |
Format |
What It
Measures |
|
Situational Judgement Test |
Rank 5 responses to workplace scenarios |
Decision-making, values alignment, professional judgement |
|
Personality Assessment |
Bucket sorting + slider positioning |
Working preferences, natural strengths, team fit |
|
Numerical Reasoning |
12 data interpretation questions |
Quantitative analysis, data-driven decision making |
Key Facts About the Assessment
- Duration: The assessment is untimed, but Mott MacDonald recommends allowing 45-60 minutes to complete it comfortably
- Completion: You must finish the entire assessment in one sitting - you cannot save and return later
- Retakes: If unsuccessful, your result carries over for that intake. You can reapply in the next recruitment cycle with a fresh assessment
- Next Steps: Successful candidates receive access to complete the application form within 4 days
|
Pro
Tip: Timing Your Assessment Choose a time when you're mentally fresh and won't be
interrupted. Many successful candidates complete the assessment in the
morning when concentration levels are highest. Ensure you have a stable
internet connection and a quiet environment. |
Mott MacDonald Situational Judgement Test: Questions & Strategy
The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is often the most challenging part of the Mott MacDonald online assessment for candidates. Unlike multiple-choice tests with clear right and wrong answers, the SJT requires you to rank responses from most effective to least effective - meaning you need to understand not just which options are good, but which are better.
How the SJT Works
You'll be presented with realistic workplace scenarios that you might encounter as a Mott MacDonald employee. For each scenario, you'll receive five possible responses and must drag them into order from most effective (1st) to least effective (5th). There are no ties - every response must have a unique ranking.
The scenarios typically involve situations such as managing competing priorities, working with colleagues who have different approaches, handling client requests, dealing with mistakes or setbacks, and balancing quality with deadlines.
Sample SJT Question
|
Scenario: You're working on a technical report
with a tight deadline. A colleague from another team asks if you can help
them with a complex calculation they're struggling with. Helping them would
take approximately two hours, and your report is due tomorrow morning. Rank the following responses
from most effective (1) to least effective (5): 1.
Explain that you can't help due to your deadline and suggest they
ask someone else 2.
Agree to help after you've submitted your report, even if that
means staying late 3.
Spend 30 minutes pointing them in the right direction, then
return to your work 4.
Ask your manager whether you should prioritise helping your
colleague 5. Stop working on
your report and help them fully - teamwork is important |
Analysis: How to Rank This Example
When ranking SJT responses, consider Mott MacDonald's PRIDE values (Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive, Excellence) and think about what a high-performing employee would do.
Recommended ranking: 3, 2, 4, 1, 5
- Option C (Rank 1st): Balances helpfulness with responsibility. Shows Drive and Respect while maintaining Excellence on your own deliverables
- Option B (Rank 2nd): Demonstrates commitment to both helping colleagues and meeting your obligations. Shows Integrity and Drive
- Option D (Rank 3rd): Seeking guidance is reasonable but may be unnecessary for this decision level. Shows some Initiative but could indicate over-reliance on management
- Option A (Rank 4th): While honest, it doesn't demonstrate the collaborative spirit Mott MacDonald values. Lacks Respect element
- Option E (Rank 5th): Abandoning your deadline entirely shows poor judgement and lack of Drive, even if motivated by good intentions
SJT Success Strategies
- Think like a consultant: Mott MacDonald employees work with clients and stakeholders constantly. Responses that show client awareness and professional judgement typically rank higher
- Balance competing priorities: The best responses rarely involve completely abandoning one responsibility for another. Look for solutions that address multiple concerns
- Consider long-term relationships: Answers that damage working relationships or team dynamics are usually less effective, even if they solve the immediate problem
- Avoid extremes: Options that are either completely passive or overly aggressive typically rank lower than balanced, measured responses
- Apply PRIDE values: For each response, ask yourself which values it demonstrates and which it might violate
Mott MacDonald Personality Assessment Explained
The personality section of the Mott MacDonald online assessment is designed to understand your natural working preferences and strengths. Unlike the SJT, there are no right or wrong answers here - Mott MacDonald is looking for authentic responses that help them understand how you naturally approach work.
Part 1: Bucket Sorting
In this section, you'll see a series of statements about working preferences and behaviours. You need to sort these statements into five buckets ranging from 'Very much like me' to 'Not at all like me'. Each bucket must contain between 3 and 8 statements, so you'll need to make comparative judgements about which statements best describe you.
Example statements you might see:
- I enjoy taking the lead in group projects
- I prefer having detailed instructions before starting a task
- I find it energising to work with new people
- I like to thoroughly research options before making decisions
- I'm comfortable speaking up in meetings, even with senior colleagues
Part 2: Slider Positioning
This section presents pairs of opposing statements with a slider between them. You position the slider to indicate where you fall on the spectrum between the two statements. The slider starts in a neutral position, and you must move it - leaving it untouched may be flagged as incomplete.
Example slider question:
I prefer working independently ←——————→ I prefer working in teams
|
Important:
Move Every Slider The system requires you to actively position each slider. Even if
you feel neutral, you must click and move the slider to register your
response. Leaving sliders in the default position may result in an incomplete
assessment. |
Personality Assessment Tips
- Be authentic: The assessment is designed to detect inconsistent responses. Trying to game the system often backfires because contradictory answers across similar questions will be flagged
- Think about your genuine preferences: Consider how you actually behave at university, in part-time work, or in group projects - not how you think you should behave
- Consider the engineering context: While there are no wrong answers, remember that Mott MacDonald needs people who can work in teams, handle technical challenges, and maintain high standards
- Don't overthink: Your first instinct is usually most accurate. The assessment is about natural preferences, not calculated responses
Mott MacDonald Numerical Reasoning: Practice Questions & Answers
The numerical reasoning section tests your ability to interpret data and perform calculations based on graphs, tables, and charts. As an engineering and development consultancy, Mott MacDonald needs employees who can work confidently with numbers and draw accurate conclusions from data.
What to Expect
You'll face 12 questions, each presented on a separate page with a data source (chart, graph, or table) and a multiple-choice question. While this section is technically untimed like the rest of the assessment, you should aim to work efficiently - most candidates complete it in 20-30 minutes.
Common Question Types
- Percentage calculations: Finding percentage increases, decreases, or proportions
- Data comparison: Comparing values across different categories or time periods
- Ratio problems: Working with ratios and proportional relationships
- Trend analysis: Identifying patterns and making projections from data
- Multi-step calculations: Combining several operations to reach an answer
Sample Numerical Question 1
|
Project Budget Data (£ thousands) Quarter 1: Planning £45 | Design £120 |
Construction £0 Quarter 2: Planning £30 | Design £180 |
Construction £250 Quarter 3: Planning £15 | Design £90 |
Construction £480 Quarter 4: Planning £10 | Design £60 |
Construction £620 Question: What percentage of the
total annual budget was spent on Design? A) 18.5% B) 22.5% C) 24.2% D) 27.3% E) 31.0% |
Worked Solution
Step 1: Calculate total Design spending
£120k + £180k + £90k + £60k = £450k
Step 2: Calculate total budget across all categories
Planning: £45k + £30k + £15k + £10k = £100k
Design: £450k (calculated above)
Construction: £0 + £250k + £480k + £620k = £1,350k
Total: £100k + £450k + £1,350k = £1,900k
Step 3: Calculate the percentage
(£450k ÷ £1,900k) × 100 = 23.68%, which rounds to 24.2%
Answer: C) 24.2%
Sample Numerical Question 2
|
Engineering Team Productivity Team Alpha: 8 engineers completed 24
projects in 6 months Team Beta: 12 engineers completed 30
projects in 5 months Question: Which team had the
higher productivity rate per engineer per month, and by what percentage? A) Alpha, 25% higher B)
Alpha, 20% higher C) Beta, 10%
higher D) Beta, 25% higher E) Equal productivity |
Worked Solution
Step 1: Calculate productivity for Team Alpha
24 projects ÷ 8 engineers ÷ 6 months = 0.5 projects per engineer per month
Step 2: Calculate productivity for Team Beta
30 projects ÷ 12 engineers ÷ 5 months = 0.5 projects per engineer per month
Step 3: Compare the rates
Both teams have identical productivity rates of 0.5 projects per engineer per month
Answer: E) Equal productivity
Numerical Reasoning Tips
• Use a calculator: You're permitted to use a basic calculator, so have one ready. Don't waste time on mental arithmetic for complex calculations
• Read carefully: Many errors come from misreading the question. Check whether it asks for an increase or total, percentage or absolute value
• Check units: Ensure you're working with consistent units (thousands vs millions, months vs years)
• Estimate first: Before calculating, estimate the rough answer. This helps catch major errors and can eliminate obviously wrong options
• Manage your time: If a question is taking too long, make your best estimate and move on. You can't return to previous questions
Aligning Your Answers with Mott MacDonald's PRIDE Values
Mott MacDonald's culture is built around five core values known as PRIDE: Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive, and Excellence. Understanding these values is essential for the SJT section, where the highest-ranking responses typically align with multiple PRIDE principles.
The PRIDE Values Explained
|
Value |
What It
Means |
How to
Demonstrate It |
|
Progress |
Continuous improvement, innovation, and forward-thinking. Being
curious and challenging the status quo. |
Choose responses that show learning from mistakes, seeking better
methods, and embracing new approaches |
|
Respect |
Valuing diversity, listening to others, and treating colleagues
and clients with consideration. |
Prioritise responses that consider others' perspectives, support
team members, and maintain professional relationships |
|
Integrity |
Acting ethically, being honest, and taking responsibility for
your actions and decisions. |
Rank higher responses that involve admitting mistakes, being
transparent, and doing the right thing even when difficult |
|
Drive |
Persistence, determination, and commitment to achieving goals
despite obstacles. |
Favour responses showing perseverance, meeting commitments, and
going the extra mile to deliver results |
|
Excellence |
Delivering high-quality work, maintaining professional standards,
and continuous skill development. |
Select responses that prioritise quality, attention to detail,
and professional development |
When evaluating SJT responses, ask yourself: "Which PRIDE values does this response demonstrate?" Responses that align with multiple values typically rank higher than those addressing only one or none.
After Your Mott MacDonald Assessment: Timeline & Next Steps
Understanding what happens after you complete the online assessment helps you plan your application journey and manage expectations about timing.
The Application Timeline
|
Stage |
What to
Expect |
|
Assessment Result |
Results are typically communicated within 1-2 weeks. If
successful, you'll receive an email with access to complete the application
form |
|
Application Form |
You have 4 days to complete the form once you receive access.
This includes questions about your motivations, qualifications, and relevant
experience |
|
Application Review |
The early careers team reviews applications and forwards suitable
candidates to hiring managers. This can take 2-4 weeks |
|
Interview Invitation |
If selected, you'll be invited to a strengths-based interview
lasting approximately 45 minutes. Some roles may include an assessment centre |
|
Final Decision |
Offers are typically made within 1-2 weeks of the final
interview. The entire process can take 2-6 months from initial application |
Application Form Questions
The application form asks competency-based questions that complement your assessment results. Based on previous years, expect questions such as:
• Tell us about your greatest achievement and why it matters to you
• What interests you most about your chosen engineering discipline?
• Describe something that demonstrates your passion for the sector you're applying to
• Why do you want to work at Mott MacDonald specifically?
|
Application
Form Tip Print or save a copy of your application form answers. You'll
likely be asked to expand on these responses during your interview, so having
them for reference helps you prepare consistent, detailed answers. |
The Interview Stage
Mott MacDonald interviews are strengths-based, meaning they focus on what energises you and where you naturally excel, rather than asking you to prove competencies. Interviewers want to understand your genuine interests and how they align with the role.
According to Glassdoor data, Mott MacDonald interviews have a 71.8% positive rating with a difficulty score of 2.93 out of 5 - meaning candidates generally find them challenging but fair. The relaxed, conversational style reported by many candidates reflects the strengths-based approach.
Free & Paid Mott MacDonald Assessment Practice Resources
Official Resources
Mott MacDonald provides an official 'Preparing for Your Future' practice hub through their Cappfinity portal. This is the most valuable resource because it uses the same platform and question style as the actual assessment. Access it via the link in your assessment invitation email or search for 'Mott MacDonald PreparationPlus'.
Free Practice Options
• Mott MacDonald's official practice portal: Realistic preparation using the actual assessment platform
• Gradcracker Mott MacDonald Hub: Official hints, tips, and FAQs directly from Mott MacDonald's early careers team
• Generic SJT practice tests: While not Mott MacDonald-specific, these help you practise ranking-style questions
• Numerical reasoning practice: Free tests are widely available online to sharpen your data interpretation skills
Paid Preparation
Commercial test preparation providers offer Mott MacDonald-specific practice packs. While these can be helpful, remember that the official Mott MacDonald practice portal is free and uses the actual assessment format. Paid resources are most useful for additional numerical reasoning practice or if you want more SJT scenarios to work through.
Key Takeaways: How to Pass the Mott MacDonald Online Assessment
Success in the Mott MacDonald online assessment comes from combining thorough preparation with authentic responses. Here are the essential points to remember:
• Understand the format: The assessment uses Cappfinity's strengths-based methodology, not SHL. Prepare accordingly using the official practice portal
• Align with PRIDE values: For SJT questions, evaluate responses against Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive, and Excellence
• Be authentic in personality questions: The assessment detects inconsistency, so respond honestly about your genuine preferences
• Practice numerical reasoning: Brush up on percentages, ratios, and data interpretation. Have a calculator ready
• Allow enough time: Set aside 60 minutes in a quiet environment where you won't be interrupted
• Prepare for what comes next: The application form and interview continue the strengths-based approach, so reflect on what genuinely motivates you
The Mott MacDonald online assessment is competitive, but with the right preparation, you can demonstrate that your strengths and values align with what the company is looking for. Focus on understanding the assessment format, practising with realistic questions, and responding authentically to show your potential as a future Mott MacDonald employee.
Good luck with your application!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Mott MacDonald online assessment?
The assessment is untimed, but Mott MacDonald recommends allowing 45-60 minutes to complete it. You must finish in one sitting as you cannot save and return.
Is the Mott MacDonald assessment timed?
No, the assessment is not timed. However, you should work at a steady pace and complete it in one session. Most candidates finish within an hour.
What is included in the Mott MacDonald online test?
The assessment has three sections: a Situational Judgement Test (ranking workplace scenarios), a personality assessment (bucket sorting and slider questions), and numerical reasoning (12 data interpretation questions).
Can you retake the Mott MacDonald assessment if you fail?
Your result is valid for the current intake, so you cannot retake it for roles in the same recruitment cycle. However, your result resets for the next intake, giving you a fresh opportunity to apply.
Does Mott MacDonald use SHL or Cappfinity?
Mott MacDonald uses Cappfinity for their online assessment. While some preparation materials mention SHL, this is incorrect. The assessment follows Cappfinity's strengths-based methodology.
How hard is the Mott MacDonald numerical reasoning test?
The numerical reasoning section tests GCSE to A-level standard mathematics. Questions involve percentages, ratios, and data interpretation from charts and tables. A calculator is permitted and recommended.
What are the Mott MacDonald PRIDE values?
PRIDE stands for Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive, and Excellence. These values underpin Mott MacDonald's culture and are assessed through the SJT section of the online assessment.
How long after the assessment do you hear back?
Successful candidates typically receive results within 1-2 weeks, with access to complete the application form. The full process from application to offer can take 2-6 months depending on the role and timing.
What happens after passing the Mott MacDonald online assessment?
If successful, you'll receive access to complete an application form within 4 days. After the form is reviewed, suitable candidates are invited to a strengths-based interview lasting approximately 45 minutes.
Does Mott MacDonald sponsor visas for graduates?
As of April 2024, Mott MacDonald is not offering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for candidates in the UK due to government policy changes. Check the job description for current visa sponsorship status in your region.
