How to Pass the Primark Assessment: Guide/Tips/Examples

Operating over 400 stores in 16 countries, Primark is widely considered to be an excellent employer and regularly receives hundreds of applications for positions.

The Primark Online Assessment is used to screen candidates before reaching the interview stage. The screening process, part of Primark’s pre employment process, allows recruiters to select the best possible candidates for each role.

This means that if you are determined to work at Primark, you will need to pass the assessment to progress through the recruitment process.

In this article, you will learn more about the Primark assessment, how it’s administered and how to interpret the results. You will also find sample questions and answers to frequently asked questions.

What Is the Primark Assessment Test?

Applicants who would like a job at Primark will need to pass through a number of stages before being offered an interview. One of these stages is the Primark assessment.

The Primark assessment test is a combination of different assessments and used to evaluate candidates on their suitability for a role within the company. The exact combination of tests that a candidate takes will vary depending on the position they have applied for.

The most common assessments for candidates to take are:

• Primark Situational Judgement Test – Offers a range of scenarios for candidates to choose from, with answers indicating how well an individual will fit within the ethos and ethics of the company
• Logical Reasoning Assessment – Considers a candidate’s ability to use logical thinking to solve problems
• Logical Reasoning Assessment – Evaluates an individual's pattern recognitions skills as well as their ability to infer information from images and shapes
• Numerical Reasoning Assessment – Designed to assess a candidate's ability to solve problems involving numbers.

Subjects Covered in the Primark Assessment Test

The exact range of subjects covered during your assessments will vary depending on which Primark tests you are asked to take. 

Some of the most common areas are:

Numerical Reasoning

This style of question will seek to understand your mathematical abilities. You will be asked questions relating to basic arithmetic, data interpretation and number sequence. 

You may be shown graphs and diagrams and asked to answer questions based on the information you can see, and basic calculations are likely.

Key skills: Data interpretation, basic numeracy

Sample Numerical Reasoning Question

Primark is analyzing the sales of different clothing items in one of its stores over a week. The sales data for T-shirts, jeans, and jackets is as follows:

• T-shirts: 350 units
• Jeans: 200 units
• Jackets: 150 units

If the store aims to increase the sales of jeans by 25% next week, how many jeans will they need to sell?

a) 225
b) 250
c) 275
d) 300

The correct answer is: b) 250

To find the number of jeans the store needs to sell to achieve a 25% increase, calculate 25% of the current sales and add it to the current sales.

1. Calculate 25% of the current sales of jeans: $25\% \times 200 = \frac{25}{100} \times 200 = 50$
   

2. Add this to the current sales: $200 + 50 = 250$
   

Therefore, the store will need to sell 250 jeans to achieve a 25% increase.

Logical Reasoning

Basic skills: Logical thinking, pattern recognition

Sample Logical Reasoning Question

Primark is planning the layout of a new store. They need to ensure that the following departments are placed in a specific order based on customer flow:

Department A (Women's Clothing)
Department B (Men's Clothing)
Department C (Children's Clothing)
Department D (Accessories)
Department E (Footwear)

Rules:

Department A must be next to Department B.
Department D must be placed before Department E.
Department C cannot be next to Department E.

Which of the following sequences of departments is acceptable based on the rules?

a) A, B, C, D, E
b) A, C, B, D, E
c) C, A, B, D, E
d) B, A, D, E, C

The correct answer is: a) A, B, C, D, E

A is next to B (Rule 1: satisfied).
D is placed before E (Rule 2: satisfied).
C is not next to E (Rule 3: satisfied).
This option satisfies all rules.

Situational Judgement

Primark Situational judgement test questions are designed to assess how individuals are likely to react to hypothetical challenges. These can be colleague-related issues, managing tricky customers or solving problems that could potentially occur in the workplace.

Candidates are presented with a scenario and a range of possible Primark situational judgement test answers. They must pick the option which they feel is the most likely resolution or reaction they would choose.

Your Primark situational judgement test answers can then be used to assess how well a potential employee would fit within the company.

Basic skills: Problem solving, decision making, prioritising

Sample Situational Judgement Question

You are a sales associate at Primark. The store is very busy, and you notice a customer looking confused while trying to find a specific item. At the same time, your manager asks you to restock an important display that is running low on products. You know that both tasks are important, but you cannot do both at the same time.

What would you do?

a) Ignore the customer and focus on restocking the display as instructed by your manager.
b) Ask the customer to wait while you quickly finish restocking the display.
c) Help the customer find the item they are looking for and then restock the display.
d) Inform your manager about the situation and ask for guidance on what to prioritize.

The correct answer is: c) Help the customer find the item they are looking for and then restock the display.

This option demonstrates good customer service skills, which are crucial in a retail environment like Primark. Helping the customer ensures that their immediate need is met, enhancing their shopping experience and potentially leading to a sale. After assisting the customer, you can then return to restocking the display. This approach balances customer service with your responsibilities, showing initiative and problem-solving skills.

How Is the Primark Assessment Test Administered?

Because of the variable nature of the Primark assessments, the exact time limits and number of questions is difficult to predict. 

For those applying in retail, there is usually an initial online assessment which takes around 10 minutes to complete. 

Successful applicants will then move on to the next stage of the recruitment process, which can include a test centre day and further assessments.

Generally, your Primark assessments will be computer-based with a multiple-choice format. 

Testing centre days will usually involve a range of different assessments. These can then be followed by an interview the same day, although you will sometimes be called back for an interview on a future date.

If you are invited to a testing day, make sure to remember your identification and any other documents that have been requested. 

You should also dress as though you’re attending an interview. This will be the first time recruiters will meet you in person, so it’s important to make a good impression.

How to Interpret the Results of Your Primark Assessment

Once you have completed your Primark assessments, there might be a little bit of a wait for your results. Generally, most people will hear back within two weeks.

Primark doesn’t typically send candidates reports with their results or correct/incorrect Primark assessment answers, and instead will either move applicants to the next stage of the recruitment process or end applications.

If you have been successful, you will be invited back for an interview.

If you have been unsuccessful, you will receive an email or a letter informing you of this. You will be able to reapply for other positions within Primark in the future, but you will have to wait at least 180 days before submitting further applications.

Should you choose to reapply, you will be required to take the Primark assessments again, so it’s a good idea to think about your Primark assessment answers the first time around and any areas you found particularly challenging.

How to Prepare for the Primark Assessment 

Before taking the Primark assessments, it can be helpful to spend time brushing up on your skills. This can help you to feel more confident heading into the test and may mean that you get more Primark assessment test answers correct.

Preparation Strategies

• Puzzle books – You can find puzzle books on a range of topics including number and pattern recognition. These types of books can help to strengthen your skills when it comes to the logical and numerical reasoning assessments.
  
• Research Primark – Consider what Primark looks for in an employee and what the company values and ethos are. Knowing this information can help you to answer well in the situational judgement assessment.
  
• Sleep – Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before your Primark assessment. Being well rested will help to reduce feelings of anxiety as well as improving cognitive abilities and recall, helping you to get more Primark job assessment answers correct.

Practice Tests and Resources

Practice tests are an excellent way of familiarising yourself with the format of assessments and understanding what will be expected of you when you take them. They can also serve as a tool for identifying any areas of weakness so that you can practise and strengthen these skills.

You will find a range of practice tests and sample questions online. Some of these will be packages requiring payment, while others will offer a selection of questions for free. You can find a Primark test pack at JobTestPrep. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the Primark assessment hard?

It isn’t necessarily a difficult test, but refreshing key skills can have a significant impact on how well you perform. Taking time to research the skills and attributes Primark values in its employees can also help you to perform well in the situational judgement assessments.

How many questions are on the Primark assessment?

The exact number of questions you will face will vary depending on which combination of assessments you are required to take.

What happens if you fail the Primark assessment?

If you fail, your application process will not go any further. You will be able to reapply in the future for alternative positions. 

If you do this, you will be required to undertake the assessments again. You must wait at least 180 days before reapplying.

How is the hiring process at Primark? 

The hiring process at Primark includes an online application, an online assessment, and an interview. Some roles may also require a group interview or work trial.

How to pass the Primark online assessment? 

To get as many Primark Online Assessment answers correct as possible, practise situational judgement, numerical reasoning, and verbal reasoning skills using online resources and practice tests. You can find a Primark test pack at JobTestPrep. 

Where can I find example questions for the Primark assessment? 

Example questions and Primark Online Assessment answers can be found on job preparation websites, forums, and sometimes Primark's career page. You can find a Primark test pack at JobTestPrep, which includes help around Primark’s interview questions. 

How long is the Primark assessment? 

The Primark assessment typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete, depending on the specific test sections and question count.

Final Thoughts

Primark is regularly acknowledged as a good company to work for, with generous benefits and a good workplace ethos. If you’re considering a career with Primark, you’ll want to make sure you are as prepared as possible for the Primark assessments.

By preparing and brushing up on core skills, you will be able to feel confident in your abilities as you face whichever assessments are required for the role you’ve applied for.

This way, no matter the outcome of your recruitment process, you will know that you did the very best you could.