Every year thousands of graduates live the various institutions of higher learning in Nigeria for the job market. However, there are few jobs are in the market. This means that thousands of applications from prospective job seekers usually follow any news of job vacancies in any organisation.
This creates a dilemma for organisations. How do they trim down the number of applicants to a manageable size? In response to this, some organisations use the class of degree for trimming down the number of applicants. Usually University graduates with first class or second-class upper and polytechnic graduates with upper credit are favoured.
This leaves graduates with other classes of degree in the cold.
Usually organisations organise series of aptitude tests to further trim down the number of applicants to be invited for job interview. Most of these organisations do not have the competence to recruit via aptitude test this often leads to not recruiting the most talented.
The Graduate Standardisation Examination (GSE) hopes to solve this problem. But what is GSE? GSE is a graduate assessment examination that is based on the UK FGA (United Kingdom First Graduate Assessment). The examination is divided into three sections. These are:
- Numerical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Abstract Reasoning
GSE is aimed at helping employers to objectively assess the capability of job seekers. The graduate standardisation examination can also help graduates to assess their performance overtime.
If you are a graduate job seeker or even in job already you should not ignore GSE. This is because events of the past few months have shown that GSE is here to stay. Soon most organisations will be demanding in addition to educational qualification a GSE score.
For example, Banks like GTBank, Access Bank, Afribank, UBA and Skye Bank first embraced GSE. However, the graduate standardisation examination is now becoming more popular, for example Dana group recently used GSE score as a criterion for short listing job applicants in their motor and electronics arm. The current recruitment by Union Bank also requires job applicants to provide a GSE ID. For a list of companies that have now subscribed to GSE, visit the GSE subscriber list on the official GSE website.
The reason why employers are embracing GSE is not far fetched. GSE meets a need, which has long been there.
First, GSE allows employers to scientifically/objectively assess the capacity of job applicants. This eliminates unnecessary recruitment mistakes by employers. Secondly, GSE saves cost for employers, as they will not have to invite hundreds of graduates from all over Nigeria for aptitude test.
For the job seeker GSE has some benefits, the first being cost savings. Presently Graduates in the country spend thousands of Naira in transportation and accommodation cost each time they attend aptitude test usually organised by employers in Lagos or Abuja. GSE hopes to be the mother of all aptitude test.
This means that graduates will seat for GSE and then use the score when applying for jobs. Employers will recognise GSE as a fair and cost effective means of assessing a graduate’s capability.
GSE is also convenient because exam centres are spread all over the country hence graduates would not have to travel to Lagos or Abuja for first stage aptitude tests.
As it is now only the organisers of the GSE examination can destroy the test. If they allow corruption and malpractices that has destroyed the credibility of all other examinations organised in the country (from primary school to University) GSE may face credibility problem. The Graduate Standardisation examination will continue to be popular to employers as long as the test remains credible.
Hence, if you are a graduate job seeker or you are currently employed, it is a good idea to get a GSE score if you do not already have one. Do this as soon as you are ready to seat for the aptitude test. If you do not take this advice and if our calculations are correct, you will only have yourself to blame.
First thing first, log in to GSE website at www.gse.org.ng and register to obtain your GSE ID.
Here are some key points about GSE:
- GSE is similar to GMAT
- Cost for the test is N5,000
- Test consists of three sections Numerical, Verbal and Abstract Reasoning
- GSE score is valid for two (2) years
- Exam centres are available nationwide
- Exams can be taken only at six (6) months interval (this may be necessary if you do not perform well)
- Payment can be made via InterSwitch ATM card, UBA X-change card or eTranzact
