What happens next?

After you apply

Once we receive your application form and you've completed the on-line numerical reasoning test, we aim to contact you within four weeks and tell you if you are to be invited to the Stage 1 assessment. We will let you know if your application has been unsuccessful however due to the large number of applications we receive, we cannot provide feedback on applications that are not put through to the next stage.

Stage 1 assessment

Those who successfully complete the on-line application form and numerical reasoning test and have met our initial criteria, will attend a Stage 1 assessment which involves a 30-45 minutes competency based interview and an opportunity to ask questions about the scheme.

You may find it helpful to do this practice numerical reasoning test first before completing the test for real, which you will be asked to do on-line once you have submitted your application form.

Stage 2 assessment

If you are successful at Stage 1 then you will be invited to our Stage 2 process which will include a number of individual and group exercises as well as an interview, all assessed against the NAO's graduate competencies. This will take a day but you will be provided with lunch and refreshments. You will have the opportunity to speak to some of our current trainees and others who have qualified recently.

We will let you know the outcome of the Stage 2 assessment quickly – usually within a few days.

Offers are conditional on a number of pre-employment checks including: security; verification of your academic grades entered on your application; and employment history.