The in-basket test step by step: a minute-by-minute plan for a 45-minute inbox, a sorting matrix, delegation rules, what government employers say assessors score, and costly mistakes.

How to Pass an In-Basket Exercise: Sort, Delegate, 45-Minute Plan

What an in-basket item looks like, two original worked items with every listed action rated and explained, how two public employers score in-baskets, and a full supervisor inbox to practice on.

In-basket exercise examples: a worked inbox with scored answers

An in-basket exercise (in the UK, an in-tray or e-tray exercise) is a work simulation used by public employers in the United States and Canada, among others, to select and promote supervisors and managers. The candidate takes on a role, receives a set of emails, memos and messages, and decides what to do with each one within a time limit: act now, hand it to someone, schedule it, escalate it or leave it. Depending on the employer, candidates rank the items, write the action they would take, or choose from set options, and are scored on judgments such as prioritization, delegation, communication and planning. There is no single official in-basket. Each employer writes and scores its own; check your employer's instructions for the format, time limit and any scoring information.

In-Basket Exercise (Supervisor and Manager Assessment)

A supervisor in-basket with an optional timer, every action explained

Practice an in-basket exercise: one supervisor inbox of 13 items, an optional 45-minute timer, and your ratings scored against our model answer, with the reason for every action. 3 items free.

One supervisor inbox of 13 items in a fictional city department, with an optional 45-minute timer. Rate each listed action for each item, from Strong to Harmful, and see our model answer and the reason for every action. You get a score for each of 5 competencies. Independent practice, not any employer's own exercise.