If you observe a fellow candidate showing signs of fatigue during a selection exercise, what is the appropriate action?

• A. Ignore fatigue to avoid interrupting the exercise
• B. Encourage the candidate to push through despite fatigue
• C. Wait to see if fatigue improves on its own
• D. Prioritise safety, report concerns to assessors or supervising staff, and ensure appropriate rest or modification of activities as directed

Answer: (D)

Recognizing fatigue as a welfare and safety signal is the key idea. When you notice a fellow candidate showing signs of fatigue during a demanding exercise, the priority is to protect the person and the group by involving the people in charge. Report your concerns to the assessors or supervising staff so they can assess the situation and decide on rest, modification of the activity, or other safety measures as directed. This keeps everyone safe and ensures the exercise runs under the proper safety protocol, with professionals making the call on what’s appropriate next.

Ignoring fatigue to avoid interrupting the exercise risks harm and undermines welfare; encouraging someone to push through can lead to preventable injury or poor decision-making; waiting to see if fatigue improves on its own may miss early warning signs and delay necessary safety actions.