Best Alternatives to Graduates First for Game-Based Assessments (2026)

Hiring through neuro-cognitive games has become popular in selection programs, with platforms like HireVue, Pymetrics, Arctic Shores, and AON using mini-games to measure memory, reasoning, risk tolerance, and emotional intelligence. Many candidates train with Graduates First, a service offering a package of eight games (including Balloon BART, Cognition-A™, Cognition-M™, i-EQ™, MTA-Tray™, MathBubbles™, Flanker Task, and PassCode™) designed by psychologists and psychometricians. The package is sold with lifetime access, without automatic renewals, and allows unlimited practice. The current price is €29.95 (discounted from €59.95).

While Graduates First offers a valid option, it also has some limitations: it covers only eight out of the eleven games for HireVue, does not include the 16 Pymetrics mini-games, and does not feature dynamic simulations or varying levels of difficulty. In this guide, we will assess what features to look for in an alternative and present three services that represent the best alternatives to Graduates First for preparing for game-based assessments in 2026.

What to Look for in an Alternative to Graduates First

• Coverage of Official Games – Selection platforms use eleven games for HireVue and sixteen for Pymetrics. A good alternative should offer realistic simulations for all games, not just a selection.
• Extended Access and Unlimited Practice – Graduates First guarantees lifetime access, but other services offer cheaper monthly plans or limited periods with dynamic simulations. Consider whether you prefer a continuous subscription or a one-time payment.
• Dynamic Simulations and Feedback – The games should vary with each session, featuring graphics and timers similar to the real exam and performance reports. Immediate feedback helps identify weaknesses and improve.
• Prices and Guarantees – Compare costs: some platforms offer monthly subscriptions starting at around $12.90; others have a one-time cost with extended access. Also, check for any money-back guarantees, such as partial refunds if you don’t pass the exam.
• Support and Reputation – Prefer programs developed by psychologists with quick customer support and positive testimonials. Graduates First has a high rating on Trustpilot, but the alternatives presented here also have strong user bases.

Best Alternatives to Graduates First

1. Game Assessment Prep – Complete Coverage for HireVue

Why Choose It: Game Assessment Prep offers 12 timed HireVue-style simulations across cognitive, spatial, personality, and emotion categories. Production data through July 15, 2026 records 1,000+ registered candidates and 23,000+ completed practice sessions. In matched repeat-practice data, median fifth-attempt scores were 25% higher than first-attempt scores; this is not a hiring success rate.

Key Features:

• Complete Coverage of HireVue Games: Timed simulations for 12 HireVue-style games.
• Difficulty Levels: Ability to practice at different levels and categories, with tips based on cognitive science.
• Guides and Strategies: Access to free guides and articles explaining the logic behind the games and providing practical tips.
• Practice Evidence: 1,000+ candidates, 23,000+ completed sessions, and a 25% median score lift by attempt five in matched repeat-practice data.

Prices:

• Premium Monthly Plan: $12.90 per month; includes access to all articles, unlimited game practice, and advanced strategies.
• Free Plan: $0; includes unlimited access to articles and guides.

2. JobTestPrep – Timed Plans with Interactive Guides

Why Choose It: JobTestPrep offers a HireVue Games Prep Course with interactive guides and various simulations for five games: Numerosity, Flashback, Shapedance, Digitspan, and PortraitXT. Each game includes guides, practice sessions, and simulations to replicate the exam experience. The packages are provided in three time-based plans (short, medium, and long), all with identical content but different durations.

Key Features:

• Detailed Guides and Simulations: Each game includes an interactive guide and multiple simulations (e.g., Numerosity has an arithmetic guide and three simulations; Shapedance has a guide and four practice sessions).
• Flexible Time-Based Plans: Three license tiers: short (3-7 days), medium (7-30 days), and long (1-3 months).
• Unlimited Practice During Access Period: You can take the included tests as many times as you want while the plan is active.
• One-Time Payments with No Automatic Renewals: No recurring costs, and you can extend the plan by paying only the difference.
• Multiple Packages: After purchasing a course, you can upgrade to a premium license to unlock up to three additional products for $29.

Prices:

• Short Plan: Approximately $79; provides access to a single package for 3-7 days.
• Medium Plan: Intermediate price; access for 7-30 days (cost varies depending on the product).
• Long Plan: Approximately $99; provides access for 1-3 months.
• Premium Upgrade: An additional $29 to unlock up to three courses simultaneously.

3. Prepmatter – The Choice for the Pymetrics Test

Why Choose It: Prepmatter is the only platform that simulates all 16 Pymetrics mini-games, used by companies like BCG, Bain, EY, Tesla, and Unilever. The simulation is dynamic: each session offers different scenarios, allowing you to practice until you feel prepared. If you do not pass the test, Prepmatter offers a 50% refund.

Key Features:

• Complete Coverage of the Pymetrics Test: 16 mini-games that assess skills such as decision-making, risk tolerance, memory, attention, and emotional intelligence.
• Dynamic and Unlimited Simulations: Scenarios change with each attempt, allowing you to improve adaptability and flexibility.
• Six-Month Access: A one-time payment guarantees access for six months, with no automatic renewals.
• 50% Money-Back Guarantee: If you do not pass the real test, you can request a 50% refund within two months, providing you submit an official email from the company.
• Quick Support: Prepmatter guarantees responses to questions in under 8 hours.

Prices:

• One-Time Cost: €99 for six months of access to the full simulation.
• Partial Refund: 50% of the cost refunded if unsuccessful, valid for purchases made after August 6, 2025.

Which Alternative to Choose?

The best alternative choice depends on your needs and the type of game you are preparing for:

• Complete Preparation for HireVue with Monthly Flexibility: If you want to practice all 12 HireVue-style games with repeatable simulations and detailed strategies, Game Assessment Prep is the most comprehensive option. Paid plans offer unlimited practice during the selected access period.
• Specific and Intensive Preparation for Five Games: If you have a short period and prefer a time-based solution with detailed guides, JobTestPrep is a good choice. The short plan ($79) is ideal if your exam is within a week, while the long plan ($99) allows for more gradual preparation.
• Focus on the Pymetrics Test: If your assessment is the Pymetrics test by Harver, choose Prepmatter. It is the only platform that simulates all 16 games with dynamic scenarios and offers a 50% refund guarantee if you fail.

In summary, Graduates First offers a solid and affordable package with eight games and lifetime access, but if you want broader coverage or a more dynamic experience, the alternatives presented here might better suit your needs. Consider the number of games offered, access duration, your budget, and any money-back guarantees to choose the best alternative for your career path.