When you submit your initial application, Tesco usually emails you a link to complete their online assessment. What many candidates fail to realise is that this link comes with a hard, automated expiration timer. If you do not complete the test within the specified window (usually 48 to 72 hours), your application is withdrawn.
This acts as a brutal filter for Time Management and genuine interest. The system assumes that a highly motivated candidate will complete the assessment promptly. If you leave it sitting in your inbox for five days, the ATS moves your status to "Incomplete - Rejected" to make way for faster applicants.
Often, these crucial emails land straight in spam or junk folders. Candidates wait weeks assuming the store is reviewing their CV, completely unaware that the system timed them out days ago.
| Candidate Error | System Consequence |
|---|---|
| Ignoring the assessment email | Automatic withdrawal after 72 hours |
| Starting but not finishing the test | Scored as zero, instant rejection |
| Completing it past the deadline | Link expires, application locked |
You must monitor your junk folder religiously after applying to any major supermarket, as the automated timers are completely unforgiving and cannot be reset.