Practice room
Practice your performance review
Run the conversation before you have it. Your manager pushes back, you practice holding your position, and you get scored on what you actually said.
Answer one real Practice your performance review question now
A question a Practice your performance review panel actually asks, answered out loud, scored on what you said and how you said it. Under two minutes, and nothing to sign up for.
“I've rated you as 'meets expectations' this cycle. I know you were hoping for higher. Talk me through how you see it.”
We never store the audio. Your answer is deleted within 24 hours unless you save the result.
How this conversation really runs
Reviews are not interviews. Your manager already has a written opinion, the power sits on their side of the table, and the hard part is disagreeing with a rating without sounding defensive or grateful. Most people over-prepare their achievements and under-prepare the moment they are told something they think is wrong.
Who you are talking to: Your manager, in a scheduled review, holding a rating you disagree with.
What you will be asked
Every one of these is a moment people tell us they were not ready for.
“I've rated you as 'meets expectations' this cycle. I know you were hoping for higher. Talk me through how you see it.”
Why it is hard: The whole conversation turns here. Accept it too readily and the rating stands; argue it badly and you look like someone who cannot take feedback.
A strong answer: Names one specific outcome with a number or a consequence, asks what would have moved the rating, and keeps the tone curious rather than wounded.
“The scope you're describing is real, but it isn't in your job description. Why should that count?”
Why it is hard: Tests whether you can argue impact over remit without sounding like you ignored your actual job.
A strong answer: Ties the extra scope to something the team needed and nobody else picked up, and shows the core work did not slip while doing it.
“Money is tight this cycle. What number were you thinking, and why that number?”
Why it is hard: Most people either name nothing or name a figure they cannot defend. Both end the conversation.
A strong answer: Gives a specific figure, anchors it to market or to scope taken on, and states it once without immediately negotiating against themselves.
“A couple of people mentioned you can be hard to reach when you're heads-down. What's your read on that?”
Why it is hard: Second-hand criticism with no names attached. Defending yourself looks worse than the criticism did.
A strong answer: Accepts the observable behaviour without conceding a character flaw, and proposes a concrete change with a way to check it worked.
“What would you need from me over the next six months to be sitting on the other rating?”
Why it is hard: Sounds friendly and is the highest-leverage question in the room. A vague answer wastes it.
A strong answer: Asks for something specific and checkable, then repeats it back so both people leave with the same sentence.
What you get scored on
Holds position
Disagrees without becoming defensive or capitulating.
- · States a view once and clearly
- · Does not repeat or over-justify
- · Stays on the point when pushed
Evidence
Backs claims with something checkable.
- · Names a specific outcome
- · Uses a number or consequence
- · Avoids 'I feel like I did well'
Receives criticism
Takes real feedback without collapsing or arguing.
- · Separates behaviour from identity
- · Asks a clarifying question
- · Proposes a concrete change
Delivery
Sounds composed under pressure.
- · Answers land inside 90 seconds
- · Few fillers on the hard question
- · No apology openers
Same engine as the interview practice
Round Zero started with interviews because that is where the deadline is. It turned out the hard part is the same everywhere: saying a thing you have never said out loud, to someone who can interrupt. Practicing a review, a presentation or an interview all run on the one engine, and they all draw on the same weekly allowance.