PwC Assessment & Interview Preparation
Online Assessments, Digital Interview, Case Study & Final Interview
Guide country context: United Kingdom · Consulting / Professional Services
Hiring processes can vary by country, role, business unit, and year.
PwC's recruitment varies by country and service line. Graduate processes often include online assessments (verbal, numerical, inductive reasoning), digital/video interviews, HR and business interviews, case studies for advisory roles, and final partner interviews.
Hiring Process
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1Application officialResearch role and apply online through PwC careers→ Demonstrate motivation for PwC and specific service line
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2Online Assessment officialMay include verbal, numerical, and inductive reasoning tests→ Practice reasoning tests in timed conditions
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3Digital/Video Interview officialRecord video responses to behavioral or motivational questions→ Practice with webcam, use structured answers
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4HR Interview officialCompetency and motivation discussion with HR recruiter→ Prepare STAR examples and 'Why PwC?' answer
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5Business Interview officialService-line-specific discussion with professionals→ Research service line and prepare technical/industry knowledge
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6Case Study / Interview role-dependentFor Advisory roles: structured business case analysis→ Practice case frameworks and structured analysis
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7Final Interview officialPartner or director-level interview→ Demonstrate commercial awareness and professional maturity
Assessments
Read passages and determine whether statements are true, false, or cannot be determined from the information provided.
Measures: Reading comprehension, logical deduction, information analysis
- Base answers only on the passage, not general knowledge
- Watch for absolute words like 'always' or 'never'
- Practice under timed conditions
- 'Cannot Say' means the passage doesn't provide enough information
Common mistakes
- Using general knowledge instead of passage content
- Confusing 'False' with 'Cannot Say'
- Spending too long on difficult questions
Interpret data from tables, charts, and graphs to answer multiple-choice questions involving calculations and analysis.
Measures: Data interpretation, mathematical ability, speed and accuracy
- Practice reading data from different chart types quickly
- Focus on percentage change, ratios, and proportions
- Use estimation to eliminate wrong answers
- Manage time carefully — skip and return to difficult questions
Common mistakes
- Misreading chart axes or units
- Calculation errors under time pressure
- Spending too long on one question
Identify patterns in sequences of shapes or figures and determine the next item in the sequence.
Measures: Pattern recognition, logical thinking, abstract reasoning
- Look for changes in shape, size, color, position, and rotation
- Check for rules that apply to rows, columns, or the whole sequence
- Practice recognizing common pattern types
Common mistakes
- Focusing on one attribute and missing a second rule
- Not checking all answer options
- Spending too long on complex patterns
Record video responses to motivational and competency questions. Typically 3-5 questions with preparation and recording time for each.
Measures: Communication, motivation, competency evidence, professionalism
- Practice with your webcam beforehand
- Use the STAR method for competency questions
- Look at the camera, not the screen
- Prepare your 'Why PwC?' answer carefully
Common mistakes
- Not testing equipment beforehand
- Rambling without structure
- Reading from notes visibly
Interviews
Analyze a business problem, structure your approach, make calculations where needed, and present recommendations. Common for Advisory roles.
Format: Structured business case analysis with interviewer
What interviewers look for
- Structured approach to problem solving
- Analytical and quantitative skills
- Business judgment and commercial awareness
- Clear communication under pressure
Focus areas to practise
- Profitability decline
- Market entry
- Cost reduction
- Operational efficiency
- Digital transformation
- Ask clarifying questions before starting
- Use a framework but adapt it to the specific case
- Show your calculations and reasoning
- Conclude with a clear recommendation
Explore competency examples mapped to the PwC Professional framework, motivation for PwC, and commercial awareness.
Format: Competency-based behavioral interview
What interviewers look for
- Strong STAR examples
- Genuine motivation for PwC
- Understanding of chosen service line
- Professional maturity
- Teamwork and leadership evidence
Focus areas to practise
- Whole leadership
- Technical capabilities
- Business acumen
- Global acumen
- Relationships
- Research PwC's purpose, values, and recent work
- Prepare examples for teamwork, leadership, problem solving, and communication
- Show commercial awareness of current business trends
- Have specific reasons for your chosen service line
How this differs by role
The process is not the same for every role. Find the closest match to the job you applied for — the assessments and interviews below are the ones reported for that role family.
Early Careers / Graduate
Assessments
- Verbal reasoning
- Numerical reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Digital interview
Interviews
- HR interview
- Business interview
- Assessment centre (some regions)
Advisory / Consulting
Assessments
- Online assessments
- Case interview
Interviews
- Case interview
- Behavioral interview
- Partner interview
Audit / Tax
Assessments
- Numerical reasoning
- Verbal reasoning
Interviews
- Technical interview
- Behavioral interview
- Partner interview
Experienced Hire
Assessments
- Ability tests (role-dependent)
- Case study or in-tray (role-dependent)
Interviews
- Technical interview
- Behavioral interview
- Senior-level interview
Values & Framework
PwC assesses candidates against professional behaviors and capabilities that define success at the firm. This framework emphasizes whole leadership, technical excellence, and business acumen.
- Show leadership in team contexts, not just individual achievement
- Demonstrate technical depth relevant to your service line
- Show business/commercial awareness in your examples
- Demonstrate cross-cultural or diverse team experience
- Show how you build and maintain professional relationships
Recommended Practice Modules
Preparation Plans
- Identify which assessment you're taking (verbal, numerical, inductive, or video)
- Take one timed practice test for each relevant reasoning type
- If video interview: record yourself answering 'Why PwC?' and review
- Review PwC's professional framework and service line basics
- Prepare 2-3 strong STAR stories
- Complete full verbal, numerical, and inductive reasoning practice modules
- Practice 5+ timed questions for each reasoning type daily
- Record and review 3-5 video interview responses
- Prepare 'Why PwC?' and 'Why this service line?' with specific details
- For Advisory: start case interview framework practice
- Research PwC's recent thought leadership and projects
- Daily timed reasoning practice (20 mins per type)
- Complete multiple full-length practice assessments
- Daily video interview practice with STAR-structured answers
- For Advisory: practice 3-4 different case types
- Research PwC's values, purpose, and current initiatives
- Mock interview focusing on commercial awareness
- Practice handling time pressure across all assessment types
- All 7-day plan items plus:
- Full assessment centre simulation if applicable
- For Advisory: aim for 6-8 case practices with feedback
- Practice group exercises and presentation skills
- Deep research into target service line
- Get peer feedback on reasoning speed and video delivery
- Build confidence through repeated full-length timed tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & verification status
4 sources · 4 from the employer or another primary publisher
See each source and how far it goes
- Employer site PwC US Entry Level Recruiting Primary source, published by the employer
- Employer site PwC Middle East Graduate Assessment Primary source, published by the employer
- Employer site PwC UK Early Careers Assessment Primary source, published by the employer
- Employer site PwC UK Experienced Careers Assessment Primary source, published by the employer
Confidence is calculated from each source, not assigned to the page. A source that cannot be opened, or that does not describe what we cited it for, cannot support a claim here regardless of how it was previously labelled.
How this guide was put together
Published by Job Tests Portal. It is compiled from the public sources listed above and has not been independently reviewed by a recruitment or assessment specialist. We are not affiliated with PwC and this guide is not endorsed by them.
We label where each statement comes from, and we would rather say “we could not verify this” than state something we cannot show you the source for. Hiring processes change often and vary by role, country and year, so treat everything here as a starting point and let your invitation be the final word.