Preparation for PwC Recruitment Process and Assessment Tests

The PwC tests, provided by SHL, are a series of assessments, each designed to evaluate a different skill essential for the position you applied for and for the PwC work environment–

• Numerical Reasoning – an assessment of your ability to calculate, analyze, and interpret numerical data.
  Learn more about SHL’s numerical reasoning test
• Verbal Reasoning – an assessment of your ability to comprehend and analyze written information.
  Learn more about SHL’s verbal reasoning test
• Inductive Reasoning – an assessment of your ability to solve problems and draw conclusions based on non-verbal and non-numerical data.
  Learn more about SHL’s inductive reasoning test

These three tests, taken together, are also known as the SHL General Ability Test. In addition:

• Situational Judgement Test – an assessment of your work-related behavior, tendencies, and preferences.
  Learn more about Situational Judgement Tests

All PwC SHL tests are taken online, typically via the Talent Central testing platform.

On the PwC Numerical Reasoning Test, you will be presented with data in the form of graphs, charts, and tables, followed by multiple-choice questions.

You need to calculate and analyze the data to reach the correct answer.

The test consists of 18 questions to complete in 25 minutes.

You are allowed to use a calculator.

Let’s see a PwC numerical reasoning sample question –

Tip💡: make sure you understand the information presented to you and pay close attention to the titles – they may contain crucial data such as units, percentages, etc.

On the PwC verbal reasoning test, you will be presented with a written passage followed by four statements.

You need to evaluate each statement based on the information provided in the passage and determine if they are true, false, or cannot say (when the information is insufficient).

The test consists of 30 questions to complete in 19 minutes.

Here is a PwC verbal reasoning sample question –

Tip💡: don’t use general or previous knowledge. Place your answer only by the information provided to you in the passage.

On the PwC inductive reasoning tests, you will be presented with a series of abstract figures that follows a certain pattern.

You need to figure out the pattern and determine which figure is next in line accordingly.

The test consists of 18 questions to complete in 24 minutes.

Let’s look at a PwC inductive reasoning sample question –

Tip💡: form an assumption of the what the pattern might be, and then try applying it to the whole sequence. If it doesn't work, form another theory. If it does - you're that much closer to the answer!

In the PwC SJT, you will be presented with sets of several statements regarding workplace behavior and general personality traits.

You need to select out of the statements one that is most like you and one that is least like you.

Let’s view a PwC SJT sample question –

Tip💡: consider the position you are applying for and choose the responses that highlight the skills and behavioral tendencies that best fit both you and the role.

For some positions, especially in the UK, the hiring process includes the Career Unlock stage – a series of 10 gamified tests that evaluate traits, competencies, and cognitive and behavioral characteristics.

The Career Unlock games are –

Learn more about PwC Career Unlock assessment games

Discovering candidates’ core competencies is the main goal of the PwC online assessment process since it determines whether they possess PwC’s ideal traits, values, and skills.

Keeping these skills and behavioral traits in mind throughout each stage of the hiring process can help you demonstrate your suitability for the job. Below are the five core competencies, which together comprise the company’s professional leadership framework:

1. Whole leadership – This means leading both yourself and others through your work. You must be responsible, authentic, resilient, inclusive, and passionate in your work.
2. Business acumen – What you bring to the table is important. The company is looking for knowledge and passion for learning about the business and for innovative individuals who are fresh thinking in what they create for the company.
3. Technical capabilities – Delivering quality and highly-valued service is a must with PwC, and, as a candidate, you need to show your willingness to maintain professional standards, expand your technical knowledge and expertise, and share what you have learned with others.
4. Global acumen – Global companies need an outlook that is larger than life. Broad perspectives, embracing change, and fresh insights are traits the company is looking for in candidates.
5. Relationships – Good communication skills, strong and authentic relationships, and the desire to give exceptional service are highly-valued characteristics for which the company is on the hunt.

Incorporating these competencies into your answers will show recruiters that you have the skills to succeed and are well-suited to work for PwC. Additionally, motivation is shown to be the deciding factor on many occasions, influencing whether you get a job offer. So, make sure to have these competencies in mind every step of the way!

Spots on undergraduate programs, graduate schemes, and senior managerial jobs are some of the most sought-after positions, so the competition for open positions is intense.

The PwC recruitment process differs between positions, depending on the type of job and program you applied for. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the information you receive from your recruiter.

The process usually includes five stages –

1. Online application – applying for the job on the PwC webpage. You will be required to fill in generic data, such as personal details, educational information, and employment experience. You may also be asked to submit a cover letter detailing why you are a good fit for the job.
2. PwC tests – you will receive an invitation to take a series of online assessment tests. The tests are designed to measure your skills and abilities, such as numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, inductive reasoning, and personality characteristics.
3. Video interview – you will receive an invitation to a pre-recorded video interview with pre-determined questions. There won’t be an interviewer in real time, and your response will be reviewed once completed. You will have time in advance to prepare your answers.
4. Assessment center – you will be scheduled for a full day at the PwC assessment center to meet you in person and evaluate how you work alongside other candidates. The day can include a group exercise, interviews, and exams.
5. Interview with a manager – a one-on-one interview with a PwC manager or partner. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your personality, professionality, and how you can contribute to the job and the firm.

If you are applying for a position in another country, check out our PwC Australia or UK pages.

After you pass the previous stages of the recruitment process, you will receive an invitation to the PwC assessment center. This is a full day that occurs at the workplace site itself.

During the day, you, alongside other candidates, will go through various activities designed to assess your personality, work-related behavior, collegiality, and interpersonal skills.

The day can include a group exercise, several interviews, and aptitude tests.