Like many management consulting firms, Deloitte Consulting has added an online assessment to its application process. It’s important to be prepared for this test as you won’t make it to the one-on-one interviews unless you pass.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- What the Deloitte online assessment looks like & the skills it assesses,
- Examples of questions on the online assessment,
- Resources you can use to practice your math & reasoning skills,
- Tips to help you pass the Deloitte online assessment, and
- What you can expect in the recruiting process after you pass.
Let’s get started!
The Deloitte Online Assessment: What It Looks Like & Skills Assessed
The Deloitte online assessment is the second stage in the Deloitte recruitment process after the online application. If you’re selected to move on, you’ll receive an invitation to the Deloitte Immersive Online Assessment. (Find out more about applying to Deloitte’s consulting practice here.)
The Deloitte online assessment gives you a flavor for the type of situations you’ll find yourself in during a typical workday as a new analyst. The overall theme for the online assessment is technology, innovation, and the digital world.
Current applicants say there are 35 questions split over 5 sections, and the assessment tests both situational judgment and numerical reasoning.
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Section 1: Introduction
The first section is an introduction to life working for Deloitte Consulting. There are videos only, no questions.
Even so, take your time here. Use this as a warm-up and a source of information on Deloitte’s values. Having a strong sense of Deloitte Consulting’s work and their values will help you answer the questions in the following sections.
Section 2: What Makes You Succeed
There are 8 scenario-based questions in this section and you need to decide how to respond to hypothetical workplace situations.
There are two ways to answer the questions:
- Rank the answers in order from most likely response (1) to least likely response (5).
- Drag a slider along a scale showing 2 opposing answers to indicate your preferred way of working.
These questions test your situational judgment and, while there’s no “wrong” answer, it’s important to consider Deloitte’s purpose and values when making your decisions to ensure your answers are aligned with how Deloitte does business.
Also, use common sense. While some potential answers might be nice in theory, they may not be feasible in real life. Balance optimal answers with feasibility.
Sample Situational Judgment Question
Here’s a sample question using the situational judgment slider.
The differences in the data you and your teammate are analyzing could have one of several causes:
- Problems with data quality
- A mistake in your analysis
- A mistake in your teammate’s analysis
- A difference between the fundamental economics driving the business of the 2 business units.
Place the slider toward the right side of the line to show that it’s more important that you are ensuring your analysis is correct, not just complete. Working with your teammate to understand what is driving the data will provide insight that will help to solve the client’s business problem.
Since it’s also important that your work is complete, you could place the slider toward the right-hand side but not at the very end. There will be a range of choices that are considered the correct answer, not one single point on the slider.
Section 3: Getting Started At Deloitte
In the third section, you’re given 3 sources of information to consider within the context of a hypothetical consulting project. The typical information source is photographs.
There are 9 situational judgment questions about this consulting project. You need to rank your answers from most likely response (1) to least likely response (5).
In answering these questions, the same principle remains true. Consider Deloitte’s purpose and values, and exercise common sense.
Section 4: The Future Of Work
This is a more challenging section with both written and numerical sources of information to consider. In this part of the Deloitte online assessment, you’ll be tested on both situational judgment and numerical reasoning.
The situational judgment questions require rank-order responses again.
To answer the numerical reasoning questions, you have to analyze the information sources and calculate the correct answer, choosing from 5 multiple-choice options.
The calculations themselves are simple but the source information has a lot of detail. First, read over the question so you know what you need to look for, and then review the source information.
It’s important to read the information carefully and make sure you have all the pieces you need before attempting to solve the calculation.
Sample Numerical Reasoning Question
Here’s a simple numerical reasoning question example using data about unemployment rates, presented in a bar graph.
Using the above data, calculate the average % of unemployment across all 3 London regions. Select the correct answer from the 5 options below.
How to solve this question
First, identify the % unemployment in the 3 London regions:
- Greater London – 8.2%
- Outer London – 7.9%
- Inner London – 8.6%
Add these 3 numbers together (8.2% + 7.9% + 8.6 = 24.7%). Divide this total by 3 to get the average for the 3 London regions – (24.7÷3 = 8.233%). Choose the correct answer from the options given.
Note: A weighted average using the different populations of the 3 sections of London would be a better solution if you have access to this data.
Section 5: The Rise Of Automation
Nearly done! The final section of the Deloitte online assessment is similar to the previous one, with a combination of 10 numerical reasoning and situational judgment questions. There are 5 numerical and written sources to analyze and the math required is more complex.
As well as calculations using basic operators (+, -, ×, ÷) you’ll also need to calculate the equation of a straight line and use some assumptions to determine estimated values.
Sample Numerical Reasoning Question
Here’s a more complicated numerical reasoning example using factory production data, presented in a spreadsheet.
The table above shows production information for 3 products over the month of June.
If a new production method allows the labor costs of Product Y to be reduced to $6.90 per unit while increasing the maximum production volume to 210, what percent increase in profit will the company see for Product Y in July.
How to solve this question
a) First, identify the profit of Product Y for the month of June. To identify the profit we need to assume the profit is the difference between the sale price and total cost per unit.
This isn’t stated but is a reasonable assumption. Reasonable assumptions may be required in more complex numerical reasoning assessments.
$12.35 – ($7.30+$1.30+$0.12) or $12.35 – $8.72 = $3.63 profit per unit
There were 170 units sold in June meaning:
Profit in June = $3.63 x 170 = $617.1
b) Then work out the profit in July. As a result of the new production method, the figures for July would be:
$12.35 – ($6.90+$1.30+$0.12) or $12.35 – $8.32 = $4.03 profit per unit
There were 210 units sold in July meaning:
Profit in July = $4.03 x 210 = $846.3
c) Next, calculate the percent increase. Always roughly estimate that before calculating the actual amount so you can sense-check your answer. Looking at the difference between the 2 totals, we would expect an increase of around a third.
1 – ($846.3 ÷ $617.1) = 0.371 x 100% = 37.1% increase in profit
You can also calculate the percent increase as (new-old)/old = ($846.3 ÷ $617.1) / $617.1) = 37.1% increase.
d) Choose the answer from the options given
The Deloitte online assessment is untimed but it does need to be completed in one go. The average time to complete the test is 60-75 minutes.
Further Examples of Questions On the Deloitte Online Assessment
Let’s look at an example of a typical situational judgment question on the Deloitte online assessment. You’re presented with a scenario and options to rank in order of most likely (1) to least likely (5).
Scenario
You’re part of a team in a new project and you have to assign roles to members of the team. One member of the team is meant to make a presentation to the client’s senior manager but your supervisor has requested her help on another urgent task. What would you do?
Options
- I would confidently replace my colleague and give the presentation.
- I would ask my colleague to share her notes then deliver the presentation.
- I would ask my colleague to see if the other task can be postponed.
- I would ask her to reschedule the presentation for another day, it’s important that she delivers it.
- I would not do anything as it’s her duty to manage her time and resolve the issue herself.
How to Ace the Question
Check in with Deloitte Consulting’s core values.
For example, one of Deloitte’s core values is commitment to each other. The last option means leaving your colleague to struggle by herself which would be counter to this core value and should be ranked least likely (5).
Another core value is outstanding value to markets and clients. If your colleague is the best person to deliver the presentation that should be the priority. Remember that urgent tasks are not necessarily important.
If you do decide to deliver the presentation yourself, make sure to use any background notes your colleague has prepared so you can do the best job possible for the client.
Based on this, here’s our sample answer:
- (4) I would confidently replace my colleague and give the presentation.
- (3) I would ask my colleague to share her notes then deliver the presentation.
- (1) I would ask my colleague to see if the other task can be postponed.
- (2) I would ask her to reschedule the presentation for another day, it’s important that she delivers it.
- (5) I would not do anything as it’s her duty to manage her time and resolve the issue herself.
Free Resources You Can Use to Practice Math & Reasoning Skills
There are a number of free resources you can use to practice situational judgment questions. Practice Aptitude Tests has free sample questions.
There are also free brain training apps such as Elevate where you can practice calculations through math games.
7 Top Tips to Help You Pass the Deloitte Online Assessment
1. Practice.
Using the free resources above will give you the confidence to tackle the math and reasoning questions that are part of the Deloitte online assessment.
2. Do your research.
While there’s no “right answer” to the situational judgment part of the test, it’s useful to know the characteristics of successful consultants at Deloitte. Along with the company values and business judgment, this information will help you choose if you’re stuck between answers.
3. Pick your best time.
We all know when we’re most alert. If you’re an early bird, schedule the assessment in the morning. If you think better in the afternoons, take the test then.
4. Prepare your environment.
Before you take the test, make sure your environment is free from distractions and you’ve got everything you need. Make sure your tech is fully charged and working well.
5. Read the instructions.
The assessment is not usually complicated but, under pressure, you can make silly mistakes. Study the information sources and make sure you’re clear on what you need to do before you start.
6. Don’t rush.
Remember the assessment doesn’t have a time limit so make sure you take your time to work through everything.
7. Breathe!
Under stress, your body goes into fight or flight mode. You react with instinct rather than clear thinking. Breathing calms you down and helps you think more rationally. Take a deep breath before you start the test and take a moment between questions to clear your head before moving on.
What You Can Expect In the Deloitte Consulting Recruiting Process After You Pass
The Deloitte Job Simulation
After you complete the Deloitte online assessment, you’ll receive a report detailing your strengths and how you can maximize your career potential. This is not the outcome of your assessment but is useful feedback whether you’re successful or not.
If you are successful, you’ll go on to complete the Deloitte Job Simulation before attending the final stage assessment.
The Deloitte Job Simulation immerses you in a business project, mimicking life as a Deloitte analyst. The assessment is conducted via automated HireVue video interview and has several different types of question:
- Video response questions
- Written response questions
- Multiple-choice numerical reasoning
- Rank-order situational judgment
The Deloitte Final Stage Assessment
At the final assessment center, candidates will complete a 5-minute presentation followed by a Q&A. The topic for the presentation is given to candidates in advance so they can prepare.
After the presentation, you’ll have a final one-to-one interview with a senior member of staff from the business area and office you’re considering. The interview is a mix of motivation and competency-based questions.
Some candidates may also have a group-based task at the assessment center.
If you’re successful after all that, you’ll finally receive a congratulatory email welcoming you to the Deloitte Consulting team!
In this article, we’ve covered:
- What you’ll face in the Deloitte online assessment & what skills it tests,
- The types of questions you might find in the online assessment,
- Resources to practice your calculation and reasoning skills,
- 7 things to consider while preparing for the Deloitte online assessment, and
- What the process looks like after you’ve passed the Deloitte online assessment.
Still have questions?
If you have more questions about the Deloitte online assessment, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s case coaches will answer them.
Other people prepping for Deloitte online assessment found the following pages helpful:
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