Many new digital assessments and games-based tests are popping up in the consulting firms’ recruiting processes. The latest is the PwC assessment test.
This online test scores applicants on a wide range of skills. It includes digital games that test memory, math, and reasoning skills. It also allows you to record your answers to a couple of typical interview questions and go through a high-level consulting case.
While digital games can feel alien to some, don’t worry! The games are designed to be simple to play and you might even find this type of assessment fun.
My Consulting Offer’s coaches have helped dozens of candidates pass consulting firms’ online tests and make it to the interview stage. We’d like to help you too!
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- Why PwC is using an online assessment,
- Skills the PwC online assessment tests,
- The types of questions on the PwC assessment test,
- Next steps after the PwC assessment test, and
- 6 Tips on how to pass the PwC online test.
Let’s get started!
Why Is PwC Using an Assessment Test?
Many consulting firms are turning to online assessment as part of their recruiting process. The largest consulting firms get hundreds of thousands of applications each year and they need an effective way to screen candidates before face-to-face interviews.
Assessment tests allow recruiting teams to start identifying candidates that match the traits they are looking for in successful candidates without using a lot of manpower.
It also provides another set of data for recruiting teams should they need to choose between candidates in later stages of the process.
Finally, consulting firms are getting wise to the benefits that diversifying their candidate pool can offer. Online assessments help minimize the unconscious bias that can be a challenge in more traditional recruiting practices.
What Skills Are Recruiters Looking For on the PwC Assessment Test?
There are 4 key skills that the PwC aptitude test for, which are all important skills for a consultant.
1. Ability to Work Under Pressure
Consulting projects can be fast-paced, with significant pressure from deadlines and client expectations. The ability to remain calm and think clearly under pressure is a key skill.
By adding a time element to the aptitude test, recruiting teams can simulate the pressure new analysts feel when working with a client on their first project
2. Numerical Reasoning Test
There’s no getting around it, you need to be comfortable with math to be a consultant. Data that informs decision-making is often presented in graphs, charts, and spreadsheets and you’ll need to be able to interpret and calculate information to help support your point of view.
3. Logical Reasoning Test
As a consultant, you’ll often have to offer advice even if you don’t have all the pieces of the puzzle. Strong logical reasoning means you can take the information you have and make sensible assumptions in order to predict the best way forward.
4. Decision-making Ability Assessment
Consultants need to be confident in making decisions. You need a good memory to retain information and the ability to quickly process that information into a sensible, well-thought-through decision.
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What Types Of Questions Are On the PwC Aptitude Test?
There are two types of questions on the PwC assessment test:
Example: Numerical Reasoning Questions
The first type of question is numerical reasoning. Numerical reasoning games allow PwC to judge your aptitude for basic math and your ability to make correct decisions when faced with numerical data.
For example, several circles containing numbers and a mathematical operator (+, −, ×, ÷) will be flashed on your screen. From memory, you need to select which circles flashed up, place them in the right order, and then complete the calculation shown in the sequence. You’ll then select the correct answer from the multiple-choice options displayed at the bottom of the screen.
The math itself isn’t too difficult, but remembering the order can become tricky as the number of circles in the sequence increases in later questions.
Example: Logical Reasoning Questions
The second type of question is logical reasoning. Logical reasoning requires you to identify patterns and trends across a series of images with different shapes and spatial arrangement.
For example, you might be shown various squares with shapes arranged inside them. You’ll need to choose the squares that have matching shapes and arrangements. At the start, this is simple but becomes more complicated as the squares begin to rotate in later questions.
You might also be given a series of diagrams showing different shapes and have to identify the pattern and therefore what comes next in the sequence.
You’ll need to recognize that:
- The order of the central shape is diamond then circle repeated
- The color of the shape is pink, blue, green, then repeated
- The arrow rotates around the square in a clockwise direction
- And that would give you a correct answer of D!
What’s the Next Stage After the Aptitude Test?
After the PwC assessment test, there is a video interview. Depending on which country you are recruiting for, there might also be a mini consulting case simulation.
Video Interview
This is an opportunity for you to record your responses to 10 questions. These questions are part behavioral interview and part situational judgment test. The behavioral questions cover your motivation for applying to PwC. You can prepare your answers to common questions in advance by reading our article on behavioral interview questions.
The situational judgment test questions are scenario-based and ask you to decide how you would respond in certain hypothetical work situations.
There’s no “wrong” answer, but it’s worth reading-up on PwC’s values and using that information when making your decision to ensure your answers are aligned with their organizational culture. For more information on preparing for situational judgement tests, see our article on online consulting tests.
Mini Consulting Case Simulation
At the end of the video interview, there is a section where you are presented with a document detailing a scenario simulating a short case interview.
You’re given background information on the situation, client, goal, and risks. In this simulation, you’re not being asked to ‘solve’ the case but there are a few questions to answer about the information you’re given.
For example:
“Given the fact that purchasing trends for this product are decreasing, what questions would you ask the Director of Marketing?”
These questions are used to assess your ability to quickly absorb and make judgments on information, such as what’s useful, where the gaps are, and what you’d do next.
PwC Final Assessment
The PwC online assessment takes around 2 hours in total, split between the aptitude test and the video interview.
If you’re successful through this stage, you’ll be invited to the PwC final assessment. What that looks like depends on which country you’re applying to.
This will either be a final round of case and fit interviews or a more in-depth assessment day. The assessment day will contain individual and group activities as well as interviews.
6 Tips on How to Pass the PwC Assessment Test
We’ve helped a lot of people get through aptitude tests. Here are our best tips:
Tip 1: Check Your Technology
Taking an online assessment can be daunting enough without your laptop dying halfway through!
Make sure your internet connection is strong and that whatever technology you’re using is fully charged or plugged in.
Tip 2: Clear the Clutter.
You’re going to need to concentrate during the PwC assessment test. Make sure that wherever you’re taking the test is clear and free from distractions.
Make sure you have whatever equipment you need with you including paper and pencil for rough notes and a calculator.
Tip 3: Take the Test When You Perform Best
Perhaps you know you concentrate better in the mornings. Or maybe you’re a night owl who finds it easier to focus in the afternoons or evening.
If you have the choice, schedule your test for the time of day when you know you can give it your best attention.
Tip 4: Practice
There are a lot of free online numerical reasoning tests you can use to practice logical and quantitative reasoning skills. For example, free brain training apps such as Elevate help you brush up on your numerical reasoning through interactive games.
Tip 5: Read Each Question Carefully
A simple but important tip. The questions and calculations on the PwC assessment test aren’t that complicated but make sure you’re clear on what you have to do before you tackle them.
There’s nothing more frustrating than rushing the question and making silly mistakes.
Tip 6: Take a Moment to Breathe
Before you start the test take a big breath in and out. We know that tests can make you feel anxious and a few deep breaths help calm the nervous system and move you out of ‘fight or flight’ mode so your brain can concentrate on the task at hand.
Make sure you also take a small pause between sections to let go of the previous questions and re-focus on the next part.
In this article, we’ve covered:
- The reason PwC uses online tests,
- What skills the PwC assessment test scores,
- What questions you can expect during the PwC aptitude test,
- What’s next after the assessment test, and
- Our 6 top tips for assessment success.
Still have questions?
If you have more questions about the PwC assessment test, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s case coaches will answer them.
Other people prepping for the PwC assessment test found the following pages helpful:
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