Practice for Your PwC Assessment Test & Interviews
Avia Author

Avia, PwC expert at JobTestPrep.

Have a question? Contact me at: ask_avia@jobtestprep.com

 

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

PwC Numerical Reasoning Test

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 –

 


shl numerical test question

 

What percentage of the revenue in years 2 and 3 is X-Brade responsible for?

21.9%
22.8%
23.4%
25.2%
26.7%
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is (B) - 22.8%.

To answer this question, you first need to find the revenue made by both companies in years 2 and 3 to calculate the sum of revenues made.
X-Brade’s revenue: 56 + 58 = 114
SBRC’s revenue: 184 + 202 = 386
Total revenue: 114 + 386 = 500
Next, you need to calculate the portion, in percentage, X-Brade is responsible for out of that sum. To do that, use the formula:
% = (Part/Total)*100
Therefore,
X-Brade’s percentage is: (114 / 500)*100 = 0.228*100 = 22.8%

Note: Since you need to calculate a percentage, rather than an absolute number, you can omit the millions from the calculation.

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.


PwC Verbal Reasoning Test

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 –

 

Read the following passage, then select the correct answer.

 

The Trove of Fossils at Zhucheng, China, is probably the largest single deposit of dinosaur bones in the world. While the massive quarry has given rise to nine new species of dinosaurs, the event that killed the species is still a mystery. One researcher thinks a landslide ripped the dinosaurs apart and mixed up their bones; another suspects the animals were dead and decomposing when their skeletons were swept to this spot by a massive flood or mudflow. Discoveries in Liaoning and Xinjiang are also helping scientists unravel the evolution of modern-day birds, a lineage that one Chinese paleontologist believes begins with dinosaurs. One of his most recent discoveries, the chicken-size Xiaotingia zhengi, is giving scientists cause to rethink the classification of the Archaeopteryx, long considered the oldest-known bird. The Xiaotingia zhengi, they argue, provides evidence that both species were, in fact, feathered dinosaurs, not full-fledged birds.

 

The two researchers agree that a natural catastrophe was involved in the appearance of dinosaur bones at Zhucheng.

True
False
Cannot Say
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The passage reads: "One researcher thinks a landslide ripped the dinosaurs apart and mixed up their bones; another suspects the animals were dead and decomposing when their skeletons were swept to this spot by a massive flood or mudflow."

Both researchers mention a natural catastrophe as the reason for the appearance of bones at this location, regardless of what killed the dinosaurs.

Therefore, the answer is True.

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


PwC Inductive Reasoning Test

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 –

 

shl inductive reasoning question

 

Choose the image that completes the pattern

Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is:

The arrow rotates 45 degrees clockwise with each step. The shape located nearest to the arrow’s head moves back to its tail, with the other three shapes moving up by one position. There is also a repetition of 3 types of fillings.

It is visually difficult to distinguish between answers 1 and 3. The reason is that while the arrow changes its orientation the shapes do not. Meaning, that when the arrow is diagonal the '+' maintains its original orientation and does not tilt to align with the arrow. The same rule applies to the 'x' as well.
Thus, the main challenge of this question is to distinguish between the '+' and 'x' orientations and not get confused along the way.

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!


PwC Situational Judgement Test

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 –

 

Please choose one statement that best describes you and one statement that least describes you.

 

caliper personality question example

 

Answer and Explanation

The above statements present one or two of Caliper's profile competencies.

Let's see an evaluation of those competencies:

  • I tend to analyze people – Dominance.
  • I pick my words very carefully – Deliberation, Self-Control & Stability.
  • I make a grocery list before going to the store – Planning, Good Organization.
  • Selling comes easy to me – Assertiveness, Service Orientation.

Each of the three statements relates to a different set of competencies measured by your employer; thus, it would be best if "Most" would be a statement that represents the most critical competencies for the job and "Least" the statement that expresses the less-desirable and even problematic competency for the job.

Therefore, if you are applying to a customer service position, you should emphasize your selling and interpersonal relations competencies and choose the statement “I pick my words very carefully” as your “Most.” On the other hand, while a statement like “Selling comes easy to me” seem like a good fit, it may come across as over-confident and should be ignored and not marked at all.

So why not choose this statement as your “Least” statement? Again – it depends on the other options. Customer service representatives are expected to be agreeable team members who score low on their dominance scale. Therefore, the “I tend to analyze people”, which relates to dominance, would, in this PARTICULAR case, be selected as “Least”.

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.


Prepare for Your PwC Tests

Are you hoping to land your dream job at PwC but need help preparing for each step of their hiring process? Improve your skills and gain confidence with our all-inclusive SHL-style PwC practice test bundle. This PrepPack includes simulated PwC online assessment tests you need to prepare for, such as the numerical, verbal, logical, and personality tests. Additionally, we offer two packs specifically tailored for applicants to internships and graduate programs at PwC.

Our PwC Online Tests Preparation pack provides you with all the resources you need to prepare for your psychometric tests:

  • Extensive online CEB SHL-style practice questions, specific for student/graduate level
  • Professional personality tests accompanied by a personalized and detailed report
  • A rich collection of study guides and video tutorials\

So what are you waiting for?


PwC Career Unlock

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 –

  • The Tile Sequence Game
  • The Energy (Power Generator) Game
  • The Direction (Arrows) Game
  • The Team Sales Game
  • The Tickets Game
  • The Balloon Game
  • The Face Game
  • The Security Door Game
  • The Pattern Game
  • The Analysis Game

 

Learn more about PwC Career Unlock assessment games


The PwC Competencies: What Are They Looking For?

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!


PwC Recruitment Process

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.


The PwC Assessment Center

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.

 

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