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Are you applying to the KPMG 2026/27 graduate scheme and internship programs? Here is the ultimate guide to practice for the KPMG recruitment process.
Here’s what you’ll uncover in this guide
Prepare for the stages of the KPMG recruitment process with us by practising the relevant assessments you can expect at each stage!
In this guide, you will learn:
Want to pass each stage of the KPMG recruitment process?
Practice the relevant assessments for each stage of the KPMG process with us today!
Practice Situational Judgement Tests
Practice Numerical Reasoning Tests
Practice Logical Reasoning Tests
Practice Video Interviews
Prepare for your Assessment Centre
Go Premium with GF and gain access to relevant KPMG practice assessments to help you ace your KPMG assessments.
Before we discuss the KPMG application process further, here is a little history about the firm before you apply.
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KPMG stands for Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, one of the world’s Big Four professional services firms in audit, tax, and advisory. It was formed in 1987 through a merger of four firms and is headquartered in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
KPMG operates in more than 140 countries and has 270,000+ employees worldwide, offering roles across many different business areas, which include:
Good to Know: Know KPMG’s core values inside and out. You will be measured against these values throughout the KPMG job application process.
Integrity:
KPMG values doing the right thing and expects employees to hold the same value.
Excellence:
KPMG believes in continuous growth and learning to achieve excellent results.
Courage:
KPMG values bold action towards achieving goals and courageous employees.
Together:
KPMG values teamwork, focusing on removing differences to achieve togetherness.
For Better:
KPMG is committed to making a positive impact on clients, people, and communities.
Now that you have learnt more about KPMG’s background, let’s proceed to the KPMG assessment process, starting with the online application stage.
The KPMG online application is the first stage of the firm’s recruitment process for all roles. For early career roles, this stage is typically called KPMG Explore and Apply. It opens with a job preview quiz using everyday scenarios, which is not assessed but helps you confirm the right programme.
Once you are happy with your chosen programme, you complete the KPMG online application form, submitting personal data, your CV, and relevant experience. The details you will need to submit for the KPMG application form include:
Find below an image of the KPMG application form.
KPMG Application Form
Source: KPMG Careers
Good to Know: Infuse your CV with keywords from the job description. This helps your application stand out and increases your chances of getting selected.
Once you have completed the application form, it will be reviewed. If selected, you will receive an invitation to the KPMG online assessments.
The KPMG online assessments consist of two parts you complete after your application: a skills assessment and a cognitive assessment that reviews your numerical and logical reasoning in about 36 minutes.
The KPMG online assessment is provided by SHL and typically includes the following:
Good to Know: The KPMG skills assessment evaluates the core skills critical for success at KPMG. You will be presented with scenarios and asked how you would think, feel, or respond. It is untimed, but takes around 20 minutes to complete.
Let’s find out what each of these KPMG online assessment tests is, what they entail, and what they assess.
The KPMG situational judgement questions involve you choosing the best and worst decisions in scenarios relating to your applied role.
Good to Know: This KPMG test seeks the best decision for each scenario. Choose answers based on the competencies KPMG requires for the role, even if other options seem reasonable.
Watch this short video to learn more about the KPMG situational judgment test.
Practice some example KPMG situational judgement test questions provided by our experts below!
Situational Judgement Test
This test provides you with various work-related scenarios that require some action. Each scenario provides four different courses of action from which you are required to choose two options; one to indicate the “best” course of action given the situation and one to indicate the “worst” course of action.
1 / 5
You have recently joined a FMCG organisation as a Project Manager. In the third week, you have been given some urgent work that needs to be completed within the next two months. The work will involve significant dependencies on other departments, but will have no dedicated resource other than you, meaning that most of this will have to be completed by your team in-between their normal work duties. The cost for delivery has also been explored and will need to come out of various budgets. Clearly, the task at hand is very challenging. What do you do?
Option A
Be assertive and refuse to take on the project as it is unrealistic given the timescales and dependencies, and you do not want to be set up to fail. Management do not fully understand the details of the work required and thus it is your responsibility to manage their expectations.
Option B
Take on the work as it is a challenge, and ask the management for dedicated resource and funding. Start by working out who can do what, and take on the majority of the workload yourself.
Option C
Start by building a project plan, working backwards from the delivery date and adding ample contingency, particularly around any areas where you are dependent on other teams. Seek out members of teams who will be involved, and get commitment for their availability to factor into the plan. Set up regular update meetings and continually set the expectations of stakeholders.
Option D
Set up meetings with various individuals to determine who will form part of the delivery team. Obtain their commitment and delegate most of the accountability of the work to the volunteer leads of each department. Keep a close eye on the project and oversee the weekly deliverables.
Choose one best and one worst answer
2 / 5
You supervise a team that is responsible for auditing internal departments in order to ensure they comply with company policy and external regulations. You are heavily under-resourced as one of your original team members has recently left the company and today another member of your team has called in sick. To make matters complex, your second-line supervisor has approached you with a high priority request that needs urgent attention. You are aware that you will not be able to deliver on this alone. Given these constraints and pressures, what do you do to move forward now?
Be assertive and push back on the request, explaining to your second-line supervisor that your team is extremely overworked, given you are now two people down.
Take on the request, explaining to your second-line supervisor that the workload is very high with limited resources, but that you will find a way to get this high priority work done. Also explain that if you run into any problems with delivering on time, you may need to reach out for their support in getting temporary help.
Take on the task and assure your second-line supervisor that you will have this done on time, even though you know that this might be unlikely. If you don’t deliver, at least you will have a good reason, and management will then support you in getting additional resources.
Explain your circumstances to the second-line supervisor and let them know you are willing to oversee the task if they can help by providing you with some resources to do this.
3 / 5
You are working as a Manager in a large supermarket. As you wander along some of the aisles you decide to spend some time observing the behaviour of customers. As you observe, you notice a customer who has walked along the same aisle twice. He appears to be looking for something but has not picked up anything. The customer walks on and away to the next aisle. Clearly, the task at hand is very challenging. What do you do?
Nothing, the customer has probably noticed the product he might want is not on that aisle and has gone on to the next aisle where he will find it.
Approach the customer and ask them if there is anything you can help with.
Get one of your team members to go and ask the customer if they can help with anything.
Follow the customer around to see if they are actually finding the products they need. This might give some insight into whether the products are labelled clearly.
4 / 5
You work as an IT Specialist for a large electronics retailer. You have been made aware of certain glitches within the stock check system that manages and automatically requests deliveries to each store. Your management are concerned as this issue has never occurred before and may result in over-stocking or no stocking at all for approximately 74 stores. You do not have much clarity on the cause of this problem. What do you do?
Identify the error logs and explore the information within. Consider the timings of the problems and when they were reported, the location of the stores, and whether these particular stores have specific exclusive products in their stock. Share this information with your team to get a quick resolution.
Contact the providers of the system and ask them to give guidance on what to do next.
Ring up each store that is affected and ask them for a detailed log of what they experienced, such that any consistent pattern may emerge.
Notify all stores via the central notification system that you plan to reboot the stock checking system, as this has previously worked with many machines that run similar software.
5 / 5
You are responsible for running a large-scale project introducing a solar powered plane that can fly unmanned for 6 hours. The launch date is arriving and the marketing division has aligned with what you consider to be a high-risk request from the CEO to run a live test of the new solar plane on TV. You are concerned due to the lack of resources that you have had, and also given that some of your team have been close to burnout working extremely long hours for many months. The day of the event finally arrives. On the day of the event, the media presence is greater than anticipated. The launch is successful during take-off, however, after only 40 minutes, the plane plunges and the mission fails. The media are asking for a press conference, what do you do?
Explain the challenges you and your team have faced with being under-resourced and overworked.
Apologise and take full responsibility for the failure of the project. Defend any criticism of your team, and assure the audience that next time the mission will succeed.
Whilst your team has been overworked and under-resourced, it is directly their work that led to the project being unsuccessful. Apologise on their behalf.
Explain that the circumstances of the day were unfortunate and that you will be conducting a full investigation to understand what went wrong and who should be held responsible.
Restart quiz
Looking for top tips to pass the KPMG situational judgment test questions? Check out these useful tips below!
Practice for this KPMG online test by practising similar situational judgement questions with GF!
The next KPMG assessment you may face at this stage is the KPMG numerical reasoning test questions.
The KPMG numerical reasoning questions assess your ability to work with numerical data and solve mathematical problems to make logical deductions. These questions measure your analytical skills, attention to detail, time management, and numerical fluency.
Watch our video below to learn more about the KPMG numerical reasoning questions.
Use this opportunity to practice example KPMG numerical reasoning test questions provided by our experts below.
Numerical Reasoning Test
This test assesses your numerical reasoning ability using data in charts, tables and figures. Look at each chart or table provided for each question, and use the information in these to work out the correct answer.
You have 5 options from which to choose from. Only one of these options is the correct answer.
What was the total (approximate) number of mortgage approvals for the USA and Italy combined, through the years 2005 to 2007 inclusive?
Approximately, what percentage of the RDA for “Salt” will an individual fulfil if they consume 3 packets of “Pickled Onion” Crisps?
What percentage of all mortgages approved across the 5 countries in 2008, were due to Italy?
Approximately, how much energy (kcal) would the consumption of 3 packets of “BBQ” crisps and 2 packets of “Pickled Onion” crisps produce?
Which country had the lowest number of mortgage approvals across the 6 years?
Want more free KPMG numerical reasoning practice?
Continue reading to learn helpful KPMG online assessment tips that we have compiled to help you pass the KPMG numerical reasoning test.
Looking for more KPMG online assessment practice?
The next KPMG assessment you are likely to face at this stage is the KPMG logical reasoning test questions.
The KPMG logical reasoning questions involve identifying patterns and rules governing shapes to select the option that follows the pattern. These questions measure attention to detail, pattern recognition, creativity, and problem-solving ability, along with analytical and processing skills.
Good to Know: KPMG may also use verbal reasoning test questions to evaluate your logical reasoning skills and your ability to understand written information and to evaluate arguments about this information.
Watch our short video below to learn more about the KPMG logical reasoning test.
Check out our practice questions similar to the KPMG logical reasoning test questions provided by our experts below.
Logical Reasoning Test
This test assesses your logical reasoning ability using the information provided in sequences of five diagrams containing various shapes. Look at the diagrams carefully and identify the rules and logic that underpin the changes in the sequence to determine what comes next.
What comes next in the sequence?
Want more free KPMG logical reasoning practice?
How do you pass your KPMG logical reasoning test? Here are some very important tips to help you pass your logical reasoning test at once
Looking for more KPMG logical reasoning test practice?
If you are successful in the KPMG online assessments, you will be invited to KPMG’s next stage: the KPMG video interview.
The KPMG video interview gives you the chance to showcase your skills, strengths, and motivation. You will be presented with 6 pre-recorded questions asked by an AI avatar named Leah get preparation time before recording your responses.
The KPMG video interview takes around 40 minutes to be completed, and you can complete it at a time that suits you.
Good to Know: The KPMG video interview stage is only used for KPMG early career roles. Although the interviewer is AI-generated, your recorded answers are reviewed and scored by a member of KPMG’s recruitment team.
Watch our short video below to learn more about the KPMG video interview.
Read on for our best tips on how to pass the KPMG video interview
Enhance your preparation for KPMG’s video interview questions by using GF’s video interviewing tool to gain valuable practice and feedback.
The final stage of the recruitment process is the KPMG Launch Pad.
The KPMG Launch Pad is an in-person, half-day assessment centre event that concludes the KPMG recruitment process. It combines assessed and non-assessed activities, testing your alignment with KPMG values while giving you the chance to meet KPMG people, from partners to trainees.
Good to Know: The KPMG Launch Pad is held at specific venues across the UK, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, and Leeds.
The KPMG Launch Pad involves trained assessors from the KPMG recruitment team to observe and test you across a variety of exercises, which may include:
Good to Know: The KPMG Launch Pad focuses on your potential and alignment with KPMG values, not just test scores.
Now, let’s find out more about each of these assessment centre exercises, starting with the KPMG group exercise.
The KPMG group exercise involves you getting paired with other candidates to discuss and analyse work-related scenarios within 10 – 15 minutes. You will split into small groups of 5-8 to discuss and find solutions to these scenarios.
The KPMG group exercise measures your ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, contribute ideas, solve problems, show leadership, and demonstrate alignment with KPMG’s values in a team-based scenario.
Here are our team’s top tips to help you perform excellently in the KPMG group exercise:
Watch our video below to learn more about what to expect in your KPMG group exercise!
Some topics in the KPMG group exercise that some candidates have encountered in the past include:
Get ahead in your KPMG group exercise by practising with our group study exercises to learn how top employers such as KPMG assess you through group and written exercises, and also gain professional tips to improve your performance.
After the KPMG group exercise, the next exercise in your KPMG Launch Pad is the KPMG analytical exercise.
The KPMG analytical exercise is a written exercise that assesses your ability to analyse information, interpret data, and form logical conclusions based on a business-related scenario. The test lasts for 30 minutes.
The KPMG analytical exercise seeks to evaluate your analytical skills. You will be given a brief and asked to write an analytical report providing detailed recommendations on profitability with specific actions and also highlighting strengths and weaknesses.
Good to Know: In this KPMG assessment, you may also be asked to respond to a case study or to write emails. It could be you emailing a client regarding the delay in project delivery or your manager about the challenges in a project.
Unsure of how to pass your KPMG analytical exercise? Here are some specially curated tips for you!
Next, let’s discuss another important KPMG assessment centre exercise, the KPMG case study exercise.
The KPMG case study exercise is a part of the final assessment in the KPMG launch pad, where you’re given a realistic business scenario involving data, reports, or client emails, and asked to analyse the situation and make recommendations.
The KPMG case study exercise is designed to assess candidates’ ability to think critically, analyse information, make decisions, and communicate effectively.
To help you prepare and practice for your upcoming KPMG case study, we have compiled the following tips below.
Looking to practice for your KPMG assessment day? Use GF’s practice assessment centre exercises today!
Once you are done with the KPMG case study exercise, you will be required to sit for the KPMG partner interview!
The KPMG partner interview is the last challenge of the KPMG launch pad. This is the stage where you meet with a member of the KPMG recruitment team who will ask you behavioural, motivational, or strength-based questions in line with KPMG values.
Good to Know: The KPMG partner interview can be held either virtually or physically, depending on the office or role. In both formats, its duration is usually 45 minutes.
Check out our selected helpful tips below to help you pass your KPMG partner interview.
Watch our short video below to discover questions you can ask in your KPMG final interview.
What are some common KPMG interview questions you can be asked at this stage? Find some examples below.
Some common KPMG interview questions you may be asked in your KPMG partner interview are:
Read on for an example answer to some of these KPMG interview questions below and a tip on how to answer.
How to Answer: To answer this question well, show how your values, long-term goals, and strengths align with KPMG’s core values and opportunities. Connect your aspirations to KPMG’s commitment to excellence and innovation.
Good Answer:
I would like to work at KPMG because its values and global impact strongly align with my professional goals and personal principles. KPMG’s commitment to integrity, collaboration, and making a meaningful difference resonates deeply with me.
I’m drawn to KPMG’s focus on continuous learning, which aligns with my ambition to grow in a dynamic environment where I can contribute to solving real-world business problems. KPMG is the ideal place for me to develop both professionally and personally while making a lasting impact.
How to Answer: Use the STAR+R method to structure your answer. This approach helps you to provide a direct and concise response to questions by focusing on the key elements of your previous experience.
Situation:
In my final year at university, I worked with a team on a consulting project for a local nonprofit.
Task:
We were tasked with improving their donor engagement strategy to boost retention.
Action:
I led stakeholder interviews, managed our progress meetings, and developed a visual plan for better donor communication.
Result:
Our solution was implemented, and the nonprofit saw a 25% increase in donor re-engagement within three months.
Reflection:
This experience showed me the power of collaboration and structured problem-solving, and I’m eager to apply these skills at KPMG, especially in team-based client work.
Practice for your KPMG partner interview with our video interview platform packed with 60+ interview sets, including practice competency-based interview questions.
And that brings us to the end of the KPMG recruitment process. If your application is successful, you will receive an offer letter by email.
Before you go, check some bonus information we have compiled about KPMG’s student and graduate career opportunities.
KPMG’s student and graduate programmes are career opportunities for students and recent graduates to join KPMG’s departments to gain experience and kickstart their careers in their multinational organisation. Here are the KPMG career opportunities:
Let’s find out what each of these KPMG opportunities offers.
KPMG’s graduate programmes are tailored to different career paths, designed to develop graduates into professionals across KPMG’s diverse service offerings. Job functions available include Audit, Tax, Advisory, Actuarial, Technology Consulting, and Deal Advisory.
If you are interested in the KPMG graduate programmes, find below the requirements before you can apply.
Good to Know: The process for the KPMG graduate programme follows the same four-stage structure discussed above: Explore and Apply, Online Assessments, Video Interview, and Launch Pad.
Having understood the KPMG graduate programme and its requirements, let’s talk about another KPMG programme, the KPMG undergraduate programmes.
KPMG’s undergraduate programmes are designed for students in their second or third year, offering a fast-track route into the graduate programmes.
KPMG Insight Programmes:
This is a short-term programme designed to give students an immersive opportunity to develop professional skills and explore potential career paths in KPMG. These programmes are available in Cyprus, the UK, Singapore and globally.
KPMG Vacation Programmes:
This is a structured internship designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students in their penultimate year to gain real project experience at KPMG. It typically lasts 3–8 weeks, depending on the location. This programme is available in the UK, Cyprus, Australia and South Africa.
KPMG Work Placement:
This is a longer-term internship, typically 9–12 months, designed for university students taking a placement year as part of their degree. It gives you an in-depth experience of working at KPMG in a full-time role. This programme is available in Ireland, the UK, Australia, Canada and more.
Continue reading to find out the criteria required for the KPMG undergraduate programmes.
After the KPMG undergraduate programmes, another KPMG early career scheme is the KPMG Apprenticeship programmes.
KPMG apprenticeships offer structured training and professional qualifications alongside full-time employment in the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada, but their availability also depends on the need.
The available KPMG apprenticeship programmes include:
Audit Apprenticeship:
A 5-year programme for school leavers to gain hands-on audit experience while studying towards AAT and ACA qualifications. You’ll work with real clients and learn financial reporting, assurance, and data analytics.
Audit Data & Analytics Degree Apprenticeship:
Combines practical audit work with a BSc in Digital & Technology Solutions and professional audit qualifications. Focuses on using data analytics and automation to support audit quality.
Consulting Apprenticeship:
A 5-year rotational programme across KPMG’s consulting functions, such as Risk, ESG, and Transformation. You’ll gain practical experience while working towards qualifications like ACA, CIMA, or CIPD.
Consulting Managed Services Apprenticeship:
A 2-year programme where you support outsourced client operations in areas like onboarding and financial controls. Leads to a Level 3 Business Administration qualification.
Technology & Engineering Apprenticeships:
These programmes focus on areas like software engineering, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions. They typically last 3–5 years and include a relevant BSc degree and technical certifications.
Business Services Apprenticeship:
A 2-year programme (plus consolidation) working in KPMG’s internal teams like HR, IT, or Finance. Leads to a Level 3 Business Administration qualification.
Tax & Law Apprenticeship:
Offers structured experience in tax advisory or legal teams while working toward professional accounting or legal qualifications. Duration and qualifications vary by programme.
Find below the requirements for the KPMG apprenticeship programmes.
Another KPMG early career scheme is the KPMG internships. Find out more about it below!
KPMG internships are structured, short-term work experiences for students or recent graduates to gain real-world exposure and mentorship. Job functions include Audit, Tax, Advisory, Legal, Operations, Marketing and Communications, Finance, HR, Technology, and Client Services.
Learn more about the requirements for the KPMG internships below.
Good to Know: KPMG internships can last 3-8 weeks for summer internships and 6-12 months for industrial or work placements.
With this, we have covered all you need to know about the KPMG hiring process, assessments, interviews, and early career programmes.
Before you start your KPMG application, explore our FAQ section below for more answers about the KPMG recruitment process.
It typically takes several weeks to a few months from application to final decision, depending on the role and location. Rolling deadlines may progress faster.
KPMG usually responds within 1-3 weeks after the Launch Pad, though response times may vary. If unsuccessful, you will be notified by email.
KPMG does not publicly disclose its pass rate. Success depends on your performance, the role applied for, and the competition, so practice consistently. To boost your chances, get familiar with the tests by practising consistently with our practice assessments.
KPMG confirms the Launch Pad is an in-person, half-day event held at UK venues, not a virtual assessment centre.
Yes, KPMG allows candidates to reapply after 6-12 months. Reflect on any feedback received and prepare more thoroughly for your next attempt.
Start preparing for the KPMG recruitment process with GF today, the only aptitude practice test experts providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe. Practice with peace of mind; no subscription required, and a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
Start preparing for the KPMG recruitment process with GF today, the only aptitude practice test experts providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe.
Practice with peace of mind; no subscription required, and a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
This article was last updated on 27 July 2026. All information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, based on publicly available sources. For the most up-to-date details, please verify directly with the employer.
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