Project Description
Accenture’s online assessment and aptitude tests are the main hurdle the applicants need to get through to get the job. On average 50-60% of candidates get rejected during aptitude testing when they apply for a job with Accenture.
The article below will give you insights to help you be among those who have made it and got a job at Accenture, first time.
You will get a step-by-step overview of the most useful tips to successfully pass their recruitment and assessment process. If you plan to apply to Accenture for a professional job or graduate scheme, this text is for you.
Getting a job at Accenture is not easy. But if you prepare in the right way, you can SIGNIFICANTLY increase your chances of success.
Our step-by-step 2021 Definitive Guide to the Accenture candidate assessment process will tell you how. Read insider tips, take practice tests and try assessment center exercises created by our team of top organisational psychologists and recruiters – today.
Candidates who do not practise assessments, are more likely to fail in psychometric tests. This study looked at the Times Top 100 employers.
“Two one-sample t-tests show that more than 50% of students failed the verbal and numerical reasoning tests (53.53% vs 83.57%). The only predictor of an increased likelihood of passing the numerical reasoning tests was having previous experience with those tests.”
“Falling at the first hurdle: undergraduate students’ readiness to navigate the graduate recruitment process”
The recruitment team of Accenture needs to quickly scan through thousands of job applications per year. This is why Accenture’s recruitment process requires applicants to take psychometric tests. Online psychometric aptitude tests are the fastest and most reliable method to sift out candidates.
Accenture’s job application and assessment process are divided into 4 stages:
- Accenture Online Application Form
- Accenture Immersive Assessment: Online Aptitude tests
- Accenture Digital Interview
- Accenture Assessment Centre: Accenture Virtual Reality Assessment
Fed up with reading? Take a 3 min break and enjoy our Accenture video:
STEP 1
Accenture Online
Application Form
Once you have decided on the position you want to apply for, you will need to fill in the online application form; providing details of your education history and academic results, relevant work experience and possibly answer some short competency questions.
Aim to portray yourself as a candidate that can fit into the corporate culture at Accenture.
Identify your personal experiences that correspond to the 6 core values that Accenture look for in all candidates:
- Stewardship – you should be taking responsibility, wishing to improve, and making efforts to improve communities and the global environment.
- Best People – The company develops and challenges its employees, and it expects them to demonstrate a “can-do” attitude.
- Client Value Creation – you should be attentive to the needs of its clients and be ready to offer the highest standard of service.
- One Global Network – you need to look at problems from a global perspective in order to build and sustain relationships, and incite collaboration across the globe.
- Respect for the Individual – you need to reflect Accenture’s approach to diversity and inclusion.
- Integrity – you need to demonstrate high ethical standards, be honest, and take account for their actions in order to gain trust.
Accenture Online Application Tip:
Always aim to apply as early as possible – often candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and so applying early could significantly increase your chances. Remember to double-check the application form for any mistakes.
The application form will provide a basis for any future references. Be ready to spend some extra time to make sure that the information you provide reflects not only you as a person, but also as a candidate that Accenture are looking for. Make written notes/copies of what you have put in the application. You may be asked for details during the interview.
STEP 2
Accenture Immersive Online
Assessment:
Aptitude tests
Accenture Immersive Online Assessment a.k.a. online aptitude tests are designed to examine candidates’ cognitive function and ability, as well as their proficiency with new technologies and their overall business acumen.
Depending on the precise position and territory for which you applied to, you will be presented with a mixture of different assessments which will help Accenture recruiters evaluate your candidate profile against following capabilities:
- Motivated learner
- Online collaborator
- Tech advocate
- Client partner
It is likely that your Accenture online aptitude tests will take a more immersive form where you will be presented with aptitude test questions as part of the contextual situation: e.g. work scenario or a business case study.
The mixture of questions can include analysing pieces of information to show yourself to be exactly what the Accenture recruiters will be looking for.
During the Accenture Immersive Assessments you should present yourself as an individual who:
- is always motivated to learn more
- collaborates with ease with your colleagues whether in person or online
- is interested in new technologies and takes initiative to seek ways to apply them
- takes full professionalism in helping clients achieve their objectives
Accenture online assessments will typically consists of a mix of standard psychometric tests such as:
- Accenture Job Simulation
- Situational Judgement
- Personality Questionnaire
- Numerical Reasoning Test
- Logical Reasoning Test
- Accenture Communication Assessment Test
Accenture Job Simulation
What is Accenture’s Job Simulation?
Accenture Job Simulation is the first of Accenture’s online assessments and consists of two psychometric assessments:
- Situational Judgement Test
- Work Personality Questionnaire
The format in which you will take Accenture’s Situational Judgement Test and Work Personality Questionnaire is different to the traditional test form. You are likely to be asked the questions as part of the immersive business case study that will seek to examine:
- what you deem to be appropriate responses to challenges based on some common work situations
- what your preferred style of working is, and whether this satisfies what is required of an Accenture candidate
What is Accenture’s Situational Judgement Test (SJT)?
Accenture Situational Judgement Tests present the candidate with a made-up scenario inspired by some of the most common challenges in everyday work life at companies like Accenture. These may include you spotting an important mistake in calculations as part of the presentation to client you need to deliver in half an hour, being challenged by the client or partner on your engagement, or having to solve a communication problem with colleague.
Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is especially difficult because all answers will seem like appropriate options. They will all have some good qualities – so you need to differentiate between which are practical, and which are desired by Accenture. In many cases you will face a trade-off between choosing situations where you show leadership, determination, creativity or maybe integrity. Since you can only follow one course of action, you will need to use your judgement to decide which option fits the particular scenario.
Accenture Situational Judgement Test Tip
When answering Accenture Situational Judgement Test questions, bear in mind the type of work culture you expect to find at Accenture (consulting), and remember about the attitudes and capabilities that are sought after in model Accenture candidates. Then, try to apply these to the scenarios you work through.
Learn more about situational judgement tests
Find out more about SJTs. Visit GF’s YouTube channel:
What is Accenture’s Work Personality Questionnaire?
In Accenture’s Personality Questionnaire unlike in ability tests, there are no right or wrong answers. It will assess your individual preferences within the Accenture’s work place, i.e. consulting and working with corporate clients. Bear in mind that as a candidate you will not get extra marks for having a particular preference as such.
Accenture Work Personality Questionnaire Tip
Although there are no correct or wrong answers in personality questionnaires, as these are essentially assessments measuring your own personal way of working, while responding to Accenture Personality Questionnaire try to stress your personality traits that you believe make you perfect for the role you applied for. Your responses should be in line with 6 core values of Accenture: Stewardship, Client Value Creation , One Global Network, Best People, Respect for the Individual, Integrity.
How can I prepare for the Accenture Job Simulation?
Although your Accenture Job Simulation will be targeted for the specific industry and role you applied to, you can benefit from practicing general Situational Judgement questions to practice analysing various job scenarios and predicting your reactions. Click here to practice Situational Judgement questions.
Furthermore, by taking a Work Personality Questionnaire you will get a good idea of what your preferred work style is and whether this meets the expectations of Accenture recruiters. Click here to take the Work Personality Questionnaire and understand your personal preferred work style.
Never try to manipulate your answers. These tests are designed in a way that will flag up any inconsistencies in your answers. Put across your true self and do not spend too much time analysing each answer – they should come to you naturally.
Ready to move on to the second of Accenture’s online assessments?
Accenture Numerical Reasoning Test
What is Accenture’s Numerical Reasoning Test?
The objective of the Accenture Numerical Reasoning Test is to examine your numerical ability. You will be mainly required to perform standard GCSE/ High School Math arithmetic calculations. What makes Accenture’s numerical reasoning test difficult is not the knowledge tested, but how you reason with the information presented under time pressure given the time limit.
You will only have less than a minute to answer each question, so the best way to ensure that you do your best is by practicing numerical reasoning test questions; this way, you will familiarise yourself with typical questions and become more comfortable which will help to increase your confidence.
Accenture’s Numerical Reasoning Test Tip: Remember that it is the stress and time pressure that is challenging – not the lack of knowledge! You need to learn to manage these. The best way by far is by practicing tests in a safe environment before your actual test.
You do not want your actual job or internship test to become a battleground. Remember, you have already successfully gone through the application process which tens of thousands of applicants have not managed.
Learn more about numerical reasoning tests, tips & tricks to pass, best practices to prepare for the tests and tactics during the tests.
If you are looking for an Accenture-style numerical reasoning test with answers, worked-solutions, and professional score reports including personalised tips based on your performance – start with FREE numerical practice tests.
Below you can analyse the example of a numerical reasoning test question.
Accenture-style Numerical Reasoning Test Example
Check if you got the correct answer at the bottom of the page.
Want to really crack numerical reasoning tests with your highest score? Head to our YT video to get step-by-step solutions for numerical questions and answers:
Let’s move on now to the third Accenture online assessment.
Accenture Logical Reasoning Test
What is Accenture’s Logical Reasoning Test?
Accenture’s Logical Reasoning Test will present you with a series of diagrams that will differ in terms of the movement, colour or orientation of objects. You can also find that in between diagrams, certain shapes and figures will change into other forms.
This test will not examine any particular area of your knowledge. You will be typically presented with 5 diagrams with varying shapes and spatial arrangements, and then will be asked to identify the right pattern to determine what comes next in the sequence.
You will need to infer an underlying logical pattern and, using your reasoning, correctly determine what the next diagram in series must look like.
Sounds complex?
It’s actually not as difficult as it seems, as long as you bear in mind a few key things.
The following is important while solving Accenture’s Logical Reasoning Test:
- It can be quite random
- The fact that no prior knowledge is required is exactly what makes this test difficult, so the only way to prepare is by practising similar tests to learn various patterns.
- You need to be comfortable with the format
- There’s no limit to how abstract the patterns and trends can be. The size, arrangement, movement and colours of 2 and 3-dimensional shapes will change, so you need to be ready for anything.
- The test assesses your speed
- As with the Numerical Reasoning Test, you need to be able to think calmly under pressure. By taking practice tests you can increase your accuracy and reaction times.
The main difficulty the Accenture logical reasoning test, often referred to as a diagrammatic or deductive reasoning test, is that there is no pre-requisite knowledge required and there is no limit to how abstract these patterns and trends can be. Practice will help in getting through this test.
Here’s what a typical Accenture-Style logical reasoning question looks like:
Accenture logical reasoning test question example with an answer
In this example, you’d have just 45 seconds to notice that:
- The arrow rotates clockwise around the diagram
- The sequence of shapes is triangle-circle-square
- The long line alternates between horizontal and vertical
- …and to identify the correct answer!
There is a lot of time pressure which often leaves candidates anxious and harms their performance.
Have you cracked it? Check out the answer at the bottom of the page.
For more questions similar to those in the Accenture logical reasoning tests, sign-up with Graduates First and:
- Take your FREE or Premium Accenture style Logical Reasoning Test now!
- Look at worked solutions to explain how you get the answer
- Get professional score reports with personalised tips based on your performance
We’ve got it all covered here at GF. You will get familiar with the format and level of difficulty of the questions. A lot of patterns are repetitive and follow similar logic, so by practicing you will grow in confidence and be better-suited to take your real test.
Accenture Logical / diagrammatic / deductive test tip:
Some people find it easier to cross out all the answers that do not follow the pattern you have identified in order to find the right answer. It might also be helpful to try to follow the pattern with your fingers on the desktop to save time drawing the diagrams on paper.
Learn more about logical reasoning tests
To learn more how to pass 80% of the logical reasoning tests watch this video tutorial prepared by our experts.
You will get FREE Logical Reasoning questions, worked solutions, answers and tips to pass.
By now you should understand the base of Accenture aptitude test. Let’s move on now to the next type of Accenture assessments.
Stay cool. We are reaching the final Accenture online assessment
Accenture’s Communication Assessment Test
What is Accenture’s Communication Assessment Test?
Accenture’s Communication Assessment test examines the communication skills of candidates. Accenture’s Communication Assessment test consists of 6 sections, which are asked orally each time by a pre-recorded speaker.
Below we will give you a brief overview of each of the Accenture’s Communication Assessment sections:
- Reading
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- In this round, your reading ability will be tested. You will see a set of 8 sentences on the screen and will be required to read them out aloud within a 20-30 second window.
- Listening
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- In this section, your ability to listen and replicate pieces of verbal communication is tested. You will be asked to repeat the phrases that you hear read out loud by the speaker.
- Q&A
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- In this section, simple questions are asked for which you should reply in no more than just a word or two. The questions will be very simple and need not be overcomplicated. Examples of questions include: Which part of the body do you use to walk? Answer: The feet or the legs.
- Jumbled sentences
-
- In this section, you will have to correct jumbled sentences into meaningful sentences.
- Retelling a story
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- In this section you will hear a short story which you will be asked to re-tell afterwards.
- Make sure to understand the key details of the story and if necessary, make a quick note of names or places.
- Later, when it is your time to retell the story, focus on forming clear and precise sentences to replicate the information that was conveyed to you.
- Speaking
-
- In this section, you will have to speak for about a minute on two different questions or topics that will not require any prior knowledge or preparation. Focus on forming correct and clear sentences and take into account the strict time limit you will be given.
STEP 3
Accenture Digital Interview
After the successful completion of online aptitude tests, you will be invited to a first-round interview. This used to take the form of a telephone interview, but now most candidates are interviewed over the internet using a platform called HireVue.
You will be asked a series of questions and have a limited time to record your answers, which will be later reviewed and assessed.
HireVue uses complex self-learning algorithms that match your body language to competencies sought by Accenture. Since the interview is video-based, your body language and tone will be exposed. Therefore, you need to make sure you seem comfortable and confident, as this will set a good impression and make it easier for the interviewer to follow what you are saying.
Best way to prepare for the HireVue video interview is to practice. You can practice your answers in front of the mirror and analyse what your posture, gestures and facial expressions might say about you. Try out different approaches and see what makes you come across as confident and persuasive. You can also record your answers on your phone and then watch them later; or send it to your friends who can give you a second opinion. Ask them to evaluate what they would think about you and what you say based on this short video. Remember – recruiters will only have a few minutes to form their opinion of you.
Your video interview will be competency based (CBI). Be prepared to talk about specific times when you proved to possess certain skills such as: determination, teamwork, leadership skills, etc. Think about your previous projects and experiences – from your professional, academic or private life.
Examples of questions that have been asked during Accenture interviews:
- Tell us more about yourself?
- What are your reasons for wanting to join Accenture?
- What do you find interesting in the particular area that you applied to?
- What does Accenture do as a company?
- How does Accenture use technology to help its clients?
- Tell me about a situation when you had to provide support and service to someone
- Tell us of a time when you had to work with a difficult team member, and how you solved this problem
- Tell us about a time when you had to step up and show your leadership skills
- Tell us about a time when you were faced with an unconventional problem and had to use your creativity to solve it
- Tell us about the most challenging project you worked on, and what you’ve learned from it
- Tell me about the situation when you had to show your integrity
Accenture Digital Interview Tips and Tricks:
- At minimum browse through the Accenture website, read some news to understand what the company does, what are their line of business, what they specialize in, what are the current business challenges they face
- For ‘Tell me about yourself question’ – do not talk about your family; you should briefly explain your key career path, key achievements, education; stay succinct. This applies to all companies you are applying to.
- For other questions “Tell me…” – we’d recommend you use and follow a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) model, in which you need to refer to each of the four points mentioned above; explain what the particular situation was, what task you were faced with, what action you took and what the result was. Before your interview, think of a few situations from your personal, professional or student life that can be presented using a full STAR model
Accenture Video Interview Tips & Tricks
Learn more about video interviews
Do you want more Accenture-style interview questions and answers? Prepare some ideas for your answers before your interview, by analysing the most common types of interview questions.
GF offer a video interview practice platform that is similar to HireVue (emotions reading) and allows for practicing questions for CBI, Strength-based and 10 most common industries (incl. consulting). You will be asked a pre-defined question, record yourself, receive feedback, re-play, analyse and improve your performance.
Pic. Video Interview Practice Questions for Accenture preparation
STEP 4
Accenture Assessment Centre
Accenture’s Assessment Centre is the last stage of the Accenture Recruitment Process and will take place at Accenture offices.
Accenture’s Assessment Centre typically consists of 3 parts:
- Group Exercise
- Virtual Reality Assessment
- Technical Assessments and Interviews
Depending on your region and role you applied, this part of the process will be virtual during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, except for a change of setting from an office to an online video assessment, you can be expected to take part in the same types of exercises and assessments.
Accenture Group Exercise
One of the exercises you are most likely to be asked to solve is the Accenture Group Exercise. In it, you will be given details of a business decision being currently considered. You will only have around 30 minutes to fully comprehend the specific business situation that the company is facing, analyse relevant information and prepare recommendations in the form of a written document or presentation.
Accenture group exercise tips:
Preparation:
a. Start from GF’s Assessment Centre Exercises
- With assessor’s notes you will be able to understand what they are looking for
b. Look for some specific consulting business cases on-line
- Firm Learning YT channel is a good place to start from
Assessment
a. Rephrase the main points from the business case to ensure you understand the problem and what is expected
b. Stay calm and focused. The HR assessors will observe your behaviour throughout the assessment centre
More Accenture Group Exercise Tips:
- Take leadership and speak up only when it feels natural
- Never shout over anyone and do not argue with other team members
- Show appreciation for the ideas of other team members; you can either ask critical and thought-provoking questions, or build up on good suggestions that others have given. It is all about interacting with others and trying to reach a mutual decision
- You need to work through the examples quickly and be confident about your decisions. You will have no time to go back and start from scratch, so just stick with what you are doing and try to be very precise when forming your arguments.
You can make sure that you stand out from the competition by following some of the tips that our Chartered Organisational Psychologists prepared to help you with your Accenture assessment centre.
Accenture Virtual Reality Assessment
In some regions, Accenture have introduced a Virtual Reality assessment as part of their recruitment process.
What is an Accenture Virtual Reality Assessment?
Accenture Virtual Reality Assessment is an innovative and immersive experience. You will enter the testing environment where you will need to solve problems and identify right courses of actions. These will require you to apply data interpretation, problem solving, resilience and work agility to succeed.
There are three different Accenture virtual reality scenarios that will be used to examine you:
- The Egyptian Crypt, where you will be asked to work on moving a set of hieroglyphs, strategically using as few moves as possible, until you order them in the correct form.
- A set of ten podiums will be presented to you, each involving a problem or puzzle to be solved.
- These will include arranging rocks into correct size order, counting the number of specific objects or answer quick common knowledge questions, e.g. capitals of some well-known countries.
- This task will put you under time pressure and examine your management skills and prioritization as you may not be able to complete all of them successfully.
- The final Accenture Virtual Reality exercise will simulate an office environment.
- Here, you will be presented with a virtual device including all information regarding to your current live project.
- You will need to analyse given information to evaluate status of the project and make a conference call to record a summary of your findings.
Accenture Virtual Reality Assessment, source (Accenture)
How can I prepare for Accenture’s Virtual Reality Assessment?
Since Virtual Reality assessments are supposed to help recruiters evaluate behaviour and performance of candidates in slightly unusual situations that they have not experienced before, there is no clear or direct way to prepare for Accenture’s Virtual Reality Assessment.
However, it will be beneficial to make sure you know as much as possible about the goal of these exercises, and then do all you can to perform in the way a model Accenture employee would be expected to do.
The best advice for this type of assessments is to also not overthink and overcomplicate it, but simply sit back and enjoy the experience. Your best chances of scoring well is if you behave naturally and with confidence.
Accenture Technical Assessments and Interviews
Depending on the particular role you applied to you may also be required to take part in other assessments that will be specifically focused on the technical skills required for your role, such as programming in different languages or use of other software. Any information on technical assessments or interviews will be communicated to you in advance, and therefore you need to make sure you carefully read all emails received from Accenture.
If you have applied for a technical role, especially as an experienced hire, make sure you familiarise yourself on the technical requirements of this position and try refresh your knowledge of these beforehand.
Accenture Final Interview
This interview will be conducted by a senior manager or director from the business area that you applied to. This will be your last chance to stand out from the competition and prove that you are an ideal candidate.
Other than talking about how this position suits your interests and skills, you also need to know why this particular company is of your interest. Check recent awards Accenture won or projects they supported and try to link these to your experiences and interests.
This will also be a chance for you to ask questions and experience what working at Accenture might be like. Therefore, come equipped with some interesting and thought-provoking questions, which you are likely to be able to ask at the end of your interview. You should always use this opportunity to engage in a conversation with a senior member of the team, to demonstrate that you are motivated and enthusiastic about the prospect of working at Accenture. Do not be afraid to ask your interviewer about their personal experiences with the company, and their career path.
Tip: Do a lot of research about Accenture, including: their recent developments and planned structural changes, as well as changes in the industry and potential future opportunities that are relevant to Accenture. These can form the basis of interesting conversations with senior members of the business, and thus demonstrate that you are an eloquent, motivated and bright individual.
- Practice and Register with Graduates First to get your job with Accenture first time. Select from the range of products we offer at no risk. We offer free aptitude tests with expert reports and progress tracking, so you can improve as you go and increase your chances of getting the job, first time.We also offer a comprehensive premium package with a full set of assessment tools for job candidates (numerical, logical, verbal reasoning, situational judgment tests, assessment centre exercises, game-based assessments, video interviews and more). Practise with peace of mind and without commitment; we offer a full 100% money back guarantee if you do not pass your job test*.
Answers:
Accenture Deductive Reasoning Test: C
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