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Considering applying for KPMG’s 2023 internship or graduate programs? Or are you interested in exploring professional opportunities with KPMG? Read on for the ultimate guide to accelerate your KPMG online assessment practice.
From the application process, assessment, and recruitment to the work life at KPMG, this article uncovers crucial details every KPMG candidate must keep in mind, no matter the program.
Check here for Free and Premium aptitude assessment tests and video interviews to practise and prepare for KPMG recruitment.
Wondering if you should practise for KPMG assessments? According to research, 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude tests results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A recent study found that candidates who do not practise assessments, tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers. Bradley et al (2019)
A recent study found that candidates who do not practise assessments, tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers.
How to pass KPMG online assessments to get the job?
KPMG uses a variety of aptitude tests for its recruitment. These may include:
You may get rejected already after your KPMG tests. These tests sift out 50-80% candidates. The only proven way to get to the next round is practice.
Record yourself practising how to answer common questions in interviews for consulting jobs. Ensure your answers flow well and are to the point. Avoid filler words.
Prepare for an online video interview by running mock interviews and answering typical consulting interview questions. To practise for KPMG interview, use:
Our video interview practice platform contains standard competency and industry questions for consulting and replicates the experience as platforms such as Hirevue, Pymetrics, and Sonru. Always record your responses and watch them to develop your interview technique. Practice your answers until you feel satisfied.
Use the STAR method for your answers, and practise each response several times.
KPMG uses a range of exercises in its Virtual Launch Pad assessment centre to select the right candidate. Keep yourself a step ahead by practising:
Hone your written and spoken communication technique. Research online, prepare and practice presentation of as many business case studies as possible.
Be aware; not many get to this stage. The competition is very fierce.
Prepare for your one-on-one interview with a senior manager from KPMG. Do well to practise behavioural and competency-based questions beforehand for this interview. Your goal is to stand out, knowing that KPMG interviews dozens of candidates at this final stage.
Refine your interview skills to showcase your:
For your final interview, use the video interview platform and record yourself answering the consultancy questions.
Looking into assessments with KPMG, simply click in the table below to practice assessments relevant to your assessment process!
Save and practice all the above assessments for your KPMG application with our Go Premium package.
These are the steps to landing a job at KPMG in a nutshell. Now let’s dive into the details properly as we uncover everything you need to know about the KPMG recruitment process.
In this guide, you will discover:
Without further ado, let’s jump in!
KPMG is ranked among the Big Four accounting firms in the world. The finance giant boasts a network of firms across 146 countries around the world. KPMG mainly offers financial audit, tax, and advisory services and generates an aggregated revenue of USD 35 billion.
The company prioritises a healthy work environment and promotes personal and professional growth. KPMG employees are bound by a set of values that include:
Good to know: According to KPMG Global’s 2021 Annual Report, KPMG receives over 225,000 applications each year, with an acceptance rate of just four percent.
If you are seriously looking to join the league of KPMG’s 227,000 outstanding professionals spread around the globe, here are some important details you should know about the KPMG application process.
What does KPMG’s application form involve?
KPMG’s application is done online. You must first complete an online application form and provide some basic information about yourself, your background, your education, and your experience.
Before you begin your application, consider whether you align with the official key competencies KPMG is currently on the lookout for:
Before you begin your application, ensure that you meet the three basic entry requirements for many roles:
Good to know: In case you do not fully meet the academic requirements, the application form has a space for you to provide your reasons, and these will be taken into consideration by the recruitment team.
Make sure to provide any relevant work experience or past professional qualifications that might help your application. Your application form will be assessed against the entry requirements, and you can only apply to work at KPMG once every application cycle.
KPMG’s application is quite straightforward and easy. So relax and take your time as you apply.
Ensure you give accurate details and try to demonstrate your suitability for the role in your application so as to make it to the next stage of the recruitment process: the KPMG online assessments.
KPMG assessments are provided by Cappfinity and are quite unique compared to more standard aptitude tests that are used by other employers, but there’s no cause for worry. These KPMG tests have no time limit and can be completed remotely online.
Click here to learn more about Cappfinity and get ahead.
What is the KPMG assessment process?
You will be assessed in 2 rounds of assessment. These stages of KPMG assessments are:
Here is what you should know about these KPMG tests, starting with the first stage: the KPMG Transforming Small Businesses Online Assessment.
During the KPMG Transforming Small Businesses assessment, you will be provided a scenario you may face in your role at KPMG. You will be assessed on how you respond to scenarios with the information you have been given. This is very similar to a situational judgement test.
Good to know: you will be provided with information in the form of videos, articles, emails, podcasts, and voicemails, which you are expected to use to help you answer a range of questions.
How long will I have to complete the KPMG Transforming Small Businesses Online Assessment?
While this is an untimed assessment, KPMG suggests it would take around 90 minutes to finish, and it is advisable to complete it in one sitting. You must complete the test within five calendar days.
The KPMG Transforming Small Businesses Online Assessment will evaluate your situational judgement and numerical ability. But what exactly do these involve? Let’s break each of these cdown.
The KPMG situational judgement test questions are designed to evaluate your ability to assess a situation and make decisions. These questions involve realistic work-place scenarios and will require you to choose the most appropriate response from a set of options.
Gain key insights in this under 1 minute video, about the situational judgement test questions you may encounter during your KPMG SJT questions.
Top 5 tips to pass your KPMG situational judgement test questions:
Practising beforehand is no doubt the most important step. Sign-up for GF’s Situational Judgement Test package to access real practice questions, live test reports, and progress charts!
Here’s a sneak peek into what a typical KPMG situational judgement test question may look like:
KPMG Situational Judgement Test Question Example
Besides your situational judgement, your numerical ability will also be tested in this assessment. Here is what you should know about the numerical ability questions.
Simply put, the KPMG numerical reasoning test questions evaluate a candidate’s ability to interpret and analyse numerical data. It involves solving mathematical problems and making logical deductions from the information provided.
Check out this short video for more insight on your KPMG numerical reasoning test questions.
Our expert team at GF has designed an example of a numerical reasoning question you may encounter in this KPMG assessment for you to practise. Have a go with answering this question to test your skills ahead of your KPMG assessment test:
KPMG Numerical Reasoning Question Example
Got it right? Check the bottom of the page for the correct answer!
For more FREE questions similar to the KPMG numerical reasoning test questions, register with GF and practice your FREE numerical reasoning test now!
6 Tips to Pass KPMG Numerical Test Questions
If you are looking for KPMG-style numerical reasoning tests with answers, worked-solutions and professional score reports, including personalised tips based on your performance to practise, then we at GF have you covered.
Good to know: After completing the assessment, KPMG will provide a strength report which will highlight your top strengths and areas where you need improvement, along with tips to help you.
If you are successful in the Transforming Small Businesses Online Assessment, you will be invited to the next stage of the graduate process: the KPMG Delivering Outcomes assessment.
Similar to the Transforming Small Businesses assessment, the KPMG Delivering Outcomes assessment also assesses your situational judgement skills using workplace scenarios, diving into more depth about one of the businesses included in the previous assessment. This test will take about 60 minutes to complete.
Good to know: Please see above for our top KPMG situational judgement test tips.
How long will I have to complete the KPMG Delivering Outcomes Online Assessment?
You will have 5 calendar days from receiving the invitation to complete this assessment.
For some questions, KPMG will ask you to provide written answers or video responses. The video responses section will allow you two minutes to provide the answers and also give you some time to prepare beforehand.
Learn all you need to know about KPMG video interview questions to help kickstart your prep with this short clip:
Virtual sessions are becoming popular in job recruitment. Here are some great tips to help you with your recorded responses.
Top 5 Tips to Ace your KPMG Video Interview Questions
Good to know: The best way to ace your KPMG assessment is to prepare beforehand, especially your video responses. Practice with our unique video interview tool to practise video interviews and gain real test experience while recording your answers.
In some cases, depending on the program you have applied for, KPMG will invite you to sit its “Critical Thinker Test” to conclude the online assessment stage.
Unlike the assessments in the previous stages, the KPMG critical thinker test stage does have a time limit of 30 minutes. This assessment takes place online, and is facilitated by a member of the hiring team.
You will be invited to an online meeting on Microsoft Teams along with other applicants. With your audio muted, you will be required to answer 10 numerical reasoning questions from two sections.
Check out our below video to discover tips to help you prepare for the KPMG critical thinker test:
If you are successful with these assessments, you will be invited to attend the next stage of the recruitment journey: the KPMG Virtual Launchpad.
What is the KPMG Virtual Launch Pad?
From meeting personnel to gaining more understanding about different business areas, the KPMG Virtual Launchpad or KPMG Assessment Centre is the final assessment stage and another opportunity for you to stand out.
As the name implies, these are held in an online virtual format and still offer the same opportunities for you to be assessed by the recruiters. Depending on the scheme you’ve applied for, you may be assessed through:
Let’s check out what to expect in each of these activities below.
The KPMG group exercise consists of 50 to 80 people. You will be assigned briefs and assignments to perform in small groups of 5-8 people. You will have about 3-5 minutes to jot down your points and later present them in front of the group.
Try to demonstrate both teamwork and leadership skills in your responses and interactions with your teammates.
Top 5 Tips to Succeed in the KPMG Group Exercise
What will be covered in the KPMG Group Exercise?
Some topics in the KPMG Group Exercise that some candidates have encountered in the past include:
Bonus KPMG Assessment Centre tip: Try to persuade others towards your ideas and ask critical, thought-provoking questions, but only do so when it feels natural. Bear in mind that your team members are just as important as you.
Take a break from reading with our video on how to perform your best during a group exercise.
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.
You may also be asked to respond to a previously unseen 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.
Here are our top 5 tips to ace your KPMG analytical exercise:
Bonus KPMG Assessment Centre tip: align your responses with KPMG values. Consider how employees at KPMG would approach the situation. This shows your attention to detail and suitability for the role.
The KPMG Partner Interview segment affords you the opportunity to meet with a member of the KPMG recruitment team who will ask you a range of questions in line with important KPMG work values. They may be behavioural, strength-based, or motivational.
4 Easy Tips to Ace your KPMG Partner Interview
As you keep the above tips in mind, here are some questions you may be asked, along with some example good responses:
Tip to Answer: For this question, you need to focus your reply on KPMG’s reputation and values, and how these are essential for your career aspirations.
Good Answer: One reason I choose KPMG is because I find its reputation as one of the world’s leading global professional services firms truly impressive. KPMG has demonstrated its commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, which resonates with my own principles and career aspirations.
Check out this short video for more tips on how to answer questions like this.
Tip to Answer: For your answer, you should cover the main areas of research you have taken and provide examples to help provide evidence, such as recent news articles or journals in the area of your job interest.
Good Answer: I consistently follow reputable financial news platforms like The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times to stay in touch with global business trends. For example, the FT’s recent article about the effects of inflation on small businesses in Europe was interesting to apply my own knowledge to. I also attend industry conferences, webinars, and seminars to stay informed about emerging business trends and developments.
Tip to Answer: You can use the STAR+R technique to answer this question. Focus on a scenario from your experience that included a positive result from your approach to the challenge.
Good Answer:
KPMG Partner interview tip: This is also a great opportunity for you to further demonstrate interest in the role by asking the interviewer your own questions about the job to find out more.
Discover our top 5 best questions to ask in your KPMG interview from this short video below:
The KPMG Virtual Launchpad is the last stage of assessment. If you are successful, you will be hired at KPMG and may receive a job offer within two days. Congratulations!
Working at KPMG will very likely advance your professional career. Here are other schemes offered by KPMG for graduate and undergraduate students.
KPMG continually offers graduates the opportunity to join its workforce in various departments, including audit, tax, and advisory services, among others. Entry-level graduates would typically be subjected to all KPMG stages of assessment in the course of recruitment.
KPMG provides a range of programmes to develop students through unique experiences and perspectives. During your programmes, you will discover more about what it’s like to work for the firm and may be able to fast-track your career through a graduate programme at the end of the undergraduate scheme.
The various undergraduate programmes include:
The KPMG Apprenticeships programme offers students the opportunity to gain professional experience and develop the necessary skills to advance their careers. The available programmes include:
The aim of the KPMG Internship programme is to afford bright undergraduate and graduate students from local and international institutions the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the operational environment of KPMG.
Interns are assigned to different divisions based on their preferred areas of interest and availability and are allowed to work with seasoned, experienced professionals across various units and divisions.
So how do we apply to these opportunities?
Application deadlines for these programmes may vary each year and by country. It is therefore important to visit KPMG’s official website for up-to-date information regarding application deadlines and specific department or area options.
If you still have more questions about the KPMG recruitment process, below are our answers to top questions about your upcoming KPMG assessments.
KPMG’s recruitment process is fairly quick. Depending on the company’s needs, the period from application to job offer might take as little as one month. KPMG’s recruitment also varies by country or region.
You can only submit one application per intake year. If your application doesn’t go through, you will have to wait for the next application season to apply, and you can only apply for one role per season.
KPMG is interested in candidates who thrive working in a team and enjoy sharing brilliant ideas. Some other qualities KPMG looks for include integrity, critical thinking, drive, and communication skills.
No, KPMG does not send rejection letters. If you do not get feedback from the recruiters after a month or two, then your KPMG application may have been unsuccessful.
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Correct answer to example question:
Numerical Reasoning: C
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