Last updated: 26 December 2025
PwC recruitment often includes an online assessment stage. The exact format varies by country and role, but many candidates see numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and inductive reasoning tasks. This guide explains what to expect and includes PwC style practise questions you can do timed.
PwC online assessment format and common question types
PwC online assessments are designed to test job relevant thinking under time pressure. You usually get business style prompts with multiple-choice answers. What matters is not only the calculation, but whether you choose the right setup quickly.
Common question styles
- Numerical reasoning: interpret tables, percentages, ratios, margin logic, and multi-step adjustments.
- Verbal reasoning: decide whether statements are True, False, or Cannot say using only the passage.
- Inductive reasoning: spot patterns and select the missing tile.
Preparation strategy that works for PwC style tests
The fastest improvements usually come from reducing avoidable errors. In numerical reasoning, the most common misses are unit mistakes, mixing up the base for percentage change, and calculating the wrong metric.
A routine you can repeat
- Warm up: 5 minutes of percentages and ratios.
- Timed set: 10 to 15 minutes of table questions, then one pattern item.
- Review: rewrite the solution steps in one clean line.
- Repeat: redo the same item the next day and aim for fewer steps.
PwC style practise questions with full solutions
Do these like a real assessment. Use a calculator, do not over-read, and commit to an answer. After you finish, review the solution and compare it to your own setup.
Sequence: 4, 9, 7, 16, 10, 25, 13, ?
Question: What is the next number?
Show solution
Split into odd and even positions.
Odd positions: 4, 7, 10, 13 increase by +3.
Even positions: 9, 16, 25 are squares: 3^2, 4^2, 5^2. Next is 6^2 = 36.
Answer: C
Sequence: 1, 5, 14, 30, 55, ?
Question: What is the next number?
Show solution
Look at the differences:
5 – 1 = 4, 14 – 5 = 9, 30 – 14 = 16, 55 – 30 = 25.
These are squares: 2^2, 3^2, 4^2, 5^2. Next difference is 6^2 = 36.
Next term = 55 + 36 = 91.
Answer: D
| Year | Revenue (EUR m) | Average FTE |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 84.0 | 420 |
| 2025 | 102.0 | 460 |
2025 includes an acquisition that contributed EUR 12.0m revenue. The acquisition added 60 employees from 1 July 2025. Assume those employees contribute half a year to the 2025 average FTE.
Question: What is the percentage change in revenue per FTE from 2024 to 2025, excluding the acquisition? Round to one decimal.
Show solution
Step 1: Compute 2024 revenue per FTE
84.0 / 420 = 0.2000 EUR m per FTE
Step 2: Remove acquisition revenue
2025 organic revenue = 102.0 – 12.0 = 90.0
Step 3: Remove acquisition headcount from average FTE
Added mid-year: 60 employees contribute half-year to the average, so remove 30 FTE.
2025 organic average FTE = 460 – 30 = 430
Step 4: Compute 2025 organic revenue per FTE
90.0 / 430 = 0.2093 EUR m per FTE
Step 5: Percent change
(0.2093 – 0.2000) / 0.2000 = 0.0465 = 4.7% (rounded)
Answer: C
Passage
“Applicants who complete the online assessment within the requested timeframe may be invited to the next stage. Some roles include an additional evaluation step after the online assessment. The firm recommends completing the assessment in a quiet environment and checking the internet connection in advance.”
Statement: “All applicants who complete the online assessment within the requested timeframe will be invited to the next stage.”
Show solution
The passage says candidates may be invited, which is not a guarantee for everyone. Therefore the statement is false.
Answer: B
Choose the option that completes the 3 by 3 matrix. Track dot count and dot position separately. One rule controls quantity, the other controls location.
3 by 3 Matrix
Each tile has a bar at the bottom. Dots appear on a band (top, middle, or bottom) inside each tile.
Options
Show solution
Count rule: dot count increases by 1 across each row and also increases by 1 down each column.
This gives the bottom-right tile a total of 5 dots.
Position rule: the dot band moves by row: bottom band in Row 1, middle band in Row 2, top band in Row 3.
The last tile is in Row 3, so dots must be on the top band.
The bar stays at the bottom in every tile, so the correct option must include it.
Answer: D
Fast tactics that increase your score
- Read the question first. Then scan the table only for the fields you need.
- Keep units visible. Write currency and scale (k, m) next to your working.
- Estimate before you compute. Use elimination if options are far apart.
- Verbal reasoning is strict. If the text does not confirm it, choose Cannot say.
- For matrices, lock two rules. Confirm one row and one column before selecting.
FAQ
It varies by country and role. You may complete one combined assessment or multiple short sections. Plan for a quiet block of time so you can work without interruptions.
Percentages, ratios, margins, and multi-step adjustments from tables. Most score gains come from fewer unit errors and better checking.
Usually no. The key is choosing the correct setup quickly and staying accurate under time pressure.
Use only the passage. Words like all, always, and never are common traps. If the passage does not confirm it, choose Cannot say.
Check in a fixed order: presence or absence, count, position, rotation, then overlap rules. Confirm your rule using a row and a column before selecting.
Practise on the device you will use for the assessment. For table questions, a larger screen usually reduces scrolling and improves accuracy.
