EY Candidate Assessment Tests 2021 - 2022. The UltimateGuide.

Are you applying to EY’s (Ernst & Young) 2021 / 2022 internship or graduate programs season? Or maybe to aprofessional job with EY?

How to prepare for EY Assessment Tests and get the job?

Application1.Match your application with EY culture needs (check their website and see text below): use their language / includekey words from the job post in your resume

Aptitude tests2.Practice and become proficient in critical parts of online assessments EY will ask you to complete: Motion ChallengeGame, Numerical Reasoning Test

Job Simulation3.Take a variety of Situational Judgement Tests to understand various sets of scenarios; also take a PersonalityQuestionnaire

Assessment Centre (a.k.a. EY Experience Day)4.It is online these days, make sure you have a quiet place with a good wi-fi; practice a variety of assessmentexercises, focus on group exercises and solving case studies

Interview:5.Record answers to typical questions for consultancy and CBI using a video interview practice platform; playback the recording; improve your voice sound, confidence, body language, practice several times 2-3 first sentencesof your answers

It is important to know that between 60-80% of applicants get rejected by Big 4 consultancies like Ernst & Young(EY) solely on the basis of online aptitude tests!

A recent study (Bradley et al, 2019) found that candidates who do not practise assessments, tend to fail at the first hurdle ofpsychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers.

The article below will provide you with a step-by-step 2021 guide to passing EY’s candidate assessment process: aptitudetests, assessment centre and interview written by experienced occupational psychologists and recruiters who worked formajor aptitude test publishers. We will also share assessment practice tools and tests to help you succeed with EY.

The competition for EY jobs, internships, graduate schemes is very fierce. Dozens of thousands of applications are submitted eachyear. On average one in 50 candidates will finally be selected at the end of the process. To progress beyond EY’s online aptitudetests and onto the next recruitment stage, you’ll need to score above the 80th percentile.

If you want to start your career in consultancy, Ernst & Young is among the best choices. If you are a professional or graduatelooking for a job, internship or a graduate scheme, we want you to succeed. In the article below, we will provide you with a step-by-step overview of the best tips for successfully passing a very thorough EY’s candidate assessment process duringrecruitment: job application, online aptitude tests, assessment centre, and a set of interviews.

Do not miss this opportunity. Enjoy the learning and best of luck!

WARNING: This text is packed with information, examples, new vocabulary. If you are not serious about getting a jobwith EY, stop reading here. Your commitment and focus is a must.

Ernst & Young (EY) is a multinational professional services firm headquartered in London that employs 230,000 peopleglobally. EY operates as a network of member firms which are separate legal entities in individual countries.

Despite the number of different areas and levels within EY, most EY recruitment processes follow a very similar path.

These are the five steps of the Ernst & Young job application process:

EY Online Application1.EY Online Aptitude Tests2.EY Job Simulation3.EY (Virtual) Assessment Centre (a.k.a. EY Experience Day)4.EY Final Interview5.

Take a break. EY Assessment Tests and Games in a nutshell on GF YT channel.

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Video: EY (Ernst & Young) Assessment Tests Preparation 2021

1. EY Online Application

Are you done with your research? Have you finalized the list of areas you would like to work in EY? Then you are ready to take off.

1. To apply to EY, you will need to complete the online application form including:

Personal details1.Academic background2.Relevant work experience3.

2. Based on your role you might also be asked to answer some questions, e.g.

Your motivations to apply for the chosen roleWhy you make a good candidateWhat EY means to you

How to succeed in EY’s job application – 3 top tips:

Use key words and expressions that are included in that specific job postPrepare your experiences from professional, personal, community or sports life; use EY competencies framework:teamwork, respect, determination, integrity, energy, enthusiasm and courage to leadRefer to particular experiences and skills that match the EY competencies: teamwork, respect, determination, integrity,energy, enthusiasm and courage to lead

2. EY Online Aptitude Tests

By now you should have cracked the EY application. There’s no time to waste. If your application gets accepted you will get theinvite to the next stage, the aptitude tests. You will be given very short notice, leaving you just a couple of days to complete them.

Start preparing now, it will help with other employers anyway. Continue reading to find the What and the How.

The second step of the recruitment process at EY will be the Online Assessments stage a.k.a. Ernst & Young online aptitude tests.

EY aptitude tests (Situational Strengths test, numerical reasoning tests and verbal ability tests) assess the following qualities of acandidate:

Ability to interpretAbility to analyseAbility to draw logical conclusionsEmotional stabilityAdaptabilityTechnical knowledge

What are EY online assessments?

EY Online aptitude tests, such as:1.Numerical reasoning testSituational Strengths testBusiness behaviours testWhat’s your mindset testVerbal Reasoning test

Game assessments: EY Motion Challenge2.Tests related to understanding of technology and its influence on the way companies like EY achieve their goals and3.objectives. This could take the form of a digital case study exercise, involving multiple choice questions and a rankingexercise.

Here you can practice for EY assessment with GF’s aptitude tests, video interviews and games.

Let’s dive now into EY online assessments.

What is EY Numerical Reasoning Test?

The objective of the EY Numerical Reasoning Test is to examine your numerical literacy. It is designed to measureyour ability to make correct decisions from numerical or statistical data presented in tables, graphs and charts

This is a critical skill in consultancy and the first step to sift out candidates

You will be mainly required to perform standard high-school math arithmetic calculationsQuestions will include ratios, charts, percentages, relatively simple calculations, data comparisons and datainterpretationsEY numerical test typically consists of 12-15 questions to be solved in 20 min

What makes Ernst & Young’s numerical reasoning test difficult is not the knowledge tested, but how you reason with theinformation presented under time pressure given the time limit.

Do not mess up this stage! Especially that it is an easy one to prep for.

Practice is king here. Getting familiar with typical questions, answers and worked solutions to understand the reasoning is a ‘mustdo’.

Watch this video on YouTube

Video: What Is a Numerical Reasoning Test?

Practicing under time pressure plays a key role hence questions in pdf widely available although good to build the skills are notsufficient to perform well with about 1 minute per question in a real test.

How to pass EY numerical reasoning test

Recap of basic Maths calculations, such as ratios, percentages and reading data off chartsWhat makes Ernst & Young’s numerical reasoning test difficult is not the knowledge tested, but how youreason with the information presented in the time limit under the pressure involved.

Practice tests upfront, use work solutions to learnUse practice tests with timers!Start practicing as soon as you apply; do not leave it until after you receive application confirmation; you will have 1-3days to complete the real tests and you may need to revise some material from school beforeStretch yourself, try to answer questions within 45 seconds on averageNever exceed your time allowance, your application will be dropped, on contrary, try to finish ahead of timeComplete the test when your brain works at its best (morning? evening?)

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 to achieve this is by practicing tests in a safe environment before youractual test. You do not want your actual job or internship, grad programme test to become a battleground.

You have already successfully gone through the application process which tens of thousands of applicants have not managed.

Watch this video on YouTube

Video: How to optimize numerical reasoning practice | Get your High Score

By now you should be an expert in EY numerical reasoning test �

How can I practice for EY Numerical Reasoning Tests?

There are many resources available on the web. You may start with our numerical reasoning tests webpage to get practical tips onhow to prepare for numerical reasoning test questions.

Fed up with reading? Take a break. Visit our YT channel:

If you are looking for an EY-style numerical reasoning test questions with answers, worked-solutions, and professional score reportsincluding personalised tips based on your performance – then GF has it covered.

You can simply sign up for a FREE numerical reasoning test and compare your results with thousands of other test takers.

EY-style Numerical Reasoning Test Example 1

Check if you got the correct answer at the bottom of the page.

EY-style Numerical Reasoning Test Example 2

For more FREE QUESTIONS similar to EY’s assessment tests, sign up with GF, take your FREE numerical reasoning test andbenchmark yourself with 1000s of other test takers.

Please take your time and watch the video below. We guide you step-by-step through 5 most common types of numerical reasoningquestions, worked solutions and answers. These cover 70-80% typical numerical reasoning questions you’ll come across with mostemployers. It is a 15 min investment that will surely pay off.

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Video: Numerical Reasoning Test Practice Questions and Answers (2021) | 5 Worked Solutions & Tutorial!

Let’s move on now to the next test, EY’s Situational Strengths tests.

EY Situational Strengths Test

What is EY’s Situational Strengths test?

EY Situational strengths test assesses your decision-making skills by presenting day-to-day business scenarios with 3-4 suitableapproaches to see what your approach to that particular situation be. These tests are also known as Situational Judgement testsand as the name suggests assesses your judgement skills to make sure if you’ve got capability to make the right call. There are noright or wrong answers to these kinds of questions.

You’ll understand Situational Strengths Tests better by looking at the question below and look for the best and the worst approach:

Question: You oversee the Finance Operations for a large Accountancy company that has been struggling to meet its financialtargets recently. Today you have received notification that some of your branches have failed an audit and are in breach ofparticular regulations. You have been given 3 months in which to address this issue. This timeline is tight and you have to resolvethis matter as the company’s future can be compromised as a result. What do you do?

Options:

A: Escalate the problem to your seniors to ensure it gets the right attention and support, to ensure this gets resolved in the 3-month period.

B: Hire external consultants to come in and resolve the problem, as you cannot take any risks with getting this wrong.

C: Contact the branches that have failed and identify the reasons behind their failures. Consider any trends that may be consistentacross these ‘failing’ branches and use this information to make a more informed decision on next steps for resolution.

D: Ask each branch to resolve their own failures as soon as possible, highlighting the risk of not complying within the 3-monthperiod. Gain assurance from each of them and then trust them to get on with the job.

Figured out the best course of action? By now you would’ve understood what the EY Situational Strengths Tests are all about.However, to know more about Situational strengths tests visit our website and know all about Situational Judgement tests /Situational Strengths Tests.

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Video: What is a Situational Judgement Test (SJT)? | 2021 – 2022 Guide for Job Hunters

EY Business Behaviours Test

What is EYs Business Behaviours Test?

EYs Business Behaviour Tests are more or less like EY’s Situational Judgement Tests except the questions are interlinked, and thusthe answers that you provide for each of them should suit the overall situation, i.e., the answers shouldn’t be contradictory to eachother.

EY ‘What’s on Your Mindset’ Test

What is EYs ‘What’s on Your Mindset’ Test

EY What’s on Your Mindset test is nothing but a Personality Questionnaire where there will be statements relating to specificcharacteristics. What you have to do is, rate those statements as to how much they relate to your personality.

Examples of ‘What’s on Your Mindset‘ test questions:

I get nervous before an important event or meeting1.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

2. Most people are trustworthy

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Where 1 = Strongly Disagree 2 = Disagree 3 = Agree nor Disagree 4 = Agree 5 = Strongly Agree

Learn more about Personality Questionnaires. Take most commonly used personality questionnaire used by 8000+ employers.

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Video: How Employers use Personality Questionnaires to Hire You | 2021 Guide for Big4 applicants

EY Verbal Reasoning Test

What is EY’s Verbal Reasoning Test?

Ernst & Young similar to most large employers use Verbal Reasoning Tests in their candidate assessment processes. The EYverbal reasoning test is not there to assess your language skills, however the test implicitly expects good language skill as aprerequisite. The test focuses on how an individual reasons written information to determine its meaning or any implication. EY useverbal reasoning tests which are very similar to those of SHL, the largest global assessment test publisher.

Watch this video on YouTube

Video: What Is a Verbal Reasoning Test? | Prepare for EY Verbal Reasoning Tests

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Video: Top 5 Verbal Reasoning Test Tips and Tricks

Learn more about Verbal Reasoning Tests.

Practice free SHL-style verbal reasoning tests for EY.

Let’s move on now to the next test, EY’s game-based assessment.

Around 10% of employers admit to using game-assessments. EY is one of them. If you need to learn what they are, head to ourdedicated gamified assessment page.

Game assessments: EY Motion Challenge game

What is the EY Motion Challenge game?

EY use game-based assessment called Motion Challenge (a.k.a. Motionchallenge, Motion Challengetest); depending on your role you may be asked to complete itEY use Motion Challenge game assessment from a provider called AON and their subsidiary Cut-e

The EY Motion Challenge game will examine your ability in dynamic problem solving and will require you to use abstract thinkingto find not so obvious solutions to the puzzle. It is important to think as broadly as possible.

In the Motion Challenge test you will be required to move objects and bars to clear the path between the red ball and itsdestination: a black hole. Your main goal in this game is to clear the path for the red ball by moving as few bars as possible.

How to pass EY Motion Challenge game?

In the EY Motion Challenge game you are faced with a strategic problem of solving a puzzle with the minimum number of moves. Asthe assessment is timed, you will need to prioritise between:

Thinking of and understanding the skills or behavioural traits that are being examined1.Spending more time to carefully analyse the path for the red ball using as few moves of blocking objects as possible2.Solving the puzzles in as little time as possible3.

How can I prepare and practice for EY Motion Challenge game?

Think broadly and analyse a number of different strategies1.

It may be helpeful to note down the number of required moves for each strategy as you decide which one to implement.

Do not spend ages trying to find a solution that is only slightly better but that will take you much more time to2.

think of

Time matters. Your goal is to also work through this game in a timely manner.

Practice similar challenges, such as the popular games: Rush Hour Traffic Game and Tetris.3.

Search for examples and various online versions of the Rush Hour Traffic Game.

In Tetris, focus on learning to analyse shapes and paths of different objects.

Practice your speed and accuracy with both games to gain confidence.

Try to relax and enjoy the experience (not easy, we know that � ).4.

Take it on not as a stressful university exam, but more like a challenge to solve the best you can.

It is crucial you do not get discouraged in the course of the game. Not only are results being measured and recorded butalso behavioural points on your progression and reaction to failure within the game are being recorded too.

Practise various types of assessment games available online.5.

These may not mimic exactly EY games but will teach you proper behaviours

EY Motion Challenge Game Example

Picture: EY Motion Challange Game – Example

Summary: How to pass EY Online Assessments – Top 7 Tips to stick to:

Before the test:

Prepare by practicing Rush Hour Traffic and Tetris games.1.

Focus on your speed and accuracy.

Prep your test environment:2.stable wifiuse a computer / laptop rather than a mobile devicestay in a calm placeselect a time of the day when your brain is at its best

Use Chrome browser to avoid tech surprises3.Have a calculator, pen and paper to hand4.

During the test:

5. Analyse a number of different strategies. Write down to keep track of strategies you want to implement

6. Do not get stuck on trying to find the solution that is only slightly better but that will take you much more time to thinkof.

Time matters.

7. Do not close the browser thinking that the game will restart – the timer is on and you will not pass

3. EY Job Simulation

In EY Job Simulation stage you will be examined for your work style and situation-specific reactions and competencies. This test willuse real work-based scenarios to test if your individual strengths reflect what EY are looking for in their candidates.

EY Job Simulation stage will require you to take the Situational Judgement Tests and Personality Questionnaireagain. Plus, it will have written questions, Multiple Choice Questions as well as Video-based Questions which will mostlycontain behavioural questions.

EY Job Simulation Test:

Has 14 questions, including multiple choice, ranking, written and pre-recorded video Q&A1.Some of the questions in there will be timed.2.Has to be completed in one sitting and usually takes around 60 minutes for most candidates.3.

In EY Job Simulation stage you will be required to record some answers in the form of a video recording. Make sure you are satin the quiet place and that your attire and background is appropriate and professional.

How can I prepare for the EY Job Simulation?

EY Job Simulation is very similar to the two very common online assessments: Situational Judgement Test and WorkPersonality Questionnaire.

Although your EY Job Simulation will be targeted for the specific industry and role you applied to, you can benefit from practicinggeneral Situational Judgement questions to practice analysing various job scenarios and predicting your reactions.

Learn more about Situational Judgement Tests (SJT).

Feel free to practise Situational Judgement tests with us.

Furthermore, by taking a Work Personality Questionnaire you will get a good idea of what your preferred work style is and whetherthis meets the expectations of EY recruiters.

Feel free to take the Work Personality Questionnaire created by GF experts. It is very close to what you can expect in EYassessment. It will also be useful for majority of other large employers. They use the most common framework based on so called

Big 5.

Use GF video interviews platform to practice recording of your answers. The platform provides set of questions for consultancyto answer, record, re-play, improve.

If you had made it through all the previous stages, you should have received the invitation to EY Assessment Centre also called TheEY Experience Day.

4. EY (Virtual) Assessment Centre (a.k.a. EY Experience Day)

The next step is the EY Assessment Center a.k.a. EY Experience Day.

EY Experience Days will take place virtually until further notice.

On the day of your virtual EY Experience you’ll take part in a number of activities. During the exercises, you’ll be required to use awebcam facility in order to interact with your assessor.

The EY Assessment Centre is designed to see if you have the strengths needed for your role at EY but it’s also a chance to see if EYis right for you.

EY Experience Day / Assessment Centre Preparation Tips:

Have a good night sleep before1.Dress appropriately; choose a neutral and clean background for your camera. You want to avoid any distractions for your2.recruiter and present yourself in a professional mannerSecure: a webcam, wifi with a strong and stable internet connection (you will be live streaming)3.Stay in a place where you can be uninterrupted for a long time; let your friends and family know that!4.

What exercises do I have to complete at EY Experience Day?

The assessment centre at Ernst & Young is usually divided into two parts:

EY Group Exercise1.You will be required to take part in the group in-tray exercise, which will expose you to a task that does not requireany prior preparations.You will need to analyse a piece of information and use your reasoning to suggest the best solution.

EY group exercise tip: remember to stay calm and focused; the HR assessors will observe your behavior throughoutthe assessment centre.

Stand out from the competition by following some of the assessment centre tips that our Chartered OrganisationalPsychologists prepared to help you with your Ernst & Young assessment centre.

EY Case Study2.

Analysis and recommendations for a business decision

You will be given details of a company and relevant materials relating to the decision they are considering.

In just under 40 minutes, you need to fully comprehend the specific business situation that the company is facing, analyse relevantinformation, and prepare recommendations in the form of a written document or presentation. You will be able to use MicrosoftWord to write up your findings.

Team and project plan set-up

You will also be asked to prepare a plan to manage the team, which will include: the work schedule, individual tasks, contingencyplans and progress checks.

EY Case Study Tip: You need to work through the examples quickly and be confident about your decisions. You will have no timeto go back and start from scratch, so just stick with what you are doing and try to be very precise when forming your arguments.

As a basis you may use GF Assessment Centre case studies. Then move to more complex business cases. Look for variousconsulting studies online (YT included). There are a number of resources that help in cracking the ways to approach a businessproblem.

5. EY Final Interview

When you get to the EY Final Job Interview stage, you will have an interview with two senior members of the Ernst & Young wherethey’ll ask questions back-to-back.

Do not mess up here. Not many get there. Prep is key.

This is an opportunity for you to show your interest and the potential skills that make you suitable for the particular role that youapplied to.

This EY final interview is a mixture of motivational questions and competency based questions (CBI). Most questions atthis stage are behavioural, but most importantly they will want to discuss the role and for you to ask them questions. At thisstage the interviewee has to lead the conversation.

The EY final interview is focused around your CV and personal motivations.

This is how you should prep for the EY final job interview:

Review of your CV. This is a must. You may be asked the details.1.Prepare examples of situations where you demonstrated the core competencies sought after by EY. These are:2.

People who excelPeople who are good at working in teamsPeople with integrityPeople who demonstrate respectPeople with energy, enthusiasm and the courage to leadPeople with decision-making skills

Use your school, uni, sports life, etc. Prepare examples in STAR format. Take notes of key points. Practise answers eitherusing a video interview platform (e.g. GF’s) or in front of a mirror. Our video interview platform includes questions for roles inconsultancy that you may practise.

It is very likely this interview will take form of a video or telephone interview.

Be prepared to talk about your reasons to apply to EY over other competitors, as well as your personal motivations andthe necessary skills and education for the particular job you apply to.

EY video interview tip: Find a quiet space where you will not be disturbed. Leave a note in sight to be reminded you aboutthe acronym STAR – Situation, Task, Action and Result. Every time you answer the question, make sure to talk preciselyabout each of these points. Make sure there is a logical flow between situations you describe under S, T, A, R.

Think about the projects you have previously worked on – whether they are from your professional experiences, education,passions, sports or personal experiences.

Some examples EY interview questions:

Question: Tell me about a time you stepped up as a leader.

How to Answer: Most of us haven’t had any prior leadership experience, but saying “I don’t have any such kind of experience”,would be a little odd. Therefore, while answering this question, even if you haven’t had any kind of on-the-job experience, you cannarrate an incident where you showed leadership at school, or among your younger siblings to get important work done. And ifnothing of this sort is coming to mind, your main focus should be how you handle projects alone, or how would you get work done ifyou had subordinates to work on that project and how would you assign work that suits their skills.

Question: What can you bring to EY?

How to Answer: Through this question they basically want you to show them many reasons that make you fit for the job.Answering subtly and appropriately is important at this point. You don’t have to sound boastful or raise questions about their way ofworking. All you need to do is show them how you can comply with the values of EY and help it grow with the skills that you alreadypossess and of course a lot of hard work.

Question: Why EY, and why your specific practice?

How to Answer: Focus on the image of the company while answering this question. Like you can say, “I want to join EY because ofits outstanding client portfolio and its excellent work culture”. And for the practice you must have your own reasons, what quality ofthe field makes you so passionate about the particular field or what you want to achieve while working in the particular field.

Question: Describe a time where you were faced with a challenge in a team environment and how you approached it

How to Answer: How you handle a team and how you lift the morale of your team is very important for Ernest &Young, therefore,as the answer to this question focus on three skills that you possess, 1. Empathy 2. Compassion 3. Encouragement. It’s importantfor them how empathetic you are towards your team, if you understand them and if you know how to get work done being a part ofthe team.

Question: Tell me about a time you dealt with adversity

How to Answer: Dealing with setbacks in a career or life as a whole is an everyday scenario, but how you deal with thatshortcoming, does it affect your productivity, or does it make you better and more hardworking is important for EY. At this point youshould be honest to your interviewer, even if you take shortcomings hard. The important part is that you show them how thesesetbacks help you improve for your future projects and tasks.

Question: What haven’t I asked you that I need to know

How to Answer: Again, at this point the interviewer doesn’t want you to boast about your qualities and skills. you can tell themabout a course that you started, some challenges that you face with people, your utilization of time, etc.

Most of these questions are asked, only difference is that they twist them but the situations and how you deal with them remainstheir first priority.

Apart from these, they might ask you technical questions relating to your field. Like, Basic accounting questions, like very basicconcepts, Auditing concepts, etc.

GF Video Interview Platform with consultancy practice questions that can help you prepare:

Picture: EY Video Interview PracticeEY competency based interview tip: Remember it is imperative that you refer to a variety of experiences fromdifferent areas of your life (professional, personal, community, etc.) so do not get stuck on one project youpreviously worked as an example in all of your answers. Your goal here is to present your ability to act indifferent circumstances. Prepare a couple of examples before the interview, and sketch them using the STARmodel.

Learn more about the most common types of interview questions.

Sign up with GF and select from the range of products we offer at no risk. We offer free aptitude tests so you canincrease your chances of getting the job first, first time. We also offer a comprehensive premium package with a full set ofassessment tools for job candidates (numerical, logical, verbal reasoning, situational judgment tests, assessment centreexercises and more). Practise with peace of mind and without commitment; we offer a full 100% money back guaranteeif you do not pass your job tests*.

Correct answers to example questions:

Numerical Reasoning Test – D

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