Big 4 consulting interviews: Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG compared

How consulting interviews work at Deloitte, PwC and Strategy&, EY and EY-Parthenon, and KPMG: online tests, case style, group exercises and how to prepare. 8 min readUpdated 12 November 2026By the Prepper team

Big Four consulting interviews test the same skills as McKinsey, BCG and Bain interviews, in a different mix: more online testing and group work at the start, and cases that lean towards implementation, operations and technology. The strategy arms (Strategy& at PwC, EY-Parthenon, Monitor Deloitte) interview much more like the strategy firms.

Processes differ by country, service line and year. Use this as the typical pattern and confirm with your recruiter.

Typical process

Stage	What to expect
Online tests	Numerical, verbal or logical reasoning, sometimes a game-based or situational test
Recorded video or job simulation	Timed answers to motivation and work-scenario questions
First interview	Fit and motivation, often a short case or a case discussion
Assessment centre or final round	A case interview, a group exercise or a written exercise with presentation, and a partner interview

How the firms tend to differ

Firm	Strategy arm	Case style most often reported
Deloitte	Monitor Deloitte	Candidate-led cases; group case common for graduate intake
PwC	Strategy&	Strategy& runs classic strategy cases; wider consulting uses scenario and written exercises
EY	EY-Parthenon	EY-Parthenon cases are often commercial due diligence and market questions
KPMG	Strategy teams within advisory	Business scenario with a presentation; more fit weighting

What is different from MBB

More stages before the case. Many candidates are cut at the online tests, so practise them.
Practical cases. Expect "how would you carry this out" and "what are the risks" as well as "what should the client do".
Fit carries more weight. Know why this firm, why this service line, and why not a strategy boutique.
Group and written formats. See the group case and written case guides.

How to prepare

Practise numerical reasoning at test speed.
Do 15 to 20 cases, with extra operations, cost and technology cases.
Prepare motivation for the specific service line.
Rehearse one group exercise with friends.

For the differences at the strategy firms, see McKinsey vs BCG vs Bain interviews.

Frequently asked questions

Are Big 4 consulting interviews easier than MBB?
The cases are usually a little less demanding on speed and structure, but there are more stages, and the online tests remove many candidates.
Do Big 4 firms use case interviews?
Yes, in most consulting service lines, often together with a group or written exercise. Strategy arms use classic case interviews.
How do Strategy&, EY-Parthenon and Monitor Deloitte differ from the rest of the Big 4?
They are the strategy arms and interview like strategy firms: several rounds of case and fit interviews with consultants and partners.

Are Big 4 consulting interviews easier than MBB?

The cases are usually a little less demanding on speed and structure, but there are more stages, and the online tests remove many candidates.

Do Big 4 firms use case interviews?

Yes, in most consulting service lines, often together with a group or written exercise. Strategy arms use classic case interviews.

How do Strategy&, EY-Parthenon and Monitor Deloitte differ from the rest of the Big 4?

They are the strategy arms and interview like strategy firms: several rounds of case and fit interviews with consultants and partners.