Numerical Reasoning (Capability)
Typically 10-12 questions · Untimed by countdown but strictly time-recorded; score = accuracy relative to time spent
What it tests. Numerical agility, currency and percentage translation, data synthesis and drawing business conclusions under analytical pressure.
Worked example. Office A makes £1.2M at a 15% margin (£180,000 profit); Office B makes EUR1.4M at 12% (at £1 = EUR1.15, that is ~£1,217,391 revenue and ~£146,087 profit). Combined net profit is ~£326,087.
Common traps. The perfectionist stall (spending 4-5 minutes on one calculation lowers your score as much as a wrong answer) and rounding missteps on free-text entry ('nearest whole number' versus 'two decimal places').
How to handle it. Have a calculator, notepad and pen ready. If you cannot solve a calculation within 75-90 seconds, input your closest estimate and move on; do not let average time per question exceed 90 seconds.
Verbal & Critical Reasoning
10-15 questions · Untimed but time-recorded
What it tests. Isolating facts from assumptions, comprehending complex prose and determining whether statements are supported by the text alone.
Worked example. Given a passage stating Computer Science graduates are exempt from preparatory lectures but 'must still sit and pass the formal examination', the statement 'a CS graduate does not need to take the formal exam' is False.
Common traps. Bringing outside business knowledge into the logic, and skimming qualifier words (always, sometimes, never, all, solely) that flip True to Cannot Say.
How to handle it. Read the short statement before the passage so you scan for the exact nouns and logical constraints needed to validate the claim, preserving your recorded time.
Situational Judgement (Situational Strengths Test)
16 scenarios · Untimed (no time-recording penalty, though excessive delays are discouraged)
What it tests. Alignment with EY's strengths (Adaptability, Curiosity, Collaboration, Integrity, Learning Agility, Resilience, Motivation, Relationship Builder) when navigating conflicting priorities and team dynamics.
Worked example. When a manager asks you to pivot from a Friday audit deadline to an urgent Thursday pitch, the strongest options accept the new task while negotiating a clear hand-off of audit work with your team; refusing outright ranks lowest.
Common traps. Choosing the passive 'middle ground' ('wait for further instructions') and the 'corporate robot' fallacy of working endless hours without communicating or collaborating.
How to handle it. Align every choice with collective team success, transparent communication, professional integrity and proactive learning. Address problems directly rather than avoiding or instantly escalating them.
Job Simulation (Video & Free-Text)
Typically 14 questions total (3-4 video, 2-3 free-text, the remainder situational) · Video: 2 minutes prep, 2 minutes recording. Written: untimed or a generous 10-15 minute limit.
What it tests. Executive presentation, structured professional writing and articulating motivation and commercial judgement under simulated working conditions.
Worked example. Write a short, formal client email explaining a 24-hour delay to a financial analysis report caused by a data ingestion anomaly, with a clear subject line, the core update first and a defined next step.
Common traps. Conversational or informal writing (Cappfinity NLP grades professionalism, conciseness and clarity) and reading scripted lines off-screen during video answers.
How to handle it. Treat every written response as a formal work product with a subject line, a lead recommendation and bulleted summary. For video, use an external mic, look at the lens and speak at a steady, deliberate pace.