KPMG graduate scheme interview guide

How KPMG UK hires graduates: online skills and cognitive tests, a six-question recorded video interview and the in-person Launch Pad day.

About KPMG

KPMG UK and KPMG Switzerland merged on 1 October 2024. The year ended 30 September 2025 was the group's first year of combined reporting, with revenue of £3.6 billion.¹ Profit before tax rose 14% to £576 million, and sales grew 2%. Jon Holt is Group Chief Executive and UK Senior Partner.¹

The combined UK and Swiss firm has "a combined workforce of 25,000 people".²

There has also been news about job cuts. City AM reported in March 2026 that KPMG UK planned to cut more than 400 auditing staff, citing Bloomberg figures of 440 assistant manager roles in audit and 120 advisory roles.³ In September 2026 it reported a proposal to cut 200 roles, about 4% of the permanent advisory workforce, in the data and tech division of advisory. Both times, KPMG pointed to low attrition.^{3, 4}

The interview process

KPMG's graduate careers pages describe one four-stage process.⁵

1. Explore and apply45 min

   KPMG lists this stage as taking 45 mins to complete.⁵ It opens with a job preview quiz made up of everyday scenarios from the role you've picked. The quiz isn't assessed, and KPMG says it "should help you decide" whether the role suits you.⁶ The application form then asks about your academic background and work experience, so you can be checked against the entry criteria on each programme page.⁷ If you're a few grades or points short, KPMG says "we would still encourage you to apply", and it considers your assessment performance alongside the application.⁷ You can also add details of your socio-economic background or any extenuating circumstances, which may give a "positive uplift" to your academic achievements.⁷

2. Online assessments60 min

   KPMG lists this stage as taking 60 mins.⁵ Once you submit your application, you're automatically invited to two assessments.⁷ They must be finished within the number of calendar days stated in your email invitation.⁸

   • Skills assessment. Untimed. It asks how you would think, feel or respond in work scenarios, and KPMG suggests allowing 20 minutes. KPMG says it "is designed to evaluate the core skills that are critical for success in a role at KPMG."⁷
   • Cognitive assessment. Numerical and logical reasoning, and timed: "you will be given 36 minutes to complete this part of the process."⁷
   • Feedback report. Afterwards you receive a personalised skills feedback report based on the KPMG skills.⁷
3. Video interview40 min

   "If you are successful at Stage 2, you may be invited to our Video Interview."⁷ You get 6 pre-recorded questions asked by KPMG's AI avatar, Leah, with a set time to prepare before you record your responses.⁷ KPMG says your recorded answers "will be reviewed and scored by a member of our Student Recruitment team."⁷ You can complete it at a time that suits you and should allow 40 minutes.⁷ If you need adjustments, tell the team before you start.⁷

4. Launch PadHalf day

   The final stage, held in person over half a day.⁷ KPMG says it "combines assessed and non-assessed activities."⁷ You learn about life at KPMG from colleagues and showcase your skills in your final interview.⁵ KPMG says you'll meet people from the business area and location you applied to, "from partners to trainees."⁷ You get full instructions before the day, including travel expenses and what to wear.⁷

5. Outcome

   KPMG says successful candidates receive a job offer within 2 working days of Launch Pad, and unsuccessful candidates can request feedback.⁷ If your application is rejected, "you cannot make another application until the next intake year."⁹

KPMG recruits on a rolling basis and encourages you to apply as early as possible. It says "the majority of KPMG's Launch Pad assessment days usually take place between October and December the same year."⁹ For the current cycle it lists these dates and venues:⁷

• 17 Nov 2026: London, the Oval
• 1 Dec 2026: Birmingham, NEC
• 9 Dec 2026: Manchester, Midlands Hotel
• 16 Mar 2027: Bristol, Ashton Gate Stadium
• 23 Mar 2027: Glasgow, Radisson Blu
• 27 Apr 2027: London, the Oval
• 5 May 2027: Leeds, New Dock Hall.⁷

The 12 KPMG skills

KPMG assesses graduate candidates against 12 skills during recruitment, to see "whether you would enjoy working here and have the potential to thrive".¹⁰ Its definitions:

• Career Motivation. "having thought about why you want to work for KPMG and your chosen programme and location".¹⁰
• Learning & Curiosity. "absorbing new information and techniques quickly".¹⁰
• Resilience. "accepting and adapting to change, working within ambiguity or uncertainty, keeping calm under pressure".¹⁰
• Relationship Building. "making new connections easily, giving a good first impression".¹⁰
• Effective Communication. "being able to communicate effectively through both verbal and written information".¹⁰
• Initiative. "enjoying the challenge of being set demanding goals to meet".¹⁰
• Planning & Organisation. "setting yourself clear objectives, managing your own time and work".¹⁰
• Results Focused. "getting work done to a high standard, working systematically across multiple tasks at once".¹⁰
• Critical Thinking. "critically evaluating information and using it to make rational judgements and decisions".¹⁰
• Inclusive Collaboration. "fostering team cohesion, appreciating others' efforts and actively seeking their input".¹⁰
• Integrity. "always upholding ethical standards and being trusted to do the right thing".¹⁰
• Applying Expertise & Technology. "being proficient in applying relevant knowledge to the job and effectively applying relevant technology".¹⁰

For the video interview, KPMG tells you to "Draw on your skills, experience and career motivations to demonstrate your strengths."⁵

Questions to expect

Based on what KPMG says each stage tests. These are practice questions built around KPMG's 12 skills.¹⁰

How to prepare

1. Practise on SHL first. KPMG recommends SHL practice tests before the live online assessments. It asks you to use a desktop or laptop with a stable connection and recommends Chrome.⁷
2. Treat the two tests differently. The skills assessment has no time limit, so read each scenario properly.⁷ KPMG's advice for the online assessments is to be yourself.⁹ Save your speed work for the timed reasoning test.⁷
3. Match a story to each skill. KPMG's video interview tip is to think about your personal strengths and revisit the skills it will assess.⁷ Have an example ready for each of the 12, and note which stories cover more than one.
4. Rehearse for a recorded answer. The questions come from an avatar, but a person from the Student Recruitment team scores what you say, and you get a set time to prepare before recording.⁷ Practise speaking to a camera within a set preparation time, so the format doesn't throw you.
5. Research the business and your programme. KPMG tells you to "Ensure you thoroughly research our business and the programme you are applying for".⁹ Career Motivation covers your programme and location too, so be ready to explain both.¹⁰
6. Do the assessments alone. KPMG requires you to complete them "independently and without the assistance of others, or any artificial intelligence or other resources". Dishonest conduct can lead to withdrawal, and KPMG may re-test candidates or review activity at any stage.⁹
7. Apply early. Recruitment is rolling, and a rejected application means waiting until the next intake year.⁹

Worth mentioning in the interview

• The merger with KPMG Switzerland. Jon Holt said "The merger of KPMG UK and Switzerland was a defining moment for our firm".¹
• AI in day-to-day work. KPMG's 2025 results release says every UK auditor now has AI tools, Advisory teams use AI agents, Tax uses a generative AI platform, and an AI-powered learning assistant has launched for UK colleagues.¹ This ties in with the Applying Expertise & Technology skill.¹⁰
• How the service lines performed. In the year ended 30 September 2025, Audit sales rose 5%, Tax and Legal rose 6%, and Advisory fell 3%.¹
• Professional qualifications. On most Audit graduate programmes "you'll study for the ACA professional qualification", and the Accounting Advisory and Assurance programme studies for "the ACA qualification, or CA equivalent in Scotland".¹¹

Quick answers

More interview guides

• PwC UK graduate interview guide
• Deloitte UK graduate interview guide
• Goldman Sachs student and graduate interview guide
• Aldi Graduate Area Manager interview guide
• All graduate scheme interview guides

Sources

1. KPMG UK/Swiss Group annual results 2025KPMG · 28 Jan 2026
2. Year in reviewKPMG
3. KPMG to dismiss more than 400 auditing staffCity AM · 28 Mar 2026
4. KPMG wields axe again with 200 tech and cyber roles on the blockCity AM · 15 Sep 2026
5. Graduate programmesKPMG Careers
6. Applying to KPMGKPMG Careers
7. Our application processKPMG Careers
8. FAQsKPMG Careers
9. Our tips and adviceKPMG Careers
10. Is KPMG right for me?KPMG Careers
11. AuditKPMG Careers

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