PwC Strategy& Virtual Assessment Center, What should I expect?

With three days left, do not try to add another large batch of cases; use the time to sharpen how you solve and communicate.

First, treat the invitation and any candidate instructions as the source of truth for the format. If they do not make the components clear, send recruiting one focused question. Do not build your preparation around forum guesses about what is included.

Then use the remaining time in three short blocks:

1. Do one or two timed cases with a partner. Practise stating the objective, giving a clear structure, doing the maths carefully, and ending each section with what the finding means.

2. Rehearse concise examples for motivation, teamwork, leadership, and a setback. Keep the context brief and make your own actions, judgement, and result easy to follow.

3. Practise working aloud with others: listen, build on a useful point, disagree constructively when needed, and close with a clear summary. Those habits help in a group discussion, a presentation, or a case without needing to predict the exact exercise.

Thirty practice cases is already meaningful exposure. In the final days, aim for calm, structured delivery rather than more volume. Sleep properly, test your video/audio setup, and leave enough time on the day to read instructions carefully.

Thirty cases with fifteen live ones is enough volume for a graduate assessment centre. Three more days of new cases won't change much. What can still move is how cleanly you handle the formats you're likely to face.

On format, Strategy&'s UK graduate page describes a first round of two interviews of about 45 minutes each. One is an unstructured case that opens with questions about your background and motivation. The other is a structured case built on a slide pack, with roughly 10 minutes to read it before you develop recommendations. A second round follows, sometimes on the same day. The page doesn't mention group work, so check your invite and ask the recruiter if anything is unclear.

I would start with the slide-pack format. Run one or two under a 10-minute reading clock, and for each page say what it means for the client before moving on. If your Middle East interviews were mostly candidate-led cases, this is the part to rehearse. In every practice case, push yourself to finish with a clear recommendation.

Then prepare the opening questions: why Strategy& over other strategy firms, why London, and two or three short examples from your own work. If the invite does list a group or written exercise, give it half a day with a couple of peers.

Mohammad, I see you've received some useful answers already and I hope more will follow. 

One thing I'd recommend you to think about is how you are being perceived in an assessment centre / group format. It's not about having the strongest technical / data analysis skills, but rather about how effectively you work with others and are able to co-create. Make sure you're collaborative and constructive. Often that matters more than trying to assert yourself and single yourself out as a leader. 

Best,
Cristian

Honestly, the whole assessment center felt way more relaxed than I initially psyched myself up for. The group exercise is really just looking for how well you collaborate without talking over people, and the interviewers are paying attention to whether you build on others' ideas rather than trying to be the loudest voice in the room. Just make sure to manage your time tightly during the case prep part and keep your structured notes clean so you don't get flustered when presenting.

Hi there,

Please please don't get hung up on the quantification of things. There's not a set casebook or a set number of cases or a set range of case types.

You need to learn how to solve any problem period in an objective-driven, structured way.

Ultimately each journey is different and you need to adjust according to your timeline, background, strengths, weaknesses, learning style, etc.

So, 30 cases doesn't tell me whether you're ready. How well you're performing does!

With three days left, I'd prioritize:

1. Confirm the format. Read your invitation and candidate instructions, then ask recruiting about anything that's unclear.
2. Identify your biggest remaining weaknesses. Review your recent feedback and drill those areas. Don't just do more cases to increase the number.
3. Prepare fit properly. Your resume walkthrough, why consulting, why Strategy&, and flexible personal stories.
4. Practice any confirmed presentation or group exercise. If there's group work, contribute, listen, build on others' ideas, and help the team move forward. Don't confuse leadership with talking the most.
5. Rest. You need to show up sharp!

This is where a coach is immensely valuable. Have someone assess you and tell you what to prioritize in the time you have left.

For case and fit preparation, I'd use my Full Interview Mastery Bundle, focusing on the areas you actually need rather than trying to finish everything in three days.

A few useful reads:

• The Most Common Pitfalls in Case Interview Preparation
• How to Shift Your Mindset to Ace the Case
• Dos and Don'ts in a Case Interview

Hi Mohammad,

30 cases is solid preparation, so I’d use the next three days to focus on communication, synthesis, and your personal fit stories rather than doing lots of new cases. Assessment centres can include a mix of case interviews, group exercises, presentations, and competency questions, depending on the specific programme. I’d check your invitation for the confirmed format and practise presenting recommendations clearly under time pressure.

Best, Alessa :)

Hi! Having worked at Strategy&, I'd say that 30 practice cases, including 15 live ones, is already a solid level of preparation! :)

For the London virtual assessment centre, you can generally expect a mix of group exercises, a written business assessment and a behavioural interview. The exact format can vary, so I'd recommend checking your invitation for details.

With only three days left, I wouldn't focus on doing more and more cases. Instead, I'd prioritise three things:

1. Case structuring – practise breaking down unfamiliar problems clearly and logically.
2. Group exercises – focus on communicating your ideas, listening to others and helping the team reach a conclusion.
3. Fit questions – prepare strong examples of leadership, teamwork, dealing with conflict and why Strategy&.

One final tip: don't underestimate the importance of communication. Interviewers are interested not just in your answers but also in how you approach problems and work with others.

Good luck with the assessment! :)