Does Deloitte really scrutinise applicants so strictly?

Deloitte assesses Early Careers candidates through a small number of structured stages (Immersive Online Assessment / OneStop, Job Simulation, and a Final Stage Assessment). These are designed to fairly measure strengths, behaviours and potential in realistic scenarios across programmes and service lines.

Deloitte has designed and delivers these assessments with specialist partners. For UK Early Careers, you’ll see an official Candidate Zone experience aligned with providers such as Cappfinity. Historically, other providers (e.g., TalentLens, Kenexa, Cubiks) have also been used across different geographies and role types. The aim of such rigorous assessment is to ensure the recruitment process is relevant to the vacancy, consistent across the firm, and overall a high-quality experience. Deloitte’s recruitment team has worked hard for the past few years to develop an impressive, modern process.

Deloitte also wants the process to be an informative, interactive and enjoyable skill-building exercise for candidates. You’ll see coaching-style guidance and feedback themes throughout. Read more.

What does the Deloitte marking scheme for 2025 and 2026 achieve?

Each applicant is assessed against Deloitte core competencies/values during the recruitment process. For ease of reference, we have highlighted the main competencies at the end of this section.

Deloitte sets specific priorities for how these competencies are assessed at each stage. Deloitte believe these core competencies form a framework that lays out success patterns for graduate entrants at Deloitte.

It is assumed by Deloitte that if an applicant can demonstrate these skills across the assessment stages, then they become a strong match for the firm.

If you can demonstrate the right skill set for each stage’s exercises and align with the performance benchmarks Deloitte evaluates against, you will greatly increase your likelihood of securing an offer. From our specific practice material, you will learn how performance is assessed per competency per stage and how to showcase evidence effectively.

Green Turn has independently researched for the past nineteen years to understand how performance is evaluated across Deloitte’s assessment stages. Please read our material for further details. Read more.

Note: Deloitte does not publish exact pass thresholds; candidates receive strengths-based feedback and are expected to complete assessments independently and authentically.

How critical is it for you to know the Deloitte marking scheme for being hired?

Deloitte opens a large number of Early Careers roles each year across multiple business areas. If you meet the firm’s minimum entry requirements, you are eligible to apply. Vacancies are open to UK residents as well as to overseas nationals, with fair assessment against set criteria.

Deloitte strongly believes in diversity and equal opportunities, so every applicant has an equal chance of securing a role when assessed against the required capabilities.

Application volumes are very high so only a fraction of candidates ultimately receive offers. Understanding how you’ll be assessed at each stage allows you to focus your preparation where it matters most.

If you demonstrate the required skills and the ‘certain capabilities’ Deloitte looks for during the assessment stages, you can also receive a job offer from Deloitte. Read more.

Do you really feel ready for each stage of the Deloitte recruitment process?

The first step to your success is to objectively assess yourself, your skills, and your capabilities against the core competency skills required by Deloitte. If you have practised such skills and regularly demonstrated these capabilities (e.g., in work or study), there is a strong chance you will do well at each stage i.e. Immersive Online Assessment / OneStop, Behavioural and Cognitive Assessments, Job Simulation, Final Stage Assessments and the interview.

On the other hand, if you are uncertain about your capability level, are not familiar with how performance is assessed at each stage, and have not prepared using Deloitte-relevant formats, you are less likely to perform well throughout the process.

It is then more likely that you would face rejection earlier in the assessment stages, which is the case with many applicants. Read more.

Where does the “First Interview” fit now?

For most UK Early Careers routes, the interview now sits within the Final Stage Assessment (topic discussion + interview). However, some service lines and experienced-hire routes may still include a separate first interview (virtual or in-person) earlier in the process. We therefore retain guidance and preparation for both formats, so you’re covered whichever route your vacancy follows.

How familiar are you with each of these stages in the recruitment process?

Some of the following situations might look familiar to you?

a. You’re perhaps not fully aware of the objective for each stage’s exercises (including where Online Immersive Assessments/OneStop may combine modules)
b. Not aware of the relevant competencies tested at each stage
c. Not aware of how performance is assessed or benchmarked at each stage
d. You have exhausted yourself searching online and are relying on fragmented information
e. You have developed a ‘false hope’ by practising generic tests and assume you’ll pass Deloitte-specific assessments without tailored preparation
f. You have not practised any mock exercises in the same style as Deloitte’s Immersive, Job Simulation, interview or Final Stage assessments
g. You are under the false impression that you’ll pass assessments by a miracle and don’t need to practise

If you find yourself in the above situations, it is rare to succeed across all stages at the first attempt. You will need focused, relevant practice to become the ‘Usain Bolt’ of this process.

Without a doubt, you need to practise with relevant material and make an informed effort to prepare rigorously before attempting the real assessments, only then will you maximise your chances across Immersive behavioural and cognitive assessments /OneStop assessment, Job Simulation, interview and the Final Stage assessments. Read more.

Your successful hiring and career is only possible with relevant preparation

Your only way out of this vicious cycle is to practise the relevant materials as soon as possible. It is critical to decide whom you want to train with and which materials you want to use before exhausting time on low-yield practice.

Due to time constraints for this job opportunity, your decision about practice materials could be make-or-break. You can identify whether the practice materials are genuine and worth your time if:

• They prepare you for the current Deloitte stages (Immersive/OneStop, Job Simulation, Final Stage)
• They explain the objective and format of each assessment
• They map the relevant Deloitte competencies/values to each stage
• You become fully aware of how performance is assessed at each stage
• You have sat several realistic mock assessments before your real test
• You feel calm and in control during the real assessment because you’ve practised on-format Read more.

Reasonable Adjustments

Deloitte provides adjustments (e.g., extra time, assistive tech, alternative formats) so candidates can perform at their best. If you need support, contact the team early, they usually aim to respond within ~48 working hours.

Green Turn experts make your Deloitte dream a reality

At Green Turn we take your career at the forefront of our research. We have designed relevant practice material, eBooks, videos, and computer-based simulations. Practising our material will help you prepare and pass all Deloitte assessment stages at the first attempt.

You will immediately start preparing for Deloitte-relevant assessments. Our intelligent simulation observes your practice performance and gives step-by-step guidance at each stage of your progress. Now you can master any stage of the Deloitte recruitment process in a few hours.

Please note that Green Turn is not a generic company, our preparation material is specific and designed to practise for, and pass, the Big Four recruitment tests. Our test materials are developed after years of research and with the help of ex-Big Four Managers & Seniors who have extensive experience as working professionals.

In addition to specific practice material, Green Turn gives you access to ex-Big Four Managers and Seniors from Audit, Tax, Advisory, Consulting, and other sectors to help you prepare for Deloitte’s process. This provides real insight into Deloitte departments and working styles, a unique blend of career counselling directly from relevant ex-Big Four qualified experts. Read more.