Big 4

KPMG UK: application stages, tests and practice

KPMG describes four stages: explore and apply, two online assessments, a video interview with six questions put by an AI avatar, and an in-person Launch Pad half day. Answers to the video interview are reviewed and scored by a person.

Routes: The page read is headed Graduate programmes. KPMG's vacation programme and placement pages do not describe the stages, so it is not confirmed that those routes follow the same four stages. Last verified 2026-10-09.

Stages in order

What do the confidence badges mean?

Vendor-published Stated in the test publisher's own document or practice site.
Academic From peer-reviewed research.
Official employer Stated on the employer's own page.
Near-official Near-official: an employer-run practice portal, or a vendor or employer-quoted press release naming the employer.
Candidate-reported Reported by candidates. Treat as likely but unconfirmed.
Third-party From prep sites, press or forums. Not confirmed by the employer or publisher.

Explore and Apply
Official employer
A job preview quiz that is not assessed, then an application form on academic background and work experience, checked against entry criteria. KPMG says a few grades or points short can still be reviewed together with assessment performance.
Sources: [1]
Online assessments (skills, then cognitive)
Official employer
You are invited automatically after applying to complete two assessments. The skills assessment presents scenarios and asks you to rank how you would think, feel or respond. It is untimed and KPMG suggests allowing about 20 minutes. The cognitive assessment covers numerical and logical reasoning, is timed, and gives 36 minutes. Practice tests and examples appear right before the live assessment. KPMG's page links SHL practice tests as the most relevant behaviour-based and general ability tests, but does not say SHL runs the live assessments. You get a personalised skills feedback report.
Publisher: SHL (reported by third parties or candidates, not confirmed by the employer)
Practise: SHL-style test practice, Situational judgement test practice, Numerical reasoning test practice, Logical and inductive reasoning test practice
Sources: [1] [2]
Video interview
Official employer
If successful at stage 2 you may be invited. Six pre-recorded questions are asked by an AI avatar called Leah, with a set time to prepare and then record each response. KPMG says the recorded answers are reviewed and scored by a member of its Student Recruitment team. Allow about 40 minutes. You complete it at a time that suits you.
Practise: Video interview practice
Sources: [1]
Launch Pad
Official employer
An in-person half-day event and the final stage. KPMG says it combines assessed and non-assessed activities, and you meet staff from partners to trainees. The page does not list the exercises. Full instructions are sent before the event.
Practise: Assessment centre practice
Sources: [1] [4]

Final stage line-up

Official employer

KPMG states only that Launch Pad is an in-person half day combining assessed and non-assessed activities. The individual exercises, such as any group exercise, case study, presentation or interview, are not published.

Assessment centre practice

Retakes and validity

No candidate retake, re-sit or result validity rule is stated. The page says KPMG will also be re-testing elements of the online assessments, in its integrity section, without explaining how this applies to candidates.

What we could not verify

Vendor of the live online assessments (KPMG's page links SHL practice tests only; prep sites also name Cappfinity and HireVue)
Number of items in the skills and cognitive assessments
Launch Pad exercise line-up: group exercise, case study, presentation, interview counts and lengths
Video interview preparation and answer times per question
Process for vacation, placement and talent insight programmes
Result validity or retake rules

Sources

KPMG UK graduate: our application process Checked 2026-10-09
KPMG's own page, read in full. Supports all four stages, the 20 and 36 minute timings, the Leah avatar and human scoring, the half-day Launch Pad, the SHL practice link, and the integrity wording.
KPMG UK careers FAQs Checked 2026-10-09
KPMG's own page. Confirms two stages of online assessment completed within the days stated in the invitation, and the adjustments process. No retake or validity rule.
KPMG UK vacation programmes Checked 2026-10-09
KPMG's own page. Describes the programmes but not the assessment stages.
KPMG Virtual Launch Pad video transcript (October 2020) Checked 2026-10-09
KPMG's own transcript, dated October 2020 and about the virtual format used then. Confirms Launch Pad is the final stage and mentions interview tips only. It lists no exercises and may be out of date.

Common questions about KPMG UK

What are the stages of the KPMG UK application process?

As we could verify, the stages are: Explore and Apply, then Online assessments (skills, then cognitive), then Video interview, then Launch Pad. The page says which of these are stated by KPMG UK itself and which are only reported by candidates. Check your own invitation, because processes change every cycle.

Which test publisher does KPMG UK use?

SHL (reported, not confirmed by KPMG UK). Publishers change, so confirm with your invitation.

What is the final stage of the KPMG UK process?

Can I practise for KPMG UK here?

Yes. Each stage links to the matching free practice, with real timings, an untimed mode and a learn mode. The practice is independent, uses original questions and is not affiliated with KPMG UK or any test publisher.

Independent practice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by KPMG UK and SHL.

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