Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: April 7, 2026

 

PwC consulting interviews test your case solving, behavioral fit, and structured thinking across two to three rounds of interviews that may include case interviews, written case presentations, group exercises, and online assessments.

PwC is a global professional services giant with $56.9 billion in revenue and 364,000 employees, making it one of the most competitive consulting employers in the world. This guide walks you through every step of the PwC and Strategy& interview process so you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top firms accept less than 1% of applicants every year. If you want to triple your chances of landing interviews and 8x your chances of passing them, watch my free 40-minute training.

 

What Is PwC’s Consulting Business?

 

PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) is one of the Big Four professional services firms, alongside Deloitte, EY, and KPMG. According to PwC’s 2025 Global Annual Review, PwC serves 82% of the Fortune Global 500 across more than 150 countries. PwC divides its consulting work into two primary branches: Strategy& and PwC Consulting Solutions.

 

Strategy& is PwC’s pure strategy arm, formed from the 2014 acquisition of Booz & Company. PwC Consulting Solutions covers a broader range of work including technology implementation, deals advisory, risk consulting, operations, and digital strategy.

 

What Is the Difference Between Strategy& and PwC Consulting?

 

Strategy& focuses on high-level executive strategy work such as cost reduction, growth strategy, and organizational transformation. PwC Consulting focuses on execution, including technology tools, post-merger integration, digital strategy, and operational restructuring. The interview process and case types differ between the two branches.

 

	Strategy&	PwC Consulting
Focus	Executive-level strategy, growth, cost optimization	Technology, deals, risk, operations, digital transformation
Case Style	Candidate-led, strategy-focused	Interviewer-led or semi-structured, operations and applied problems
Typical Rounds	2 rounds (2 to 3 interviews per round)	Up to 3 rounds (may include group case or written case)
Behavioral Focus	Higher emphasis on fit and motivation	Standard behavioral and competency questions
Online Assessment	Yes (game-based or cognitive)	Yes (numerical, verbal, situational judgment)

 

What Does the PwC Consulting Interview Process Look Like?

 

The PwC consulting interview process typically involves an application screening, online assessments, and two to three rounds of live interviews. According to Glassdoor data, the average hiring timeline at PwC is about 28 days from application to offer. The specific format varies by office, service line, and role level.

 

How Does the Strategy& Interview Process Work?

 

If you are applying to Strategy&, expect two rounds of interviews. Each round typically includes two to three 45-minute interviews combining case discussions and behavioral questions.

 

Here is what a typical Strategy& interview process looks like:

 

• First round: Two 45-minute interviews. Roughly 10 minutes of behavioral questions, 30 minutes on a candidate-led case, and 5 minutes for your questions.

 

• Final round: Two to three 45-minute interviews. One interview is more heavily weighted toward behavioral and fit questions. The others focus on case interviews.

 

Strategy& places a stronger emphasis on behavioral fit compared to other consulting firms. Interviewers want to confirm that you genuinely want to work at Strategy& and are not treating it as a backup to other firms.

 

How Does the PwC Consulting Interview Process Work?

 

If you are applying to PwC Management Consulting, Technology Consulting, or Risk Consulting, you may have an online assessment followed by up to three rounds of interviews.

 

• PwC Online Assessment: A game-based or cognitive screening test that measures numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and situational judgment. PwC typically sends this within a few hours of your application.

 

• First round: One 30-minute interview with a recruiter focused on behavioral and fit questions.

 

• Second round: Two interviews combining case interviews and behavioral questions.

 

• Third round (final): Three to five interviews that may include live case interviews, a written case interview, a group case exercise, and a partner or director conversation.

 

The final round often functions as an assessment day where multiple interview formats are compressed into a single visit. According to Glassdoor, candidates rate PwC interview difficulty at 2.86 out of 5, with about 74% describing the experience as positive.

 

What Is the PwC Online Assessment?

 

PwC’s online assessment test is a required step for most consulting applicants. You will typically need to complete it within three calendar days of receiving the email invitation. The assessment includes game-based exercises and cognitive tests measuring numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, logical thinking, and behavioral preferences.

 

This is a significant elimination stage. Practice numerical and logical reasoning questions before taking the real test. You can also practice on PwC’s own career website.

 

Important: PwC explicitly states that the use of AI or GenAI tools during assessments and interviews is not permitted. Candidates must provide responses that accurately reflect their own skills.

 

How Long Does the PwC Interview Process Take?

 

Based on Glassdoor data from over 11,000 interview reports, the average PwC hiring process takes about 28 days from application to offer. However, this can vary significantly depending on the role and office.

 

Step	Typical Timeline	Format
Application review	1 to 5 days	Resume and cover letter screening
Online assessment	Complete within 3 days of invite	Game-based cognitive and behavioral tests
First round interviews	Within 1 to 2 weeks of assessment	Virtual behavioral and/or case interview
Final round interviews	1 to 2 weeks after first round	Multiple interviews, may include written or group case
Offer decision	Within 1 to 2 weeks of final round	HR notification and offer letter

 

How Do You Solve PwC Case Interviews?

 

PwC case interviews present you with a real-world business problem that you need to analyze and solve during a 30 to 45-minute conversation with your interviewer. According to PwC’s own career website, the goal is not to arrive at a single correct answer but to demonstrate structured thinking, clear communication, and sound reasoning.

 

If you want to learn case interviews quickly, check out my case interview course. It walks you through proven strategies in as little as 7 days and has helped 3,000+ candidates land consulting offers.

 

What Are the 6 Steps to Solve Any PwC Case Interview?

 

Follow these six steps to solve any PwC or Strategy& case interview. These steps work whether you receive a candidate-led case at Strategy& or an interviewer-led case at PwC Consulting.

 

Step 1: Understand the case. The interviewer will read you the case background. Take clear notes on the company, the situation, and the business question you need to answer. Focus on the key facts and the objective.

 

Step 2: Verify the objective. Paraphrase the case back to the interviewer and confirm the business question. Ask clarifying questions to fill any gaps. Solving the wrong problem is the fastest way to fail a case interview.

 

Step 3: Create a framework. Develop a structured approach that breaks the problem into three to four major areas to investigate. Walk the interviewer through your framework. For a complete guide on frameworks, check out our article on case interview frameworks.

 

Step 4: Develop a hypothesis. Based on your framework and the information so far, form an educated guess about the answer. This will guide your analysis so you spend time on the most impactful questions.

 

Step 5: Test your hypothesis. This is where you spend the majority of the case. Analyze data, perform calculations, answer qualitative questions, and interpret charts. After each question, tie your answer back to the overall case objective. Adjust your hypothesis as new information emerges.

 

Step 6: Deliver a recommendation. Summarize your recommendation, the two to three key reasons supporting it, and any next steps you would take with more time or data. Be firm in your recommendation and do not waffle between options.

 

What Types of Case Interviews Does PwC Use?

 

PwC uses three types of case interviews depending on the role and office:

 

• Candidate-led case interview: The most common format at Strategy&. You drive the direction of the case, decide which areas to explore, and guide the analysis toward a recommendation.

 

• Interviewer-led case interview: More common at PwC Consulting. The interviewer guides you through specific questions, data points, and exhibits. You still need to think structurally and explain your reasoning.

 

• Written case interview: Used in some final rounds. You receive case materials and have about 60 minutes to analyze them and prepare 3 to 5 slides, followed by a 30-minute discussion with an interviewer.

 

PwC Consulting cases tend to focus on applied, operational problems like profit optimization, cost reduction, technology enablement, and process improvement. Strategy& cases lean more toward market entry, growth strategy, and M&A. For a full breakdown, see our guide to case interview types.

 

What Are Real PwC Case Interview Examples?

 

Below are case interview examples that have been reported by past PwC and Strategy& candidates. Use these to practice and familiarize yourself with the types of problems PwC asks.

 

1. How can Royal Caribbean cruises double revenue over the next five years?
   
   
2. A national packaging manufacturer makes cardboard boxes in various sizes. How can they improve profitability?
   
   
3. The top two concrete suppliers in South America are considering a merger. Should they merge?
   
   
4. A fast food chain is considering introducing fresh meat hamburgers. What will be the impact versus frozen patties?
   
   
5. A construction company is considering increasing prices for road maintenance services. Should they increase prices, and by how much?
   
   
6. A national insurance company is looking for opportunities to cut costs. What recommendations would you make?
   
   
7. A prestigious university is considering launching online learning classes for non-enrolled students. Is this a good idea?
   
   
8. A local airline is considering adding alcoholic beverages to its in-flight menu. What will be the impact on profitability?
   
   
9. Estimate the size of the market for a pen manufacturer.
   
   
10. A traditional global bank is planning a shift toward digital banking. Identify the key risks and prepare a mitigation roadmap.

 

PwC also publishes official sample cases on its career website, including a digital transformation scenario for a large financial institution and a healthcare acquisition strategy case. Reviewing these official cases is one of the best ways to understand PwC’s expectations.

 

For hundreds more practice cases, check out our article on case interview examples and practice and our compilation of 23 MBA consulting casebooks with 700+ free cases.

 

How Do You Solve PwC Written Case Interviews?

 

Some PwC offices use a written case interview in the final round. You will receive a packet of case materials and have roughly 60 minutes to analyze the data and create 3 to 5 slides. You then have about 30 minutes to present and discuss your recommendation with the interviewer.

 

Follow these eight steps to solve any written case interview:

 

1. Understand the business problem and objective
   
   
2. Read the list of major questions (if provided)
    
3. Skim the materials to identify what data is available
   
   
4. Create a framework to guide your analysis
   
   
5. Read and analyze the material relevant to your framework
   
   
6. Decide on a recommendation supported by data
   
   
7. Create your slides (recommendation, supporting reasons, next steps)
   
   
8. Prepare for potential follow-up questions

 

A strong written case presentation typically follows this slide structure: Slide 1 presents your recommendation and three supporting reasons. Slides 2 through 4 detail each reason with data. Slide 5 summarizes your analysis. Slide 6 proposes next steps.

 

How Do You Solve PwC Group Case Interviews?

 

PwC uses group case interviews in some final rounds, particularly for undergraduate and internship candidates. In a group case, you work with 3 to 5 other candidates to solve a business problem while interviewers observe.

 

Here is the typical format:

 

• 10 to 15 minutes to individually review the case materials

 

• 15 to 20 minutes of open group discussion (interviewers observe without interfering)

 

• 15 to 20 minutes of interviewer-directed Q&A with the group

 

Your goal is to add value to the group, not to outshine other candidates. There are six ways you can do this:

 

• Lead or facilitate the discussion: Propose topics, set the agenda, and refocus the group if it gets off track.

 

• Build on others’ ideas: When someone makes a good point, expand on it and make it stronger.

 

• Synthesize information: Summarize different viewpoints and reconcile ideas together.

 

• Keep track of time: Volunteer to monitor the clock so the group covers all key topics.

 

• Play devil’s advocate: Respectfully challenge ideas to help the group develop stronger conclusions.

 

• Take notes: Record key points so the group can recall earlier discussions.

 

Treat your group members as teammates, not competitors. Multiple people in the same group can receive offers. Interviewers want to see that you would be a great colleague.

 

What Behavioral Questions Does PwC Ask?

 

PwC dedicates a significant portion of interview time to behavioral and fit questions. According to PwC’s career website, the firm evaluates candidates against the “PwC Professional” framework, which assesses technical skills, business acumen, leadership, and relationship skills. Your behavioral answers should align with PwC’s five core values.

 

What Are PwC’s Five Core Values?

 

PwC’s five core values define the firm’s culture and guide how employees work with clients and each other. Demonstrating alignment with these values during your interview is critical.

 

Core Value	What It Means	How to Show It in Your Interview
Act with Integrity	Speak up for what is right, even when it is harder	Share a story where you made an ethical decision under pressure
Make a Difference	Stay informed and look for ways to improve	Describe how you delivered measurable impact in a project
Care	Support others and empower everyone to do their best	Give an example of helping a teammate succeed
Work Together	Collaborate and seek diverse perspectives	Describe leading or contributing to a cross-functional team
Reimagine the Possible	Innovate, test, and learn from failure	Share a time you tried a new approach or challenged the status quo

 

What Are the Top 10 PwC Behavioral Interview Questions?

 

Based on hundreds of Glassdoor reports, here are the ten behavioral questions PwC asks most frequently. Prepare answers for each using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). For a full guide, see our article on consulting behavioral interview questions.

 

1. Why are you interested in working at PwC or Strategy&?

 

Have at least three specific reasons tied to PwC’s unique strengths: global reach, strategy plus implementation capability, and the people you have met.

 

2. Why do you want to work in consulting?

 

Mention fast career growth, the variety of industries and problems, and the opportunity to develop both analytical and interpersonal skills.

 

3. Walk me through your resume.

 

Give a concise 2-minute summary emphasizing your most impressive accomplishments. End by tying your experience to why consulting at PwC is the natural next step.

 

4. What is your proudest achievement?

 

Pick something impressive, specific, and quantifiable. Use the STAR method and focus on what you personally did and the result.

 

5. What is something you are proud of that is not on your resume?

 

Highlight a meaningful personal project, volunteer effort, or hobby with a strong accomplishment.

 

6. Tell me about a time when you led a team.

 

Choose a situation where you directly managed or organized a group. Emphasize the actions you took to motivate and coordinate the team.

 

7. Give an example of a time you faced conflict or disagreement.

 

Focus on the specific steps you took to understand both sides and reach a resolution. Show emotional intelligence.

 

8. Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone.

 

Highlight your communication skills and ability to build a logical, empathetic argument that changed someone’s mind.

 

9. Describe a time when you failed.

 

Choose a real failure, but focus 80% of your answer on what you learned and how you applied that lesson going forward.

 

10. What questions do you have for me?

 

Ask genuine questions about the interviewer’s personal experience at PwC. The more you get them talking about themselves, the better the impression.

 

If you want to feel fully prepared for behavioral questions, check out my fit interview course. It covers 98% of consulting fit interview questions in just a few hours.

 

How Do You Answer “Why PwC?”

 

This is one of the most important questions in any PwC interview, especially at Strategy&. A strong answer includes three specific reasons that are unique to PwC. Avoid generic answers about “great people” or “interesting projects” that could apply to any firm.

 

Here are three differentiators you can build your answer around:

 

• Strategy plus implementation: Unlike pure strategy firms, PwC lets you see your recommendations through to execution. You can work on a growth strategy and then help the client implement it.

 

• Global scale and breadth: PwC operates in over 150 countries and covers nearly every industry. This means exposure to diverse projects and global mobility opportunities that smaller firms cannot match.

 

• The people: Reference specific conversations you have had with PwC professionals. Mention names, what impressed you about them, and what they told you about the culture. This is the one generic reason that becomes powerful when you make it specific.

 

What Tips Will Help You Pass PwC Consulting Interviews?

 

In my experience coaching hundreds of candidates through PwC interviews, here are the most impactful things you can do to improve your chances.

 

1. Practice candidate-led and interviewer-led cases. Strategy& uses candidate-led cases, while PwC Consulting often uses interviewer-led or semi-structured formats. You need to be comfortable with both. Practice at least 15 to 20 cases before your interview.

 

2. Sharpen your mental math. PwC does not allow calculators during case interviews. You may need to estimate market sizes, calculate margins, or work through breakeven analyses on the spot. Practice mental math daily in the weeks before your interview.

 

3. Know PwC’s five values cold. PwC is more values-driven in its interviews than many consulting firms. Prepare specific STAR stories that demonstrate each of the five values: Act with Integrity, Make a Difference, Care, Work Together, and Reimagine the Possible.

 

4. Research recent PwC case studies. PwC’s website publishes case studies showing work with real clients. Referencing specific projects during your “Why PwC?” answer demonstrates genuine interest and preparation.

 

5. Think out loud. PwC’s career page states explicitly that they want to understand how you think, not just what you conclude. Narrate your reasoning, explain your assumptions, and walk the interviewer through each step of your analysis.

 

6. Do not use AI tools during the interview process. PwC prohibits AI and GenAI use during assessments and interviews. If caught, you will be disqualified. Rely on your own preparation.

 

7. Prepare thoughtful questions for your interviewers. PwC interviewers reserve 5 to 10 minutes at the end for your questions. Asking about their personal career journey at PwC, their favorite project, or what surprised them about the culture leaves a stronger impression than questions about compensation or work hours.

 

8. Use PwC’s own practice materials. PwC published two detailed sample cases on its career site, complete with scenario descriptions, questions, and sample responses for both Associate and Senior Associate levels. Working through these is one of the best ways to calibrate your preparation.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is It Hard to Get Hired at PwC Consulting?

 

PwC consulting is competitive but not impossible. According to Glassdoor, candidates rate PwC interview difficulty at 2.86 out of 5, which is slightly lower than the difficulty rating at firms like McKinsey (3.5/5) or BCG (3.3/5). Top consulting firms typically accept less than 1% of applicants, and while PwC’s acceptance rate is somewhat higher than MBB, thorough preparation is essential.

 

How Many Rounds of Interviews Does PwC Have?

 

PwC typically has two to three rounds for consulting roles. Strategy& usually has two rounds with two to three interviews each. PwC Consulting may have up to three rounds, with the final round potentially including a written case, group case, or partner interview. The exact structure varies by office and service line.

 

What Is the Difference Between PwC Advisory and PwC Consulting?

 

PwC uses the term “Advisory” broadly to describe its consulting and deals services. PwC Consulting Solutions is the specific division focused on management consulting, technology consulting, and operations. Strategy& is PwC’s dedicated strategy consulting practice. When people refer to “PwC Advisory,” they are usually talking about the overall Consulting Solutions umbrella.

 

Does PwC Use Candidate-Led or Interviewer-Led Cases?

 

Strategy& primarily uses candidate-led cases where you drive the direction of the analysis. PwC Consulting typically uses interviewer-led or semi-structured cases where the interviewer guides you through specific questions and data points. Prepare for both formats to be safe.

 

Can You Use a Calculator During PwC Case Interviews?

 

No. PwC does not allow calculators during case interviews. You will need to perform all math calculations mentally or on paper. Practice basic arithmetic, percentages, and estimation problems before your interview so you can work through numbers confidently.

 

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