Deloitte's National Level Assessment is its online test for fresher hiring in India: English, aptitude and reasoning, technical questions on computer fundamentals, and two coding questions, all in about 90 minutes for the engineering track. This page covers what the Deloitte NLA is, its format and timings, how it is scored, the rules to know before you start, how to prepare and a practice plan.
What the Deloitte NLA is
Deloitte does not publish the pattern; prep sites describe the 2025 and 2026 cycles consistently. The test is proctored with video and audio monitoring, and you cannot move back between sections.
Format and timings
| Part | What it involves | Time and questions |
|---|---|---|
| English | Ten multiple-choice and three fill-in-the-blank questions | 13 questions, 10 minutes |
| Quantitative aptitude and logical reasoning | Ten quantitative and twelve reasoning questions | 22 questions, 25 minutes |
| Technical questions | C, C++, databases, computer architecture, networking and operating systems | 30 questions, 25 minutes |
| Coding | One short coding question and one live programming problem | 2 questions, 30 minutes |
Total: 90 minutes and 67 questions for the engineering track, as commonly reported.
How it is scored
- Cut-offs are not published.
- Some sources describe the test as adaptive, which is unverified.
Rules to know before you start
- No negative marking is commonly reported.
- You cannot go back to an earlier section.
- Audio and video proctoring require a quiet room and a stable connection.
How to prepare
- Answer every multiple-choice question.
- Review each section before moving on.
- Prioritize HCF and LCM, time and work, profit and loss, and dynamic programming.
- Revise operating systems, databases and networking basics for the technical section.
A practice plan
- Week 1: aptitude daily (quantitative, reasoning and verbal) with section timers.
- Week 2: coding problems of easy to medium difficulty in one language, plus pseudocode or technical questions if the test has them.
- Week 3: full mock tests under exam conditions and spoken-English practice if there is a communication round.
Related guides: what an online assessment is, the Deloitte interview process, the new grad online assessment guide.
On the day, and the mistakes to avoid
- Keep your ID, admit card or invitation and academic documents ready, as the drive requires.
- For centre-based tests, arrive early and follow the centre's rules on phones and belongings.
- For online tests, check your camera, microphone and connection, and use a quiet room.
- Note each section's timer: sections are often fixed in order and you cannot go back.
- Attempt every question where there is no negative marking.
- In coding rounds, submit code that compiles and passes some cases rather than nothing.
Mistakes that cost candidates:
- Neglecting the English or communication section, which is often an elimination round.
- Overspending time in one aptitude section when each has its own timer.
- Practicing only coding and skipping pseudocode and computer fundamentals.
- Registering through unofficial links; use the company's careers site or your placement cell.
- Skipping full mock tests, so the real section timers come as a surprise.
What happens after the Deloitte NLA
Shortlisted candidates usually move on to technical and HR interviews, then an offer letter and onboarding. Prepare to explain your projects, basic programming concepts and why you want to join, and keep practicing spoken English for the interviews. For the next stage, see the new grad online assessment guide.
Where CoPilot Interview fits
Online assessments are tests you take on your own: outside help is not allowed, and proctoring settings can flag other apps, tab switches or a second voice. Practice beforehand instead. CoPilot Interview is an AI interview assistant; its free AI mock interview prepares you for the interviews that follow the assessment, with questions built from your résumé and the job description and each spoken answer scored out of ten. The free plan gives 15 minutes a day of live help in sessions of up to 15 minutes, with AI mock interviews included. Read the invitation carefully and follow your employer's rules.
Disclosure: CoPilot Interview is our product, so weigh what we say about it accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Deloitte NLA pattern?
Commonly reported: English, aptitude and reasoning, technical questions and two coding questions, 67 questions in 90 minutes.
Is there negative marking in Deloitte NLA?
None is commonly reported.
Can I go back to a previous section?
No, according to prep sites.
Is the NLA proctored?
Yes, with video and audio monitoring.
Can I use AI tools during the Deloitte NLA?
No, unless the instructions explicitly allow it. Assessments are meant to be taken on your own, and proctoring settings can flag other apps, tab switches or pasted code. Use AI tools to practice beforehand, and follow your employer's rules.
Practice this interview before the real one
The AI mock interview builds questions from your resume and the job description, reads them aloud and scores each spoken answer out of 10. Included on the free plan.
Start a mock interview