EY's UK student and graduate programmes use one blended online assessment, run on EY's behalf by Cappfinity, that mixes numerical and verbal reasoning, situational strengths questions and job-simulation tasks, sometimes with a recorded video response. EY weighs your scores alongside your A-level or equivalent results. This page covers what the EY online assessment 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 EY online assessment is
EY's own FAQ says the assessments may include questions or activities about your abilities, behaviours and working preferences, in formats such as choosing options, reading tables, charts and graphs, dragging items, spotting patterns and recording a video. EY's careers pages do not name the provider, but its practice hub says the systems are operated by Cappfinity, and prep sites list the modules as numerical reasoning, verbal and critical reasoning, a situational strengths test and a job simulation with free-text and video answers.
For the interviews that follow, see the EY interview process and the Cappfinity assessment guide.
Format and timings
| Part | What it involves | Time and questions |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical reasoning | Graphs and tables, with multiple-choice, free-entry and ranking answers | Time-recorded rather than strictly timed, as commonly reported |
| Verbal and critical reasoning | Short passages, conclusions and matching or ranking items | Time-recorded, as commonly reported |
| Situational strengths test | Workplace scenarios where you rank responses from most to least likely | Varies by programme |
| Job simulation with free text or video | Emails, tasks and recorded answers set in an EY working day | Varies; some programmes include a recorded video response |
Total: an EY student recruitment adviser has said the full set takes about 45 to 70 minutes depending on the programme; your invitation states any time limit.
How it is scored
- EY considers your online assessment scores together with your academic attainment at A level or equivalent.
- Strengths answers are compared with the strengths EY looks for, which prep sites list as learning agility, resilience, motivation to excel, collaboration and curiosity.
- Even untimed parts record how long you take, as Cappfinity tests generally do.
- Cut-offs are not published.
Rules to know before you start
- EY's participation rules say you agree to re-sit any assessment if EY asks.
- If you need adjustments, request them before you start; EY says you cannot re-sit after requesting adjustments once an assessment is complete.
- Untimed assessments can usually be resumed if you are interrupted, but EY recommends one sitting.
- Keep your camera and microphone on if an assessment asks for it.
How to prepare
- Learn Cappfinity's unusual answer formats, such as ranking and free entry, so they do not slow you down.
- Read EY's values and the strengths it lists, then rank situational options the way an EY team would act.
- Practice reading charts quickly and checking units, because numerical items mix question types.
- Prepare two short spoken stories about learning fast and recovering from a setback in case a video response appears.
- Do the whole assessment on a laptop in one quiet sitting.
A practice plan
- Day 1: read the employer's invitation for which tests you will take, then do the publisher's official practice questions untimed.
- Days 2 and 3: timed practice on your weakest test type, reviewing every mistake.
- Days 4 and 5: full timed runs in the same browser and device you will use.
- Day 6: rest, check your setup, and plan a quiet time slot.
- Day 7: take the test in one sitting, early in the deadline window.
Related guides: UK assessment centres, the Watson Glaser test, the SHL assessment.
On the day, and the mistakes to avoid
- Open the invitation early and note the deadline, the tests included and the time each takes.
- Use a laptop or desktop with a current browser, on a stable connection, with notifications silenced.
- Have paper, a pen and, if the instructions allow it, a calculator ready before you start.
- Read every instruction and example screen; formats differ more than people expect.
- Take the tests in a quiet room in one sitting, at a time of day when you are sharp.
- If something breaks, take a screenshot, note the time and contact the employer straight away.
Mistakes that cost candidates:
- Treating untimed or 'as many as you can' tests casually: speed and accuracy are usually both recorded.
- Bringing outside knowledge into reasoning items that must be judged only on the information given.
- Answering personality questions as the 'ideal' candidate instead of honestly, which shows up as inconsistency.
- Starting on a phone when the publisher recommends a computer.
- Leaving the test until the deadline, when any technical problem becomes fatal.
What happens after the EY online assessment
Results usually go to the employer, who compares them with the profile for the role. Shortlisted candidates move on to a video interview, an assessment centre or a first interview, so start preparing for those while you wait. For the next stage, see our guide to online assessments.
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
Does EY use Cappfinity?
EY's careers pages do not name it, but EY's practice hub says its assessment systems are operated by Cappfinity, and prep sites agree.
Is the EY online assessment timed?
Some parts are timed and others are only time-recorded. EY says any time limit is stated in your invitation and the instructions.
Do grades matter at EY?
Yes, alongside the tests: EY says it considers online assessment scores together with A-level or equivalent results.
What comes after the EY online assessment?
Shortlisted candidates are invited to an Experience Day, in person at a UK office for graduate, placement and apprentice programmes and virtual for summer internships, with interviews and tasks.
Can I use AI tools during the EY online assessment?
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