Through extensive research, I discovered that the PwC acceptance rate is usually between 4 to 5 %. But this rate is gradually becoming more elusive as the company only hired 2.5% of professionals from the 304,000 applications it received last year.
Being the top global consultant company, PwC attracts thousands of professionals to land a job at the firm, but they often wonder about its acceptance rate.
Below, I’ll reveal the PwC acceptance rate stats to shed light on the company’s competitive nature of the recruitment process.
PwC Acceptance Rate
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, or PwC, is a UK-based multinational firm operating in 152 countries providing tax, assurance, and accounting services. (Source)
Given its prestigious reputation, professionals from diverse backgrounds aim to secure a position within this esteemed organization. However, its stringent selection criteria make it almost impossible for some professionals to secure a job at the company.
I have learned that the acceptance rate at PwC is between 4 to 5 %. To put it into perspective, out of every 1000 applicants, only 50 lucky candidates get the opportunity to work at the firm.
However, the company has recently lowered its acceptance rate to 2.5 %, which is now more rigorous than Deloitte and EY. This data is based on the 303,000 applications PwC received for the limited 7,500 job positions last year. (Source)
Here’s the number of employees the consulting company has hired for the last 12 years:
| Year | Number of Employees Hired |
| 2011 | 6,992 |
| 2012 | 11,819 |
| 2013 | 3,706 |
| 2014 | 11,198 |
| 2015 | 12,676 |
| 2016 | 15,359 |
| 2017 | 12,767 |
| 2018 | 14,695 |
| 2019 | 25,075 |
| 2020 | 8,253 |
| 2021 | 11,113 |
| 2022 | 32,576 |
(Source)
Factors Affecting the PwC Acceptance Rate
While the PwC is highly selective, some factors can affect the firm’s acceptance rate and may increase or decrease your chances of getting hired. These include:
- The level of education and the university from where you have graduated
- A minimum of 60% percentage or 6+ GCPA in the academic career
- Leadership and case study evaluating skills
- Years of experience and confidence during the interview process
- No active backlogs or incomplete projects in previous roles
(Souce)
PwC Recruitment Process and Acceptance Rate
The PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited recruitment process plays a significant role in determining the acceptance rate. It sets the standard for the candidates that ultimately secure positions within the company.
Let’s discuss the different stages of the PwC recruitment process to see how the firm evaluates the candidates and why it keeps the acceptance rate so low:
1. Application Process
Application submission is the first step for interested individuals to start their journey at PowerwaterhouseCoopers.
The process is quite simple at this stage; open the PwC Careers page, select the job you want to apply and create an account filling in your education, skills, and language abilities.
2. Game-Based Assessment
Once the PwC recruiter reviews your application and accepts it, the team will email you a quick game-based psychometric assessment. The test will include short challenges to measure your cognitive abilities and natural behavioral preferences.
For the numerical reasoning assessment, you’ll be asked to solve 18 questions related to given graphs, data charts, and tables which should take 15 minutes. Depending on the position you have applied for, you might have to face other assessments, including:
- Inductive reasoning assessment
- Verbal reasoning assessment and English language test
- Technical tests for logical reasoning abilities
After completing the tests and assessments, the PwC recruitment team will provide feedback through email about your performance and inform you whether you are selected for the next stage.
3. Video Interview
Next is the Career Conversation video interview, where the consultant company will ask you to record answers to a few questions and a case study.
It is the best opportunity to showcase your skills, stand out from the rest, and demonstrate your motivation for working at PwC.
Some graduates report that they were asked various questions for the video interview, such as:
- Share a project where you actively participated in a collaborative team effort.
- Can you provide some details of what PwC is all about?
- What motivates you to join the firm?
- Where do you see yourself in the next 5 or 10 years?
- What drives your interest in (the position you have applied for)?
At this stage, you can select the time and place for the interview and respond to the question at your own pace.
4. Assessment Center Process
The fourth stage in the PwC recruitment process is the Assessment Center which is a full-day event including three steps:
- Group exercises where you work with other applicants on a case study
- Panel Interview with the recruiting team
- Exams related to the service line you have applied for
An applicant who passed the assessment center day says, “Introduction one by one first and then Case question with few pages material. Read the materials individually with time limit, after that discuss with teammates. Finally, present with others and Q&A. Panel interview.” (Source)
On the Assessment Center day, you can meet future colleagues and learn more about the company’s culture and working environment.
5. Interview With Manager or Partner
The next stage of the recruitment process is the interview with a manager or partner who assesses you based on:
- Skills
- Experience
- Abilities
- Career choice
- Interest in the business world and PwC
6. Job Offering
If you pass the interview, the firm then offers you a position with a work contract. Once you accept the role, PwC will invite you to join the Look Inside portal to learn more about:
- Corporate culture at the company
- Working environment at the firm
- Best ways to connect with your colleagues
You’ll also be asked to provide updated personal information, such as your recent contact details and required documents, including your experience certificates and transcripts, before your start day.
Wrapping Up!
This comprehensive article revealed the PwC acceptance rate stats, which are notably competitive. The recent figures further indicate the firm’s selection criteria and recruitment process are becoming more evasive.
While the acceptance rate might seem daunting, it reflects the commitment of the firm to maintaining a high standard of talent within its ranks.
Therefore, you must focus on getting better academic results, acquiring more experience, and thoroughly preparing yourself to secure a role of your choosing at the firm.




