The hiring process
| Round | Format | What's tested |
|---|---|---|
| Online Aptitude Assessment | ~60-90 min | Quant, verbal, logical reasoning and sometimes a technical/coding MCQ block |
| Group Exercise / Case (optional) | ~20-30 min | Collaboration, structured thinking and communication |
| Technical Interview | ~30-45 min | Track domain knowledge and resume depth |
| HR Interview | ~20-30 min | Communication, motivation and cultural fit |
Process and cutoffs vary by drive/team and change over time — confirm on the official careers page.
Round-by-round: exactly what's asked & how to prepare
Online Aptitude Assessment
~60-90 minA proctored MCQ test weighted toward data interpretation rather than raw arithmetic, with verbal and logical sections and sometimes a domain or programming MCQ block for tech roles. Typically no sectional cutoffs and no negative marking, so answer everything.
- Interpreting a data table to compute a ratio or growth
- Logical sequences and syllogisms
- Reading comprehension and para-jumbles
- Basic programming or domain MCQs for the applied track
- Numerical reasoning under time pressure
- Practice data-interpretation sets daily on IndiaBix and PrepInsta free pages
- Drill logical reasoning puzzles and syllogisms
- Revise track-relevant fundamentals (CS basics for tech, accounting for assurance/tax)
- Take one timed full mock to build speed
- Treating DI questions as pure arithmetic instead of reading the chart carefully
- Leaving verbal marks on the table
- Not tailoring prep to your applied service line
- Strong, balanced accuracy across sections
- Speed on data interpretation
- Correct track-relevant fundamentals
Group Exercise / Case (optional)
~20-30 minSome drives include a group discussion or short case exercise where you analyze a business scenario in a small group. Assessors watch how you contribute, structure a point, and build on others rather than dominate. Not every drive runs this round.
- A business or ethics scenario to discuss as a group
- Structuring an approach to a client problem
- Prioritizing options under a constraint
- Summarizing the group's conclusion clearly
- Practice speaking for 30-45 seconds with a clear point-reason-example structure
- Read business and current-affairs summaries to build talking points
- Practice inviting quieter members in to show collaboration
- Learn a simple issue-tree framework for cases
- Dominating or interrupting to grab airtime
- Staying silent the whole exercise
- Making points with no structure or evidence
- Clear, concise contributions that move the discussion forward
- Building on others' points
- Calm, respectful tone
Technical Interview
~30-45 minContent depends on your track: CS fundamentals and one language for technology roles, or finance/accounting concepts for assurance and tax. Expect resume-driven questions on your projects, internships and tools. Depth is fundamentals-solid, not competitive-DSA.
- Explain a project and your exact contribution
- Core concept in your track (OOP/DBMS for tech, accounting standard for assurance)
- A basic SQL query or a tool you listed
- How you approached a problem in an internship
- Trade-offs in a small design or process decision
- Prepare deep, honest explanations of every resume item
- Revise track fundamentals to spoken-explanation depth
- For tech: OOP, DBMS, SQL and one language basics
- For finance tracks: core accounting/audit concepts
- Overstating skills you can't defend
- Memorized definitions with no examples
- No clarity on your own project contribution
- Confident, specific project explanations
- Correct fundamentals with real examples
- Honesty about limits
HR Interview
~20-30 minA conversational round assessing why EY, career goals, willingness to relocate or work in shifts, and general communication. This is where fit for a client-service culture is judged.
- Why EY and why this service line
- Strengths, weaknesses and a growth area
- A teamwork or conflict situation
- Relocation and shift flexibility
- Where you see yourself in a few years
- Research EY's service lines and GDS model
- Prepare 4-5 STAR behavioral stories
- Rehearse a genuine 'Why EY' answer
- Prepare honest answers on relocation and shifts
- Generic 'big brand' reasons for wanting EY
- Rehearsed answers that sound fake
- Hesitation on relocation when the role requires it
- Clear, warm communication
- Specific, authentic motivation
- Flexibility and maturity
What to master
- Data interpretation and numerical reasoning
- Logical reasoning
- Verbal ability
- OOP, DBMS and SQL (tech track)
- Core accounting/audit concepts (assurance/tax track)
- Resume project depth
- Group-discussion and case structuring
- STAR behavioral storytelling
Eligibility
Typically 60% or above in 10th, 12th and graduation with no active backlogs; CSE/IT/ECE/EEE for tech tracks and commerce/finance streams for assurance and tax. EY GDS is the main fresher-hiring entity in India. Confirm exact cutoffs per drive.
EY (India) salary & compensation (2026)
Big-4 consulting-tech; bands closely track Deloitte India, sometimes marginally leaner at junior levels.
| Role / Level | Experience | India — total CTC | US — total comp | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst/Associate | 0–2 yr | ₹6–9.5 LPA | — | GDS/tech-consulting entry. |
| Consultant / Senior Analyst | 2–4 yr | ₹10–17 LPA | — | Delivery execution. |
| Senior Consultant | 4–7 yr | ₹18–29 LPA | — | Team and client management starts. |
| Manager | 7–11 yr | ₹30–48 LPA | — | Engagement and margin ownership. |
| Senior Manager / Director | 11+ yr | ₹52–85+ LPA | — | Practice growth and BD driven. |
How the package is structured
- GDS (Global Delivery Services) tracks pay slightly below client-facing.
- Ratings drive bonus and promotion speed; up-or-out pressure exists.
- Niche skills (SAP, cyber, data/AI) get premium offers.
- Lateral hires often negotiate higher than internal promotees.
Indicative 2026 market ranges aggregated from public sources (levels.fyi, Glassdoor, AmbitionBox, candidate reports). Compensation varies widely by location, team, level calibration, and negotiation — use these as directional benchmarks, not guarantees.
Your prep plan
- Days 1-3: data interpretation and quant with timed sets
- Days 4-6: verbal, logical reasoning and one full aptitude mock
- Days 7-9: track fundamentals (CS or accounting) revision
- Days 10-11: prepare and rehearse all resume project stories
- Days 12-13: practice a group exercise and 5 STAR answers
- Day 14: full mock interview covering technical plus HR
Want this plan dated to your interview?
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Get my personalized planFrequently asked questions
What is EY GDS?
EY Global Delivery Services is EY's captive delivery arm and the primary fresher-hiring entity in India, with major offices in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi and Kolkata.
Is there negative marking in the aptitude test?
Typically no negative marking and often no sectional cutoffs, so attempt every question.
Is the group exercise always included?
No. Some drives include a group discussion or case exercise, others skip straight to technical and HR. It varies by drive.
How technical is the tech-track interview?
Fundamentals-focused: OOP, DBMS, SQL, one language and your projects. It is not a competitive DSA round.
Do non-CS branches qualify?
Yes for many tracks; assurance and tax hire commerce/finance backgrounds, while tech tracks favor CSE/IT/ECE/EEE.
Does EY ask about shifts and relocation?
Yes, GDS roles can involve shifts and relocation, so be ready with honest answers.