Does Deloitte use the Watson Glaser for consulting roles?

Yes. Deloitte uses the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal as part of its online assessment stage for consulting graduate and experienced hire roles in the UK and several other markets. It typically appears 1–2 weeks after the initial application, alongside a situational judgement test, and before the video interview stage.

What Watson Glaser score do I need for Big 4 consulting?

Big 4 firms do not officially publish their cut-off scores, but candidate reports and employer guidance consistently indicate that the 70th percentile is the minimum viable threshold, with competitive applicants reaching the 75th–80th percentile. On Form D (40 questions), this corresponds to roughly 32–36 correct answers. Aiming for the 75th percentile is the safest target.

Do McKinsey, BCG, or Bain use the Watson Glaser?

No. MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) use their own proprietary assessments: McKinsey uses the Solve game and Problem Solving Test (PST), BCG uses the BCG Online Case and Pymetrics, and Bain uses a case-based online assessment. None of the MBB firms use Watson Glaser as a standard tool. However, the analytical reasoning skills developed through Watson Glaser preparation overlap with MBB case-style thinking.

Where does Watson Glaser appear in the Big 4 consulting recruitment process?

Watson Glaser typically falls in the online assessment stage, which occurs after the initial application and CV screen but before telephone or video interviews and assessment centres. The typical timeline for a Big 4 consulting graduate role is: application (week 1) → online assessments including Watson Glaser (weeks 2–3) → video interview (weeks 4–5) → assessment centre (weeks 6–8) → offer decision.

How is Watson Glaser different from KPMG's numerical reasoning test?

Watson Glaser measures verbal critical thinking — evaluating the strength of arguments, identifying assumptions, and drawing logical inferences from written passages. KPMG's numerical reasoning test, by contrast, measures the ability to interpret data presented in tables, charts, and graphs, and to perform calculations under time pressure. They test different cognitive skills, so preparation for one does not substitute for preparation for the other. If KPMG includes both in its assessment suite for your role, practise both formats in combined sessions to manage fatigue.

Should I prepare differently for Watson Glaser as a consulting applicant vs a law applicant?

Yes. Law firm applicants typically treat Watson Glaser as their primary cognitive screen and invest the most preparation time there. Consulting applicants must balance Watson Glaser prep with numerical reasoning, case study, and situational judgement preparation — Watson Glaser is one component of a broader assessment, not the central differentiator. Consulting applicants should still aim for the 75th percentile, but should not over-index on Watson Glaser at the expense of numerical reasoning practice.

Watson Glaser for Consulting Firms — Big 4 and MBB Requirements 2026

Learn which Big 4 and consulting firms use the Watson Glaser, what score you need, and how to prepare as a consulting applicant in 2026.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal By Dr. Lisa PatelApr 19, 20263 min read

Watson Glaser for Consulting Firms — Big 4 and MBB Requirements 2026

Big 4 Firms

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MBB Alternatives

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Score Expectations

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Recruitment Timeline

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Important: Not All Consulting Firms Use Watson Glaser

Consulting applicant preparing for Watson Glaser critical thinking assessment alongside case study materials

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Watson Glaser Consulting Questions and Answers

About the Author

Dr. Lisa PatelEdD, MA Education, Certified Test Prep Specialist

Educational Psychologist & Academic Test Preparation Expert

Columbia University Teachers College

Dr. Lisa Patel holds a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University Teachers College and has spent 17 years researching standardized test design and academic assessment. She has developed preparation programs for SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, UCAT, and numerous professional licensing exams, helping students of all backgrounds achieve their target scores.