Oliver Wyman Assessments

Prepare for the Oliver Wyman recruitment process with tailor-made practice materials.

Careers at Oliver Wyman

Founded in New York in 1984, Oliver Wyman is a management consultancy company based in America, but with global reach.

Oliver Wyman, which is a subsidiary of Marsh and McLennan Companies, has offices in over 60 countries and employs more than 5,000 people to carry out consultancy services for industries as diverse as energy and education, but with a particular focus on banking and financial services.

Oliver Wyman operates in three 'business verticals', which govern how the company is structured internally, and what each employee is focused on. The three verticals are:

  1. Financial services — this is the biggest area of focus for the business, and what the company is primarily known for.
  2. Consumer, industrial and services — essentially all of the consulting work that Oliver Wyman does outside of the financial services remit.
  3. Health and life sciences — this is the smallest vertical. It is concentrated on working with clients in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Oliver Wyman Application Process

As with most internationally-known and celebrated financial companies, the application process for Oliver Wyman is rigorous and competitive.

Candidates must be prepared to take part in online assessments as well as multiple tasks and interviews to make it to the end of the process.

Research, preparation and test practice are essential if you want to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

Oliver Wyman Online Application

The start of the process involves filling out an online application form.

This is your first chance to make a good impression, so it's important to ensure all details are accurate and that everything you've written is spelt correctly.

You'll be asked to provide key details such as your relevant experience and educational qualifications, and you may even need to respond to some motivational questions that are designed to probe a little deeper into your behaviours and personality type.

Oliver Wyman employers will be looking for examples of how you align with, or embody the organisation's key competencies:

  • Personal initiative
  • Quality
  • Diversity
  • The client comes first
  • We succeed when our firm succeeds

Oliver Wyman Aptitude Tests

If the hiring employer likes what they read on your application form, you'll be invited to complete a series of online assessments.

The tests you're asked to take will depend on the role you're applying to, and the level of seniority, but they could include any of the following:

Oliver Wyman Numerical Reasoning Test

The Oliver Wyman numerical reasoning test sits at around GCSE mathematics level and examines your ability to work with simple numerical principles through the lens of hypothetical workplace scenarios.

Each question allows you less than a minute to read the problem, make your calculation and answer, so the skill really does lie just as much in managing time pressure as it does mathematical aptitude.

It's worth brushing up on geometry, counting and probability, as well as practising past numerical reasoning tests to familiarise yourself with the kind of questions you may be asked.

Oliver Wyman Verbal Reasoning Test

Verbal reasoning tests are used in hiring processes across the world as they seek to better understand how well a candidate can read, assimilate, and extract key information, often from very dense passages of text.

No prior knowledge of the subject is needed. Instead, you'll be presented with a chunk of text to process, before being asked to read related statements and determine whether they're 'true', 'false', or if it's 'impossible to say' based on the information in front of you.

It's a good idea to practice verbal reasoning tests in advance of your Oliver Wyman test. This will help you to read faster, improve your understanding of what pieces of key information to extract and remember, and bolster your confidence in your abilities.

Oliver Wyman Personality Test

Personality tests can't really be prepared for. This is because they're designed to assess your key drivers, traits and characteristics to see how well you're likely to fit with the role and company you're applying to.

The test normally requires you to read through a series of statements, before responding by picking how strongly you agree with, or relate to, what you've just read.

Answering the questions as honestly as you can is really important if you want to end up in a role that you're suited to. However, it doesn't hurt to think about the type of person Oliver Wyman is likely to want to hire based on the company's objectives and key motivations.

Oliver Wyman First Round Interviews

If you do well at the online assessments, you'll be invited to take part in a first round interview. This is sometimes split into two parts: the 'conversational interview' and the 'case study interview'.

Taking place either in person or via video call, the focus of these interviews is for Oliver Wyman to learn as much as possible about you.

In the conversational interview, this could mean you cover topics including your accomplishments and educational qualifications, any relevant work experience, career goals, and even hobbies and interests outside of work.

This interview is competency-based. This means the manager interviewing you will want to see solid examples of where you have demonstrated key skills expected from candidates, as well as the Oliver Wyman values.

This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and to learn more about the company so you can ensure it feels like the right fit for you, should you be offered the job.

The case study interview is designed to assess your problem-solving skills. It sets you up as a representative for Oliver Wyman, and the interviewer as the client you need to support.

As well as fully assessing the challenge, you'll need to show evidence of how you selected your strategy, what you hope to achieve, and finally — your recommendation.

You'll be measured on your professionalism, presentation and communication skills, credibility, and presence.

Oliver Wyman Second Round Interviews

The second round interview is sometimes referred to as the 'assessment centre' (UK) or 'Super Day' (America).

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the assessment centre has now been shortened to a 30-45 minute second interview similar to the first round, rather than an onsite day. But once restrictions have eased it's likely that the original format will be reinstated.

This involves:

  • A business case interview (similar to before).
  • A behavioural fit interview (similar to before).
  • Case presentation

In this task, you'll have 30 minutes to prepare a case based on the information you've been given, before spending the next 30 minutes presenting and answering questions on your process.

You may be asked questions while you're presenting, and you'll be expected to seamlessly answer them before returning to presentation mode, (just as you would if a client were asking you questions during a pitch).

To best present your case, it's important to try and remember these key steps:

  • State the problem you're trying to solve.
  • Show how you recommend solving it, and up to three reasons you think this is the best approach. These reasons should be supported by any information or data you have.
  • Sum up the challenge, the recommendation and any potential benefits or pitfalls of your strategy. Ensure you finish strong and instil the interviewer with confidence that your approach is the correct one.

Consultant Q&A

This is an informal chance to get together with a current Oliver Wyman employee so you can ask questions and find out more about what it's like to work there.

Sample Oliver Wyman Assessments question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

If the consultancy firm forecasts a client's revenue growth at 10% annually over the next 3 years, and the client's current annual revenue is $3 million, what is the projected revenue for the end of that period?

  • $3.3 million
  • $3.93 million
  • $3.63 million
  • $3.973 million

A consulting firm was tasked to reduce the expenses of a client company. Over the last quarter, the client company's operational expenses were $2,400,000, and non-operational expenses stood at $600,000. If the consulting firm managed to reduce the total expenses by 15%, what would the new total expenses be?

  • $2,550,000
  • $2,550,000
  • $2,550,000
  • $2,550,000

During a profitability analysis, you find that the four products A, B, C, and D generate 25%, 35%, 15%, and 25% of the total profit respectively. If the total profit for the last year was $4 million, how much profit did product B generate?

  • $1.4 million
  • $1.0 million
  • $2.0 million
  • $1.5 million

Read the following memo from a manager to their team: 'As we approach the evaluation period, I want to emphasize the importance of our current initiative to improve client retention rates. Compared to last year, we have observed a trend toward longer partnership durations, which is an encouraging sign of our team's dedication and client-focused approach.' What is the main goal of the manager's message?

  • To prepare the team for a restructuring process
  • To commend the team on their client service improvements
  • To introduce a new company-wide evaluation system
  • To announce upcoming cutbacks based on performance

An email was sent to a management consultancy team: 'Our findings from the market analysis suggest a shift in consumer preferences towards eco-friendly products. As sustainability becomes a greater concern, we must tailor our strategies to align with these values.' After reading the email, what strategic change should the team most likely consider?

  • Focusing more on digital transformation consulting
  • Offering discounts on existing non-eco-friendly products
  • Developing new services focused on environmental sustainability
  • Investing in traditional marketing over digital marketing

Build your confidence today

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Oliver Wyman Assessments Tips

Know Your Exam Content

Before anything else, you need to understand what you're facing. Oliver Wyman is known for its rigorous selection process, which means you're likely to encounter a variety of problem-solving and case study assessments. Use Fintest to get familiar with the types of questions you'll face and the content areas you should be brushing up on. The closer your practice material matches the actual test, the better prepared you'll be.

Simulate Testing Conditions

It's crucial to practice under conditions that are as close to the actual testing scenario as possible. With Fintest, not only do you get access to relevant practice exams, but you can also time yourself and work in a quiet, distraction-free environment. This will help you manage your time effectively and get comfortable with the pressure of the real exam day.

Analyze and Learn from Mistakes

Practice isn't just about getting things right; it's also about making mistakes and learning from them. After you complete each Fintest practice exam, take the time to go through each question thoroughly and understand where you went wrong. This analysis is a key step in improving your performance and ensuring those mistakes are not repeated on the actual test.

Stay Relaxed and Confident

Test-taking isn't only about intellect; it's also about mindset. Staying calm can help you think more clearly and perform better. Make sure to relax the night before your Oliver Wyman assessment, get plenty of sleep, and approach the exam with confidence. Use Fintest's practice exams to build that confidence; familiarity breeds calm, and calm improves performance.

Time Management is Key

While you might be tempted to rush through the exam, accurate and careful answers are far better than quick and incorrect ones. Through Fintest's timed exams, practice pacing yourself to ensure that you have ample time to answer all questions. Effective time management during practice will translate to efficiency during the real thing.

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Oliver Wyman Assessments FAQs

What are Oliver Wyman's core values?

Oliver Wyman'score values are:

  • Be brave
  • Lead with heart
  • Strive for breakthroughs
  • Work as one
  • Own our impact

You should try to ensure that each value is reflected in your application and throughout each stage of the hiring process.

What is a good score on the Oliver Wyman assessment test?

You should aim to score within the 25% percentile of test-takers - a score of 75% or above is often considered strong and you'll likely be considered for shortlisting.

How do I prepare for the Oliver Wyman aptitude tests?

You can practice free Oliver Wyman test questions to get familiar with the format and improve your test score using our online platform - no credit card required.