ApprenticeEdge›KPMG›Competency Questions
KPMG Apprenticeship Competency Questions — With Answer Guidance
KPMG uses competency-based questions at the video interview and assessment centre stages. Here are the questions to expect, mapped to the competencies they test — with guidance on what strong answers look like.
Competency Questions by Area
Courage
“Tell me about a time you demonstrated courage.”
“Give me an example of when you had to show courageunder pressure.”
What strong looks like
A specific STAR answer with a clear individual role, measurable outcome, and genuine reflection. Avoid: describing what “the team” did without isolating your contribution.
Integrity
“Tell me about a time you demonstrated integrity.”
“Give me an example of when you had to show integrityunder pressure.”
What strong looks like
A specific STAR answer with a clear individual role, measurable outcome, and genuine reflection. Avoid: describing what “the team” did without isolating your contribution.
Excellence
“Tell me about a time you demonstrated excellence.”
“Give me an example of when you had to show excellenceunder pressure.”
What strong looks like
A specific STAR answer with a clear individual role, measurable outcome, and genuine reflection. Avoid: describing what “the team” did without isolating your contribution.
Together
“Tell me about a time you demonstrated together.”
“Give me an example of when you had to show togetherunder pressure.”
What strong looks like
A specific STAR answer with a clear individual role, measurable outcome, and genuine reflection. Avoid: describing what “the team” did without isolating your contribution.
For Better — KPMG's five values underpin all competency assessment
“Tell me about a time you demonstrated for better — kpmg's five values underpin all competency assessment.”
“Give me an example of when you had to show for better — kpmg's five values underpin all competency assessmentunder pressure.”
What strong looks like
A specific STAR answer with a clear individual role, measurable outcome, and genuine reflection. Avoid: describing what “the team” did without isolating your contribution.
The STAR Framework
S — Situation: Set the scene briefly (1–2 sentences). Enough context, no more.
T — Task: What was your specific responsibility? What was expected of you?
A — Action: What YOU did — not "we". Be specific. This is 60% of the answer.
R — Result: Quantify if possible. What changed? What did you learn?
Preparing Your Stories
Aim for 5–7 strong STAR stories before your first interview. You should be able to adapt each story to answer multiple different competency questions — a good teamwork story can often be reframed to show communication or resilience too.
Examples can come from school, part-time work, sport, volunteering, or any other experience where you had a genuine individual responsibility.
Want the full prep pack?
KPMG Apprenticeship Prep Pack
Application stages, competencies, real interview questions, commercial awareness, and a pre-submission checklist — in one complete pack.