Five stages, and an assessment step that varies by role
IBM publishes its process as application, screening, online assessment, interview, decision. The assessment stage is described conditionally: "we might ask you to complete one or two assessments, which can vary depending on your role."
IBM names four types on its own pages:
- Coding assessment. Multiple-choice questions or coding challenges.
- Video assessment. Interview questions answered on webcam and microphone.
- English language assessment. Multiple-choice, text-based.
- IBM work behaviours assessment. Forced-choice items.
The rule that trips people up is the window: you have seven days from the invitation to complete your assessments. IBM's own advice is to check whether each assessment is timed, to allow enough time to finish in one sitting, to sit somewhere quiet, and to take any practice runs offered.
For the work behaviours assessment, IBM gives a specific instruction for questions where you pick between two statements: "choose the statement that you agree with slightly more." Candidates who agonise over these lose time without improving their profile.
Reasonable adjustments are arranged through the form or email in your invitation, and IBM states its selection and assessment team works with each candidate individually.
There is a case interview, and IBM says so
IBM's own careers blog lays out the entry-level consultant pipeline: CV screening, a recorded video interview assessment in some regions, an online coding assessment for developer and data scientist roles, a screening interview with the recruiter, then a first-round case interview followed by a second-round behavioural interview.
IBM's advice on the case is short and worth acting on: "get comfortable with the framework of going through a case and ensure you ask probing questions."
The blog also names the question candidates most often fumble, which is "why are you interested in IBM Consulting?" Given that IBM says it looks for evidence of research into the firm and enthusiasm for consulting specifically, an unprepared answer there is an unforced error. Two other stated priorities: flexibility to adapt to different environments, and being a team player. And one expectation candidates should hear before they apply, since IBM Consulting works on client sites most of the time, travel "could be as much as 90% of the time."
Is the IBM IPAT still used?
The IPAT (Information Processing Aptitude Test) is IBM's historically best-known assessment: a heavily timed battery of numerical series and numerical reasoning questions. It does not appear anywhere in IBM's current careers materials, which name only the four assessment types above. The same goes for the six-game cognitive battery described in some prep documents: that list comes from third-party materials, not from IBM. If your invitation names a specific test, the invitation is the authority; otherwise prepare for the four types IBM actually publishes.
AI, permitted and prohibited
IBM publishes both lists. Allowed: improving grammar, formatting, clarity and tone on CVs and cover letters, summarising achievements, understanding job descriptions, interview preparation and learning technical concepts. Prohibited: generating entire CVs, cover letters or responses without personal input, completing assessments, technical tests or coding challenges, and using AI during live interviews or real-time assessments.
Timing
For the US, IBM states that "intern and full time entry level hiring takes place from August to November each year," with internships running 12 weeks at 40 hours. Individual postings carry their own deadlines, sometimes in the job title itself. For technical preparation IBM points candidates to LeetCode, Pramp and HackerRank.
Official sources: IBM application steps and tips · Assessment FAQ · Applicant FAQs · Entry level consultant: the secrets to becoming a successful candidate · US internship FAQs