The exact sequence varies by firm, office, and candidate type, but the common structure is application screening, any required assessment, one or more interview rounds, and then a final decision. Some candidates also have recruiter conversations before interviews.

The interviews themselves are easier to plan when you understand the typical case-interview round structure.

Do not wait for each invitation before beginning the next phase of preparation. Assessments and interviews can be scheduled close together, and final rounds may follow quickly once you pass R1.

Keep your recruiter emails and deadlines organized, confirm anything ambiguous directly with recruiting, and prepare early enough that a compressed timeline does not force you into last-minute casing.

The annoying answer is every office is slightly different, but yes that sequence is basically right.

Start casing before the assessment result. My R1 invite came with way less notice than I expected.