Bain online test

Hi there,

1) How hard is this, is it similar to those SHL tests for big firms? 

Bain is using several tests. I believe you are referring to the SOVA one. 

The difficulty is relative to your current level. But as for any test, you can prepare for it. The format is usually the following:

• Requires around 75 minutes
• Includes sections as below:
  • Personality test – You have to rate what seems closer to your personality
  • Numerical – Similar to SHL. They provide a graph and you have to perform calculations based on that
  • Verbal – Similar to SHL. You have to state if the answer is true/false/cannot say
  • Logical – More challenging than the equivalent SHL part. You have to identify the pattern in series identifying what’s next

For numerical and verbal, SHL simulations should work well to prepare.

2) Do they actually fail you?

Yes, you could fail the test and not move forward.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hello!

Most of the online tests are very similar, and test the same skillset. It´s a good thing, since you can prep for them with a very unified approach. Although this may not seem so at first sight since the formats may differ, what is important here -as well as when solving cases- is the core skillset they are trying to test. This is common, and the most important skills are:

80-20 analysis: capacity to analyze, interpret and extract conclusions quickly and in a agile way from a ton of data -of which not all is useful-

Analytic and critical thinking: many ways tested with graphs, charts and tables, that you need to understand and derive decisions or insights from

Mathematical skills: are always somehow present, for which you need to be fast int he basics

The way to get better is practicing as much as possible with similar exercises -those targeted at the same skillset-. Hence, I would strongly recommend you practice it with the Integrated Reasoning part of the GMAT exam.

There are free exams in the internet that you can use for practice (the one of LBS MBA page, VERITAS prep, as well as some free trials for courses such as the one of The Economist (gmat.economist)

Furthermore, you can leverage the MBB tests (in myconsultingoffer, psychometricinstitute, and many others)

Hope it helps!

Best,

Clara

Hi there,

Yes, they fail you. You need to prepare, especially for the math/logic parts.

Most of these online tests are very similar

Format? Somewhat. Content and what's required from you ability-wise? Not at all.

The best way is to really find online tests / questions and practice. Regardless as to whether is a new or old test, the principles are mostly the same:

• Time management (need to think quick)
• Business knowledge/context (incl key formulas)
• Critical thinking (answers that are very similar to each other...clues "hidden" in the text)
• Ability to interpret data/charts

Think of it as a merge of a case and the GMAT/GRE.

You need to be clear on some key case-related and account formulas (margin, growth, breakeven, etc) as well as be good at critically understanding the question (including nuance to questions) and parsing through complicated text with a fair amount of distraction.

You'll also need to be good at chart/graph reading.

The (old) McKinsey PST, BCG Online Test, Bain SOVA test, etc. are all quite similar so leverage resources across all of them.

Hi there,

Yes they fail candidates,  Bain's intention is to filter candidates who do not meet the threshold critical thinking and analytical capabilities. The test is similar to GMAT and GRE questions. 

Thanks