Bain pre-interview test 2022 - London

Question

Hello!

Has anyone had any experience with the pre-interview test at Bain this year?

I'd be interested to hear what the most up to date version involves.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Hi Katie,

Honestly, all 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.

Answer 2

Hi Katie,

Hearing from my candidates, the test has not changed significantly from its previous version. So it's a safe bet to continue practicing based on examples from the past.

In essence, all these tests are very similar across the firms and what they want to see is that you have the basic skills to even be worth inviting for the interview.

Happy to share with you a few examples of former McK PST tests if helpful (for free obvs).

Best,

Cristian

Answer 3

Hello,

Based on what I'm hearing from candidates, there haven't been any significant changes for the pre-interview test at Bain, so any materials they provide and any materials based on past tests should be good for the purpose of prep.