The email says it'll be around 35 minutes
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Hi! I would not try to reverse-engineer the exact format from the 35-minute duration alone.
I would treat it more as a signal that the interview may be quite compressed, so being concise, structured and adaptable will matter a lot.
A few things I would focus on:
- Fit: have very sharp 60–90 second answers for Why consulting?, Why BCG? and your key experience stories.
- Case: practise shorter 15–20 minute cases or market-sizing drills where you move quickly from objective → structure → analysis → implication → next step.
- Synthesis: be able to close with a clear 30–60 second recommendation: answer first, then 2 supporting points, one key risk and the next step.
- Adapt to the interviewer: if they interrupt, accelerate or move you forward, follow their lead. In a short interview, being able to change pace without losing structure is important.
- Don’t overprepare for one specific format: even in 35 minutes, there could still be a combination of fit, case, framing questions or market sizing.
I know the Spanish consulting market quite well, including how firms tend to structure their processes and what candidates are usually expected to demonstrate at different stages. If you want, feel free to reach out directly and I’d be happy to give you a more specific view on how I would prepare for BCG Madrid based on your background and current level.
Hi,
Given that the interview will only be 35 minutes long, I would prepare for very few fit questions; most likely you will get a request to introduce yourself and one more, and then you will go straight into the case.
On the case, I would not expect anything strange in a first round, so a typical business case with some quantitative questions and some brainstorming.
I did recruiting at BCG for 10 years, so feel free to reach out if you have any specific question.
Good luck.
Best,
Franco
Hi,
This may be a "cheap" answer but just be prepared for anything! It could be a "quick" case that doesn't have a ton inside it. It could be a couple "framing" questions. It could also be a market sizing.
Just be prepared to go with the flow! If they seem to want to skim through the beginning of the case, or they don't care about thorough math, take their direction! As always, expect to 1) Be able to say why consulting/BCG and 2) Be tested on your ability to think logically, frame+present thoughts clearly, etc.)
Don't assume that 35 minutes means you can skip either case or fit preparation. Ask recruiting if the invitation doesn't clarify the format.
For preparation, I'd recommend my Full Interview Mastery Bundle.
A few useful reads:
- How to Shift Your Mindset to Ace the Case
- Dos and Don'ts in a Case Interview
- The Most Common Pitfalls in Case Interview Preparation
- Candidate-Led Cases: What to Expect With Example Cases
And for practice:
- Bain + BCG: Hot Wheels and Hot Wheels, Part 2, for adapting when similar-looking cases go in different directions
- Bain 1st Round: Last Mile Delivery, for interviewer-led practice
Treat the 35 minutes as a compressed communication test, not as a promise about one particular interview format.
First, read the invitation closely. If it does not say whether there is a case, fit discussion, or another exercise, ask recruiting one focused question. Do not build your plan around guesses about the Madrid process.
Then rehearse a short, repeatable cycle rather than trying to predict the agenda:
1. Fit: give a 60–90 second answer to “Why consulting/BCG?” that links one specific experience to the choice. Be ready to go deeper on your own actions and the result.
2. Problem solving: do a 15–20 minute mini-case or market-sizing drill. Restate the objective, give a clear structure, work through only the most relevant analysis, and state what each finding means.
3. Synthesis: finish with a 30–60 second recommendation: answer first, two supporting reasons, one key risk or open question, and the next check you would make.
Ask a practice partner to interrupt or move you on once. The point is to practise changing pace while keeping your thinking visible, not to deliver a memorised script. On the day, take the interviewer's signals on depth and speed seriously; concise, structured communication will help in a short slot regardless of the exact component.
It will likely be a mix of case and fit questions, though the exact format can vary. I’d practise structuring cases, interpreting charts, and doing quick mental maths, while preparing a few strong examples around teamwork, leadership, and motivation. Make sure you can communicate your thinking clearly throughout the case.
Best, Alessa :)
