Hi! Quick question about the Casey assessment rules.
Am I allowed to use a blank sheet of paper to do calculations, or is everything expected to be done mentally/on-screen? Also, in the few hours right before taking Casey, should I warm up with quick math drills, do a short brainstorming, structuring exercise, or focus on something else?
Hi there,
Genuinely, yes, you are allowed to use a blank sheet of paper. In fact, you should absolutely do so.
In the Casey test, in a case interview, and in life on a consulting project... you should always be keeping track of what you're finding out and what your objective is. My advice is to take notes and keep an organized sheet of paper with you to track key insights and numbers as you go. This is critical because you'll need those numbers for the final recommendation at the end.
Regarding your warm up, don't overthink it! A few quick math drills or a single structuring exercise is fine to get the brain moving, but don't burn yourself out right before the start.
If you want to be truly ready, you need to practice with the real thing. I actually sell 10 real past BCG Casey tests with answer keys... if you want to get your hands on those to see exactly what to expect, just shoot me a message.
If you find you are struggling with the overall case logic or how to parse the data quickly, you should look at my Ace the Case Interview Course. It’s the smartest way to build the fundamentals you need for both the chatbot and the live interviews.
Good luck! Feel free to message me for support.
You can use paper.
What you cannot use is anything that would give you an unfair advantage. Like having a buddy next to you telling you which one is the correct answer :)
Re whether you should 'warm up' or not, this depends on whether that genuinely helps you or not. For some people, it tires them.
Adding here a list of the most common formulas that pop up in case:
• • Cheatsheet: The Must-Know Consulting Terms for Interviews
Best,
Cristian
Yes, you can use scratch paper. BCG does not expect you to do everything in your head. Keep a blank sheet and pen ready before you start. You will need it for quick calculations and jotting down your structure as you work through the case.
For the few hours before, here is what I would do.
Do not try to learn anything new.
The biggest mistake people make with Casey is overthinking it. It is testing whether you can read data, pull out what matters, and make a logical recommendation. Keep it simple and trust your instincts.
Good luck with it.
That's a smart question to ask – being prepared on the logistics can make a real difference.
For the Casey assessment, you are absolutely allowed (and encouraged) to use scratch paper. It's not a trick; the consultants designing these assessments know that complex calculations and structuring your thoughts under pressure are much harder without a blank sheet. While some elements might be simple math, other parts require you to synthesize information, outline arguments, or track multiple variables, which scratch paper facilitates. Don't worry about regional variations for this specific rule; it's standard practice globally.
Regarding the pre-test warm-up, focus on what the test truly measures: not just raw math speed, but structured problem-solving and critical thinking. A short math drill (10-15 minutes) is good to get the brain warmed up, but then pivot to a quick brainstorming or structuring exercise. Think about a simple business problem and just jot down potential causes, solutions, or frameworks. The goal isn't to solve a full case, but to activate that systematic thinking process without burning yourself out. Go in fresh, not fatigued.
Hope this helps you feel more prepared! All the best.
Yes, you can use a blank sheet of paper for calculations during BCG Casey. It is absolutely fine and actually recommended for structuring numbers clearly instead of trying to do everything mentally.
Right before the test, I would not overload yourself. Do 10 to 15 minutes of light mental math to get your brain “awake”, maybe one short structuring drill to get into a clear thinking mode, and then stop. The biggest risk is going in stressed or mentally tired. Casey rewards calm, structured thinking much more than extreme speed.
Alessa
