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
