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Anonymous A

8 hrs ago

USA

BCG CCA - didn't finish

Hi! I'm applying for the full time associate position in the US. I ran out of time on the BCG CCA on the last question because there was no question count so I didn't realize what question I was on. How badly do you think this will affect my application?

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David

Coach

7 hrs ago

Top-ranked former Bain and Harvard Business School alum | elite MBB case-interview prep

Hi there!

From what I know about BCG's CCA and have encountered from candidates who have taken it, the short answer is that not finishing the last question is likely NOT a deal breaker on its own. Here's why:

Holistic evaluation: first of all, unlike some more traditional tests, the BCG CCA doesn't have a simple "score" that's purely about getting every question right. The behavioral section has no right/wrong grading, and even the logic section might be assessed in context. BCG tends to compare candidates’ responses to benchmarks of successful consultants, looking for a strong overall match more so than a perfect "score". If, for instance, you answered 6–7 out of 8 logic questions well and showed consistency in your behavioral answers, that could very well meet the benchmark. Missing the last question might simply register as one unanswered item, which in a tight timed test is understandable.
Time pressure is expected: the CCA is known for its tight time constraints. BCG understands that candidates are under pressure, and they might even be assessing how you handle that pressure. Running out of time on the last question, particularly if it was a complex one, happens to many applicants and I have come across candidates who didn't get through every question on the CCA and still moved forward in the process.

Hope that helps. Regardless of how good/bad you feel about your performance, I'd advise you not to dwell on it (don't panic! You're definitely not alone here). To the best of your ability, focus your energy instead on preparing for any potential next steps. If you advance, BCG will likely assess you further through other online tests (like Pymetrics), case interviews, and behavioral/fit interviews.

Happy to help you prep for any of that in more depth, or discuss any questions/ concerns you may have in further detail. Just reach out and let me know.

Good luck!