BCG interview after McKinsey interview

Question

Hi everyone!

I'm scheduled for my first-round interviews with BCG this Friday. I've already gone through several rounds with McKinsey (and am currently in the final stages), so I’m wondering how best to prepare for BCG, given their case interview format differs from McKinsey's.

Given the limited time, should I approach these interviews with confidence, treating my McKinsey experience as sufficient practice? Or should I focus on adapting specifically to BCG’s style?

I’d appreciate any insights or advice!

Thanks so much in advance!

Answer 1

Hi there,

The key components are the same as for McKinsey:

Structuring (Frameworks, brainstorming)
Analysis (Quant and qualitative = charts)

The main difference comes from you driving the case forward (probing and actively requesting more data to analyze). While you should also do this in a McKinsey case to show initiative, in a BCG candidate-driven format the outcome of the case really depends on how well you structured the problem initially and how targeted you probe for the right data.

If your initial framework is not fully exhaustive or you probe in the wrong direction, it might take you a while to get to the relevant parts of the case and interviewers might have to guide or nudge you. In McKinsey, this matters less since the interviewer drives the case and the associated questions automatically.

With that in mind, there is also less time to discuss your framework compared to McKinsey. Discuss your top-level ideas, briefly mention what supports them (2nd or 3rd level), then move on to probing and dive into the analysis stage.

The rest is pretty much the same!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 2

Foundations are the same, process is quite different

90% of what you learn from McKinsey applies to BCG interviews, including:

How to create frameworks and structure problems
How to solve math analysis and get conclusions
How to read charts and state implications
How to brainstorm
How to communicate effectively

However, there is a 10% specific to BCG you must learn, including:

Leading the case from the beginning to end, working with a more vague prompt, asking for information properly and taking decision on the directo to move the case forward
Make final recommendations, synthesizing the case
Preparing for extra question in the fit part

Considering the limited timeline you have, I suggest you work with any friend you know at BCG or with a coach.

Good luck!

Alberto

—

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

Answer 3

Hey!

Your McKinsey practice provides a strong foundation, however, it’s wise to adapt to BCG’s style, as their cases can be more conversational and hypothesis-driven, with an emphasis on creativity and adaptability in problem-solving. Make sure you are aware that BCG cases are interviewee-led! Use your remaining time to review BCG-specific case frameworks, practice open-ended problem statements, and get comfortable with the less structured, collaborative approach they favor - from my experience, BCG likes market sizing cases. Also, make sure to practice the style of BCG personal fit interviews which is equally important than the case part for BCG! Good luck!

Alessa

Answer 4

Hey there,

Just to add an extra point of emphasis on top of what has already been said, case leadership and being able to drive through the case is critical for candidate led cases.

All the best