First step at BCG

The BCG online case assessment is not a live interview. You are alone. There is no human interviewer watching you in real time. It is typically a chatbot-style assessment where you work through a case by reading information, analyzing data, and selecting or typing responses. Think of it like an interactive case simulation on your computer.

You are not expected to speak on video. It is all typed responses and clicking through options. And yes, you can absolutely keep a notebook next to you. In fact, I would recommend it. Jot down key numbers, sketch out structures, keep track of what you are learning as the case unfolds. Nobody is watching whether you use paper.

A few things that actually help with preparation.

Get comfortable with data interpretation under time pressure. A big part of this assessment is looking at charts, tables, and numbers, then drawing conclusions quickly. Practice reading exhibits and asking yourself "what is the so what here" before you do any detailed analysis.

Work on your mental math. You will need to do quick calculations without a calculator. Nothing crazy, but percentages, growth rates, rough multiplication and division. Being slow here eats into your time.

Practice structured thinking even when typing. The chatbot will ask you things like "what would you explore next" or "what do you conclude from this." Your answers should be organized, not rambling. Even in a text box, show that you break problems into logical pieces.

Don't rush. People often feel pressure to go fast and end up making careless mistakes. Read carefully. The assessment is testing whether you can think clearly, not whether you can click quickly.

One thing people underestimate is that this assessment filters out a lot of candidates before they ever meet a human interviewer. Take it seriously. Treat it like a real case interview even though there is no person on the other side.

Hi there,

Happy to clarify — this first BCG step can feel confusing if you haven’t seen it before.

1. What does the task look like?
   For the first case assessment, you are usually alone, not speaking to a live interviewer. There is no virtual person reacting to you in real time. It’s a structured online case or assessment where you work through prompts, questions, and exhibits on your own within a fixed time window.
2. Do you speak or type? Can you write notes?
   You’re typically expected to type your answers, not speak on video. You can absolutely use pen and paper or a notebook to structure your thoughts, do calculations, or sketch frameworks — that’s encouraged. Just make sure your final answers are clearly reflected in what you submit on screen.
3. How to prepare effectively
   The biggest tips are:

• Practice clear, structured written answers, not just verbal casing
• Get comfortable interpreting exhibits quickly and drawing 1–2 key insights
• Keep answers concise and top-down — don’t try to explain everything
• Manage time carefully; it’s easy to overinvest in one question
• Think like a consultant: clarify the objective, prioritize, then answer

This is less about perfection and more about showing structured thinking under time pressure.

1. What recent candidates experience
   People often say the hardest part is pacing and resisting the urge to overthink. Those who do well tend to keep calm, stick to simple logic, and focus on answering the exact question asked rather than trying to impress.

If you want, I can also help you map out a short, focused prep plan for this first step so you don’t burn out before the live interviews.

Best,

Evelina

That's a smart place to focus your energy. The BCG digital assessment is a unique entry gate designed to filter a huge volume of applicants quickly, so understanding the format is half the battle.

Here’s the reality of what you should expect: You are entirely alone in the room. There is no live interviewer or even a simulated human avatar; it is a self-directed, time-boxed simulation delivered through a specific platform (often dubbed the Chatbot Case, depending on the region). You will not be speaking on video. All inputs are generally typed responses or multiple-choice selections based on data and exhibits provided.

In terms of mechanics, you absolutely must use a side notebook. Treat that scrap paper as your sanctuary for calculations, structuring your framework, and outlining your final recommendation before you type it into the system. The platform is evaluating not just the quality of your insights, but your ability to synthesize quickly and manage massive ambiguity under strict time constraints.

My core tip for preparation is to shift your focus from deep case analysis (which you save for the live rounds) to rapid data extraction and prioritization. Practice synthesizing dense information into a clear, structured recommendation in under 90 seconds. Find the official BCG practice simulation and run it until you understand the pacing—most people fail this gate purely because they run out of time trying to perfect their first answer. You need to be comfortable submitting a strong 8/10 answer quickly, rather than a perfect 10/10 too late.

All the best with your prep!

Hi!

To answer your questions, it'll depend on what you meant by "first case assessment" - are you referring to the online test or a live Round 1 case interview with an interviewer?

Either way, if you have time, I'd suggest going through videos of how a case interview with MBB works (plenty on YouTube) - to get a sense of what you're expected to do.

If you're short on time, i.e., the interview is approaching very soon - I'd suggest you get one of the coaches here to help you out and get you as ready as possible.

All the best!

I assume you're referring to the screening test, not the actual first round interview.

If that's the case, I see you've already received some great answers below from Evelina and others. 

One thing I'd add - always, always reach out to the recruiter when you have questions about the format of the interview. 

Why? 

Because the format can differ between roles and offices within the same firm. 

So it's always best to get your info straight from the source.

This forum will then prove super valuable if you want to understand how best to perform once you know what the format is. 

Best,
Cristian