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If I was rejected by one Bain office after the Sova Assessment, but my application was transferred to my second-priority office, does that mean I failed the assessment and the second office will also reject me?

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Margot
Coach
on Nov 08, 2025
10% discount for 1st session I Ex-BCG, Accenture & Deloitte Strategist | 6 years in consulting I Free Intro-Call

Hi there,

Not necessarily. Bain sometimes shares application materials between offices, but each office runs its own recruiting process and makes independent decisions. The fact that your application was transferred is actually a good sign: it means the first office didn’t automatically reject you from the system.

The Sova assessment result might still be valid for both offices, but one office can interpret it differently or decide to move you forward based on overall fit and hiring needs. 

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Emily
Coach
on Nov 09, 2025
Ex Bain Associate Partner, BCG Project Leader | 9 years in MBB SEA & China, 8 years as interviewer | Free intro call

Hi there, 

Not really. Did they transfer you before or after your rejection? If they transferred your application to another office after you failed the first office, you likely would still have the chance to go through the process / be considered again. Otherwise they won't transfer you. 

Best,

Emily

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Jenny
Coach
on Nov 09, 2025
Buy 1 get 1 free for 1st time clients | Ex-McKinsey Manager & Interviewer | +7 yrs Coaching | Go from good to great

Hi there,

Not necessarily as sometimes offices have different hiring needs or timelines. Also, a transfer is actually a good sign that your profile meets the bar but perhaps for a particular reason, that office does not need you, and not that there's a mismatch for the company as a whole. The second office will likely review your full application again, including the assessment, before deciding.

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Pedro
Coach
on Nov 09, 2025
BAIN | EY-P | Most Senior Coach @ Preplounge | Former Principal | FIT & PEI Expert

My understanding is that the second office showed interest in your profile, but the first didn't.

Profile picture of Cristian
on Nov 11, 2025
Ex-McKinsey | Verifiable 88% offer rate (annual report) | First-principles cases + PEI storylining

Typically, if you fail the assessment, your application isn't transferred. 

So if they transferred it, they might've just assumed it was more relevant for that office. It doesn't have to reflect on your performance in SOVA. 

Hope you hear back from them soon and get some clarity!
Best,
Cristian

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Alessa
Coach
edited on Nov 11, 2025
MBB Expert | Ex-McKinsey | Ex-BCG | Ex-Roland Berger

hi! 

not necessarily. Each office can make independent decisions. A rejection from one office after Sova doesn’t automatically mean the second office will reject you...they may still consider your full profile and assessment results differently.

best,
Alessa :)