MDP feedback, All perfect but had problem communicating business reasoning and using right words

Question

Hello

I passed 5 IVs now for BCG and had no major comment, But in my 1st IV in final round the feedback was He would fit the team, problem solving and structure was perfect etc.

But only comment was on my communication which was had problem communicating business reasoning and using right words, and this is because he asked a trick question at last in case and didnt get it so i rumbled and said wrong hypos then i asked for min to structure and then came back with right answer but seems still wasnt synthethitic or proper communication.

Way i said it the to answer X, there are 2 reasons, 1, 2

Question is whether this is deal breaker for junior associate role and how to improve for my last MDP IV

Answer 1

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the progress in the application process with BCG thus far!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

First of all, this feedback might not be a deal breaker, but it's important to address it.
Moreover, in order to to so, I would advise you to practice structuring all answers, if meaningful, and expressing them concisely. For example, use a recorder to listen to, evaluate, and improve your answers as often as needed to make them perfect.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming BCG interview, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 2

Hey there :)

The feedback suggests that while your problem-solving and structure were strong, the issue lies in articulating your business reasoning clearly and succinctly. From my experience, I would judge effective communication as essential for JAs, but it doesn’t seem like a dealbreaker if you can show improvement in the next interview. Here’s how to improve:

Stay Structured: Instead of rambling, pause before answering. Summarize your reasoning clearly: "To address this, I see two key factors…"
Practice Clear Synthesis: When explaining your reasoning, be concise. Avoid jargon and focus on communicating insights in simple, logical terms.
Clarify Assumptions: If faced with a tricky question, clarify the assumptions upfront. This shows logical thinking even if you need more time.
Mock Interviews: Practice under time pressure with peers or a coach, focusing specifically on how you communicate business logic and conclusions.

Wishing you luck!

Alessa

Answer 3

Hello there,

From your context, yes it could be a dealbreaker if you don’t show notable improvement in your final interview.

On the plus side, you can relatively easily solve this by communicating in a structured manner across the fit and case sections. Some cues you can adopt in scenarios where your structure isn’t already obvious are:

Top-down comms: Introduce high-level details first before going details. Also, you should present first layer of your structure before going to the 2nd and so on
Numbered lists: Adopt a numbering scheme when you need to mention multiple items (1,2,3,… or Firstly, secondly,…)
Opposites: This could serve as a shortcut for quick lists when you have limited time e.g. financial vs non-financial risks

If you find yourself in a tight spot where you run the risk of being unstructured, you can simply request a couple of seconds to smoothen your delivery (e.g., I have a couple of thoughts but could you give me 15 seconds so I can be structured enough?)

Feel free to reach out for a brief chat on this.

Fathu

Answer 4

Hi there,

It does not sound like a big enough weakness that would lead to a rejection, especially if it only happened during one interview, considering that the rest of the feedback was really positive.

For the next interview, make sure to keep your communication on point:

Top-down
Number and signposting
Qualification of your points

All the best,

Florian