Bain ACI Online Assessment - New this year?

Question

Hi all, I heard that for the 2026 ACI internship for Bain US this year, they are introducing an online assessment component to it. I'm pretty worried about this as I don't have information from my recruiter on what this would be about, I would appreciate any at all resources or any insights into how competitive it is/ what weight it plays to first-round interviews compared to networking, resume, cover letter, referrals, etc.

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Thanks for the question. While I can only bring a perspective from Bain in Asia, I can say that the online assessment should have equal weightage to resume. In my experience recruiting for Bain, cover letter and referrals are not as important as resume, online assessments and of course, the interviews.

Typically, the online assessment results will be used to inform the recruiting team if you should be passed to the first round of interviews.

I’ll let others comment on how exactly the US assessment and scoring system works but you either have to hit a pre-determined minimum score, or above the benchmark score based on others who have taken the same test.

Would recommend reaching out directly to the recruiter again to check on the format of the assessment. All the best!

Answer 2

Hey there!

Yes, Bain has introduced an online assessment for the ACI 2026. It’s a relatively new component aimed at screening candidates early. It usually tests problem-solving, data interpretation, and logic. While not the only factor, it can carry significant weight alongside resume, cover letter, and referrals. Focus on strong fundamentals and practice GMAT-style questions or resources like SHL or Sova.

alessa

Answer 3

Hi there!

I would strongly recommend you reach back to the recruiter and ask for more information about the format of the test. It's absolutely normal for you to ask and it shows that you are interested and want to do well.

Once you understand a bit more about the format they use then you can look for similar tests online to practice.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 4

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the invitation from Bain!

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

First of all, contrary to what other coaches have said, Bain has used pre-interview assessments for years, for both internship and full-time applicants, in the US and all other regions.
Moreover, for at least this year, Bain US has been working with TestGorilla. Please don't hesitate to contact me directly to find out more about it and how I can help you prepare for it.

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 Bain pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen