How hard are GMAT-type tests applied at Bain and BCG before interviewing?

Question

Hello to everyone,

Before anything thanks for your help. During the next month I´ll be applying at BCG and Bain & Company for a roles as Associate Consultant Intern. Recruiting department has notified that before attending to interviews I´ll have a GMAT-type test (Problem Solving section) that will determine my participation in interviews.

I will kindly appreciate if anyone from her can tell me about their experience with these tests. How hard are the problems? Are the questions of the easy type? Prep material?

Many thanks.

Answer 1

Hi Antonio,

I don't have experience about Bain, but I can talk for BCG.

- DIFFICULTY:

Quite challenging, however you don't have to make it 100% right in order to pass. The most important thing is to pay attention to time management.

- SUGGESTED PREP MATERIAL:

1) Keeping your math trained with GMAT exercises is always a good idea. Free resourced can be found online, for example:
http://www.mba.com/global/the-gmat-exam/prepare-for-the-gmat-exam/test-prep-materials/free-gmat-prep-software.aspx

2) Also tests that usually are for investment banks (with graphs analysis) are a useful. Free resourced can be found online, for example:
https://www.tptests.com/Candidate/practice/Instructions

3) Official BGC Potential test examples: https://www.bcg.com/careers/path/consulting/practice-interview-cases.aspx

Answer 2

Hello!

To add on top of what has been said, the best is to practice, practice, practice!

In concrete, with tests, so you can also time yourself, get used to the format, etc.

There are free exams in the internet that you can use for practice (the one of LBS MBA page, Verits prep, as well as some free trials for courses such as the one of The Economist (https://gmat.economist.com/)

The key to success here is not only get practice, but learn techniques.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 3

Hello A!

BCG test includes 23 questions and you will be given about 45 minutes to complete it. This means you will have two minutes to solve each question on average.

The BCG online case is very similar to a regular case the only difference being that your direction in the business case is guided by the questions being asked. So it will be similar to an "interviewer-led" case format. There are a lot of resources online for case solving and all you need to do is Google. If you want to sharpen your case skills in general I would recommend Victor Cheng's Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng and his book.

However, since the BCG Online Case is also a single-choice test, you can also use this format to your advantage. You’ll receive+3 points for correct answers and -1 for wrong answers. Currently, the inofficial cut-off score is below 70-75%.

Message me if you have any other specific questions and all the best!

Best,

André