Alle Fragen zum Tag BCG online case - Consulting Q&A - PrepLounge.com

Hi there!

Think of it as a merge of a case and the GMAT/GRE.

You need to be clear on some key case-related and account formulas (margin, growth, breakeven, etc) as well as be good at critically understanding the question (including nuance to questions) and parsing through complicated text with a fair amount of distraction.

You'll also need to be good at chart/graph reading.

There an excellent guide:

https://www.myconsultingoffer.org/case-study-interview-prep/bcg-online/

I also have a practice test - shoot me a message and I can send it your way!

Hello!

In most offices they have implemented the chat bot one already, so I would imagine Singy being one of them.

Hope it helps!

Best,

Clara

Hi Kaschayar,

The BCG Online Case (also called Potential Test in some offices) is a multiple-choice computer test with 23 questions to be answered in 45 minutes. It has one single case only. You receive +3 for each right answer, 0 for no answer and -1 for a wrong answer. Calculators are generally not allowed, but there are exceptions in some countries (you can clarify that with HR for your country).

I recommend the following approach to prepare:

1. Look online for reliable BCG test simulations.
2. If possible, don’t print the sample tests; rather, do the simulations on your computer. The day of the test you won’t be able write notes near the questions or turn pages. If you practice on a paper version, you will find different dynamics the day of the interview that could impact your performance. You should also do all the simulations with a time constraint
3. After each test write down the mistakes you did. You will probably find that the mistakes have something in common – eg wrong math, too much time wasted on some questions, wrong interpretation of graph
4. Work on each area of improvement. Many candidates do these simulations checking only the final score and don’t spend time analyzing the mistakes - thus they don’t improve
5. Once you have done all the BCG test simulations, move to PST practice. You can find a good number of PST tests online. The PST is different from the Potential Test – in the PST there are multiple cases, the types of questions are different and you have more time available. However, it may still help to improve your performance

As additional notes:

• Remember you are penalized for wrong answers - you should adapt your strategy accordingly
• Aim to identify the main areas of improvements already with the first test - the typical ones are math, graph interpretation and ability to absorb information quickly
• Try to distribute the tests between the day you start practicing and the day of the test for constant learning – avoid to do them just at the end

If you want to practice on a real example of a BCG Potential Test, you can find the one I made below:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/bcg-potential-testonline-case-1-13

With this test you will be able to:

• Prepare on the exact same format of the BCG Online Case – 23 questions in 45 minutes
• Identify your possible improvements thanks to detailed solutions for all the 23 questions
• Practice on material tested by multiple candidates who did the test and successfully passed the Potential Test.

Below you can find a screenshot of the test:

If you need additional support after completing it feel free to PM me, I can provide additional tips for free.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

The reason why BCG potential test is so difficult is because of the time constraint.

So what I did was work on any questions from the BCG potential test I could find and try to solve them super quickly. For example, this question should be solved in 30 seconds

"One of the biggest global airlines has decided to buy new aircrafts. The ratio of first class, business and economy seats in the new aircrafts will be 1 to 3 to 8 and the total number of seats will be 240.

Average ticket prices for popular destinations are expected to be €700 for first class, €300 for business and €150 for economy. The average duration of these flights is 3 hours.

First and business customers get free Wi-Fi on board but economy customers need to pay €2 / hour to use Wi-Fi.

Assuming that only 5% of economy customers use Wi-Fi all the time, what are the expected revenues from a flight to a popular destination using a new aircraft at its full capacity?

1. €56,048
2. €56,016
3. €56,480
4. €56,160"

Good luck on the test!

Hello!

Honestly it is difficult to judge without knowing the whole case.

For instance, in my case, I did not have the test as a pre-screening since I was coming from a McK recruiting event in Spain that had hard recruiting before. Hence, there are cases in which indeed it´s waived.

TBH, and I could be wrong here, partner referral does not seem to me as something that would waive the test.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Definitely call the Moscow office, explain your question to the receptionist, and ask to speak to a recruiter.

Everyone seems to believe that consultants are expected to know everything. Not true. You just have to be able to figure it out in the most efficient way possible. In this case, that's probably a phone call.

That being said, I'd bet on English.

Best, Allen

Hello!

All test among companies and in different versions are indeed very similar, at least in what they are testing -and hence, what we need to prep-.

I would strongly recomment you practice it with the Integrated Reasoning part of the GMAT exam.

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 (old) McKinsey PST, BCG Online Test, Bain SOVA test, etc. are all quite similar so leverage resources across all of them.

https://www.myconsultingoffer.org/case-study-interview-prep/bcg-online/

https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests

https://www.psychometricinstitute.co.uk/Free-Aptitude-Tests.asp

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Hi there,

It's quite hard to study for, but the best way is to really find online tests / questions and practice. Even with a new test, the principles are all the same:

• Time management (need to think quick)
• Business knowledge/context (incl key formulas)
• Critical thinking (answers that are very similar to each other...clues "hidden" in the text)
• Ability to interpret data/charts

Think of it as a merge of a case and the GMAT/GRE.

You need to be clear on some key case-related and account formulas (margin, growth, breakeven, etc) as well as be good at critically understanding the question (including nuance to questions) and parsing through complicated text with a fair amount of distraction.

You'll also need to be good at chart/graph reading.

The (old) McKinsey PST, BCG Online Test, Bain SOVA test, etc. are all quite similar so leverage resources across all of them.

https://www.myconsultingoffer.org/case-study-interview-prep/bcg-online/

https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests

https://www.psychometricinstitute.co.uk/Free-Aptitude-Tests.asp

Hi there,

Think of it as a merge of a case and the GMAT/GRE.

You need to be clear on some key case-related and account formulas (margin, growth, breakeven, etc) as well as be good at critically understanding the question (including nuance to questions) and parsing through complicated text with a fair amount of distraction.

You'll also need to be good at chart/graph reading.

There an excellent guide:

https://www.myconsultingoffer.org/case-study-interview-prep/bcg-online/

I also have a practice test - shoot me a message and I can send it your way!

Hi there,

The BCG Online Case - also called Potential Test in some offices - is a multiple choice computer test with 23 questions to be answered in 45 minutes.

It has one single case only. You receive +3 for each right answer, 0 for no answer and -1 for a wrong answer.

Calculators are generally not allowed, but there are exceptions in some countries - you can clarify that with HR if needed.

BCG in Italy doesn’t always require to do the Online Test. Sometimes you will have to do a test similar to SHL. I would recommend to clarify with HR what is the case for you.

If you have to prepare for the Potential Test, I would recommend the following:

1. Look online for reliable BCG test simulations. You can find an example here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/bcg-potential-test-1-13
2. If possible, don’t print the sample tests; rather, do the simulations on your computer. The day of the test you won’t be able write notes near the questions or turn pages. If you practice on a paper version, you will find different dynamics the day of the interview that could impact your performance. You should also do all the simulations with a time constraint
3. After each test write down the mistakes you did. You will probably find that the mistakes have something in common – eg wrong math, too much time wasted on some questions, wrong interpretation of graph
4. Work on each area of improvement. Many candidates do these simulations checking only the final score and don’t spend time analyzing the mistakes - thus they don’t improve
5. Once you have done all the BCG test simulations, move to PST practice. You can find a good number of PST tests online. The PST is different from the Potential Test – in the PST there are multiple cases, the types of questions are different and you have more time available. However, it may still help to improve your performance

As additional notes:

• Remember you are penalized for wrong answers - you should adapt your strategy accordingly
• Aim to identify the main areas of improvements already with the first test - the typical ones are math, graph interpretation and ability to absorb information quickly
• Try to distribute the tests between the day you start practicing and the day of the test for constant learning – avoid to do them just at the end

If you want to practice on a real example of a BCG Potential Test, you can find the one I made below:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/bcg-potential-testonline-case-1-13

With this test you will be able to:

• Prepare on the exact same format of the BCG Online Case – 23 questions in 45 minutes
• Identify your possible improvements thanks to detailed solutions for all the 23 questions
• Practice on material tested by multiple candidates who did the test and successfully passed the Potential Test.

Below you can find a screenshot of the test:

If you need additional support or have any questions on the test please feel free to PM me, I can provide additional tips for free.

Best,

Francesco

Hello!

Unfortunately no, but BCG indeed has info in the web (https://www.bcg.com/en-ca/careers/roles/consulting/interview-resources.aspx), did you check it out?

Cheers,

Clara

Hi there,

I do highly recommend that, in addition to your external research, ask HR what you can expect from the QMT and if they have any recommendations on preparation.

The worst that can happen is they'll say "good luck" :)

Hi there,

1) "Lessons chances a little" Stop being obsessive! Don't worry about this. Your odds are already 5%....if you worry about the additional 1 or 2% change, you're wasting energy.

2) Everything you need to demonstrate/know in "normal" times stays the same. Meaning, don't change any of your prep just becuase it's online. You will still get a prompt, you will still need to read/interpret charts, you will still need to be hypothesis driven, create a solid framework, drive the case, communicate clearly, think in a structured manner, etc. etc.

3) Get comfortable with virtual

• Make sure you have a strong internet connection
• Make sure your sound+video work
• Get multiple monitors so you can look at 3 things at once (1 screen makes thought linear which is tough),
• Have a good desk space and keep using paper for solving the case,
• Make sure you'll be in a quiet space with no distractions
• Still dress for the occasion

​4) Think about COVID-19 implications to your case

You might either be given a COVID-19 case directly, or need to consider its impact. Clara and I have create a few cases to help you feel prepared with this!

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/brain-teaser/beginner/coronavirus-times-covid-19-brainteaser-194

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/chinese-chess-airline-business-during-covid-19-191

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/covid-19-impact-on-heathrow-airport-197

Hi,

I have uploaded both test samples here (Online test is about airlines). I've also added BCG written case sample (Next round) and Bain written case:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zor4m49eyx5qxal/AABeUN6mtiGkWhEklRjszX2Oa?dl=0

(PM me for a password)

As for particular recommendations for online test:

1. Try to find as many people in your country as you can who have done the test. Ask them for the topic, industry, and questions they remember. For example in one of the countries there was a test about airlines and reading a couple of articles / company reports / wikipedia articles with industry terms could significantly improve performance
2. Try to practice tests with strict time-management. McKinsey PST from the official web site and all mck and bcg -like tests you can find online
3. Additional resources can be GMAT Integrated reasoning from the official guides and apps if you feel that you are not p[erforming well
4. As far as I remember calculator is allowed on BCG test. Make sure you know how to simplify calculations and use it fast

Best!

On a seperate note, I have had many candidates recently with COVID-19-related cases. Do make sure you're prepared on this topic!

In case you're interested, I have also recently published two cases related to COVID-19

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/chinese-chess-191

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/brain-teaser/beginner/coronavirus-times-194

I did not sit for this particular test, but a friend very recently did.

This test, which I am sure you know, is different than the regular test that you would do in the BCG office (I think its called the BCG Potential Test?). In a sense I think this resembles more closely to a regular case than a PST.

You will have to do it in a laptop and you are answering questions from a chat bot. You will have <10 questions, which are a combination of multiple choice and explanation (2-3 sentences 'essay', if I can say that) questions, typically based on your choice. You will close with a video interview where you have 1 min will record yourself of the conclusions in the case.

I won't say it is hard, but again questions closely resembling a case without a chance of asking clarifying questions and often times having to choose appropriate answers from a list of choices can be quite confusing (at least for me). I think the best bet to prepare is just to prepare doing regular cases. I doubt the PST practice would be of much help since it is different than the regular BCG potential test.

Hi! See a reply from Vlad in this thread https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-prepare-for-bcg-online-case-1098

Hi,

BCG is replacing written case with the online interviews in most of the countries now. But if you still have one:

I've uploaded some samples here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zor4m49eyx5qxal/AABeUN6mtiGkWhEklRjszX2Oa?dl=0

(message me for a password)

The best way to prepare is the following:

1. Check if the calculator is allowed. So far it was. If not - you have to train mental math. I posted the main tips here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/tips-to-do-big-multiplications-in-my-mind-726#a1422
2. Prepare for a regular case interview - it helps a lot. Basically, prep lounge website is about it
3. Practice making slides. Look for publically available MBB presentations for reference. Good books are "Pyramid Principle" and "How to make it with charts"
4. Practice reading cases fast and prioritizing the information. I found useful two sources:

• Written cases you'll be able to find in google or in case books. I've seen a couple in "Vault Guide to the Case Interview" and "Insead Business Admission Test"
• Harvard cases - either buy or try to find online. You can find a couple of MIT cases here for free: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/LearningEdge/Pages/Case-Studies.aspx Unfortunately free cases don't have the prep questions.

The appropriate structure for BCG written case is:

Slide 1: Context, Objective, Recommendations

Slide 2-4: Analysis (Usually 1 slide with a table, 1 slide with graphs and 1 slide with pros and cons)

Slide 5: Next steps or risks & mitigation

Good luck!

Hello!

Regarding the interviews, it´s going to be the usual: FIT + Business Case + Q&A. The topic of each case, as well as the style in which it is conducted, will totally depend on the interviewer. Hence, each person will have a completly different experience.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara