Alle Fragen zum Tag analytical test - Consulting Q&A - PrepLounge.com

My top tips for the written case are:

1. The trick to written cases is to have a filtering system to find the data you need from the worthless data, and of course, recognising that not all the data is useful. Written cases mirror cases done in case-method schools like Harvard. Lots of data is provided in those cases, but not all is useful. Your job is to find the useful data and that means having a framework upfront.
2. THERE IS NO ONE “RIGHT” ANSWER; THERE ARE MANY POTENTIAL ACTIONS YOU COULD TAKE. The goal is for you to present a persuasive recommendation and participate in a discussion about how to improve the client
3. Be concise. Have your key messages outlined in your summary. Save the details for your discussion.
4. Be pragmatic. Craft a recommendation that can actually be implemented by the client.

In order to prepare yourself for written cases I recommend the following:

1. Read articles in the FT, Economist, etc. then summarise the three key points or 'takeaways' from the articles. This will get you really good at scanning info and pulling out the most important factors.
2. Practice going through written cases under high time pressure - synthesise a recommendation.
3. Present your recommendation to someone and get feedback on your ideas and clarity of expression.

Hi Anonymous,

I don't believe that there are clear "you skip step x" things for most firms. Already for the reason that the organisation has to protect itself against nepotism, favouritism and for compliance reasons. In some firms, you may be invited without a more thorough screening, but that's where the skipping ends.

But, as you rightly said, it helps to give your application an extra bit of attention that can make all the difference. The organisation implicitly trusts people working for it, so a referral will give you a bit of a head start in the interview process. Depending on the level of the referrer (Partner vs. Analyst), that can be more or not so much.

In any organisation that I have seen, there are some key players or power brokers whose judgement or recommendation is highly respected by their colleagues. "If X recommended the guy, I can almost trust that blindly. Her recommendations are always spot on." If your recommendation comes from such a person, especially in smaller companies/offices it may even take your application from a default "NO" to a neutral or even default "YES"

So to sum up: It definitely can't hurt, but there's also no "If this... , then that..."

Cheers

Elias

Hi,

I recommend using the following sources to train math and critical reasoning:

Fast math skills

• Rounding up and down
• Learn how to multiply double digit numbers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ndkkPZYJHo)
• Learn the division table up to 1/11 (i.e. 5/6 = 83.3)
• Learn how to work with zeros using powers (e.g.: 4000000 = 4*10ˆ6)

Use math tools (Mimir math for iOS), Math tool on Viktor Cheng website to practice

Math and Critical reasoning

• GMAT test CR, IR and quant parts (Official guide and Manhattan prep)
• Refresh basic topics like statistics, probabilities etc (Any GMAT or MBA prep guides)
• Try Mckinsey practice tests to train speed
• Try PST like tests from the web

Best!

This will vary across regions. In the DACH region, Roland Berger runs an electronic intelligence test. This test spans three categories, each divided into three sets of questions:

1. verbal
   1. finding word pairs
   2. completing word sequences
   3. completing sentences
2. numerical
   1. completing number sequences
   2. inserting mathematical operators
   3. calculating in your head
3. figural
   1. assembling cut-up figures in your head
   2. rotating dice in your head
   3. completing matrices

Your result will be benchmarked (I think) against a sample of high schoolers. Your relative ranking will determine whether you passed or didn't. People seem to struggle the most with the matrices, the rest is more than doable with preparation.
However, during my 1st round interviews, I was told that they are phasing out the intelligence test and replacing it with an adaptive aptitude test comparable to the GMAT. I advise checking back with HR about what type of test you will be facing.

Hi Anonymous,

the type of tests depend on the company you are interviewing with. The most common used I am aware of are:

• McKinsey: PST, or more recently SHL
• BCG: Potential test, or sometimes SHL + a logic test based on traffic lights color (two or more traffic lights are connected by codes; each code change a color of the traffic light; one of the code is broken and you have to understand which is the broken one)
• Bain: Not common in Europe, sometimes present in other countries. In Russia and Australia: written test; in America: GMAT style test
• Oliver Wyman and OC&C: GMAT style math test, sometimes in person, sometimes online

PrepLounge also provided a pretty complete list here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/bootcamp.php/interview-first-aid/master-the-problem-solving-test/which-companies-are-currently-using-written-tests

Each one has its own criteria, and in general the best kind of preparation is to prepare in advance on the same type of test – for all of them you should be able to find free and paid version online. Preparing just on GMAT for - say - McKinsey PST is not recommended, you would not cover all the aspects of the test.

Some general tips on analytical tests that can be useful are:

• Commit to a time for each question, and go on if you surpass that time. If you do not set discipline, you will end eating too much time for some questions (these tests sometimes are actually structured to have some questions it is better to skip and review at the end). If time and test allows, you can then go back to the questions at the end.
• Practice a lot of math before – it is normally a key component of all the tests
• Use elimination process when in doubts in multiple choice question
• For PST, Potential test and Written test: Practice graph interpretation
• For PST, Potential test and Written test: Practice quick reading and quick understading of key information only

Finally, it is important you understand in advance if you get penalized for wrong answers (eg Potential Test) or not (eg PST), that may change your strategy.

You can also find a pretty comprehensive list of tips here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/bootcamp.php/interview-first-aid/master-the-problem-solving-test/guide-to-improving-speed-in-written-tests-such-as-the-pst

Hope this helps; if you have any specific questions on one of the mentioned tests feel free to ask.

Best,

Francesco

The Roland Berger analytical test is a classical IQ test, consisting of different parts. This is how it looks like:

1. Verbal Part
1.1 Complete incomplete sentences
1.2 Analogies (Hat:Head --> Shoe:?)
1.3 Finding categories (6 items are given, can be clubbed into 3 categries)

2. Numerical Part
2.1 Mental math, solving equations
2.2 Complete number sequences
2.3 Fill operators into given equations

3. Figural Part
3.1 put together disassembled figures
3.2 Turn dices
3.3 Matrices

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Sidi

Hi,

There are 2 types of BCG tests:

1. GMAT-like test with questions similar to GMAT
2. Online Test that is based on a case and has the questions closer to PST

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

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!

Hi A,

es ist ein standardisiertes Assessment Tag (von 9:00 bis ca. 18:00) mit mehrstufigem Interviewverfahren, inkl:

• CV Screening und Personal Fit
• Test
• 2 cases am Vormittag
• Lunch
• Nach dem Lunch machen die übrigen einen Gruppen case, wo die Interviewer "Board of Directors" spielen und Euch challegen.

Falls es für Dich noch aktuell ist, melde Dich gerne.

Viel Erfolg!

LG

André

Hi,

I recently (April 2019) completed and passsed the PST. I thought it was as challenging (in terms of length and case types) as the three samples posted on the official McKinsey website.

Hi,

The Bain test is heavy on chart interpretation with a few words, as well as numerical computation and reasoning. It is important that you are familiar with this type of question and practice consulting math on a regular basis.

My recommendation to prepare is to:

• Practice with the BCG potential test (it is very similar to Bain’s and will help a lot) and MCK test as well. You can easily find samples of these tests online and Preplounge also developed an interesting list here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/bootcamp.php/interview-first-aid/master-the-problem-solving-test/which-companies-are-currently-using-written-tests Also, do not hesitate to get in touch privately if you want some additional samples
• Train consulting math skills (there is a section on Preplounge as well)
• Time yourself while practicing (time is probably the biggest challenge)

As an additional note, Bain also uses two maths tests to screen candidates in some countries (and you might want to use them as a practice). One is largely based on GMAT and includes 15 critical reasoning, data sufficiency and problem solving questions to be answered in 25 minutes. The other one is very similar to MCK PST and BCG Potential Test and contains 2 business cases to be answered in 45 mins. These tests have been used only in South America so far. You can find some examples to practice here (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k4akdv138j7ma3d/AAAuKT3OyPWO0aZ8h2v8ZQo4a?dl=0) but I haven't heard them being used in Europe, North America, or Asia (yet).

Hope this helps,

Best,
Jacopo

Dear User,

thank you for your question.

It's a "GMAT-style" reasoning test with multiple choice answers and you are not allowed to use a calculator. The test is divided into three sections: verbal, numerical and figural.

Best,

Yves

Dear user,
The analytical test is part of our recruiting process for all Consulting Analyst/ Junior Consultant/ Consultant entry levels.
As already said, time pressure might be an issue, so try to be fast. But I'm sure you can do it! The test is 90 minutes and has three parts. It's a "GMAT-style" reasoning test (multiple choice) and you are not allowed to use a calculator.

This depends on the office you are applying for, as McKinsey's rules on the PST differ by geography (and in some cases have changed recently).

For example, to intern in London, the PST is mandatory, but in Germany you do not need to do it.

In terms of taking the PST, you will take it after you apply and if you pass the first round of Resume screening. You will receive instructions from the office you are applying to similar to attending an interview. If McKinsey is recruiting on your campus, it is possible they will host a PST session at your university, or alternatively ask you to take it in the nearest McKinsey office to your school.

Hope that helps!

Hi,

I recommend using the following sources to train math and critical reasoning:

Fast math skills

• Rounding up and down
• Learn how to multiply double digit numbers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ndkkPZYJHo)
• Learn the division table up to 1/11 (i.e. 5/6 = 83.3)
• Learn how to work with zeros using powers (e.g.: 4000000 = 4*10ˆ6)

Use math tools (Mimir math for iOS), Math tool on Viktor Cheng website to practice

Math and Critical reasoning

• GMAT test CR, IR and quant parts (Official guide and Manhattan prep)
• Refresh basic topics like statistics, probabilities etc (Any GMAT or MBA prep guides)
• Try Mckinsey practice tests to train speed
• Try PST like tests from the web

Best!