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Bain Ability Test

Dear community,

could someone share his experience with the Bain Ability Test?

-What is the focus?

-How to prepare best

-Any tipps and tricks?

Thank you in advance!

Best,

Lorenz

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Top answer
Clara
Coach
on Jun 11, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I took it years ago, indeed, and for what I am hearing from my coachees, has not really changed :) 

 It´s very similar to GMAT questions, not only in the focus -math, quick reasoning, etc.- but also in the format. It´s also very time stressful. 

Practice leveraging GMAT materials -particularly the Quant  section. 

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

Giulia
Coach
on Jun 11, 2020
McKinsey | 6+ years in Consulting + Health Tech |Certified High Performance + Systemic Coach | Women Empowerment

Hi Lorenz, 

Personally I haven't made any experience with this test. However, I found some information here: https://www.preplounge.com/de/bootcamp.php/interview-first-aid/master-the-problem-solving-test/which-companies-are-currently-using-written-tests

"The Bain & Company Math test 

The Bain Math test is used less consistently than McKinsey’s PST. While some US offices utilize it, European offices are less likely to do so. Compared to McKinsey, Bain is rather secretive about the contents of the test, the offices that use tests, and whether it is given to all applicants. We have heard of the test being used as both a preliminary screening test as well as part of the first round interviews at several (North) American offices.

The test usually takes the slot of one full interview and consists of about 20 questions. The questions are designed as general math questions as well as GMAT-style numerical reasoning questions."

I hope this helps for the start!

All the best!

Luca
Coach
on Jun 11, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello Lorenzo,

It's something really similar to PST, SOVA or GMAT questions. The best way to prepare is to practice, write me if you need some material.

Best,
Luca

Deleted user
on Jun 12, 2020

Dear Lorenz,

It's very similar to GMAT. 

Best,

André

4
edited on Jun 12, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi Lorenz, 

in addition to the suggestions of other coaches I share some free link to practice with SHL tests, that I consider a great standardized test to prepare the Bain test
- https://www.gradtests.com.au/test/starttest/TestType/2/TestId/45/practice/1
- https://www.wikijob.co.uk/aptitude-test/verbal-reasoning-practice
- https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/sign-up/programme/shl
- https://www.shldirect.com/en/practice-tests
- https://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/jobtestprep/testPlayer.aspx?atr=1&skinid=9&localeSetting=en-GB&sLanguage=en-GB&test_id=E_FreeSHL_Numerical&mode=timed&template=FreeTestTemplate&endURL=%2ffree-shl-numerical-test-results-page&endURLName=Exit+Test&cancelURLName=Exit+Test&cancelURL=signout.aspx&ReturnURL=%2fmaster-ceb-shl-numerical-test&layoutype=1&layoutype=1&testTitle=Free+SHL-Style+Numerical+Test&adPageID=&itemCode=E_FreeSHL_Numerical

Best,
Antonello

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