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Bain Pre-Screening Assessment Southeast Asia

Bain & Company
New answer on Mar 20, 2023
6 Answers
1.1 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Mar 19, 2023

Hi everyone! I've just been invited to do a pre-screening assessment for SEA. 

The pre-screening test is composed of the following two parts:

A 25 multiple-choice question test which will give you first-hand experience on practical Bain casework as the test is based on modified Bain cases and designed to assess your approach to problem solving (i.e. strategic thinking and deductive reasoning); and

A video interview consisting of three questions designed to assess your business judgement and thought process.

Questions:

1. What is the best way to prepare for the MCQ test?

2. What questions should i be expecting for the video interview? Behavioural/fit or case studies? 

Overview of answers

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Anonymous replied on Mar 19, 2023

1) The SEA version of the pre-screening usually involves 3 cases and will have you answer 25 questions within 50 minutes. The cases tend to be exhibit-heavy, much like Bain's in-person case interviews. The best way to prepare for this would be to solve cases, especially those with lots of exhibits. 

2) The interview contains 3 questions across both fit and case. Previously, one was allocated 5 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to deliver the answer. My guess would be that it would still be the same. You will have only one attempt at answering each question. 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any more Bain-specific questions!

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17
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 20, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

1) What is the best way to prepare for the MCQ test?

You should have 25 questions in 50 minutes for this part of the case. The candidates I helped said that old McKinsey PSTs / BCG Potential Tests worked well to prepare.

2) What questions should I be expecting for the video interview? Behavioral/fit or case studies? 

They can be both behavioral and case studies. The candidates I helped had both case-related questions (eg “How would you structure XYZ”) and standard fit questions (eg “Tell me about a time when you…”)

If you need help please feel free to PM me, I know 10+ real questions they asked for the video interview part (they tend to repeat them).

Good luck!

Francesco

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Hagen
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on Mar 19, 2023
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the invitation from Bain!

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

  • First of all, the first part of this SEA-specific Bain pre-interview assessment essentially consists of a series of case studies that you solve independently. As such, I would highly advise you to focus your preparation on practicing case studies with peers and by yourself, as this is the most effective way to prepare for it.
  • The video interview will include both questions related to the case studies you've worked on and personal fit questions. As such, in addition to the preparation mentioned earlier, I would advise you to prepare answers for both general and behavioral personal fit questions.
  • Lastly, I would advise you to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions and make use of any practice materials or mock tests that might be available.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming Bain interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

(edited)

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Ian
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replied on Mar 19, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

My advice is to do as many practice tests as possible. That simple!

Search on google for practice tests (free and paid) and do them. Make sure you're truly reflecting on each answer and understanding why you got some wrong/right.

Remember that regular case prep is also immensely useful here (business acumen, industry knowledge, math, charts/exhibit, frameworking, etc.)

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Anonymous replied on Mar 19, 2023

Excellent you are far along in your practise and I find it great that you find so much motivation. I wish you the best in your interviews. On preplounge their is a specific practise collection on quantitative and qualitative answers that you can leverage. Best regards.

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Cristian
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Content Creator
replied on Mar 20, 2023
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

Congrats on being invited to the test!

The reality is that all these tests are very similar. You can find examples of this one online if you google for it. 

But my suggestion would be to take more of a portfolio approach and practice for the skills needed to pass this sort of test, not practice only for the Bain test. This will allow you to be successful with other firms as well. 

Best,
Cristian

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