Hello,
Is Bain SOVA test different for experienced professionals and early-careers?
Also any advice on how to prepare? Does it consist only of 16 questions?
Hello,
Is Bain SOVA test different for experienced professionals and early-careers?
Also any advice on how to prepare? Does it consist only of 16 questions?
To my knoweldge it's the same regardless of role.
They just have different expectations from different roles (benchmarked against your peers).
Also, they will be judging the results together with your CV, cover letter and referrals (if applicable).
Best,
Cristian
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Hi there,
No, they do not differentiate based on who is taking the test. However, the pass criteria are going to be different.
Lucky for you the McKinsey PST, BCG Online Test, Bain SOVA test, etc. are all quite similar so you really can leverage the practice tests for all of them in order to prepare:
The best way is to really find online tests / questions and practice. Regardless as to whether is a new or old test, the principles are mostly the same:
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.
PRACTICE TESTS
The (old) McKinsey PST, BCG Online Test, Bain SOVA test, etc. are all quite similar so leverage resources across all of them.
CHART/GRAPH INTERPRETATION
Best Rote Practice
Rocket Blocks: https://www.rocketblocks.me/
Best Practice Strategy
1) Read the Economist (especially the daily graph and Financial Time frequently
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/05/29/america-first
2) Ask case partners to focus particularly on your chart-reading skills (i.e. by providing you with cases with many charts) - Bain and Deloitte cases tend to be chart heavy
Graph Interpretation Tips
1) Read the title - and understand it
2) Read the legends - and understand them
3) Remind yourself of the objective / hypothesis in the case, to see where this might fit
4) Find the differences - where does the line graph plummet or spike? Which column is a lot smaller or bigger than the others? Where does change occur? The differences are what matter
5) Talk outloud while interpreting - first, it helps you think and process your thoughts, second, it lets the interviewer provide guidance and course correct if needed.
Same test, but different performance levels may be expected.
The same thing applies to case interviews, by the way.
The Bain Sova Test is an aptitude test for applicants to Bain & Company. The test consists of 4 areas and is used at Bain for job interviews in consulting.