Hi there,
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:
- 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.
PRACTICE TESTS
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
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.
Hi there,
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:
- 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.
PRACTICE TESTS
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
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.