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BCG written case: a)are calculators allowed? b)do you write slides or make PPT? c)how much time for analysis?

BCG second round USA written case
New answer on Mar 01, 2021
4 Answers
2.4 k Views
Phil asked on Apr 20, 2019

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Serhat
Expert
replied on Apr 20, 2019
BCG | Kellogg MBA |82% Success rate| 450+ case interview| 5+ year consulting | 30+ projects in ~10 countries

Hi there,

First please confirm all these with the company. You will have the most accurate answer.

You can expect to have 2 hours to read 40 pages document, Answer 2-3 questions and prepare your 2-3 slides. Then you can have 20 minutes for presentation and Q&A. Typically you should prepare your slides on paper and you are not allowed to use a calculator.

Feel free to reach if you have further questions or if you would like to practice written cases.

Cheers

Serhat

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Jacopo
Expert
replied on Apr 20, 2019
Project leader BCG, Bain and A.T. Kearney / 200+ real interviews

Hi,

Format might be slightly different depending on location. In general:

  • Are calculators allowed: yes
  • Do you write slides or make PPT: write slides
  • How much time for analysis: 2 hours (to read the material provided, digest it, make calculations, generate insights and prepare the slides)

Best,

Jacopo

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Apr 22, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Calculators are allowed and it's written slides. You have 2 hours.

I've uploaded some samples here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zor4m49eyx5qxal/AABeUN6mtiGkWhEklRjszX2Oa?dl=0

(message me for a password)

The best way to prepare is the following:

  1. Prepare for a regular case interview - it helps a lot. Basically, prep lounge website is about it
  2. Practice making slides. Look for publically available MBB presentations for reference. Good books are "Pyramid Principle" and "How to make it with charts"
  3. Practice reading cases fast and prioritizing the information. I found useful two sources:
  • Written cases you'll be able to find in google or in case books. I've seen a couple in "Vault Guide to the Case Interview" and "Insead Business Admission Test"
  • Harvard cases - either buy or try to find online. You can find a couple of MIT cases here for free: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/LearningEdge/Pages/Case-Studies.aspx Unfortunately free cases don't have the prep questions.

The appropriate structure for BCG written case is:

Slide 1: Context, Objective, Recommendations

Slide 2-4: Analysis (Usually 1 slide with a table, 1 slide with graphs and 1 slide with pros and cons)

Slide 5: Next steps or risks & mitigation

Good luck!

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 01, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!
I wwould confirm this with HR, is the best go-to.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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