Hi, can somone recommend good preparation material for the BCG online case? (Written Test in Germany)

BCG BCG online case written case
New answer on Mar 12, 2021
8 Answers
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Sascha
Skilled
asked on Apr 08, 2020

Hi,

I have my interview with BCG Germany in 4 weeks and would like to prepare for the Online Case, i.e. the written case. I solved the one that they have sent me. But I have trouble finding good material that comes close to the real test format. Any good recommendations?

Best regards,

Kaschayar

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Apr 09, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

BCG is replacing written case with the online interviews in most of the countries now. But if you still have one:

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. Check if the calculator is allowed. So far it was. If not - you have to train mental math. I posted the main tips here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/tips-to-do-big-multiplications-in-my-mind-726#a1422
  2. Prepare for a regular case interview - it helps a lot. Basically, prep lounge website is about it
  3. Practice making slides. Look for publically available MBB presentations for reference. Good books are "Pyramid Principle" and "How to make it with charts"
  4. 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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Zoe on Jul 04, 2020

Hi Vlad, where can I find the password for the dropbox?

Anonymous A on Oct 03, 2020

Hello, can you please share the password with me

Laurenz on Oct 25, 2021

Hey Vlad, could you please share the password with me ?

Anonymous C on Nov 12, 2021

Hello, can you please share the password with me? Thanks

Alena on Dec 30, 2021

Hello Vlad, would you mind sharing the password for the file you created with me as well, as I am preparing for the Interview in Germany as well. Thank you!

Daniel
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 08, 2020
McKinsey / ex-Interviewer at McKinsey / I will coach you to rock those interviews
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Kevin
Certified
replied on Apr 08, 2020

hi, I took the test this year in Germany and can recommend the practice tests from igotanoffer - very important to practice solving 23 q's in 45 minutes. The practice tests on PrepLounge are not really realistic - one is too easy and the other one way too hard.

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 09, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I found it similar to GMAT. I would strongly recomment you practice it, since normally it´s very different from the things you have seen before, particularly the data sufficency part, focused on:

  • Graphs
  • Charts interpretation
  • Multi-questions from one short business statament complemented with graphical information

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/)

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 10, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello Kaschayar,

I have done myself the test, and I have some material that could help you. Feel free to write me if you are still looking for good sources.

Best,
Luca

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Anonymous B replied on Mar 12, 2021

Was wondering if the test in English or German for German office?

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 30, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi Kaschayar,
case preparation will be the classical one with 2 additional points to focus on:

  • 80-20 prioritization: quickly navigate an important amount of data to find what really matters to the case resolution;
  • Executive summary: develop 1-2 pages to present that sum-up the problem and your recommendations.

I have a couple of well done written cases, feel free to text me for sharing.

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Anonymous replied on Apr 29, 2020

Hello Kaschayar!

The BCG online case is very similar to a regular case the only difference being that your direction in the business case is guided by the questions being asked. So it will be similar to an "interviewer-led" case format. There are a lot of resources online for case solving and all you need to do is Google. If you want to sharpen your case skills in general I would recommend Victor Cheng's Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng and his book. Message me if you have any other specific questions and all the best!

Best,

André

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Vlad gave the best answer

Vlad

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
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