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Hi everyone, has anyone recently appeared for consultant interview at BCG Copenhagen? If yes, can you tell me the steps?

BCG
New answer on Feb 09, 2021
6 Answers
918 Views
Anonymous A asked on Feb 07, 2021

I have read that they have introduced a IQ test instead of BCG Potential test. Does anyone have any experience with that?
Would there also be an online case study besides the case study interviews?
I would really appreciate any input on this. Thank you!!

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 07, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Most of the online tests are very similar, and test the same skillset. It´s a good thing, since you can prep for them with a very unified approach. Although this may not seem so at first sight since the formats may differ, what is important here -as well as when solving cases- is the core skillset they are tryng to test. This is common, and the most important skills are:

  • 80-20 analysis: capacity to analize, interpret and extract conclusions quickly and in a agile way from a ton of data -of which not all is useful-
  • Analytic and critical thinking: many ways tested with graphs, charts and tables, that you need to understand and derive decisions or insights from
  • Mathematical skills: are always somehow present, for which you need to be fast int he basics

The way to get better is practicing as much as possible with similar exercises -those targeted at the same skillset-. Hence, I would strongly recomment you practice it with the Integrated Reasoning part of the GMAT exam.

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/)

Furthermore, you can leverage the MBB tests (https://www.myconsultingoffer.org/case-study-interview-prep/bcg-online/, https://www.psychometricinstitute.co.uk/Free-Aptitude-Tests.asp, and many others)

Hope it helps!

Best,

Clara

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Ian
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Content Creator
replied on Feb 07, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

I would highly advise you to reach out to HR to find out. The specific screening steps really vary not just by office, but also by role and timing.

Now, that said, I would try not to stress too much about the specific test outline. Why?

Because all of these online tests are quite similar.

Format? Somewhat. Content and what's required from you ability-wise? Not at all.

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.

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

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Anonymous on Feb 07, 2021

Hi Ian, Thanks a lot! That helps a lot

(edited)

Anonymous B updated the answer on Feb 07, 2021

Hi there. I have gone through the Copenhagen BCG recruiting proces, including the test you are referring to. It's not something you should be too afraid of. Quite standard logical test with numerical, reasoning, math and verbal aspects. A good way to practice would be through online IQ/logical tests. And what do you mean by online case study? The case interviews will be conducted through Zoom, but you won't have to do other things/tests. So you begin the day with the logic test and then you have both rounds afterwards on same day (obviously depending on your succes in round 1).

(edited)

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Anonymous A on Feb 07, 2021

Hi Anonymous B, thanks a lot for your response! that helps a lot. Since the logic test is conducted on the same day as case interviews, then are you evaluated together with the results of logic test and case interviews? or the logic test is the round 1?

(edited)

Anonymous B on Feb 07, 2021

They use it to evaluate you when deciding if you go to second round. So Round 1 case interview performance and the test combined. However, from my understanding, the result of the test only plays a role in the decision on rare occasions (if you do very poorly for instance). If you passed the "threshold" of the test (which I believe is that you just don't fail it completely), then however your test result is, it dosn't really play a role in the decision making, even if you scored vey high. So just as long as you do it okay, then there is nothing to worry about. It's really about the case interview performance.

(edited)

Henning
Expert
replied on Feb 07, 2021
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

For these specific questions, I typically also recommend to just ask HR. That's certainly the most up-to-date information and the one that is most applicable to your specific situation (e.g. undergrad, MBA hire, etc)

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 08, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,
there are 4 aspects of the application process you have to focus on:

  • CV and cover letter: prepare impactful documents that highlight your achievements, skills, and motivation.
  • Potential Test: I have dedicated training material for it. Feel free to text me for sharing.
  • Personal Experience Interview: fit and CV questions to assess your personal impact, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial spirit. You should prepare impactful stories about your experiences that cover these 3 main pillars.
  • Case Interview: typical business case to evaluate your structure in approaching problems, problem-solving skills, and business sense. This is the most time-demanding aspect to work on. I recommend reading Cosentino's Case in point to fix the theory. Then, what will be really important is practicing mock cases with other candidates here on Preplounge.

I have supported hundreds of candidates in achieving multiple offers from consulting firms. Feel free to text me to know my approach.

Hope it helps,
Antonello

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 09, 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there,

I confirm that the tests are similar or at least they are supposed to test the same skillset. If you don't want to ask HR, you can just prepare for GMAT and other tests as Imbellus, SOVA, PST and others.

Good luck with your interview!

GB

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