Oliver Wyman Problem Solving Test (SEA)

Question

Hi everyone,

So, Oliver Wyman has been using the Problem Solving Test (PST) since last year's recruitment in South East Asia. Since, I'll be having that particular test next week, as such, do you have any information on the format or type of questions?

Do you think what will be the most suitable resources I can leverage to prep for that test? Is it GMAT Quant/Reasoning, McKinsey PST, or other numerical tests?

The only information I got from the recruiter is there will be 26 questions that should be completed in 20 minutes (scientific calculator is allowed)

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello!

The online quant test are indeed very similar among them and hence, better to prep.

However CAREFUL, since the OW one has the fame of being the taughest one and with a lot of time pressure.

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/)

The old McKinsey PST, 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.psychometricinstitute.co.uk/Free-Aptitude-Tests.asp

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 2

The online tests across companies are very 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

Answer 3

Which position are you applying to? I've applied to OW in Singapore for an entry-level position and was just asked to do a hirevue video interview but not PST.