BCG Pymetrics Games: How to Prepare?

1st round Bain Bain & Company BCG bcgtest Boston Consulting Group consulting needed Online Assessment partner pymetrics test The Boston Consulting Group
New answer on Oct 11, 2023
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Anonymous A asked on Oct 27, 2018

Has anyone taken the new pymetrics test? There are lot of things being assessed by these consulting firms such as Bain and Accenture. While it is noted that there is no ‘right or wrong’ answer. I believe there are certain traits that appeal to them more from a cognitive, emotional, and social perspective. I know it can’t be gamed necessarily but I’m still curious if there is any guide on what matters more to be a fit at a firm like Bain

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Originally answered question:

Bain Pymetrics Test (2021)

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 02, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

I'll let others comment regarding the test format itself, however here are my thoughts on preparing for it, as well as a couple of other helpful Q&As.

=============================================

In essence, don't try to game personality/culture match tests.

Why?

1) Those tests are designed to measure fit. If you're cheating the game you're actually cheating yourself (hard to see when you're in it, but trust me, you don't want to go somewhere you don't belong)

2) You can't predict/outsmart these things. Given that, would you rather fail knowing you answered completely honestly and true to yourself OR, fail knowing you were ungenuine and just said what you thought they wanted? Imagine not getting in, based on answers that weren't you, and always wondering if you'd be in if you were just yourself!

Other Q&As:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/bcg-pymetrics-test-did-not-do-too-well-on-the-genorosity-test-since-i-misunderstood-the-game-will-it-hurt-my-chances-7795

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/pymetrics-test-altruism-9251

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Originally answered question:

Any advice for BCG Pymetrics

Nathaniel
Expert
replied on Nov 18, 2019
McKinsey | BCG | CERN| University of Cambridge

Hello there,

Pymetrics is utilized as a way for companies to assess prospective candidates' personalities and capabilities through neuroscience-based gamified tests.

The assesed soft skills garnered through the test is a crucial element of consideration which interviewers typicaly aimed to evaluate during the case interviews, as such the result themselves would be very important as an indicator for the firm .

The only question here is until what extent Pymetrics results has proven to be accurate.
Hence, the importance of cross-checking such findings with direct observations.

Based on my experience, looking at the equivalent PST from McKinsey and SHL tests from other firms, there is actually a vast room for discretion on the preliminary tests results.
It is used in combination with a prospective candidate's CV, which usually weighted much heavier than the online test.

Additionaly, Pymetrics results indicates one's soft skills capabilities such as the ability to concentrate, multi-task, or resolve conflict. There is no one preferred model throughout all the assesed elements as each people would have a unique set of combinations.

My advice here is to approach the test with a clear mind, aiming to do your best, without trying to mold yourself to a 'perfect consultant', as technically there is none. The firm requires different sets of skills to complement each other.

Hope it helps.

Kind regards,
Nathan

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 05, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Not only in the German offices, this is pretty common - I did something very similar with Bain myself back in the day-.

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, 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

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous replied on Nov 12, 2018

Hi there,

interesting to see that these tests are rolling out. These are quite new (at least at Bain, don't know about Accenture), so I think even for the companies themselves it is still a testing phase where they are learning how useful and accurate these tests can be. Although they do attempt to map out psychological traits, there is of course not a 'standard model' of who you should be. Companies using those are probably themselves trying to understand what are the traits that can predict a good consultant.

Now some types of questions in there do score you on e.g. how good your memory or reactivity is (like some of those computer games that give you your 'brain age'). You can probably become better at them by playing those kind of game/tests, but in my opinion that will not be the best use of your time. If you want to 'game' part of the process, probably best to practice cases and quantitative tests ;)

So bottom line, and as you mention, it's not really something where you'll be right or wrong, and moreover it's not something that will really count vs. interviews and quant tests. Hope this helps a bit!

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Sep 03, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

It's important. However, I recommend asking your classmates (ex MBB) to refer you to an on-campus recruiter. That's the best way to guarantee an on-campus interview.

Best!

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

Hi, I confirm it is important. For additional material to prepare it, feel free to text me

Best,
Antonello

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 07, 2020
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Pymetrics is the test that not only Bain but in some offices use.

It's a kind of psychology/ psychometric driven test where your cognitive treats are tested. So the following aspects like your attention, how fast you make a decision, what is your risk tolerance, your judgment. Just an example, you will be shown different colored balloons, and when a green balloon is popped up, you do nothing and when the red balloon is popped up you press Enter, randomly these balloons will be popped up to see whether you would be able to focus. it's like 2-3 minutes games and 10-15 min depending on the test conducted in this kind of test.


There is no specific preparation required. It's a game test.

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GB

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Frederic
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 11, 2023
ex Jr. Partner McKinsey |Senior Interviewer| Real Feedback & Free Homework between sessions|Harvard Coach|10+ Experience

Ping me a DM for some material. Warm regards, Frederic 

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Anonymous F replied on Nov 30, 2020

Hey there,

did you take the test? Cause I received an invitation for as well and wanted to know if you could tell me more about your experience

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Ian gave the best answer

Ian

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