Should I take a GMAT course to prepare for the entry tests of MBB

Question

Hey there,

This is the second time I failed the McKinsey Imbellus test. I could not pass the CV round of BCG, so I have to wait 12 - 18 months later to reapply.

I am thinking about taking a GMAT class and taking a GMAT test to prepare for the MBB test? Do you think it is a good idea or am I wasting my time and money? I have already had an MBA from Durham University in the UK, but the business school did not require a GMAT test.

Is there anyone here providing the course that covers the test part? I see that most of the courses here cover only the interview parts.

I appreciate your response. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hello,

There is some material online where you could get the prep tests (incl. Preplounge). I would advise you to prep with these, instead of GMAT - because the questions in GMAT don't provide business context (as well as charts) like the MBB tests.

Best,

Deniz

Answer 2

Hey,

There are several online resources you can take to prepare for the McK Imbellus test. You can also take 2-3 free GMAT tests online. It might help to practise times mathematical and logical reasoning questions.

I'll be happy to review your CV for BCG/Bain and other consulting companies if you'd like.

Answer 3

Hi,
with the GMAT you would over-prepare it. I recommend instead the SHL standard

Here some free link to practice with quantitative part of SHL test
- https://www.gradtests.com.au/test/starttest/TestType/2/TestId/45/practice/1
- https://www.wikijob.co.uk/aptitude-test/verbal-reasoning-practice
- https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/sign-up/programme/shl
- https://www.shldirect.com/en/practice-tests
- https://www.jobtestprep.co.uk/jobtestprep/testPlayer.aspx?atr=1&skinid=9&localeSetting=en-GB&sLanguage=en-GB&test_id=E_FreeSHL_Numerical&mode=timed&template=FreeTestTemplate&endURL=%2ffree-shl-numerical-test-results-page&endURLName=Exit+Test&cancelURLName=Exit+Test&cancelURL=signout.aspx&ReturnURL=%2fmaster-ceb-shl-numerical-test&layoutype=1&layoutype=1&testTitle=Free+SHL-Style+Numerical+Test&adPageID=&itemCode=E_FreeSHL_Numerical

Best,
Antonello

Answer 4

Dear A,

There are 2 types of BCG and Bain tests:

1. GMAT-like test with questions similar to GMAT
2. Online Test that is based on a case and has the questions closer to PST

So, I would recommend you to:

• Practice GMAT for BCG and Bain

1) Keeping your math trained with GMAT exercises is always a good idea. Free resourced can be found online, for example:
http://www.mba.com/global/the-gmat-exam/prepare-for-the-gmat-exam/test-prep-materials/free-gmat-prep-software.aspx
https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat

https://www.mba.com/-/media/files/mba2/assessments/2018/gmat/gmat-handbook-2020-07-10.pdf?la=en&hash=9DCAD3E9A43EEE7B520C84327FBEC6F399A72D82

2) Also tests that usually are for investment banks (with graphs analysis) are a useful. Free resourced can be found online, for example:
https://www.tptests.com/Candidate/practice/Instructions

3) Official BGC Potential test examples: https://www.bcg.com/careers/path/consulting/practice-interview-cases.aspx

Practice PST. You can find some guidance on PrepLounge https://www.preplounge.com/en/bootcamp.php/interview-first-aid/master-the-problem-solving-test/guide-to-improving-speed-in-written-tests-such-as-the-pst

McKinsey PST is the hardest one, so I recommend starting and tracking your prep using PST materials. If you have good results with PST, other tests are not a problem. For this you can:

• Buy Viktor Cheng test prep program - best materials I've seen so far.
• Practice your math.
Do the 2nd test and check the score

Also you can find a good number of PST test online

Best,
André

Answer 5

Hi Anonymous,

Taking a full GMAT class is definitely WOMBAT (waste of money, brains and time).

For the McKinsey PST specifically the following chapters are helpful in addition to prepare (but best preparation is basically doing old PSTs from previous years..):

Critical Reasoning
Problem Solving
Data Sufficiency
Integrated Reasoning

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote below!

Robert

Answer 6

Entry tests to MBB are very similar GMAT. You can practice a lot of free exercises to be prepared. There are some recommendations:

1) Keeping your math trained with GMAT exercises is always a good idea. Free resourced can be found online, for example:
http://www.mba.com/global/the-gmat-exam/prepare-for-the-gmat-exam/test-prep-materials/free-gmat-prep-software.aspx
https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat

https://www.mba.com/-/media/files/mba2/assessments/2018/gmat/gmat-handbook-2020-07-10.pdf?la=en&hash=9DCAD3E9A43EEE7B520C84327FBEC6F399A72D82

2) Also tests that usually are for investment banks (with graphs analysis) are a useful. Free resourced can be found online, for example:
https://www.tptests.com/Candidate/practice/Instructions

3) Official BGC Potential test examples: https://www.bcg.com/careers/path/consulting/practice-interview-cases.aspx

Does it make sense to you?

Cheers,
GB