All questions tagged bcgtest - Consulting Q&A - PrepLounge.com

Hi,

I have uploaded both test samples here (Online test is about airlines). I've also added BCG written case sample (Next round) and Bain written case:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zor4m49eyx5qxal/AABeUN6mtiGkWhEklRjszX2Oa?dl=0

(PM me for a password)

As for particular recommendations for online test:

1. Try to find as many people in your country as you can who have done the test. Ask them for the topic, industry, and questions they remember. For example in one of the countries there was a test about airlines and reading a couple of articles / company reports / wikipedia articles with industry terms could significantly improve performance
2. Try to practice tests with strict time-management. McKinsey PST from the official web site and all mck and bcg -like tests you can find online
3. Additional resources can be GMAT Integrated reasoning from the official guides and apps if you feel that you are not p[erforming well
4. As far as I remember calculator is allowed on BCG test. Make sure you know how to simplify calculations and use it fast

Best!

Hi there

Good news: if you solved the sample one easily, you can expect to have similar performance at the real one.

I can provide you more sample tests to practice for free. Feel free to reach me.

Serhat

Hi,

There are 3 types of written tasks you may have:

• Math test - GMAT-like math test
• Online test - problem-solving test with a business situation
• Written case - they give you a case and you have to make a presentation

As you can see there is no "Online case". I also have never heard of BCG giving both Math Test and Online test. However, you should double check with the interviewer

I have uploaded all test and written case samples here (Online test is about airlines, the written case is about wine):

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zor4m49eyx5qxal/AABeUN6mtiGkWhEklRjszX2Oa?dl=0

(ask me for a password)

Best!

Let me know your questions.

Cheers, Sidi

Usually the fit questions of your interview will be approximately 10-15minutes long. The answers may differ greatly - it’s not about the amount of time you answer, but rather the quality.

Answers should always be structured, start with the direct answer to the question and then build into greater detail to give concrete examples or further details to what your initial statement was. Always be sure to back it up! For example, don’t just say you’re a team player, make sure you also say why you are one.

Prepare by making a list of usual fit questions and preparing your personal answers for them.

Choose topics that complement what your interviewer already knows about you through your resume and cover letter.

Hope pé it helps,

João

I second what is mentioned before; a lot of practice is the best way to learn and prepare for these tests! Good luck.

Hi,

I did it in germany two weeks ago. It was about consumer goods (beverage). I found it way tougher than the one I got from BCG to practice.

Hello Dominik,

I did it at the Milan office and it was a case related to an aircraft company. It's not a standard business case, but there are several GMAT-like questions that asks you to read charts and to do qualitative reasoning.
It was years ago but some candidates told me recently that it's not changed.

Hope it helps,
Luca

Hello,

The score is just one of the elements to evaluate your profile and take a decision.
Anyway, HRs told me that a very good score would be 80% of correct answers (in this case 19).

Best,
Luca

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

Hi İrem,

GPA is important but not the only criteria of CV assessment. Uncommon backgrounds like yours are being more and more appreciated in recent years, especially in BCG. As I mentioned some minutes ago to another candidate (https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/help-needed-5216), international and entrepreneurial experiences are the aspects recruiters want to find in the best applications. Therefore your activities have been assessed as extremely interesting :)

Now focus on case preparation!

Good luck,

Antonello

Hi Irem,

I was in a similar (yet a reverse) situation. As a Turkish citizen, I applied for the Istanbul office, and since I was based in London, I had my first round in the London office (via a videoconference with the Turkish team).

You will most likely be invited to do the first round at the Istanbul office in Kanyon, and will speak with the London team via a videoconference. Surely, if you prefer to fly to London to take the interviews, you may do this at your own expense. BCG typically flies candidates in for the final stage of interviews.

Best,

Deniz

Hi!

You can find one here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zor4m49eyx5qxal/AABeUN6mtiGkWhEklRjszX2Oa?dl=0

(message me for a password)

Best!

Hi Felix,

I did the test a couple of weeks ago in Germany. The case example is comparable to the one you will receive on the actual interview day. While I prepared I checked which questions were the hardest / easiest for me. Based on this knowledge I answered the questions on the online test and did not answer the difficult ones since you will get a reduction of -1 for each wrong answer.
I guess you should make your own 'personal' strategy. I did not answer all question in the online test and still got to the final round.

All the best

Hi Ezzat,

the answer may depend on the office you are targeting, but in general BCG video interview questions tend to be focused on:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why BCG
• General question on the current economic environment

Besides that, I would prepare on the standard fit questions; some of the most common ones include:

• Why consulting
• Give me an example when you led/had to work in a team
• Tell me about a time when you had to convince someone not agreeing with you
• What has been your major achievement so far
• Why should we hire you

Best,

Francesco

Hi Anonymous,

consulting companies regularly hire people from engineering background. They also hire straight out of college, thus you don’t necessarily need to have working experience besides internships to be considered.

In terms of the application, the most important thing to look for is a referral; you can find some suggestion on that at the link below:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

In terms of the interview preparation I would recommend the following:

1. Define a calendar for your preparation. Identify how many hours you have before your expected interviews, then allocate a time slot for preparation in your calendar for each day, working on the following points.
2. Read Case In Point or Case Interview Secrets for a general understanding of what a consulting interview is. Don’t focus on the structures proposed in the books though, as they are not good enough nowadays.
3. Start reading good MBA Consulting Handbooks – you can find several for free online (Insead is a good one to start). Read the cases and try to apply your structure. Whenever you see there is something missing, upgrade your structure with the new insides. Try to read at least a new case per day – in this way you will absorb a lot better the information with constant learning. Structure your remaining daily preparation with at least 5-10 minutes per day for each of the following: market sizing, fit questions and mental math.
4. After you have read the first 10 cases in books/handbooks and basic theory, start to practice live. There is a relevant part of the interview score that is based on your communication, which you cannot practice at all if you read cases only. Keep track of your mistakes and see if you repeat them. If so, try to identify the source of the mistake (feedback of experienced partners would be particularly useful for this). Be sure to focus on both fit and case.
5. Once you feel you are not improving anymore, if you have a tight time constraint or if you want a realistic assessment of your level, consider using support from experts to strengthen your performance
6. Before the interview, be sure to prepare your questions for the interviewer – great way to show you prepare in advance and to connect more with the interviewer for a good final impression.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

There is no specific type of case for the position or the round. Happy to offer you free 15 min call before your interview to provide you my perspective.

Best

Serhat

Hi there,

Although companies sometimes provide feedback proactively, sometimes they do not. However, it is very important to learn the feedback and it looks like you are aware of that.

Is it normal that they do not answer? No, it is not but sometimes it happens. Those people are receiving many emails and it is possible that sometimes they miss some of those. You may want to send a reminder email.

Best

Serhat