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

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,

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,

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.

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,

Your domain should not necessarily be in business. However, what's important - it should be outstanding (have achievements in the field).

Also think of the referral. There are certain criteria for the referral:

1. The consultant makes you a reference in the system and uploads your resume. Usually, he has to indicate why he thinks you are a good candidate
2. You skip some steps in the recruiting process (CV screening at McK, Test at Bain)
3. The consultant gets a referral bonus ($) if you get a job offer

As you can see simply mentioning a person in your CL does not change the process at all.

The conversion to reference will be higher among consultant / manager level people who are still interested in the referral bonus. The basic idea is to ask these people for a mock interview.

Here are some tips on how you can do that:

1) Leverage your own network - find friends or friends of friends who can practice cases with you or make you a reference.

2) Attend company events. Consulting companies do a lot of events both for graduates and experienced hires. Find the social network groups related to consulting or websites, subscribe to newsletters and stay tuned. Also, check if they have events in your University since you are a PHD.

While some of the events will be open to everyone, others will require a resume and a cover letter, so make sure to prep.

3) Talk to people on the events and send Thank You notes. After each event, there is a Q&A session where you can talk to consultants 1 on 1 or in a group. Ask for contact info or send a thank you note after the event ("I just wanted to thank you for visiting our University... It was especially interesting to hear about... Would be happy to keep in touch and apply in the nearest future.). Alternatively, you may use linkedin for that. If you are an experienced hire I strongly suggest to ask for a 1 on 1 meeting in a thank you note.

4) 1 on 1 meetings. All people like giving an advice. So don't hesitate to ask consultants for a career advice. Tell your story and ask how consulting fits into it

5) Mock interview Depending on where you are in your prep process you may ask a consultant for a mock interview. Consultants are very much opened to help even if it is a cold call e-mail. The main problem is a lack of time on their side. So don't be afraid to remind about yourself if the consultant has already committed but finds it hard to find the time

6) Talking to partners If you are an experienced hire I suggest to talk directly to the partners in your industry or the partner responsible for experienced hires (in consulting partners also have additional roles). Get an intro from the HR or from your friends working there. Partners care a lot about experienced hires with relevant industry expertise. Chances to get referral are much lower though. They also will not be interested in giving mock interviews.

7) If you are an MBA graduate Just talk to your section mates and ask for a reference or a mock interview - they will be happy to help. Make sure you attend all the consulting events.

Good luck!

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

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

First, do the sample ones on the website.
Once you complete them, let me know. I can share additional sources for free.

Hi there,

Having worked for Dubai Office for 2 different projects and also worked with many candidates got an offer from Dubai Office, the first time I am hearing that the final round is consisting online test.

Calculators are not allowed for that test, I can provide you useful resources to prepare for. Feel free to message me.

I strongly recommend you to reschedule your interview date. Happy to talk about how you can do it in detail.

Best
Serhat

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

Between 5 and 10% probably. They shoot up when you get invited to a 2nd round, probably somewhere around 20 to 30%

PS: A rejection says nothing negative about you. Every year, MBB knows they reject tens of thousands of smart and qualified applicants, who will likely go on to have very solid careers of their own. There are simply more good people than they can take, and consultancies mostly just try to limit the number of false positives, the good applicants who don't perform well once inside.

Actually - just getting an invitation says a lot about how solid your background and motivation / ambition are. I'd love to see an analysis of the average growth and earnings potential of graduates vs. candidates vs. 1st rounders.