Hi there,
First of all, I would check if you have to do the Potential Test or the Online Case Experience (Chat Bot version). In both cases, the industry is not important compared to preparing on some of the points below.
POTENTIAL TEST
The BCG Potential Test - also called Online Case in some offices - is a multiple choice computer test with 23 questions to be answered in 45 minutes.
It has one single case only. You receive +3 for each right answer, 0 for no answer and -1 for a wrong answer.
Calculators are generally not allowed, but there are exceptions in some countries - you can clarify that with HR if needed.
I recommend the following approach to prepare:
- Look online for reliable BCG test simulations. You can find an example here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/bcg-potential-test-1-13
- If possible, don’t print the sample tests; rather, do the simulations on your computer. The day of the test you won’t be able write notes near the questions or turn pages. If you practice on a paper version, you will find different dynamics the day of the interview that could impact your performance. You should also do all the simulations with a time constraint
- After each test write down the mistakes you did. You will probably find that the mistakes have something in common – eg wrong math, too much time wasted on some questions, wrong interpretation of graph
- Work on each area of improvement. Many candidates do these simulations checking only the final score and don’t spend time analyzing the mistakes - thus they don’t improve
- Once you have done all the BCG test simulations, move to PST practice. You can find a good number of PST tests online. The PST is different from the Potential Test – in the PST there are multiple cases, the types of questions are different and you have more time available. However, it may still help to improve your performance
As additional notes:
- Remember you are penalized for wrong answers - you should adapt your strategy accordingly
- Aim to identify the main areas of improvements already with the first test - the typical ones are math, graph interpretation and ability to absorb information quickly
- Try to distribute the tests between the day you start practicing and the day of the test for constant learning – avoid to do them just at the end
If you want to practice on a real example of a BCG Potential Test, you can find the one I published below:
https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/bcg-potential-testonline-case-1-13
With this test you will be able to:
- Prepare on the exact same format of the BCG Potential Test – 23 questions in 45 minutes
- Identify your possible improvements thanks to detailed solutions for all the 23 questions
- Practice on material tested by multiple candidates who did the test and successfully passed the Potential Test.
Below you can find a screenshot of the test:

CHAT BOT VERSION
The Online Case Experience (also called Chat Bot Case) is a new 8-question test BCG started to use in 2019 globally. It is structured in 2 parts:
- 8 questions to be taken in 25 minutes
- 1 video interview question at the end, where you have to provide a recommendation
There are some variations in some countries, which is why sometimes you hear it is a 10-question test. The 8 question format is the most common though.
The main differences compared to the previous version (BCG Potential Test) are the following:
- 8 questions instead of 23
- 25 min instead of 45
- No negative points
- Calculators allowed
- Presence of open questions
- Video sum up at the end
The general logic though is similar to the old test.
I helped several candidates who did the chat bot test and succeeded in it. The main challenges based on their feedback are:
- Time. Questions are not particularly difficult, however you will feel time constraints also due to the fact you don’t know how difficult could be the next questions - thus how much time they may require.
- Implication --> Try to practice PST and/or BCG Potential Tests with a strict time constraint
- Math. Candidates usually find the math challenging
- Implication --> Many candidates said the old BCG Potential Test is the one resembling the most the math required
- Chat bot interaction. Unlike a test like the McK PST, you cannot proceed “at your own pace”. You will have to follow the evolution of the test. In that sense, it is not dissimilar from the old BCG Potential Test, where information was revealed step-by-step
- Implication --> Practice on PST/Potential Tests working questions by questions, without skipping any
Please feel free to PM me for more info.
Best,
Francesco