Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

What formulas to use during the BCG Online Case?

When posed with a BCG Online Case question, I often can't think of what formula to use to solve it. What should I study?

4
4.1k
46
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
on Apr 30, 2024
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
edited on Aug 29, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

the most common formulas you need to know as part of the interview process are:

  • Breakeven point
  • Rule of 72 (usually related to calculation of CAGR)
  • Perpetuity formula and general NPV formula

Besides that, you should be familiar with simple and compound interests.

If you find challenging to structure something different from that, I would recommend to post the questions for which you find difficult to understand the formula for further support.

Additionally, if you want to prepare in the best possible way for the BCG Online Case, I created a guide exactly for that:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/tests-2/bcg-online-case-secrets-69

Best,

Francesco

on Mar 06, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

I recommend reading this article: https://www.preplounge.com/en/bootcamp.php/case-cracking-toolbox/practice-your-basics/math-skills-required-in-case-interviews

Hope it helps,
ANtonello

Clara
Coach
on Mar 07, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Most people worry a lot about this, when actually there is no advanced math required in case interviews, but calculating quickly is a real challenge-  

Nearly all the math required in case interviews is arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. You will likely need to perform these calculations with percentages, decimals or fractions, and calculate a percentage value (which requires division). Most candidates understand these math concepts; the challenge for many people is performing multiple calculations with large numbers quickly and without calculators or spreadsheets, in a high-pressure environment with a six-figure salary and your future career on the line.

Hence, it´s more about the agility and ability to keep the orders of magnitude than complicated formulas. 

Cheers, 

Clara

Similar Questions
Consulting
McKinsey's PEPI vs. BCG's PIPE? Which is stronger?
on Mar 20, 2024
Global
6
4.1k
Top answer by
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
124
6 Answers
4.1k Views
+3
Consulting
How to prep 1st round of interviews with BCG in less than 1 week?
on Jul 29, 2024
Global
9
9.4k
Top answer by
Tiago
Coach
ex-BCG Consultant & Interviewer | +150 interviews | Tackle any case w/o memorizing frameworks | Harvard MBA
350
9 Answers
9.4k Views
+6
Consulting
BCG Knowledge DIRECTOR SALARY
on May 31, 2024
Global
6
2.7k
Top answer by
Florian
Coach
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU
80
6 Answers
2.7k Views
+3
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
Thanks for your feedback! Your opinion helps us make PrepLounge even better.