Boston Consulting Group Assessment Tests

Careers at Boston Consulting Group

Boston Consulting Group recruits high-calibre, experienced professionals, inviting lawyers, doctors, engineers and other industry specialists to apply. Areas of speciality include IT, marketing, legal, finance and design, and a range of roles are available within each area.

‘Exceptional’ students or recent graduates are encouraged to apply for a summer internship to benefit from mentorship, and to determine whether they are suited to a career with BCG.

Women are championed at Boston Consulting Group, with a career development and mentorship programme that encourages female employees to reach their full potential within the company.

Some of the specific careers available at BCG are:

• Software Engineer
• Digital Strategist
• Risk Management Team
• Administrative Assistant
• Retail Sales
• GeoAnalytics Specialist
• Human Scientist

Employees share positive reports of generous company benefits such as protected vacation time, on-site gyms and copious opportunities available for personal and professional development.

The recruitment process at BCG is rigorous and highly competitive, with a strict minimum requirement of AAB at A Levels (or equivalent) and a 1st Class or 2:1 Bachelor’s Degree in any subject.

BCG also takes into consideration any additional awards, scholarships, prizes or achievements, so be sure to sell yourself to help you stand out from other applicants.

The vast range of careers on offer at BCG means that the recruitment experience can vary. Applicants typically hear back within three weeks of applying and can expect several rounds of interviews.

Online application form

An online application form can be found via the BCG website or relevant recruitment agency. In addition, candidates are also asked to submit a CV and cover letter, and can specify three locations in which they’d like to work. All three offices will review the application.

Screening telephone interview

If your application is accepted, you will move onto the next stage of the process: a telephone interview with an HR representative. This is a simple screening call to further clarify that you are a suitable candidate for progression.

BCG Aptitude Tests

BCG Potential Test

Graduates are required to take a BCG Potential Test, designed to assess your skills in analysing data and applying the conclusions to a real-world scenario. These important skills are necessary for a successful career at BCG, so candidates must demonstrate a natural aptitude for this type of activity before progressing.

The test presents 23 questions to be completed within 45 minutes. Many candidates do not manage to answer all the questions, and it’s worth noting that wrong answers generate a deduction in marks whereas an unanswered question does not. So take your time to answer carefully, rather than panicking about completing within the time frame.

No prior experience is required – just the ability to apply logic and reasoning to a problem. An understanding of basic mathematical principles is essential.

The content is made up of three types of question: logical reasoning, numerical reasoning and deductive reasoning.

For numerical reasoning questions, the candidate must read data from a graph, chart, or list, and interpret the data to answer a multiple-choice question. Logical reasoning questions present a series of combinations of shapes, requiring the candidate to predict the next in the sequence. Deductive reasoning involves making logical assumptions based on the facts and information presented.

Assessment centre

Applicants may be invited to an assessment centre, where they will be presented with case studies and scenarios to work through, both independently and with other candidates.

Assessors are looking for good communication skills, the ability to work harmoniously with people you have only just met, and signs of potential leadership qualities.

It’s crucial you speak up confidently during this stage to demonstrate your abilities and avoid being overshadowed by competitors. You may also be asked to give a presentation, allowing your interviewer to gauge how you articulate yourself and perform under pressure.

Final interview

The final interview is split into two rounds: one led by a member of the consulting team and the other by senior company partners.

This final stage consists of a personal interview to assess behavioural responses, and a case study that presents a hypothetical scenario for the candidate to analyse and solve.