Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Case Interview: Everything You Need to Know

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) takes a hypothesis-driven and collaborative approach to its case interviews. While McKinsey’s format is interviewer-led and Bain’s is highly candidate-led, BCG sits somewhere in the middle, combining flexibility with a strong emphasis on structured problem-solving, creativity, and logical hypothesis testing.

In this guide, we’ll walk through BCG’s interview format, what makes BCG cases different, how to master the math and exhibits, and how to prepare for the behavioral portion. You’ll also learn how to use case-prep.com’s full suite of MBB-style cases, drills, and networking tools to prepare effectively and outperform the competition.

BCG Interview Rounds

BCG typically conducts two rounds, which include both case and behavioral components:

First Round:

• Two 45-minute interviews with Project Leaders or Principals.
• Each includes one case and a brief behavioral discussion (usually around teamwork or motivation).

Final Round:

• Two to three interviews with Partners or Managing Directors.
• Cases may be broader or more conceptual.
• Expect deeper probing around thought process, logic, and ability to adapt under pressure.
• Behavioral section often involves more reflective leadership-style questions.

Online Case (Casey) at BCG

In addition to live in-person or virtual cases, BCG increasingly uses an online assessment tool often referred to as the “Casey Chatbot” (also “Casey Online Case” or “BCG Online Case”) as part of its early screening process. Here’s what you need to know about Casey and how it affects your preparation:

What Casey involves

• Typically a 25-30 minute chatbot “case” where you answer 6-10 questions (multiple‐choice, short‐answer, data interpretation) and then record a 60-90 second video with your recommendation.
• The questions mimic many skills tested in a live case: problem structuring, quantitative reasoning, business intuition, and exhibit/chart interpretation.

• Because it’s online and algorithm-driven rather than with a human interviewer, some nuances differ: less opportunity to ask clarifying questions, stricter time pressure, and required self-recorded summary.

Why it matters

• If you are applying for BCG, you may face Casey before or in parallel with traditional case rounds — so you cannot assume only live human-interviewer cases.
• Preparing only live case style isn’t sufficient because the interface, time constraints, and question modality differ.
• Your preparation should include simulated online/case-chatbot style drills as well as traditional case interviews.

How to prepare for Casey

• Practice working under very tight time limits with no interviewer feedback and multiple-choice/short-answer formats.
• Simulate the self-recorded presentation at the end: prepare to deliver a concise recommendation within a minute.
• Ensure your tech (camera, internet, environment) is clean and reliable whenever you practice the video part.
• Use drills that replicate data interpretation, multiple-choice business questions, and rapid structure updates.
• Your live case practice still matters because the same skills (structuring, quant, synthesis) underpin both formats — but adapt to the online format as well.

What Makes BCG’s Case Interview Unique

BCG emphasizes hypothesis-driven thinking, encouraging you to start with an initial direction and refine it as new data emerges. Unlike McKinsey, the interviewer will not strictly control the flow nor spoon-feed sub-questions. Unlike Bain, you don’t have full free rein — the interviewer may step in periodically to redirect or challenge assumptions.

Key features of BCG cases include:

• Hypothesis-driven reasoning (state and test assumptions early)
• Creative problem-solving, especially for market entry or transformation cases
• Heavier use of complex exhibits (e.g., multi-layered charts or matrices)
• More focus on qualitative insight generation beyond just the numbers
• Expectation that you adapt your structure dynamically as new data arrives

The 6 Steps to Cracking a BCG Case Interview

1. Clarify the Objective

Ensure alignment on what success means for the client. BCG often explores long-term strategy, so clarity is key.

2. Present a Flexible, Hypothesis-Driven Structure

Build a MECE approach but anchor it around an early hypothesis like, “I believe declining profitability may be driven by rising operating costs or declines in volume. I’d like to first explore cost drivers to verify this.”

→ Try the Framework and Hypothesis Drills on case-prep.com to develop this instinct.

3. Explore the Case and Refine Your Hypothesis

As you uncover data, refine or pivot your hypothesis. BCG interviewers love candidates who say things like, “Based on this exhibit, I’d now shift my hypothesis toward pricing issues.”

4. Master BCG-Style Math

BCG often includes multi-step calculations that test conceptual understanding (e.g., how margin shifts affect breakeven or how volume growth interacts with pricing).

→ Build stamina using our Case Math Drills, tuned for BCG complexity.

5. Analyze Complex Exhibits

BCG frequently uses layered exhibits that require synthesis, not just reading numbers. You must identify what matters most — the “so what” — and link it back to your hypothesis.

→ Practice this with Exhibit Analysis Drills designed around BCG-style visuals.

6. Deliver a Sharp, Insight-Driven Conclusion

Recommendations should address the hypothesis, explain core drivers, and suggest next steps with business logic and high-level impact estimates.

BCG Behavioral / Fit Interview

BCG behavioral questions often revolve around leadership, problem-solving under ambiguity, adaptability, and collaboration in complex environments.

They tend to probe:

1. Leading through ambiguity
2. Influencing stakeholders
3. Working under analytical pressure
4. Solving a problem creatively
5. Taking ownership of an outcome

Unlike McKinsey’s PEI or Bain’s True North-style cultural screening, BCG wants to see how you think — particularly how you logically approached a challenge and iterated toward a solution.

→ Practice these stories in mock interviews via the Networking Hub.

BCG Case Examples: Common Themes

Past candidates report BCG cases around:

• A telecom firm entering a new emerging market
• A startup scaling a subscription-based platform
• An airline optimizing route profitability
• A global retailer digitizing its supply chain
• A pharmaceutical company evaluating R&D investment strategy

BCG also frequently features transformation, digital innovation, and sustainability-related strategy questions.

→ Our MBB-Style Case Library includes BCG-like cases with structured answers.

The 10 Most Common BCG Fit Questions

1. Why BCG?
2. Why consulting?
3. Tell me about a time you solved a difficult problem.
4. Describe a time you had to adapt your approach.
5. Tell me about a time you influenced someone without authority.
6. Give an example of when you had to prioritize under pressure.
7. Describe a time you used data to drive a decision.
8. Tell me about a challenging team situation and your role in resolving it.
9. Walk me through your resume.
10. What questions do you have for me?

BCG Interview Tips

• Frame early hypotheses and refine them openly as data comes in.
• Be structured but flexible — don’t treat your framework as rigid.
• Verbalize your reasoning clearly during math and exhibit analysis.
• Let insights emerge through logic, not guesswork.
• Practice synthesizing complex charts into one key takeaway.

Best Resources to Prepare for Your BCG Interview

case-prep.com provides a full preparation journey designed around BCG’s analytical and hypothesis-driven style:

1. BCG-style Cases & MBB Case Library – including hypothesis-based prompts and multi-layered exhibits.
2. ‍Case Math Drills – ideal for navigating multi-step calculations under pressure.
3. ‍Exhibit Analysis Drills – focused on extracting insights from complex visuals.
4. ‍Brainstorming & Market Sizing Drills – train structured creativity for BCG’s strategic cases.
5. ‍Networking Hub – connect with other BCG candidates to practice real cases and fit questions.