I completed my second-round interview (Associate Position) for the BCG ME office a few weeks ago and just heard that they would like me to return for a final interview.
When I asked for feedback on my previous interviews, I was told that both received very positive remarks, which is why they are moving me forward.
What should I expect in this third round? Does being moved to this round affect my overall chances?
Hi there,
First of all, congratulations on the progress in the application process with BCG thus far!
I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:
You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.
If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming BCG interview, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.
Best,
Hagen
Hi there,
Passing the first 2 rounds is a great achievement already. Well done!
If the standard practice is only 2 rounds and this 3rd round is unexpected, usually it could be due to (1) there are some different views amongst the interviewers and they want to validate again with another view, or, (2) you are as strong as other candidate who also passed the first 2 rounds, but there is limited spot they can offer and they need to make a choice.
Regardless of the reason (and there is no need to trying to dig that), just focus on doing a case well, same as what you have done for the past 2 rounds. Before interview, check out how senior is the 3rd round interviewer - if it is a Partner or above, sometimes the case can look a bit less structured. However the fundamentals of how to problem solve remain the same. Feel free to reach out if you need help on some less structure / more fluid type of case mock, I have a couple.
Best,
Emily
Hey there,
Congrats on passing the first round!
95% of partner rounds are just as standardized as the first round, yet be prepared to expect everything. Sometimes they are more conversational and friendly, only with light-touch evaluation, other times they are more challenging. Usually, they are the same and cases are not more difficult or follow a different path.
The reason why you read about freestyle partner experiences is that they deviate from what people expect, hence they post about it more frequently online, hence giving others the impression it is much more common. Also, a lot of case interview prep websites group cases into first and final-round interview cases which is total BS (telltale sign that they have no clue).
Additionally, partner rounds are often perceived as more challenging, just because it's a partner sitting across the table rather than a more junior colleague. It is purely based on the impression and not on the content. :-)
If there are any deviations from the standard interviewer guidelines, expect them to be in the following realm:
In any case, the most important thing is not to be startled by this and just keep working on the case and fit in a calm manner.
All the best for your final round!
Cheers,
Hi there,
Q: What should I expect in this third round? Does being moved to this round affect my overall chances?
From your question, it is unclear if the third round was planned initially or not. If it was not planned (meaning, the second round should have been the final one to make a decision), it might be due to the fact that one of the interviewers had some doubts about your performance and they want to check the doubts with an extra interview.
If instead this is a standard final round, this is simply the standard next step of the process after passing the previous round.
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Regarding what you should expect, a final round normally has the same structure as the first round (fit + case + your questions).
In a final round, the interviewers might:
To prepare, you can work on the following:
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Extra reading:
▶ How to Prepare for a Consulting Interview
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Good luck!
Francesco
You have to take what is given to you at face value. You have no way of knowing otherwise on what your 'true' performance is.
In terms of the third round, you will be tested on the same fundamentals. Nothing changes. So, if you have good fundamentals, it really wont matter who your interviewer is, how they end up conducting the interview etc.
All the best!
Hi,
The third round contains the same elements like previous rounds (behavioural and case interview). The main differentiator is the seniority of the interviewer. For the behavioural interview, they are going to focus more on the FIT you have with the specific firm.
For the case interview, cases are presented in a less structured, with more ad-hoc questions on the side, where it's even more important to switch gears keeping the high-level overview and giving very actionable solutions.
If interested, I have real 3rd round interview cases we can practice together.
I am available via chat or we can schedule a 15m free intro call.
Mattijs
Hey there,
Generally, there is no difference in the nature of the case interview across rounds, but there is when considering the seniority of the interviewer.
So expect similar to what you've been through in the other rounds from a case and fit structure perspective, but with Partners - your business judgement, maturity, common sense, personality and fit, etc. matters more - so make sure you have a good positive inflection on these elements!
All the best in that round! :-)
Congratulations on making it to the final round! This is a great sign, especially with the positive feedback you’ve received. Here’s what to expect:
1. Partner Interviews:
2. Behavioral Questions:
How does this affect your chances?
Being invited to the final round means BCG sees you as a strong candidate. They’re validating earlier impressions, but competition is still tough as every finalist is highly qualified.
How to Prepare:
1. Refine Your Personal Story: Tailor it for senior partners, emphasizing leadership and results.
2. Polish Case Skills: Focus on leading cases with minimal guidance and delivering clear, strategic insights.
3. Understand the ME Office Context: Familiarize yourself with regional industries and challenges.
You’re in a strong position—stay confident, be sharp, and connect well with the interviewers. Good luck!
Hey!
Final round interviews can be slightly more challenging than earlier rounds. Expect a mix of case interviews and a deeper personal fit discussion, focusing on leadership, impact, and problem-solving under pressure. Partners often test your ability to think independently and push back on your ideas, so confidence and structured thinking are key. The fact that you received positive feedback and were moved forward is a great sign, but the final round is still highly selective. Stay sharp, refine your problem-solving approach, and be ready for broader business discussions. Let me know if you need help prepping! 😊
Alessa
Hey!
Congrats on getting through to the final round! I had the final of BCG ME last year. In terms of what to expect:
1) More of the same case wise but expect unconventional cases e.g. Public Sector
2) Pressure testing to see how you deal with stressful situations - Partners tend to ask for further examples once you have provided a response to say a creativity/brainstorming questions - 'okay, what else' , 'okay, what else'
3) Focusing on your weaknesses in previous rounds - if you've struggled in quant previously then they will make sure to test that further in the final round, so make sure you get feedback from your first interviews!
Best of luck!
Will
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