This is my first time facing a pre-screening assessment for a consulting firm. I have less than 48 hours to prepare myself for Bain SEA’s pre-screening assessment. Are there any tips to do other than reading Bain’s case studies? I truly appreciate the help!

Hello there!

The SEA version of the pre-screening typically are exhibit-heavy. The most effective way to prepare is by practicing cases that involve multiple data exhibits. Additionally, the interview consists of three questions covering both fit and case components. Historically, candidates were given five minutes to prepare and two minutes to deliver their response for each question, one single attempt being allowed. 

Let me know if you need professional guidance, I have some good exhibit heavy cases to help you with this challenge. I offer a 20min alignment call, an opportunity to get to know your situation better and craft a plan to prepare you for the assessment. If you think that would be useful, just send me a direct message! :)

Best,

Mari

Hi there,

Likely too late now (hope it went well), but for future readers: focus on quant, verbal, and logical reasoning. Bain rotates assessments - SOVA-style, TestGorilla-style, and sometimes with light case elements.

Tips:
• Practice math (logic creation) and data interpretation under time pressure
• Use platforms like AssessmentDay or SHL for realistic drills
• For case-style questions, focus on structuring and interpreting business info quickly
• Don’t over-index on Bain cases - these tests are more about raw problem-solving than typical cases

Cheers,

Florian

Hey! 

Probably late now, but just to share that I was in the same boat before my Bain SEA pre-screen — super short notice, kinda overwhelming. But don’t stress too much — they’re not expecting perfection at this stage. It’s more about showing sharp thinking and potential.

Besides reading Bain’s stuff (which is a good start), here’s what helped me in the final 48h:

• Brush up on quick structuring: Practice 2-3 common case types (profitability, market entry, etc.) just to get your brain into “framework mode.”
• Mental math warm-ups: Nothing fancy, just get comfy with quick %s, growth rates, etc. They sometimes sneak in a few quant-heavy questions.
• Clarity & communication: Even if your structure isn’t perfect, explain your thinking clearly — they really value that.
• Practice mini-cases or drills: If you can, grab a friend and do a few 15-20 min case sprints. I did a bunch of these during High Bridge (the bootcamp I joined) and it was great for getting used to thinking under pressure.

Also, SEA offices sometimes care a bit more about personal fit and communication style than the exact framework, so stay calm, speak confidently, and be curious.

You got this! Let me know if you want some quick structure drills — happy to share a few ideas.