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Ben

on Aug 28, 2018

Global

What are the differences between BCG potential test with McKinsey PST?

I want to know the details of the different aspects from BCG potential test compare with McKinsey PST.

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Egor

Coach

on Aug 29, 2018

Collected McKinsey & BCG offers/ Ex-McKinsey consultant/Harvard/WBS/MSU

Hi Ben,

Both BCG and McK tests are similar: there are 4 stories with a pack of analysis attached. It includes graph analysis part, calculations, synthesis for each story. However recently BCG started using GMAT-like questions in their test.

To be honest, if you pass McKinsey PST, you will definitely pass BCG test. This works vice versa as well. For specific exapmles of BCG and McK tests you can use the following link:

BCG: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4tl5123a2uh17cg/AADFvljqkdM26p7KfigctHdTa?dl=0

McK:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v7tddzu6y0z4uaj/AACjBpMKQLcD9E_1Jh0O5hHea?dl =0

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3 comments

Anonymous A

on Oct 31, 2019

Not necessarily true - I passed BCG’s with flying colors whilst failed McK’s. I think McK’s is considerably harder due to multiple different “stories” that we need to understand, whilst BCG’s is a long continuous story that just builds on. So for the latter I dont have to reset my mind and start from scratch, its a lot easier. Also for BCG in my country we are allowed to use calculator, whilst its not the case with McK

Anonymous B

on Dec 12, 2019

Hey Ben,

Daniel

on Dec 12, 2019

Where do you have the dropbox files from, is it freely available on the website or is it insider data for which one would normally pay ? Thanks a lot

Marco-Alexander

Coach

edited on Sep 05, 2021

Former BCG | Case author for efellows book | Experience in 6 consultancies (Stern Stewart, Capgemini, KPMG, VW Con., Hor

…

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Anonymous

edited on Sep 04, 2020

Dear A!

McKinsey PST is the hardest one, so I recommend starting and tracking your prep using PST materials. If you have good results with PST, other tests are not a problem. For this you can:

• Buy Viktor Cheng test prep program - the best materials I've seen so far.

• Practice your math.

Do the 2nd test and check the score

Also, you can find a good number of PST test online

For the BCG test you can prepare the following way:

1) Keeping your math trained with GMAT exercises is always a good idea. Free resourced can be found online, for example:

http://www.mba.com/global/the-gmat-exam/prepare-for-the-gmat-exam/test-prep-materials/free-gmat-prep-software.aspx
https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat https://www.mba.com/-/media/files/mba2/assessments/2018/gmat/gmat-handbook-2020-07-10.pdf?la=en&hash=9DCAD3E9A43EEE7B520C84327FBEC6F399A72D82

2) Also, tests that usually are for investment banks (with graphs analysis) are useful. Free resourced can be found online, for example:

https://www.tptests.com/Candidate/practice/Instructions

3) Official BGC Potential test examples: https://www.bcg.com/careers/path/consulting/practice-interview-cases.aspx

Best,

André

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