The BCG online case and chatbot interview is difficult. It is a case interview that takes place completely online without an actual interviewer giving you the case. Instead, a chatbot named Casey will be your interviewer.

 

If you have an upcoming BCG online case or chatbot interview, no need to stress out because we have you covered.

 

In this comprehensive article, we’ll cover exactly what to expect in your BCG online case and chatbot interview, how to perform well on it, and how to prepare for it in advance.

 

If you’re looking for a step-by-step shortcut to learn case interviews quickly, enroll in our case interview course. These insider strategies from a former Bain interviewer helped 30,000+ land consulting offers while saving hundreds of hours of prep time.

 

What is the BCG Online Case or Chatbot Interview?

 

The BCG online case, also known as the BCG Casey or Chatbot Interview, is a new iteration of the traditional case interview format developed by BCG. Candidates are given a series of questions in an interactive chat format, simulating a real case interview.

 

Key features of the BCG online case or chatbot interview include:

 

• Chatbot interaction: Candidates engage in a conversation with a chatbot named Casey, which presents questions and prompts responses in real-time

 

• Time limit: The test typically lasts 45 minutes and includes 20+ questions. Candidates face significant time pressure as there is no option to pause the test once it begins

 

• Various question formats: Questions can be in various formats, including multiple-select multiple choice, single-select multiple choice, long-text freeform, and short-text freeform

 

• Final self-recorded presentation: After completing the chatbot interview, candidates are prompted to record themselves presenting their final recommendation for the case within a strict time limit

 

Overall, the BCG online case aims to simulate a realistic case interview scenario while leveraging technology to provide a convenient and accessible assessment method to evaluate prospective BCG consultants.

 

Format of the BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview

 

The BCG online case or chatbot interview lasts 45 minutes and includes 20+ questions. There are five question formats: multiple-select multiple choice, single-select multiple choice, long-text freeform, short-text freeform, and self-recorded video.

 

On the actual online case, you will find that your screen is divided into two sides. On the left, you will find the questions and the multiple-choice answers. On the right, you’ll find the information and data needed to answer the question.

 

You are free to move forward and backwards through the online case as needed and may change your responses at any point before your time runs out.

 

1. Multiple-select multiple choice

 

In this format, candidates are presented with a question and a list of options from which they must select multiple correct answers. The number of correct answers may vary and the question may not indicate how many options should be selected.

 

2. Single-select multiple choice

 

Similar to the multiple-select format, candidates are presented with a question and a list of options, but they can only select one correct answer. Candidates must choose the one answer that best addresses the question.

 

3. Long-text freeform

 

In this format, candidates are required to provide detailed responses in a text format, typically using a message box interface. Candidates may be asked to explain their reasoning, outline a strategy, or provide qualitative insights related to the case.

 

There may be an imposed character limit, requiring candidates to provide succinct yet comprehensive answers.

 

4. Short-text freeform

 

Unlike the long-text format, the short-text freeform restricts candidates to only entering numerical responses or short text answers. Questions in this format often involve mathematical calculations or require concise textual responses.

 

5. Self-recorded video

 

For the final part of the BCG online case or chatbot interview, candidates are prompted to record themselves presenting their final recommendation or solution for the case. Candidates typically have a limited time that they can record themselves giving their presentation.

 

During the presentation, candidates are expected to articulate their thoughts clearly and deliver their recommendation confidently.

 

What Does the BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview Evaluate?

 

The BCG online case or chatbot interview assesses six major qualities: problem solving skills, analytical and quantitative capabilities, business acumen, critical thinking and decision-making, communication and presentation skills, and time management and adaptability.

 

1. Problem solving skills

 

The BCG online case or chatbot interview evaluates candidates' ability to approach complex business problems in a structured and analytical manner. Candidates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in structuring issues, identifying relevant information, and formulating hypotheses.

 

2. Analytical and quantitative capabilities

 

Candidates' mathematical and analytical skills are assessed through quantitative questions and data interpretation tasks. They are expected to perform calculations accurately, interpret data effectively, and draw meaningful insights to support their recommendations.

 

3. Business acumen

 

The BCG online case or chatbot interview evaluates candidates' understanding of business concepts, industry dynamics, and strategic thinking. Candidates are assessed on their ability to evaluate potential costs and benefits, make informed business decisions, and provide relevant insights based on the case context.

 

4. Critical thinking and decision-making

 

Candidates are evaluated on their ability to think critically, analyze information, and make informed decisions based on the case context. They are expected to assess different courses of action, evaluate trade-offs, and identify the most logical and effective solutions to the problems presented.

 

5. Communication and presentation skills

 

Candidates' communication skills are assessed through the self-recorded video presentation at the end of the interview. They are expected to articulate their thoughts clearly, present their analysis in a structured manner, and deliver their recommendations confidently and persuasively.

 

6. Time management and adaptability

 

The BCG online case or chatbot interview assesses candidates' ability to manage time effectively, particularly under pressure. Candidates are required to complete the case questions within a specified time limit, demonstrating their ability to prioritize tasks, allocate time appropriately, and adapt to changing circumstances.

 

Overall, the BCG online case or chatbot interview aims to assess candidates' readiness for consulting roles by evaluating a combination of cognitive abilities, business skills, and interpersonal qualities essential for success.

 

What Questions Are Asked in the BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview?

 

There are several types of questions that are typically asked in the BCG online case or chatbot interview: structuring questions, quantitative questions, critical thinking questions, and business intuition questions.

 

Structuring questions

 

These questions present a scenario or problem and ask candidates to identify the most helpful option or the type of information that should be gathered.

 

Examples include:

 

• Which of the following would be most helpful?

 

• What statistics should the team gather?

 

• Which pieces of information would help you move forward with solving this problem?

 

Candidates may find it helpful to construct issue trees or case interview frameworks based on the available options, demonstrating their ability to organize information logically and identify relevant factors.

 

Quantitative questions

 

Quantitative questions involve mathematical calculations and analysis, often accompanied by exhibits such as tables, charts, or graphs.

 

Examples of quantitative questions include:

 

• Calculating averages

 

• Calculating basic probabilities

 

• Calculating gross margin

 

• Calculating growth rates

 

• Determining maximums and minimums

 

• Making numerical estimations or projections based on given information.

 

Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in basic arithmetic and apply quantitative reasoning to solve business problems effectively. Candidates should be familiar working with fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, and weighted averages.

 

Critical thinking questions

 

Critical thinking questions assess candidates' ability to analyze scenarios, apply logical reasoning, and make informed judgments.

 

Examples include:

 

• Evaluating different courses of action based on provided criteria

 

• Determining cause-and-effect relationships in complex situations

 

• Identifying logical conclusions or implications based on the given information

 

Candidates must carefully consider the context of the scenario and apply logical reasoning to select the most appropriate responses.

 

Business intuition questions

 

Business intuition questions evaluate your knowledge of basic business principles and concepts. They assess how you use knowledge of business to make informed, strategic decisions.

 

Examples include:

 

• Suggesting strategies for improving a company’s profitability

 

• Identifying factors that need to be analyzed when deciding whether a company should enter a new market

 

• Analyzing factors that influence a pricing strategy

 

Candidates are expected to make reasonable, sound business decisions based on their business acumen and the case information provided.

 

Basic business knowledge you should be familiar with include: supply and demand, market size and market shares, pricing strategies, competitive advantage, synergies, profitability, and supply chain dynamics to name a few concepts.

 

How is the BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview Scored?

 

The BCG online case or chatbot interview is scored based on a points system. 3 points is awarded for a correct answer and 1 point is deducted for an incorrect answer. Therefore, unless you are able to confidently eliminate at least two or three answer choices, it is better to leave a question blank than to guess.

 

In addition to an overall score, the BCG online case or chatbot interview also assesses several specific criteria: problem solving skills, analytical and quantitative capabilities, business acumen, critical thinking and decision-making, communication and presentation skills, and time management and adaptability.

 

While BCG does not disclose official scoring mechanisms of these criteria, we can make an educated guess on how they are scored:

 

• Problem solving skills: This is likely assessed based on your answers to the numerical short-text freeform. Quantitative problems usually have a single correct answer, which you will need to submit correctly

 

• Analytical and quantitative capabilities: This is likely assessed based on your answers to the numerical short-text freeform. Math calculations have a single correct answer, which you will need to submit correctly

 

• Business acumen: This is likely assessed based on what answers you select for the single-select multiple choice questions, multiple-select multiple choice questions, and long-text freeform

 

• Critical thinking and decision-making: This is likely assessed based on what answers you select for the single-select multiple choice questions as well as how long it takes you to select an answer

 

• Communication and presentation skills: This is likely assessed in the final self-recording where you present your final recommendation or solution to the case. There may be a manual review of your recording or an AI algorithm may score your presentation

 

• Time management and adaptability: This is likely assessed based on whether you have answered every single question

 

Remember that you are assessed holistically. If you are a lacking a bit in one of these areas, you can make up for it with a strong performance in another area. Therefore, you do not need to be absolutely perfect on the BCG online case or chatbot interview in order to pass it.

 

BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview Examples

 

BCG provides four sample questions on the BCG online case website. We’ve list them below and also provided you with step-by-step answers on how to solve each one.

 

BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview Question #1

 

Solution: To calculate the average gross margin, we need to calculate the weighted average of profit margins of the three types of gasoline. We know that each type of gasoline has a profit of €0.10 and we know the percentage of sales that each type of gasoline accounts for.

 

Therefore, the average gross margin can be calculated as:

 

Average gross margin = [(0.3)*(0.1/1.7)] + [(0.4)*(0.1/1.6)] + [(0.3)*(0.1/1.5)]

 

Average gross margin = 0.0626

 

The correct answer is 6.3%.

 

BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview Question #2

 

Solution: The market study on the right shows the supply and demand of gasoline. To find the price point that maximizes profit, we need to find where these two curves intersect. This happens just below the price point of €1.70.

 

Among the answer choices, the choice that is closest to the correct answer is €1.70

 

BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview Question #3

 

Solution: From the industry research table, we see that the average retail sales per car (€) does not change based on the gasoline price. Therefore, we just need to pick the gasoline price that gets us the highest number of cars buying from the gas station each week.

 

Therefore, the correct answer is €1.5.

 

BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview Question #4

 

Solution: To determine the price the company should charge for gasoline to maximize combined profits, we need to calculate profits from gasoline and from retail sales for each of the four price points.

 

For 1.5€/L

 

• Retail profit = (130 * €10) * 0.3 = €390

 

• Gasoline profit = €0 (sold at cost)

 

• Total profit = €390

 

For 1.6€/L

 

• Retail profit = (90 * €10) * 0.3 = €270

 

• Gasoline profit = 90 * (€0.1 * 130) = €1,170

 

• Total profit = €1,440

 

For 1.7€/L

 

• Retail profit = (60 * €10) * 0.3 = €180

 

• Gasoline profit = 60 * (€0.2 * 100) = €1,200

 

• Total profit = €1,380

 

For 1.8€/L

 

• Retail profit = (40 * €10) * 0.3 = €120

 

• Gasoline profit = 40 * (€0.3 * 60) = €720

 

• Total profit = €840

 

Therefore, the correct answer is 1.6€.

 

In addition to these four questions, BCG previously had two interactive cases on their website that was likely an early version of the BCG online case or chatbot interview.

 

While these interactive cases have been removed from BCG’s website, we fortunately have full videos that walk through the entirety of these interactive cases.

 

BCG Interactive Case #1: Airline Company

This is a profitability case focused on helping a low-cost carrier airline improve profitability

 

BCG Interactive Case #2: Drug Company

This is a pricing case focused on helping a pharmaceutical company determine the optimal price for a new drug

 

Other than the above, there are no more examples of the BCG online case or chatbot interview. However, we’ve pulled together a few examples of common case interview questions you could be asked below.

 

Market entry case interview

 

Market entry cases assess the viability of entering a new market or launching a new product or service.

 

Example: A client wants to expand into the Asian market. Evaluate the market dynamics, potential competitors, regulatory hurdles, and entry strategies.

 

Profitability case interview

 

Profitability cases focus on identifying opportunities to improve a company's profitability.

 

Example: A company's profits have been declining. Identify the key drivers of the decline and recommend actions to improve profitability.

 

Mergers & acquisitions (M&A) case interview

 

M&A cases involve evaluating the potential benefits and risks of acquiring or merging with another company.

 

Example: Our client is considering acquiring a small competitor. Assess the strategic fit, potential synergies, integration challenges, and financial implications.

 

Growth strategy case interview

 

Growth strategy cases revolve around developing strategies to achieve sustainable growth.

 

Example: A company is experiencing stagnant growth. Determine a strategy to double revenues over the next five years.

 

Pricing case interview

 

Pricing cases involve setting or optimizing pricing strategies for products or services.

 

Example: How should our client price their new product to maximize profits?

 

Operations improvement case interview

 

Operations cases focus on optimizing operational processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

 

Example: A company's supply chain is inefficient. Identify bottlenecks, streamline processes, and implement best practices to improve operational performance.

 

Product launch case interview

 

New product cases involve developing strategies for launching a new product or service.

 

Example: A company is launching a new software product. Develop a go-to-market strategy, including target market, pricing, and distribution channels.

 

How to Prepare for the BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview

 

There are five major steps you can take to prepare for the BCG online case or chatbot interview: familiarize yourself with the online case format, practice doing traditional case interviews, improve your math skills, learn basic business principles and concepts, and practice your presentation skills.

 

1. Familiarize yourself with the online case format

 

Before the BCG online case or chatbot interview, make sure you are familiar with the online case format. You should know how long you will have to complete the case, how many questions to expect, and what types of questions to expect. This will help you navigate the online case more confidently.

 

2. Practice doing traditional case interviews

 

To excel in the BCG online case or chatbot interview, it’s essential that you hone your case interview skills. If you can nail traditional case interviews, you’ll be able to nail the BCG online case because both formats of case interviews assess the same qualities.

 

Do mock interviews with peers and mentors to uncover what your case interview deficiencies or weaknesses are. Then, aggressively work on improving these.

 

3. Improve your math skills

 

Strong quantitative abilities are crucial for success in the BCG online case or chatbot interview. Dedicate time to sharpening your case interview math skills by practicing calculations, data analysis, numerical reasoning, and interpreting case interview charts and graphs. Familiarize yourself with common business math concepts such as percentages, ratios, and basic statistics to tackle quantitative problems with confidence.

 

4. Learn basic business principles and concepts

 

Develop a solid understanding of fundamental business principles, theories, and concepts relevant to case interviews. Familiarize yourself with key industry trends, strategic frameworks, and business terminology to analyze cases effectively. Strengthening your business acumen will enable you to identify key issues, generate insights, and formulate actionable recommendations during the interview.

 

5. Practice your presentation skills

 

Effective communication is essential for conveying your ideas and recommendations in the BCG online case or chatbot interview. Practice delivering clear, structured, and persuasive presentations to articulate your solutions confidently.

 

Focus on engaging your audience, highlighting key insights, and addressing potential objections to showcase your communication skills effectively.

 

Differences between the BCG Online Case and the BCG Case Interview

 

There are several notable differences between the BCG online case and the traditional BCG case interview, including the format, interaction complexity, time pressure, real-time feedback, tools allowed, question types, and evaluation criteria.

 

• Format: The BCG online case is conducted through a chatbot interface, simulating a conversation format, whereas the traditional BCG case interview involves face-to-face interaction with a human interviewer

 

• Interaction complexity: The BCG online case may present challenges related to interface complexity, as candidates have to navigate a digital platform with specific functionalities and limitations. Traditional interviews, on the other hand, are more straightforward in terms of interaction

 

• Time pressure: The BCG online case imposes more stringent time constraints, with constant reminders of the remaining time and automatic cutoffs for certain sections. This intensifies the time pressure compared to traditional interviews where the interviewer is responsible for making sure the case is completed on-time

 

• Real-time feedback: For a traditional BCG case interview, the interviewer provides feedback and guidance throughout the process, allowing candidates to adjust their approach. However, in the BCG online case, there is no real-time feedback, which could potentially impact the candidate's performance

 

• Tools allowed: For the BCG online case, candidates are permitted to use calculators and other resources. This is not the case for traditional BCG case interviews where candidates must rely solely on themselves

 

• Question types: The BCG online case includes a variety of question formats such as multiple choice, freeform text, and video responses, whereas traditional case interviews consist of verbal interaction and discussions

 

• Evaluation criteria: The BCG online case places more emphasis on evaluating quantitative and analytical skills given that it is more difficult to evaluate soft skills online. The quantitative problems on the BCG online case tend to be more difficult than a traditional case interview since you are allowed to use a calculator

 

BCG Online Case / Chatbot Interview Tips

 

Follow our top six tips below to ensure you perform your best on the BCG online case or chatbot interview.

 

1. Ensure your technology works

 

You don’t want to be worrying about fixing technical difficulties while taking the BCG online case or chatbot interview. Therefore, make sure that your laptop is fully charged, you have stable internet connection, and are using a browser that is compatible with the assessment.

 

2. Make sure you understand the objective of the case

 

The most important step of the BCG online case is to ensure that you understand the background information and overall objective of the case. Solving for the wrong case objective is the quickest way to fail a case interview.

 

3. Take notes throughout the online case

 

Make sure that you have pen and paper ready while taking the BCG online case. As you uncover new information, make sure to keep a running list of important information and key takeaways after each question that you answer. This will make it significantly easier for you to pull together a recommendation at the end of the online case.

 

4. Manage your time well

 

Remember that the BCG online case or chatbot interview has a time limit. You will face significant time pressure during the case. Once you know how many questions there will be, quickly calculate how much time you should spend on each question on average. Try not to fall behind on time as rushing towards the end will likely significantly hurt your performance.

 

5. Use a calculator

 

Unlike a traditional case interview, you are allowed to use a calculator during the BCG online case. For difficult or lengthy math calculations, make sure to take advantage of this. You don’t want to be wasting time manually doing calculations when you can simply get an answer in seconds by using a calculator.

 

Before the BCG online case, you’ll want to make sure that you are familiar with using your calculator so that you can use it quickly and accurately.

 

6. Stay calm

 

The BCG online case or chatbot interview is difficult. You will encounter questions that are challenging or difficult. In these situations make sure that you stay calm and think through the potential solution or steps needed to reach the answer. Freaking out during the online case will only hurt your performance.

 

Recommended BCG Interview Resources

 

Here are the resources we recommend to land a BCG consulting offer:

 

For help landing consulting interviews

 

• Resume Review & Editing: Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple consulting interviews

 

For help passing case interviews

 

• Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.

 

• Case Interview Coaching: Personalized, one-on-one coaching with a former Bain interviewer.

 

• Hacking the Case Interview Book (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.

 

• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.

 

For help passing consulting behavioral & fit interviews

 

• Behavioral & Fit Interview Course: Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer.