Short answer
The BCG Potential Test was a legacy multiple-choice written case used by some BCG offices before case interviews, scored +2 for a correct answer, 0 for blank and -1 for a wrong answer. BCG now has no single global test: depending on the office you may get the Casey chatbot case, the Consulting Career Assessment, a numerical test or Pymetrics.
Key takeaways
- The BCG Potential Test was a written case test with a +2/0/-1 scoring rule that discouraged blind guessing.
- BCG has no single global test in 2026; the format depends on the office and the role.
- Casey is a chatbot-led case of about 35 minutes that ends with a short video recommendation.
- North American candidates typically take the Consulting Career Assessment (CCA); several European offices use numerical or cognitive tests.
The short answer
The BCG Potential Test was a written case exam that some BCG offices used to screen candidates before case interviews. It looked much like McKinsey's PST: business cases with charts and tables, followed by multiple-choice questions. Its scoring rule set it apart: +2 for a correct answer, 0 for a blank, -1 for a wrong answer.
The Potential Test is a legacy format. BCG has no single global assessment in 2026, and what you take depends on the office.
How the Potential Test worked
Candidates I spoke with and coached reported two variants: a longer version of around 50 questions and a shorter version of around 23 questions, both with roughly 50 minutes and several business cases. Like the PST, it tested business reading, calculator-free math and logical reasoning. Some offices also published a sample test on their local careers site.
The format varied by office, and BCG never published a single global specification. Treat these figures as what candidates reported at the time.
The +2/0/-1 scoring rule and what it meant
The penalty for wrong answers changed the right strategy completely, compared with the McKinsey PST, which had no penalty.
| Your situation (4 options) | Expected points if you guess | Expected points if you skip | Best move |
|---|---|---|---|
| No idea at all | (0.25 x 2) + (0.75 x -1) = -0.25 | 0 | Skip |
| One option eliminated | (0.33 x 2) + (0.67 x -1) = 0 | 0 | Indifferent; guess if leaning |
| Two options eliminated | (0.5 x 2) + (0.5 x -1) = +0.5 | 0 | Guess |
| Confident | Close to +2 | 0 | Answer |
The rule of thumb I gave candidates: never guess blind on the Potential Test, always guess once you can eliminate two options. Candidates who sat both McKinsey and BCG in the same season had to switch strategies between tests. My PST cutoff score article shows the opposite logic for McKinsey.
Stephan's note: The -1 penalty punished overconfidence more than ignorance. The candidates who did worst were fast readers who answered everything on instinct. Slowing down on the first read was worth more than any shortcut.
BCG's online assessments in 2026, by office
BCG now uses several formats. The table summarizes what prep providers and candidates report; BCG's official interview process page describes the interview steps but does not list every test.
| Assessment | Where it is reported | Format (candidate reports) |
|---|---|---|
| Casey (online case) | US, Australia/New Zealand and many other offices | Chatbot-led case, about 35 minutes, roughly 8-10 questions, ends with a 1-minute video recommendation; sometimes delivered via HireQuotient |
| Consulting Career Assessment (CCA) | North America | About 30-35 minutes online, numerical reasoning plus a behavioral profile, no video |
| Cognitive or numerical tests | Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, the Nordics and others | Short timed tests of numerical, verbal or logical reasoning, often without a calculator |
| Pymetrics | A few offices | Behavioral mini-games, about 25 minutes, being phased out in some markets |
BCG does not publish a pass mark for any of them. Office pages change between cycles, so your invitation is the authority.
How to prepare for each format
For Casey, practice structured case reasoning at speed. Questions arrive in a chat window and often combine a calculation with a short written answer. Prepare a crisp 1-minute recommendation structure: answer, three reasons, next step. Practice speaking it to a camera.
For the CCA and numerical tests, drill percentages, ratios, growth and chart reading under time pressure. Accuracy without a calculator is the core skill.
For any format, follow these steps:
- Read your invitation carefully for timing, tools allowed and scoring.
- Build mental math and exhibit reading with a 4-week written case practice plan.
- Take at least one full timed written-case test to train pacing.
- Prepare for the case interviews that follow; see the BCG case interview guide.
Common mistakes on BCG's online tests
From what candidates I coached reported, the same errors recur across BCG's formats.
- Rushing Casey's written answers. Each response is read. A short, structured answer beats a long, unfocused one.
- Treating the video as an afterthought. The closing recommendation is part of the assessment. Lead with the answer, give your reasons, end with a next step.
- Ignoring the scoring rules. If your invitation mentions a penalty for wrong answers, apply the disciplined guessing from the Potential Test table above.
- Unit errors in numerical tests. Thousands versus millions and percentages versus percentage points cost more points than hard math.
How BCG's tests compare with McKinsey's
McKinsey uses one global screening test, Solve, which replaced its retired PST. BCG varies by office and leans toward case-style and numerical formats. Both reward the same habits: reading data precisely, calculating cleanly and answering the question the client cares about. For the McKinsey side, read the McKinsey test in 2026, and for the firm's background see BCG's history.
Practice material
The Key to the PST is a full 26-question timed written-case test with a complete answer guide. It was built for McKinsey's PST, which is retired, and it remains strong drill material for BCG's case-based and numerical screens: dense exhibits, mental math and multi-step business questions. If you are preparing for a penalty-scored test, score yourself with the +2/0/-1 rule to practice disciplined guessing. See the Key to the PST page.
Frequently asked questions
Does BCG still use the Potential Test?
The Potential Test is a legacy format. Most offices now use the Casey online case, the Consulting Career Assessment or numerical tests. Check your invitation for the exact format.
How was the BCG Potential Test scored?
Candidates reported +2 points for a correct answer, 0 for an unanswered question and -1 for a wrong answer. That made guessing worthwhile only after eliminating at least one option.
What is BCG Casey?
Casey is BCG's chatbot-led online case. Candidate reports describe about 35 minutes, roughly 8-10 questions and a closing 1-minute video recommendation.
Does BCG publish a pass mark for its online tests?
No. BCG does not publish a cutoff for Casey, the CCA or its numerical tests.
Is a calculator allowed on BCG tests?
It depends on the test. Candidate reports say some offices' cognitive and logical tests ban calculators and other tools. Rules differ by format and office, so follow the instructions in your invitation.