Consulting · ~1.5% acceptance rate

Boston Consulting Group Interview Preparation

Innovation-driven consulting with the most collaborative MBB culture

~200,000+

Applications

~1.5%

Offer rate

£55,000 base

Graduate salary

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Application process

How to get into Boston Consulting Group — step by step

1

Online Application

September-October for summer. Cover letter required.

BCG values creativity and innovation. Your cover letter should show how you think, not just what you've done.

2

Online Assessment (BCG Casey)

Within 1-2 weeks of application

Casey is BCG's chatbot-style case assessment. It tests structured problem-solving through a text-based business scenario. Practise reading data quickly.

3

First Round Interviews

November-January

One behavioural + one case. BCG cases are candidate-led — you drive the structure. Practise with a framework but adapt it to the specific problem.

4

Final Round Interviews

2-4 weeks after first round

Two interviews with Partners. Cases are more ambiguous. PEI focuses on impact and leadership. Be ready to synthesise under pressure.

5

Offer

Within 1 week

BCG offers are typically extended quickly after final round.

Interview questions

Boston Consulting Group interview questions by round

Questions change at every stage. Know what to expect.

  • 1Text-based business scenario with data interpretation
  • 2Structured problem-solving questions
  • 3Data analysis and recommendation synthesis
  • 4Pattern recognition in business data

What they value

What Boston Consulting Group looks for in candidates

Creative problem-solving

BCG values innovative thinking more than McKinsey. Show you can approach problems from unexpected angles.

Structured thinking

Cases are candidate-led — you must create your own framework, not apply a textbook one.

Collaborative leadership

BCG culture is team-first. Show evidence of lifting others, not just personal achievement.

Intellectual curiosity

BCG invests heavily in research (BCG Henderson Institute). Show interest in ideas beyond your degree.

Impact orientation

They want evidence of tangible outcomes. Quantify everything in your behavioural stories.

Adaptability

Consulting projects change direction. Show you can pivot without losing momentum.

Compensation

Boston Consulting Group salary & benefits

Graduate

~£55,000 base (~£70-75K total comp)

Intern

~£48,000 pro-rata

Bonus

~£10-15K performance bonus

Perks & benefits

BCG University trainingGlobal mobilityHealth insuranceSabbatical after 2 yearsTravel budgetGym membershipProfessional development fund

Culture & work style

What it's actually like to work at Boston Consulting Group

Most collaborative of MBB — less internal competition than McKinsey
50-60 hours/week typical
Significant travel to client sites
Strong focus on innovation and digital transformation
BCG X (digital ventures arm) offers tech-focused work
Inclusive culture — actively recruits non-traditional backgrounds
Up-or-out model but with more support than McKinsey
Known for investing in people's development

Insider tips

How to stand out at Boston Consulting Group

1

BCG cases are candidate-led — practise driving your own structure, not waiting for interviewer guidance

2

Reference BCG Henderson Institute publications or BCG X digital work

3

Show creativity in your case approach — BCG values novel frameworks over textbook MECE

4

Behavioural stories should emphasise team impact, not solo achievements

5

Know BCG's industry practices — they have specific expertise areas (healthcare, energy, tech)

Compare

Boston Consulting Group vs competitors

FirmSalaryHoursCultureExit opps
Boston Consulting Group~£55,000 base (~£70-75K total comp)50-60/weekMost collaborative of MBB — less interna...
McKinsey~£57K / ~£75K total50-60/weekMore prestigious, more structuredStrongest
Bain~£55K / ~£75K total50-60/weekStrongest internal cultureVery strong (PE focus)
Deloitte S&O~£38K / ~£42K total45-55/weekBroader scope, less travelModerate
Oliver Wyman~£50K / ~£60K total50-60/weekFinancial services focusStrong (in FS)

FAQ

Boston Consulting Group FAQs

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