Consulting

110 questions across 40 core, 49 common, 21 occasional

Core

Common

Occasional

110

Total

Core Questions

Essential fundamentals every candidate should know

CoreHARDProfitability FrameworkCASE

A retail client is experiencing declining profits. How would you approach this?

CoreEASYPersonal PitchBEHAVIORAL

Tell me about yourself.

CoreMEDIUMCommunication SkillsBEHAVIORAL

How would you explain a complex concept to a non-expert?

CoreEASYMarket Sizing (Fermi)CASE

How many gas stations are in the United States?

CoreEASYCareer MotivationBEHAVIORAL

Why consulting?

CoreEASYFirm ResearchBEHAVIORAL

Why McKinsey over other consulting firms?

CoreMEDIUMMarket SizingCASE

How would you estimate the size of the coffee market in the US?

CoreEASYSTAR Method (Leadership)BEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you led a team.

CoreMEDIUMSTAR Method (Analytical)BEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you had to analyze complex data.

CoreEASYConflict ResolutionBEHAVIORAL

What would you do if you disagreed with a team member?

CoreEASYSTAR Method - Project LeadershipBEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you led a project from start to finish.

CoreMEDIUMSTAR Method (Leadership)BEHAVIORAL

Tell me about your most significant leadership experience.

CoreMEDIUMTop-Down / Bottom-Up Market SizingMARKET SIZING

How would you estimate the market size for electric vehicles in the UK?

CoreMEDIUMNew Product Launch FrameworkCASE

Your client is a consumer packaged goods company considering whether to launch a new product line. Walk me through your analysis.

CoreMEDIUMFirm DifferentiationBEHAVIORAL

Why McKinsey over BCG or Bain?

CoreMEDIUMVolume EstimationMARKET SIZING

How many tennis balls fit in this room?

CoreMEDIUMPopulation-Based EstimationMARKET SIZING

How many gas stations are there in the United States?

CoreMEDIUMProfitability FrameworkCASE

Your client is a grocery retailer whose profits have declined 20% over two years. Diagnose the problem.

CoreMEDIUMMarket Entry FrameworkCASE

How would you structure a case about entering a new market?

CoreEASYSTAR Method - InfluenceBEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone to change their mind.

CoreMEDIUMPricing Strategy FrameworkCASE

Walk me through how you would structure a pricing strategy case.

CoreEASYStructured Problem SolvingBEHAVIORAL

How do you approach a problem you know nothing about?

CoreEASYConsumption-Based EstimationMARKET SIZING

How many cups of coffee are consumed in the US per day?

CoreMEDIUMSTAR Method - Decision Making Under UncertaintyBEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you had to make a decision with incomplete information.

CoreEASYConsulting CompetenciesCULTURE FIT

What makes a good consultant?

CoreEASYProfitability FrameworkCASE

How would you structure a profitability improvement case?

CoreMEDIUMFirm-Specific ResearchCULTURE FIT

Why this firm specifically? What differentiates us from other consulting firms?

CoreEASYProblem SolvingBEHAVIORAL

What frameworks do you use to structure your thinking when approaching an unfamiliar problem?

CoreMEDIUMProfitability/RevenueCASE

Your client is a hotel chain experiencing declining revenue. What do you do?

CoreMEDIUMSTAR Method (Problem-Solving)BEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you solved a difficult problem.

CoreEASYLeadership PhilosophyBEHAVIORAL

What is your leadership style?

CoreMEDIUMFermi EstimationCASE

How many tennis balls fit in a Boeing 747?

CoreEASYFirm ResearchBEHAVIORAL

Why BCG specifically?

CoreEASYAsking QuestionsBEHAVIORAL

What questions do you have for me?

CoreEASYCareer MotivationBEHAVIORAL

Why consulting instead of industry?

CoreHARDMarket EntryCASE

A pharmaceutical client wants to enter a new market. How would you advise them?

CoreMEDIUMSTAR Method (Teamwork/Conflict)BEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult team member.

CoreMEDIUMProfitability FrameworkCASE

Our client is a consumer goods company seeing declining profits. Walk me through how you'd approach this.

CoreMEDIUMFirm DifferentiationBEHAVIORAL

Why Bain over McKinsey or BCG?

CoreEASYMarket SizingMARKET SIZING

Estimate how many weddings happen in the US per year.

Common Questions

Frequently asked in interviews

CommonEASYSelf-Awareness ResponseBEHAVIORAL

What is your greatest weakness?

CommonMEDIUMGlobal Market SizingMARKET SIZING

Estimate the global market size for pet food.

CommonEASYSTAR Method - Learning from FailureBEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you failed.

CommonEASYCareer VisionBEHAVIORAL

Where do you see yourself in five years?

CommonHARDMarket Entry FrameworkCASE

Our client is a hotel chain considering opening a new location. Should they do it?

CommonMEDIUMMarket SizingMARKET SIZING

Estimate how many smartphones are sold globally each year.

CommonHARDM&A Due Diligence FrameworkCASE

A private equity firm has asked you to evaluate whether they should acquire a regional hospital chain. How would you approach this?

CommonEASYMarket SizingMARKET SIZING

How many pizzas are delivered in New York City on a Friday night?

CommonMEDIUMClient ManagementBEHAVIORAL

What would you do if a client disagrees with your recommendation?

CommonHARDGrowth Strategy FrameworkCASE

A client wants to double their revenue in three years. How would you approach this?

CommonMEDIUMSTAR Method (Decision-Making)BEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you had to make a decision without complete information.

CommonMEDIUMOperations Improvement FrameworkCASE

Your client is an airline that wants to improve its on-time departure rate. How would you approach this?

CommonEASYRevenue EstimationMARKET SIZING

How would you estimate the annual revenue of a single Starbucks store?

CommonHARDM&A Evaluation for PharmaCASE

A pharmaceutical company is considering acquiring a biotech startup. What factors should they evaluate?

CommonMEDIUMSupply-Side EstimationMARKET SIZING

How would you estimate the number of piano tuners in Chicago?

CommonHARDCost Reduction FrameworkCASE

A large bank wants to reduce its operating costs by 15% over two years. How would you approach this?

CommonEASYSTAR Method - Problem StructuringBEHAVIORAL

Describe a time you had to simplify a complex problem.

CommonHARDTurnaround Strategy FrameworkCASE

A consumer electronics company is losing market share in smartphones. Develop a turnaround strategy.

CommonEASYSTAR Method - Feedback ResponseBEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you received difficult feedback and how you responded.

CommonMEDIUMRevenue Decline DiagnosticsCASE

A national restaurant chain is seeing declining same-store sales. What would you investigate?

CommonHARDBuild vs Buy AnalysisCASE

A telecom company is deciding whether to build or buy 5G network capacity. How would you analyze this?

CommonMEDIUMBrand Extension AnalysisCASE

Should a luxury hotel chain expand into budget hotels?

CommonMEDIUMCustomer Satisfaction DiagnosticCASE

A retail bank is seeing declining customer satisfaction scores. Diagnose the issue and recommend solutions.

CommonMEDIUMCommercial Due Diligence FrameworkCASE

Walk me through how you would conduct a due diligence on a company.

CommonHARDVertical Integration AnalysisCASE

A client has asked you to assess whether they should vertically integrate their supply chain. How would you think about this?

CommonMEDIUMHypothesis-Driven Problem SolvingBEHAVIORAL

Describe a time when your initial hypothesis was wrong. How did you adjust?

CommonEASYSTAR Method - Team DynamicsBEHAVIORAL

Describe a time you worked with a difficult team member.

CommonMEDIUMProfitability DiagnosisCASE

Your client is a mid-size law firm experiencing declining revenue. How would you diagnose the problem?

CommonMEDIUMMarket Sizing - Bottom-UpMARKET SIZING

Estimate the annual revenue of all food trucks in New York City.

CommonMEDIUMCustomer RetentionCASE

A national gym chain is seeing declining membership renewals. What would you investigate?

CommonHARDDigital TransformationCASE

How would you assess the impact of AI on a professional services firm?

CommonHARDMarket Sizing - Supply-SideMARKET SIZING

How would you estimate the number of electric vehicle charging stations needed in California by 2030?

CommonMEDIUMNew Product LaunchCASE

A media company is considering launching a paid podcast subscription. How would you evaluate this decision?

CommonEASYMarket Sizing - Demand-SideMARKET SIZING

How many haircuts happen in the UK per year?

CommonMEDIUMSTAR Method (Analytical)BEHAVIORAL

Tell me about your most analytical project.

CommonMEDIUMTAM EstimationMARKET SIZING

How would you estimate the total addressable market for online grocery delivery in the US?

CommonHARDMarket EntryCASE

A private hospital chain wants to expand into telemedicine. How would you advise them?

CommonMEDIUMClient ManagementBEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news to a client or stakeholder.

CommonEASYConsulting PrinciplesBEHAVIORAL

What is the 80/20 rule and how does it apply to consulting?

CommonMEDIUMOperations ImprovementCASE

Your client is a regional hospital that wants to reduce emergency room wait times by 40%. How would you approach this?

CommonMEDIUMStakeholder ManagementBEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you had to manage upward — influencing a senior leader or manager.

CommonEASYMarket Sizing - Top-DownMARKET SIZING

How would you estimate the number of smartphones sold globally each year?

CommonHARDBuild-Buy-PartnerCASE

A consumer electronics company wants to enter the smart home market. Should they build, acquire, or partner?

CommonHARDGrowth DiagnosticsCASE

A tech company's user growth has stalled. How would you diagnose and solve this?

CommonHARDForward-Looking Market SizingMARKET SIZING

Estimate the market size for electric vehicles in the US in 2030.

CommonEASYSTAR Method (Learning Agility)BEHAVIORAL

Tell me about a time you had to learn something quickly.

CommonMEDIUMProblem-Solving Under UncertaintyBEHAVIORAL

What would you do if you weren't sure how to approach a problem the client gave you?

CommonMEDIUMSTAR Method (Influence)BEHAVIORAL

Describe a time when you had to influence a decision.

CommonHARDValue PropositionBEHAVIORAL

Why should BCG invest in you?

Occasional Questions

Asked for specific roles or levels

OccasionalHARDStrategic OptionsCASE

A pharmaceutical company has a drug going off patent. What should they do?

OccasionalHARDPE Investment FrameworkCASE

A private equity firm is considering buying a struggling retail chain. How would you evaluate this?

OccasionalHARDBusiness AcumenBEHAVIORAL

What do you think about [current business news topic]?

OccasionalHARDCapital Investment DecisionCASE

A mining company wants to know if it should invest in a new copper mine. How would you evaluate this?

OccasionalMEDIUMOutsourcing Decision FrameworkCASE

Your client is considering outsourcing its IT function. What should they consider?

OccasionalHARDNew Business Opportunity AssessmentCASE

A healthcare company wants to expand into home diagnostics. Should they?

OccasionalMEDIUMGrowth Strategy - EducationCASE

How would you help a university increase enrollment?

OccasionalHARDCompetitive Strategy FrameworkCASE

How would you help a traditional retailer compete with Amazon?

OccasionalHARDTechnology Investment DecisionCASE

A logistics company wants to know whether to invest in autonomous trucks. What is your recommendation?

OccasionalMEDIUMBuilding-Based EstimationMARKET SIZING

How many elevators are there in New York City?

OccasionalMEDIUMRevenue Build-UpMARKET SIZING

Estimate how much revenue Uber generates in London per year.

OccasionalMEDIUMCustomer Segmentation FrameworkCASE

How would you segment customers for a subscription streaming service?

OccasionalMEDIUMGlobal EstimationMARKET SIZING

Estimate the number of flights taking off globally per day.

OccasionalMEDIUMChurn Reduction FrameworkCASE

An insurance company is experiencing high customer churn. How would you diagnose and address this?

OccasionalMEDIUMProduct Strategy - Menu InnovationCASE

A national fast-food chain is considering adding plant-based menu items. How would you advise them?

OccasionalHARDVertical IntegrationCASE

A client wants to know if they should vertically integrate their coffee supply chain by acquiring farms. How do you analyze this?

OccasionalHARDStrategic DecisionCASE

Your client is a European automaker considering whether to launch an EV-only sub-brand. How would you approach this?

OccasionalHARDBrand StrategyCASE

A luxury brand wants to expand into the mass market. Should they?

OccasionalHARDBuild vs BuyCASE

A logistics company is considering building its own last-mile delivery fleet vs using gig workers. How would you advise them?

OccasionalHARDMarket Sizing - Top-DownMARKET SIZING

How would you estimate the total addressable market for cybersecurity services globally?

OccasionalEASYFermi EstimationBRAINTEASER