My BCG preparation schedule

I attempted to provide a concise overview of my preparation approach, outlining the details of the resources I’ve followed.

Major steps

1. CV Making
2. Case group formation
3. Lecture videos
4. Case preparation
5. General Interview process

CV Making

Here are a few last-minute checks that you need to keep in mind to enhance your Consult CV!

Link to the blog where I’ve previously shared tips for crafting a CV: https://devakinandanakalam.medium.com/boost-your-consulting-cv-c12ba5bec94f

Case group formation

For optimal time management and scheduling, aiming for a case group of 3–4 individuals is recommended. Within this group, one person can take on the role of the interviewer while another assumes the role of the interviewee. Your ideal case group members should be peers also interested in consulting profiles, contributing value to your preparation through their insights, structured methodologies, or problem-solving abilities.

Major point to keep in mind while doing cases with peers and seniors:

Creating an environment that values candid and helpful feedback is crucial for enhancing your case-solving abilities. Embrace feedback from your peers and consider seeking guidance from experienced seniors who have already navigated through the process for any needed clarifications. Make a point to integrate this feedback as you move forward.

Lecture videos

Before delving into case preparation, it’s recommended to briefly review lecture videos by Victor Cheng, Aditya Agrawal, or other relevant sources. In my instance, I’ve watched Aditya Agarwal’s videos (Link: Consulting Interview Case Prep: A detailed deep-dive — YouTube) on his YouTube channel, which took me approximately 3–4 days. You can take up to a week to view these videos for the basic idea based on your timeline. This aids in acquiring valuable insights into case-solving strategies and refining your approach.

For a concise overview of case interviews, you might consider watching the videos provided by Case Interviews Cracked: Introduction to Case Interviews — YouTube

Case preparation

Initiate your preparation by tackling Guesstimates, then proceed to solve Profitability, Market Entry, Market Growth, Pricing, and finally, explore the realm of unconventional cases.

In my situation, I dedicated the first week to concentrate on Guesstimates and Profitability cases. During the subsequent week, my emphasis shifted to Market Entry, Market Growth, and Pricing cases. In the last week, my goal was to review all case types, with particular emphasis on unconventional cases.

I would recommend the following case books:

1. Case Compendium: This book has proven to be incredibly valuable in initiating my case preparation. I’ve made an effort to encompass the majority of cases outlined in this book.
2. Case Interviews Cracked / Day 1.0: I’ve attempted to solve specific cases from both these books in order to cover a range of industries and sectors.
3. Bury the Hatchet: This book can serve as an effective guiding resource to navigate your preparation.
4. Communique’s The Guessing Game: Since the time I contributed to its creation, this book has remained my primary resource for tackling Guesstimates.
5. In addition, you can try solving cases from the case books of IIM A/B/C.

Case synthesis:

During my preparation, a piece of advice from a senior stuck with me: a case that isn’t synthesized is wasted effort. Always remember to synthesize the case before concluding your day.

General Interview process

Last year, the BCG selection process comprised four key stages: CV submission, CV shortlisting, the Buddy process, and the D-day (interview day).

On the final day, I underwent three evaluative interviews. The sequence began with the project leader, followed by the principal, and ultimately, the partner. Progressing to the subsequent interview was based upon successfully clearing the preceding one. I intend to provide comprehensive information about interviews in a separate blog post in the coming days.

All the best, junta! Always feel free to get in touch with seniors and seek assistance from your fellow peers during this challenging phase of “Campus Placements.”