How many questions are on the BCG Cognitive Test?

Roughly 80 questions in 30 minutes — about 22 seconds per question. There's no calculator.

Is there negative marking?

Yes. Wrong answers can subtract from your score, so disciplined skipping beats guessing on questions you can't solve fast.

Which BCG offices use the Cognitive Test?

It's most common in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Some Middle East and Nordic offices also use it. Elsewhere, BCG usually uses Casey or CCA instead.

What score do I need to pass?

BCG does not publish thresholds. Historically the cutoff sits between the 60th and 75th percentile of that cohort.

Can I use a calculator?

No. All math must be done by hand or mentally. Practice rounding, percentages, and ratios until they're reflexive.

What's on the verbal reasoning section?

Short passages followed by True / False / Cannot Say questions. The trap is inferring beyond what the passage supports.

How should I prepare?

Drill the three question types at exam speed for two weeks. Time per question matters more than absolute difficulty — most candidates fail by running out of time, not by getting questions wrong.

BCG Cognitive Test — Format, Scoring & Practice

Q: What is the BCG Cognitive Test?

A timed multiple-choice aptitude test covering numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning. It's used mostly in BCG's DACH offices as a pre-interview screen.

BCG's Cognitive Test is a timed aptitude screen used mostly in the DACH region: about 80 numerical, verbal, and logical questions in 30 minutes, with negative marking. It rewards speed, disciplined skipping, and clean mental math.

What is the BCG Cognitive Test?

The BCG Cognitive Test is a timed multiple-choice aptitude test used as a pre-interview filter in BCG's DACH offices and a handful of other markets. Roughly 80 questions across numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning — 30 minutes total, no calculator, and wrong answers can subtract from your score.

Elsewhere, BCG uses Casey or the CCA. Check your invitation email to confirm which assessment you'll face — see the online assessment hub.

Format at a glance

~80 multiple-choice questions in a single 30-minute block.
Three categories: numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning — roughly evenly split.
No calculator. Mental math and rounding only.
Negative marking. Wrong answers can cost you; skipping is often the right move.
22 seconds per question is the average budget.

Numerical reasoning

Tables, ratios, percentages, growth rates. The traps: multi-step conversions between units, and questions where the "obvious" answer is close but wrong. Drill rounding — knowing 12% of 487 is "about 58" in two seconds beats computing 58.44 in twenty.

Sample numerical question

A store's revenue grew from €4.2m to €5.3m in one year. What is the closest annual growth rate?

A. 18%
B. 22%
C. 26%
D. 30%

Answer: C. (5.3 − 4.2) / 4.2 ≈ 26%.

Verbal reasoning

Short business passages followed by True / False / Cannot Say. The trap is inferring beyond what the passage explicitly supports. Rule: only mark True when the passage directly states it; only False when the passage contradicts it; otherwise Cannot Say.

Logical reasoning

Sequences, matrices, and syllogisms. Pattern recognition speed matters more than depth of proof. If you can't see the pattern in 10 seconds, flag and move on.

Scoring and negative marking

Each correct answer adds points; each wrong answer subtracts a fraction. Skipping is neutral. The math implication: only guess when you can eliminate at least two options — otherwise skip.

Timing strategy

First pass, fast. Answer everything you can solve in under 20 seconds. Flag the rest.
Second pass, patient. Return to flagged items only after clearing the fast wins.
Skip discipline. If a question isn't yielding after 10 seconds on the first pass, move on. Sunk cost is your enemy.

2-week study plan

Days 1–3: Numerical fluency — mental math drills 30 min/day at exam pace.
Days 4–6: Verbal True / False / Cannot Say sets.
Days 7–9: Logical sequences and matrices.
Days 10–12: Two mixed 30-minute simulations.
Days 13–14: One final simulation focused on skip discipline. Rest the day before.

Related: Casey · CCA · Pymetrics · Online assessment hub.

BCG Cognitive Test: 80 questions, 30 minutes, no calculator.