BCG Cognitive Test (Germany) — Complete Guide
German offices use the cognitive test in place of Casey. 80 questions in 30 minutes. Here is what to expect.
Format
- 80 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes
- Numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning sections
- No calculator on some sections — mental arithmetic matters
- Used primarily by BCG Munich, Düsseldorf, and other DACH offices
What "good" looks like
You will not finish all 80 questions. Aim for high accuracy in the questions you do attempt. Most successful candidates complete 60-70 questions at 80%+ accuracy.
Section-by-section
Numerical
Percentages, ratios, table reading. Train your mental arithmetic — especially 7×8, 13×14, percentage shortcuts (15% = 10% + 5%).
Verbal
Reading comprehension under time pressure. Skim the question first, then scan the passage for the relevant sentence.
Logical
Pattern completion, syllogisms, deduction. The patterns repeat — practice 50 of these and you will see the same shapes.
Two-week prep plan
- Week 1: 30 min daily of mixed practice, focus on accuracy
- Week 2: full 30-min timed sets, focus on pacing
The Munich question
If you are applying to Munich, the cognitive test is almost certainly your screen. Confirm with your recruiter before assuming Casey.
Keep learning
Related guides
- Cognitive Test verbal: reading for the answer, not for comprehension
A two-pass reading routine that finds the answer in 90 seconds without reading the whole passage.
- Cognitive Test numerical: the seven question shapes that recur
Pattern recognition is faster than calculation. Here are the seven shapes that cover most numerical questions.
- Cognitive Test logical: how to crack pattern-completion fast
The four sub-patterns inside logical reasoning and the spotting trick for each.
Glossary
- "Cannot Say"
A correct verbal-reasoning answer when the passage doesn't support either True or False.
- Cognitive Test
A timed multiple-choice assessment of numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning.
Compare
Cognitive Test vs Potential TestBoth are timed reasoning tests, but they're different generations of BCG screening. Here's how to tell them apart and what to study.