The BCG Online Case (Casey) is a 25–30 minute chatbot-driven assessment with 6–8 questions plus a 60-second video pitch. It tests structured thinking, data interpretation, and business intuition — and roughly 70% of BCG offices now use it as a first-round screen. Answers cannot be changed once submitted, and single-select questions submit on click with no confirmation.
The BCG Online Case — known internally as “Casey” — is a chatbot-driven case interview that has replaced the traditional BCG Potential Test at most offices worldwide. Based on our analysis of candidate experiences across multiple recruiting cycles, approximately 70% of BCG applicants now encounter Casey as their first screening hurdle before meeting a live interviewer.
Where Casey Fits in the BCG Interview Process
Casey is part of the first round of BCG’s interview process. The typical pipeline looks like this:
flowchart LR
A[Application<br/>& Resume Screen] --> B[Online Assessment<br/>Casey Chatbot]
B --> C[Round 1<br/>Live Case + Fit]
C --> D{Decision}
D -->|Advance| E[Round 2<br/>Partner Cases]
D -->|Reject| F[Process Ends]
E --> G[Final Offer<br/>Decision]
In many offices, Casey has replaced one of the two live first-round cases. Some undergraduate programs even pair Casey with a single fit interview as the entire first round. The key implication: your Casey performance directly determines whether you get in front of a human interviewer.
Format and Interface
Casey presents a single business case through an interactive chat interface over 25–30 minutes, followed by a separately timed 60-second video pitch. The case typically contains 6–8 questions and covers one of four common themes:
| Case Theme | Approximate Frequency | Example Prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Reduction | ~35% | “Client margins have declined 15% over three years” |
| Growth Strategy | ~25% | “Client wants to expand into adjacent markets” |
| Market Entry | ~20% | “Client is considering entering the Southeast Asian market” |
| Pricing Optimization | ~20% | “Client’s pricing strategy faces competitive pressure” |
The Four Answer Formats
Understanding the interface prevents costly, irreversible mistakes — once submitted, no answer can be changed.
- Multiple-select: The prompt specifies exactly how many options to choose (e.g., “Select the 3 best options”). You click “See Options,” make selections, then submit.
- Single-select: Options are visible immediately. Clicking any option instantly submits it — there is no confirmation dialog. This catches unprepared candidates off guard.
- Long text: Type a response of 4–6 lines maximum. Press Enter to submit.
- Short text: Numerical answers only. Follow rounding and decimal instructions precisely.
Question Types and How to Approach Them
1. Structuring Questions (Always First)
Every Casey case opens with a structuring question. You are asked which pieces of information or areas of investigation would be most helpful to understand the client’s problem.
Approach: Mentally build an issue tree from the available options. Select choices that collectively achieve MECE coverage — do not pick three options that all address the same branch of the tree.
mindmap
root((Profit Decline))
Revenue Side
Price changes
Volume changes
Product mix shift
Cost Side
Fixed cost increases
Variable cost increases
Operational inefficiency
External Factors
Competitive dynamics
Market trends
Regulatory changes
In our experience coaching candidates, the most common mistake on structuring questions is clustering selections on a single dimension (e.g., three revenue-related options) instead of covering both revenue and cost branches.
2. Quantitative Questions (2–3 per Case)
Math questions present data exhibits with approximately 20 data points — roughly half are distractors. Calculators are allowed, but the real challenge is identifying which numbers matter before you start computing.
Common calculation types: weighted averages, compound percentages, break-even analysis, and basic probability.
Indicator from Casey: If the follow-up question asks you to “elaborate on your calculation,” your answer is likely correct. If Casey prompts you to “reconsider step X,” you probably made an error — but you cannot go back and fix it.
Sharpen your fundamentals with our mental math guide for consulting and practice with BCG cases in our library to build speed under pressure.
3. Critical Thinking and Logical Questions
These assess cause-and-effect reasoning. Pay close attention to qualifiers — they signal how airtight your logic needs to be:
| Qualifier | Logical Strength | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| “would likely lead to” | Weak | Probable but uncertain — business judgment accepted |
| “would lead to” | Medium | Strong causal relationship expected |
| “would certainly lead to” | Strong | Must be logically bulletproof |
A “likely” question accepts reasonable inference; a “certainly” question demands airtight deduction. Based on our work with successful candidates, confusing these two levels accounts for a significant share of avoidable errors.
4. Intuition and Insight Questions
The hardest category — no formula exists. You are asked to brainstorm factors, root causes, or solutions within a specific business context.
Example: “What factors might explain the client’s declining customer retention rate?”
Approach: Think across multiple dimensions — customer behavior, product quality, competitive actions, operational issues, and external market shifts. Select options that demonstrate breadth and business judgment, not just the most obvious answers.
BCG’s Scoring Criteria
While BCG does not publish exact weights, the assessment evaluates four dimensions based on patterns observed across our candidate coaching:
- Problem Structuring (Highest Weight) — MECE decomposition, hypothesis-driven approach, prioritization of key factors
- Quantitative Processing — Calculation accuracy, appropriate data selection, speed under time pressure
- Business Intuition — Sound cost-benefit judgment, realistic recommendations, context-appropriate insights
- Data Synthesis — Drawing conclusions from multiple exhibits, identifying cross-data patterns, connecting findings to recommendations
Unlike older BCG assessments, Casey does not use negative scoring. You will not lose points for incorrect answers, so always respond to every question — even when uncertain.
Casey vs. Traditional Case Interviews
| Dimension | Casey Chatbot | Traditional Interview |
|---|---|---|
| Time pressure | Intense (continuous countdown, reminders every 5 min) | Moderate (interviewer paces) |
| Feedback | None | Real-time guidance available |
| Calculator | Allowed | Typically not allowed |
| Error correction | Impossible — answers are final | Interviewer can redirect |
| Communication | Heavy reading and typing | Verbal exchange |
| Presentation | 60-second recorded video | Live discussion |
The critical difference: Casey mistakes compound. In a traditional interview, a calculation error might be corrected mid-case. In Casey, one wrong number cascades through subsequent questions with no safety net.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Based on our analysis of candidate debriefs, these are the five most frequent mistakes:
- Clicking too fast on single-select — One click submits. Read all options before touching any.
- Ignoring distractor data — Start by identifying what the question actually asks before diving into exhibits.
- Poor time allocation — Spending 8 minutes on one question leaves too little for the remaining five. Aim for 3–4 minutes per question.
- Writing walls of text — Long-text answers should be 4–6 concise lines, not essay paragraphs.
- Neglecting the video pitch — It carries real weight. Candidates who treat it as an afterthought lose an opportunity to demonstrate executive presence.
Preparation Strategy
Week 1–2: Build Foundations
- Practice profitability cases and market entry cases to strengthen structuring skills
- Review our BCG case interview guide for company-specific patterns and expectations
- Work through BCG practice cases in our case library with a focus on data exhibit interpretation
- Drill market sizing techniques to build quantitative confidence
Week 3: Simulate Test Conditions
- Complete full cases under a strict 25-minute timer with no pauses
- Practice answering without asking clarifying questions — Casey does not accept them
- Record yourself delivering 60-second recommendations and review the recordings
Final Days: Interface and Environment Setup
- Familiarize yourself with all four answer formats so interface mechanics are automatic
- Practice reading data exhibits quickly — aim to identify the 3–4 relevant data points within 30 seconds
- Prepare your video recording setup: stable internet, clean background, good lighting, camera at eye level
Video Pitch Best Practices
Your 60-second video is often overlooked but carries real weight in the evaluation. You get two attempts — a second try erases the first. Structure your pitch as:
Opening (10 sec): State your recommendation clearly — “I recommend the client pursue Option A because…”
Supporting logic (35–40 sec): Two to three reasons with brief data evidence — “First, our analysis shows… Second, this aligns with…”
Risk and next steps (10–15 sec): Acknowledge the primary risk and propose mitigation — “The main risk is X. To address this, I would suggest…”
Dress professionally — BCG reviewers see the recording. Maintain eye contact with the camera, not your screen.
Key Takeaways
- Casey is a 25–30 minute chatbot-driven case assessment with 6–8 questions followed by a 60-second video pitch
- It sits in BCG’s first round and directly determines whether you advance to live interviews
- Four answer formats exist — single-select submits instantly on click, so know the interface before test day
- Structuring questions always come first; build a mental issue tree before selecting options
- Quantitative questions include distractor data — identify what is relevant before calculating
- No negative scoring means always answer, even when uncertain
- The video pitch matters — structure it with a clear recommendation, supporting logic, and risk acknowledgment
- Practice under strict time constraints with no clarifying questions to simulate real conditions
Ready to build your Casey preparation? Explore BCG cases in our library to develop pattern recognition across common case themes, or sharpen your live case skills with our AI Mock Interview for real-time feedback on structuring and recommendations.