Consulting tests & case skills: from numerical to logic
Consulting firms use a layered assessment process: online aptitude tests → case interview → partner interview. The aptitude tests are not generic — they are designed to mirror the data-driven thinking a consultant uses daily. For company-specific routes, start with BCG assessments or LEK Consulting assessments, then use data interpretation for the calculation layer.
- Consulting tests sit between psychometric testing and case interviews.
- McKinsey, BCG and Bain can use very different digital formats, so confirm the invite wording.
- The transferable skill is structured thinking: split the problem, calculate cleanly, then interpret the result.
- Do not practise only maths. Add logic, business judgement and case-style explanation.
Consulting prep works best when you alternate numerical drills with case-style explanation. Start numerical practice
What each firm uses
- McKinsey: Solve (game-based) — ecosystem simulation, pattern identification, mathematical optimisation.
- BCG: Casey (online case) + Chatbot Interview + Pymetrics games.
- Bain: SOVA (numerical, verbal, logical) or SHL, depending on office.
- Deloitte / PwC / KPMG / EY: Typically SHL or AON, plus video interviews.
Consulting assessment map
| Assessment type | What it feels like | How to practise |
|---|---|---|
| Provider aptitude test | SHL, AON, SOVA or similar numerical/verbal/logical sections. | Timed reasoning sets with strict review of wrong answers. |
| Digital case | Charts, client context, multiple-choice recommendations and short calculations. | Data interpretation plus business conclusion practice. |
| Game-based test | Pattern, planning or simulation tasks with unfamiliar interfaces. | Practise the mechanic and decision process, not just content. |
| Case interview | Live business problem with interviewer prompts. | Structure, hypothesis, maths, synthesis and communication. |
The data slide question
Consulting-style numerical questions present a “data slide” — the kind of chart a consultant would show a client. You have to extract insight, not just calculate.
Market share by segment (%)
Enterprise revenue = 420 × 0.34 = $142.8M. Growth = 142.8 × 0.12 = $17.1M. New total = 420 + 17.1 = $437.1M.
Consulting tests check that you can decompose a total, apply growth to one segment, and recompose. It is not hard maths — it is structured thinking.
How to turn a calculation into insight
Consulting assessments rarely reward calculation alone. After the number, add the business meaning: “Enterprise growth adds $17.1m, so total revenue rises by about 4.1%. That is a material lift, but it does not change the segment mix unless growth repeats.” This habit also prepares you for case interviews, where the interviewer wants to hear why the number matters.
Logic puzzles in consulting tests
Consulting logical reasoning is less about abstract shapes and more about scheduling, ordering, and constraint satisfaction. “Five clients meet across three days — which schedules are possible?”
A ≠ Mon → A is Tue or Wed. B before C means B cannot be Wed. If A = Tue, then B = Mon, C = Wed. If A = Wed, then B = Mon or Tue, C after B. B must be Monday in both scenarios.
Mini case structure
If the assessment includes a digital case or chatbot case, use a four-part structure before touching the answer options:
- Clarify the objective. Revenue growth, margin improvement, market entry or cost reduction?
- Break the driver tree. Revenue = price x volume; profit = revenue - cost.
- Calculate only the relevant branch. Ignore data that does not affect the objective.
- Synthesise in one sentence. Say what the number means for the client.
Common consulting test mistakes
- Over-practising generic numerical tests. You still need case-style interpretation.
- Ignoring the provider label. AON, SHL, SOVA, Pymetrics and digital case tools feel different.
- Writing down every number. Consultants filter data; they do not copy the whole slide.
- Stopping at the answer. Explain what the result means for the client or decision.
Source notes
forge checks consulting-assessment guidance against official firm and provider pages where possible, including McKinsey interviewing guidance, BCG interview preparation, and provider pages from SHL. Office-level assessment vendors can change.
Practise consulting-style questions on forge
Numerical and logical reasoning packs modelled on BCG Casey, Bain SOVA, and Big Four assessments.
Start practisingFrequently asked questions
What tests do consulting firms use?+
Consulting firms may use numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, digital cases, game-based tests, chatbot cases and live case interviews depending on firm, office and role.
How is consulting test prep different from generic aptitude prep?+
You need the calculation and the business interpretation. Consulting tests often ask what a number means for a client decision, not just the number itself.
Should I practise cases or aptitude tests first?+
If the online assessment is first, practise aptitude and data interpretation first. Then add case-style explanation so your calculations turn into recommendations.
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