Key Insights:
- One Case, One Shot: The BCG Online Case is a single chatbot-led business case with 8-10 sequential questions, completed in 25-35 minutes, followed by a 5-minute prep window and a 60-second recorded video recommendation. You cannot pause or go back.
- Not Everyone Gets It: The Online Case is sent to a select group of candidates approximately two weeks after the application deadline — not automatically to everyone who applies.
- Same Skills, New Format: The test evaluates the same core consulting competencies as a live case - structuring, data interpretation, quant, and communication - but in a constrained, fully digital environment with no live interaction.
The BCG Online Case (also known as the Casey Chatbot Interview) is a core part of Boston Consulting Group's recruiting process. For candidates who advance past the initial screening stage, it is the first major test of consulting skill - before any live interviewer ever sees your name.
Unlike the Consulting Career Assessment (CCA), which goes out to all US applicants shortly after submission, the Online Case is selective. A subset of candidates will receive an invitation approximately two weeks after the application deadline. If you get that email, it means BCG sees enough in your application to take a closer look.
What Is the BCG Online Case?
The BCG Online Case is a digital case interview conducted through an interactive chatbot named Casey. It is designed to evaluate how candidates think through business problems in a structured, time-constrained environment.
Instead of speaking with a live interviewer, you:
- Read prompts and exhibits on-screen
- Answer multiple-choice, short-answer, and quantitative questions
- Progress through a structured case flow led by the chatbot
- Record a final video recommendation at the end
The key thing to understand: this is one business case, not multiple. The chatbot walks you through a single client problem from framing to recommendation. The full experience - chatbot questions plus video - takes under an hour.
BCG Online Case Format
The BCG Online Case is one business case, broken into 8-10 sequential questions, delivered through a chatbot interface. The chatbot section runs 25-35 minutes. After completing the questions, you record a 60-second video recommendation, with 5 minutes to prepare before the recording starts.
A few things to know before you begin:
- You cannot pause once the test begins
- You cannot go back to a previous question
- The chatbot reminds you of remaining time every 5 minutes
- You will have a set window to complete the test after receiving your invitation - do not wait until the last minute
The first question is consistently reported as a dataset selection task. Casey presents roughly 8 data sources and asks you to identify the most relevant ones before any analysis begins. This is your first structuring signal - treat it seriously.
The remaining questions are a mix of multiple choice, short answer, quantitative calculations, and data interpretation. The final video requires a concise recommendation with 2-3 supporting reasons. You get one attempt. If time runs out before you finish recording, whatever was captured gets sent to BCG.
Key differences from a traditional case interview:
- No live clarification - you cannot ask questions mid-case
- Predefined structure - the case progresses step by step with no flexibility
- No second chances - one attempt per application cycle
Check out the BCG Online Case example below to see how this format works in practice.
Where Does the Online Case Fit in BCG's Process?
Here is how BCG's recruiting sequence works for US applicants:
- Submit your application
- Complete the CCA - all US applicants receive a CCA invitation 30-90 minutes after submitting. You have 48 hours to complete it.
- Complete the Online Case - a select group of candidates are invited approximately two weeks after the application deadline. Not everyone who completes the CCA advances to this step.
- Round 1 live interviews
- Final round interviews
One important note from BCG directly: candidates who have previously taken the Online Case will not be prompted to take it again.
BCG Online Case Questions
The BCG Online Case draws heavily from traditional case interviews, but with tighter time constraints and no live interaction.
The first question is almost always a dataset selection task - Casey shows you roughly 8 possible data sources and asks which are most relevant to the problem. Think MECE. You are being tested on whether you can scope a problem before diving into analysis.
After that, expect a mix of:
- Multiple-choice questions
- Short written responses
- Quantitative calculations
- Data interpretation (charts, tables, exhibits)
- Logical reasoning questions
Compared to traditional cases, the BCG Online Case:
- Requires faster decision-making
- Offers no opportunity to clarify assumptions
- Tests structured thinking in a fully constrained environment
The math is reported by recent candidates to be straightforward - basic arithmetic and simple calculations, not complex quant. Recent candidates also report case topics along the lines of: a newspaper company considering whether to enter a new market as part of its digital transition.
Examples of Case Questions
You may encounter questions like:
- "What is the optimal price per unit to maximize profitability?"
- "Which of the following strategies best addresses the client’s objective?"
- "Based on the data provided, which market should the company prioritize?"
How to Prepare for the BCG Online Case
Preparation should focus on case skills and format familiarity in equal measure. Candidates who struggle with the Online Case typically do so because of pacing and format unfamiliarity, not content.
1. Understand the format
Know how Casey works: one case, sequential questions, no going back, one video attempt. The more familiar the format feels before test day, the better you will perform under pressure.
2. Practice under time pressure
Train yourself to move quickly, avoid over-analyzing, and make defensible decisions with incomplete information. A good rule of thumb: divide your total time by the number of questions and target roughly 3 minutes per question.
3. Strengthen core quant skills
The math is not complex, but it needs to be fast. Focus on:
- Percentages and ratios
- Break-even analysis
- Basic arithmetic under time pressure
4. Practice the dataset selection opener
The first question trips up unprepared candidates. Practice identifying the most relevant data sources for a given problem quickly and with a MECE lens.
5. Develop a concise video recommendation
The 5-minute prep window goes fast. Go in with a structure: lead with your recommendation, support it with 2-3 key reasons, close cleanly. Practice recording yourself until it feels automatic. This is not the place to think out loud.
6. Simulate the real environment
Sit at a computer. Work through timed cases. Record yourself. The format gap between traditional case practice and the Online Case is real - close it before test day, not during it.
Black Belt clients get access to 28 realistic BCG-style chatbot cases, along with coaching from former BCG consultants. There is no better way to prepare than practicing in an environment that mirrors the real test.
An exhibit in a Management Consulted BCG-style chatbot case. 28 practice chatbot cases are available through the Black Belt prep program.
What Is BCG Looking For?
The Online Case tests the same core traits BCG evaluates in every live interview. The digital format is just a different surface for the same signal.
Analytical Rigor: Can you break down a problem methodically and use data to guide your reasoning? This shows up in the dataset selection opener and every exhibit-based question that follows.
Structured Thinking: BCG values clarity. Your ability to synthesize information and articulate next steps - especially in the video recommendation - is a direct read on how you would communicate with a client.
Business Acumen: Understanding what drives profitability, growth, and operational trade-offs is essential. The cases are business problems, not abstract puzzles.
Judgment and Prioritization: Many questions force you to choose - which market to enter, how to allocate resources, which client issue takes priority. Make a call and defend it.
Communication Under Pressure: The video recommendation is your clearest "consultant communication" signal in the entire assessment. BCG is evaluating how you think, not just what you conclude.
BCG Online Case FAQs
What is the BCG Online Case?
The BCG Online Case (also called the Casey Chatbot Interview) is a digital case interview used by BCG to assess candidates' problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills through a single chatbot-led case and a recorded video recommendation.
Who receives the Online Case?
A select group of candidates receive an Online Case invitation approximately two weeks after the application deadline. It is not sent to everyone who applies or completes the CCA. Candidates who have previously taken the Online Case will not be prompted to take it again.
How long is the BCG Online Case?
The chatbot section takes 25-35 minutes. After completing the questions, you have 5 minutes to prepare your recommendation, then 60 seconds to record it. The full experience is under an hour.
How does the Casey Chatbot Interview work?
Casey presents one business case and walks you through 8-10 sequential questions - a mix of multiple-choice, short answer, quantitative, and data interpretation. You cannot pause or go back. The case ends with a recorded video recommendation.
Is the BCG Online Case difficult?
The content is manageable — recent candidates report straightforward math and standard business case framing. The difficulty comes from time pressure, no live interaction, and the one-attempt format. Preparation for the format matters as much as content knowledge.
What types of questions are in the BCG Online Case?
The first question is typically a dataset selection task. After that: structuring, data interpretation, quantitative calculations, and business judgment - mix of multiple choice and short answer. The case ends with a 60-second recorded video recommendation.
How do you prepare for the BCG Online Case?
Practice interviewer-led cases, drill basic quant for speed, simulate the chatbot format under timed conditions, and rehearse your video recommendation structure until it is automatic.
Conclusion
The BCG Online Case is not a test you want to encounter cold. The format is unfamiliar, the clock is tight, and there are no second chances.
But it is passable - and with the right prep, very passable. The math is straightforward. The case topics are standard. What separates candidates who advance is structure, speed, and a clean video recommendation.
Use our Chatbot Cases in the All Access Pass to get reps in before your window opens. That is the prep that actually moves the needle.
Additional Reading
- BCG Consulting Career Assessment (CCA)
- McKinsey Lilli Interview: Format, What to Expect & How to Prepare
- Bain Gorilla Test: Online Assessment
- Deloitte Online Assessment
- Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide