1. Scan responses first

There will be considerable information in text and exhibits. Skim through and draw out the relevant information. If you read the questions and answers beforehand, you know what to look for in the text.

2. Use shortcuts

With the time limit, you cannot check each answer option in detail. Instead, you need to male quick judgements, eliminate incorrect answers, round up numbers to make easier calculations, and use rough estimates. With that, you can narrow down your options to the most plausible ones.

3. Manage your risk

At McKinsey, BCG and Bain, you have around two minutes per question. Skip questions that seem too difficult at first glance, as you can always go back and look at it later on. Keep you calculations organised, so you don’t have to check your work again and easily can find the work for each question. If you are doing a McKinsey test, pick up the pace in the last 10-15 minutes and make an effort to estimate or guess an answer for every question. For a BCG test you should try to narrow the answer options down to three and then make a qualified guess. If you cannot narrow it down, do not guess since you get minus points for wrong answers.

4. Don’t make assumptions

In the data interpretation or drawing a conclusion type questions, some multiple choice answer options will seem consistent with the data, but are not 100% conclusively supported by the data.

5. Bring a watch

Not every testing room has a clock, though most ones do. But you do not want to take the test without being able to time yourself.

Practice the 5 tips with these 3 analytical tests from BCG: