Are you gearing up for the highly competitive BCG Pymetrics Test?
This game-based assessment can make or break your prospects, as it measures your cognitive, emotional, and social traits to determine if you’re a perfect fit for the job and company culture.
You must pass the BCG Pymetrics test to get interviews.
And like everything else at BCG: it’s very selective.
But with the right preparation and understanding of the test, you can ace it and stand out among the other candidates.
So, let’s dive into the world of the BCG Pymetrics Test and uncover the secrets to mastering the BCG Pymetrics test in 2023!
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The BCG Pymetrics Test is a gamified test to screen candidates. In other words, BCG uses your score to decide whether you’ll be invited for interviews.
- It’s used during the screening phase along with the resume and cover letter reviews. Check this article to learn more about the Boston Consulting Group recruitment process.
- The BCG Pymetrics assessment is a series of 12 short mini-games you can take on your computer or smartphone (from home). It takes 25 minutes to complete the test.
- BCG uses your results to analyze 91 skills and personality traits, identify your strengths & weaknesses, and compare them to successful consultants. In case of a good match, you’ll move on in the interview process. Those 91 skills and personality traits can be categorized into 9 groups.
- By understanding the test’s objectives, effectively preparing through online resources and practice tests, and creating an optimal testing environment, you can increase your chances of success.
Understanding the BCG Pymetrics Test
As a component of its recruitment process, BCG incorporates Pymetrics to formulate an unbiased personality profile of candidates and juxtapose their traits with those of successful in-house consultants.
Hence, the BCG Pymetrics Test is designed to help the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) identify high-performing candidates who align with their job requirements and company culture.
Moreover, the test consists of 12 mini-games that measure over 91 social, emotional, and cognitive traits across nine groups.
Source: https://www.pymetrics.ai/early-careers-campus-hiring
The importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence in consulting cannot be overstated.
And through the BCG Pymetrics Test, candidates’ competencies are gauged across nine distinct soft skills indispensable for thriving in consulting firms.
With Pymetrics games such as the Pymetrics Money Exchange game, the Lengths game, or the Balloon game, BCG Pymetrics assesses traits like:
Effort: approach toward investing effort based on the reward size and probability of success.
Risk tolerance: level of comfort with risk-taking.
Decision-making: approach towards making decisions.
Attention: approach to managing incoming information and distractions
Focus: concentration style for one or more tasks.
Learning: approach to changing behavior based on new information.
Fairness: perception of fairness in social situations.
Generosity: tendency to prioritize the needs of others above one’s own.
Emotion: the strategy towards interpreting the emotions of others.
Therefore, BCG utilizes Pymetrics to generate an impartial personality profile of applicants, comparing their traits to those of successful BCG consultants within the firm. There are no right or wrong answers.
Additionally, evaluating these soft skills through the BCG Pymetrics Test facilitates predicting a candidate’s potential for professional success.
Navigating the 12 mini-games of the BCG Pymetrics Test
The BCG Pymetrics test includes the twelve following Pymetrics games:
Let’s explore each of these Pymetrics games.
Mini-Game #1: Balloons game
The game objective
You must pump 39 balloons with air. You earn more money with every successful pump. But if the balloon pops before you stop pumping, you lose your money. Each balloon has a different behavior, aiming to accumulate as much money as possible.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Risk tolerance, decision-making.
Mini-Game #2: Money Exchange Game 1
The game objective
In this first Money Exchange game, you start with $10, share some/all/none with another person who gets triple, and they may give back some/all/none. Rate the fairness on a 1-10 scale afterward.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Risk tolerance, fairness.
Mini-Game #3: Money Exchange 2 game
The game objective
You and a partner each get $5, with one of you randomly receiving an extra $5. Decide to give or take money from each other and assess if it’s fair.
The cognitive traits assessed
Risk tolerance, fairness.
Mini-Game #4: Digits game
The game objective
You must memorize a sequence of digits that quickly flash on your screen. Once the digits disappear, you must write down the digits in the exact same order. The sequence size increases after each round, making the game more and more difficult.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Attention, focus.
Mini-Game #5: Hard or Easy game
The game objective
You must first choose between performing an easy (press the spacebar 5x in 3 seconds) or a hard task (press the spacebar 60x in 12 seconds).
By performing the easy task, you earn less money.
And by choosing an easy or hard challenge, BCG will assess your tolerance to risk.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Effort, decision-making, risk tolerance.
Mini-Game #6: Stop 1 game
The game objective
You must press the spacebar whenever you see a red circle on your screen. The talk is repeated 15-20 times.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Attention, focus.
Mini-Game #7: Cards game
The game objective
You must draw cards from four card decks. Some cards offer a reward, while others offer a penalty. You must end the game with as much money as possible.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Risk tolerance, decision making.
Get 4 Complete Case Interview Courses For Free
You need 4 skills to be successful in all case interviews: Case Structuring, Case Leadership, Case Analytics, and Communication. Join this free training and learn how to ace ANY case questions.
Mini-Game #8: Arrows game
The game objective
The game shows arrows with different colors (red, blue, or black) and directions (left or right). You must tap the corresponding arrow button (or the opposite for red arrows) 15-20 times.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Attention, focus.
Mini-Game #9: Lengths game
The game objective
You see face icons with big or little mouths. Decide if the mouth is big or small and press the arrow key accordingly (right for big, left for little) to earn money if you’re correct.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Attention, focus.
Mini-Game #10: Towers game
The game objective
Have you ever played the Hanoi Towers game when you were a kid?
Well, be ready to play the same game here!
Rearrange colored discs between three towers to match the target tower on top within 2 minutes, using the fewest moves for a better score.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Decision-making.
Mini-Game #11: Faces game
The game objective
Choose the emotion expressed by a person in a portrait image with context from 10 options in the game.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Emotion.
Mini-Game #12: Keypresses game
The game objective
You must press the spacebar on your keyboard as many times as possible within the given time period.
Image from iprep.
The cognitive traits assessed
Attention.
Effective Preparation Strategies
To enhance your likelihood of succeeding on the BCG Pymetrics Test, you must prepare diligently using online resources and practice tests.
Familiarizing yourself with the format and objectives of the test, as well as practicing similar games, can significantly improve your performance and boost your confidence.
Another crucial aspect of effective preparation is creating the ideal testing environment.
This involves ensuring a reliable internet connection, minimizing distractions, and being well-rested and nourished before taking the test.
By focusing on these factors, you can optimize your performance and increase your chances of achieving the BCG Pymetrics Test.
Fake it until you make it
BCG will use the 12 games to compare your cognitive traits with those of successful BCGers.
Therefore, you must first understand the characteristics and personal traits of best-in-class consultants.
For instance, consultants are risk-averse.
In other words, they have little tolerance for risk.
With this in mind, you can adapt your strategies when playing games like Money Exchange 2.
Therefore, check on their website what BCG values and look for in candidates.
Online Resources and Practice Tests
There are numerous online resources and practice tests available to help candidates prepare for the BCG Pymetrics Test.
These resources offer valuable insights into the test format and objectives, allowing candidates to become more familiar with the structure and requirements of the test.
For instance, our friends at JobTestPrep propose Pymetrics games.
But, you can find other platforms such as iprep.online.
Besides, they offer free practice BCG Pymetrics games here.
With these online platforms, you’ll be ready to practice BCG Pymetrics test.
But let’s talk about other preparation strategies to tackle the BCG Pymetrics assessment.
Practicing similar games
In the BCG Pymetrics Test, many of the mini-games are actually well-known brain-training games that you can easily find online for free.
Although these games may not have the exact same assessment principles as the Pymetrics test, they can be really helpful for getting comfortable with the format.
This familiarity can reduce any confusion when you start taking the actual test.
So, it’s a good idea to give them a try!
Creating the Ideal Testing Environment
You can take the Pymetrics games at home.
Hence, establishing an ideal testing environment is imperative to guarantee optimal performance during the BCG Pymetrics Test.
To set up an effective testing space, start by securing a reliable internet connection, as any disruptions can negatively impact your test results.
Additionally, here are some tips to help you prepare for the test:
Choose a quiet, well-lit space where you can focus on the task at hand
Minimize distractions by turning off your phone and closing any unnecessary tabs or applications on your computer
Ensure you’re well-rested and nourished before taking the test, as this will provide your body and mind with the necessary fuel for success.
Understanding Game Objectives
To excel in the BCG Pymetrics Test, it’s vital to comprehend the objectives of each game and approach them accordingly.
For example, in the Money Exchange #1 game, candidates should display low-risk tolerance by providing a conservative amount of money and rating fairness high as long as the amount returned closely matches or surpass the amount given.
In the Cards game, candidates should take a structured approach with a low-risk tolerance, testing each deck with 4-5 cards and observing any patterns regarding gains and losses.
Focus your energy on the most profitable deck by dedicating 50% of your remaining cards.
Spend 40% on what is known as ‘middling’ decks and 10% on the least profitable deck.
In the Arrows game, it’s essential to be quick and accurate, as this game measures the candidate’s learning, adaptivity, and attention.
Responding to sets of flashing arrows as quickly and accurately as possible showcases the ability to process information and make rapid decisions.
Balancing Speed and Accuracy
For optimal performance during the BCG Pymetrics Test, which takes about 25 minutes to complete, it is key to strike a balance between speed and accuracy.
Rushing through the games may lead to mistakes while being too slow could result in not showcasing your true abilities.
To strike the right balance, take your time to ensure you’re making the correct decisions while completing the games.
Additionally, you may wish to practice the games prior to the assessment to become more familiar with the game mechanics and improve your speed and accuracy.
For all consulting firms, including BCG, a strong correlation exists between a candidate’s quantitative skills and the probability that this candidate will become a best-in-class consultant.
That’s why top consulting firms love asking quantitative questions in case interviews.
And the Casey chatbot interview is no exception.
Hence, you’ll have to answer Math questions like this one:
Frequently Asked Questions (and final tips)
What is the BCG Pymetrics test?
The BCG Pymetrics test is a pre-interview screening tool that assesses 91 cognitive traits via 12 mini-games, taking 1-3 minutes each. It covers attention to detail, decision-making, effort, fairness, focus, generosity, and risk tolerance.
Does BCG care about Pymetrics?
BCG uses the Pymetrics test results to identify potential successful consultants and gain unbiased insight into applicants. The test is used to assess candidates during the screening (pre-interview) phase and is fully part of the BCG hiring process.
What does BCG look for in Pymetrics?
BCG Pymetrics Test assesses 91+ cognitive traits across 9 categories, such as attention, decision-making, effort, emotion, and more, in order to understand a person’s aptitude and behavior.
How do you beat Pymetrics BCG?
To beat Pymetrics BCG, practice using other brain training apps, read up on the firm’s values, get a good night’s sleep, and ensure you have a quiet environment with no distractions.
How can I effectively prepare for the BCG Pymetrics Test?
To effectively prepare for the BCG Pymetrics test, utilize online resources and practice tests, create an ideal testing environment, and understand game objectives.
BCG Pymetrics Test: final words
I hope you enjoyed this guide about the BCG Pymetrics assessments.
And that you feel more confident of mastering the BCG Pymetrics assessment.
Now, I’d like to hear from you:
Which Pymetrics game is the most challenging, in your opinion?
The balloon game?
Maybe the money exchange game?
Or the Towers game?
Also, tell me when you are planning to take the Pymetrics test.
Let me know by leaving a quick comment below.
Sébastien
Get 4 Complete Case Interview Courses For Free
You need 4 skills to be successful in all case interviews: Case Structuring, Case Leadership, Case Analytics, and Communication. Join this free training and learn how to ace ANY case questions.