Short answer
BCG Casey is a chatbot-led business case with 35 minutes for the case, per BCG's 2024 candidate guide. The BCG CCA, or Consulting Career Assessment, is a different test entirely, an SHL assessment of behavioral traits and reasoning that takes 30 to 35 minutes with a calculator allowed. Some applicants take both, so prepare for whichever your invitation names.
Key takeaways
- Casey is a case. The CCA is not a case at all; it is an SHL questionnaire plus a short timed reasoning section.
- BCG says the CCA takes about 30 to 35 minutes, allows a calculator, can be paused between sections and cannot be retaken.
- Casey rewards timed case practice. For the CCA, BCG says no study is needed; a calm setup and quick numerical reasoning help most.
In this article
Part ofBCG Casey Online Case: The Complete Guide
BCG Casey and the BCG CCA are two different online assessments, and they test different things. Casey is a business case run by a chatbot. The CCA, BCG's Consulting Career Assessment, is an SHL test of behavioral traits and reasoning with no case in it. Some applicants take only one, and some take both.
What is BCG Casey?
Casey is the chatbot behind what BCG calls the Online Case Experience. BCG's Mexico careers page describes it as "an interactive exercise where you solve a business case guided by Casey, a chatbot". The chatbot sets each step, shows the exhibit you need and waits for your answer.
| Parameter | BCG Casey (Online Case Experience) |
|---|---|
| What it is | One business case led by a chatbot |
| Length | 35 minutes for the case, about 40 in all (BCG's 2024 candidate guide) |
| Questions | 8 to 10 (BCG's guide), starting with dataset selection (candidate reports) |
| Question types | Calculations, chart reading, choices, short written answers |
| Going back | Not possible once an answer is submitted (BCG's guide) |
| Calculator | Required (BCG's guide) |
| Ending | A recorded video answer of up to 1 minute, 5 minutes to prepare and record, one attempt (BCG's guide) |
The full step-by-step breakdown, with timings per question type, is in our BCG online case guide.
What is the BCG CCA?
The CCA is the Consulting Career Assessment. BCG's candidate FAQ says it "uses industrial and organizational (IO) psychology scientific practices" and that it "is designed and administered by SHL, a third-party talent assessment technology platform". It measures "the building blocks of cognitive functioning and behavioral traits".
| Parameter | BCG CCA (Consulting Career Assessment) |
|---|---|
| Built and run by | SHL, customized for BCG (BCG FAQ) |
| Length | About 30 to 35 minutes, including the tutorial and practice questions (BCG FAQ) |
| Calculator | Allowed (BCG FAQ) |
| Pausing | Allowed between sections (BCG FAQ) |
| Retakes | Not allowed (BCG FAQ) |
| Sections | Behavioral questionnaires plus a short timed reasoning section (candidate reports) |
| Reasoning section | Reported as 8 numerical questions in 12 minutes; other reports describe pattern-based logic items |
BCG is explicit that the behavioral part is not a knowledge test: "There are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers to the behavioral questions", and "There's no need to study or prepare in advance." In the logic portion, BCG says it is "looking to understand your reasoning tendencies".
Casey and the CCA side by side
| Dimension | BCG Casey | BCG CCA |
|---|---|---|
| Type of test | Business case | Psychometric assessment |
| Vendor | Chatbot built for BCG | SHL |
| What it looks for | Structuring, math, chart reading, judgement, a clear recommendation | Behavioral traits and reasoning tendencies |
| Length | 35 minutes for the case, about 40 in all | About 30 to 35 minutes |
| Business knowledge | Case skills help | Not needed |
| Preparation that helps | Timed case practice, math and chart drills | Tutorial, calm setup, numerical speed |
Which one will you get?
BCG does not publish a global rule, and the answer depends on the office and the role:
- Mexico, Associate applicants: BCG's careers page lists both the Online Case Experience and the CCA for Associate applicants, and says the CCA "is currently exclusive to the Associate recruiting process".
- United States, Associate applicants: prep providers report the CCA coming first, with selected candidates then invited to the online case.
- Other offices and roles: candidates report Casey on its own, the CCA on its own, or older variants such as the BCG Cognitive Test. Formats change between recruiting cycles.
The reliable source is your invitation email, which names the platform. If it says SHL, it is the CCA. If it mentions an online case or Casey, it is the chatbot case.
How to prepare for each
Preparing for BCG Casey
- Do BCG's own practice case from your invitation email first; BCG's 2024 candidate guide recommends it to get used to the chatbot and video screens.
- Practice full cases under a clock, so the no-going-back rule stops being a surprise.
- Build calculation speed with timed math drills and exhibit reading with chart drills.
- Rehearse the video ending: a structured recommendation in about a minute. Our video recommendation guide has a script.
Preparing for the BCG CCA
- Complete the tutorial and practice questions. BCG says they are included in the 30 to 35 minutes and "highly" encourages them.
- Use a quiet room, a stable connection and a calculator, which BCG allows.
- Answer the behavioral items as yourself and consistently. BCG says there are no right or wrong answers to them.
- If numbers are rusty, practice short timed sets. At a reported 8 questions in 12 minutes, you have about 90 seconds per question.
For how the CCA sits alongside McKinsey Solve and the Bain test, see our MBB online assessments guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BCG Casey and the BCG CCA?
Casey is BCG's online case, which BCG calls the Online Case Experience. A chatbot takes you through one business case in 35 minutes (BCG's 2024 candidate guide), with calculations, exhibits and short written answers. The CCA, or Consulting Career Assessment, is built and run by SHL. BCG says it measures the building blocks of cognitive functioning and behavioral traits. Candidates describe behavioral questionnaires plus a short timed reasoning section, with no business case.
Does everyone take both Casey and the CCA?
No. It depends on the office and the role. BCG's Mexico careers page lists both the Online Case Experience and the CCA for Associate applicants and says the CCA is currently exclusive to the Associate process. Prep providers report that some US Associate applicants take the CCA first and that selected candidates are then invited to the online case. Your invitation email names the test, so check it first.
Can you prepare for the BCG CCA?
BCG's own FAQ says there is no need to study or prepare in advance and that there are no right or wrong answers to the behavioral questions. Useful steps are practical ones. Complete the tutorial and the practice questions, which BCG encourages. Keep a calculator ready, since it is allowed. If you are rusty, practice timed numerical questions; one prep site reports 8 questions in 12 minutes.
Can you retake the BCG CCA or pause it?
BCG's CCA FAQ says you cannot retake the assessment. You can pause between sections, although BCG encourages completing it in one sitting. The FAQ also says the CCA is customized to BCG, so an SHL test taken for another employer does not count.
Is the CCA the same as the old BCG Potential Test?
No. The Potential Test was a multiple-choice business-reasoning test that prep sites now describe as retired or legacy. The CCA is a newer SHL assessment focused on behavioral traits and reasoning. Some German-speaking and Nordic offices have also used a separate BCG Cognitive Test. Our BCG online case guide lists each variant with its source.
Practice what you just read
Rehearse the chatbot case in the same kind of screen
Reading about Casey helps. Answering a timed question while an exhibit sits next to the chat is what builds the habit. Each DrillCase case runs in a chat panel with exhibits you open as you go and a clock that keeps running.
- chatbot-style cases
- 29
- case questions
- 275
- free demo case
- 1
- 29 cases and 275 questions: calculations, chart reading, data choices and written answers
- Exhibits open beside the chat, as in the format candidates describe
- Start with the free demo case, then buy 14 or 20 cases, or all 29 with the All-Access Pass
Complete refunds within 7 days if you have opened no more than 3 cases (the free demo case included). Starter is final sale, so try the free demo case first. All-Access has a 7-day money-back guarantee. Refund policy. DrillCase is independent practice material and is not affiliated with McKinsey, BCG or Bain.
Sources
- BCG, Online Case Assessment: User reference guide for candidates (2024)
- BCG: Consulting Career Assessment (CCA) FAQs for BCG Unlock candidates (PDF, updated January 2025)
- BCG Careers: Mexico recruiting process (Online Case Experience and CCA)
- MyConsultingCoach: BCG CCA guide
- PrepLounge: What is the BCG Consulting Career Assessment (CCA)?
- Hacking the Case Interview: BCG Consulting Career Assessment
- MyConsultingCoach: BCG online assessment, which test did you receive?