Short answer
BCG Casey is a chatbot-based online case with about 8 timed, exhibit-driven questions and no going back. BCG CCA, the Case Completion Assessment, is a written format where you complete a partly finished case analysis. Candidates report Casey is more widely used, but offices differ, so prepare for Casey by default and add CCA practice if needed.
Key takeaways
- Casey tests fast, final answers inside a chatbot; CCA tests completing a written case analysis.
- BCG does not publish which offices use which format, and assignments can change between cycles.
- The analytical skills overlap, so Casey practice plus some written case work covers both.
In this article
Part ofBCG Casey Online Case: The Complete Guide
BCG Casey and BCG CCA are two distinct online assessment formats used by Boston Consulting Group to evaluate candidates before live interviews. BCG Casey is an AI chatbot-based case assessment with timed, exhibit-driven questions. BCG CCA (Case Completion Assessment) is a written format where candidates complete a partially finished case analysis. Understanding which format you will face — and how preparation differs — is critical for advancing past the online assessment stage.
Many candidates discover too late that BCG uses different assessment formats across offices and recruiting cycles. Preparing exclusively for Casey when your office uses CCA — or vice versa — creates a format gap that can lead to elimination. This guide covers everything the DrillCase team has gathered about both formats from candidate reports, including which offices tend to use which format and how to prepare effectively for each.
BCG Casey — Format Overview
The BCG Casey chatbot assessment presents candidates with a business scenario through an interactive chatbot interface. You receive one case with 8 questions, each individually timed and accompanied by data exhibits (charts, tables, graphs). Once you submit an answer, you cannot go back — every response is final.
| Parameter | BCG Casey |
|---|---|
| Format | AI chatbot with data exhibits |
| Questions | 8 per case |
| Time | ~25-30 minutes total |
| Question timing | Individual timers per question |
| Can you go back? | No — answers are final |
| Calculator | No in-interface calculator |
| Interface | Web-based chatbot dialogue |
BCG CCA — Format Overview
The BCG CCA (Case Completion Assessment) provides candidates with a partially completed case analysis. You receive a business scenario with supporting data, along with a case analysis that has missing sections — incomplete conclusions, blank calculations, or gaps in recommendations. Your task is to complete the analysis by filling in the missing elements.
| Parameter | BCG CCA |
|---|---|
| Format | Written case completion |
| Structure | Partially completed case with gaps |
| Time | ~45-60 minutes total |
| Question types | Open-ended completion, calculations, recommendations |
| Can you go back? | Yes — you can review and revise |
| Calculator | Typically provided |
| Interface | Web-based written assessment |
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Dimension | BCG Casey | BCG CCA |
|---|---|---|
| Core skill tested | Speed + accuracy under chatbot constraints | Analytical depth + written synthesis |
| Time pressure | Very high — individual question timers | Moderate — single block of time |
| Question format | Multiple-choice / short-answer | Open-ended written completion |
| Data exhibits | Embedded per question | Provided as supporting materials |
| Revision allowed | No — cannot go back | Yes — can review and revise |
| Estimated pass rate | 35-45% | 35-50% |
| Preparation overlap | Data interpretation, quantitative reasoning, business judgment | Data interpretation, quantitative reasoning, business judgment |
Which Offices Use Which Format
BCG does not publicly document which offices use Casey vs CCA, and the assignment can change between recruiting cycles. Based on candidate reports, here are the general patterns as of 2026:
- Casey (more common): North America (most offices), Western Europe (UK, Germany, France), Asia-Pacific (Singapore, Australia, India), Latin America
- CCA (select offices): Some Middle Eastern offices, select European offices, occasionally used for specific role levels or recruiting programs
- Variable: Some offices have switched between formats across recruiting cycles — what your predecessor faced may not be what you receive
How Preparation Differs
Preparing for BCG Casey
- Practice with the chatbot interface format — the no-going-back constraint changes how you allocate time and confidence per question
- Build exhibit reading speed with chart interpretation drills
- Sharpen mental math with timed calculation practice — no calculator is provided in Casey
- Complete at least 10 full Casey simulation cases before test day — DrillCase offers 20
Preparing for BCG CCA
- Practice written case analysis — synthesizing data into clear, structured conclusions under time pressure
- Build the same data interpretation and quantitative skills tested in Casey — the underlying analytical demands overlap significantly
- Practice completing partial analyses — read a case halfway through, then write the conclusion and recommendations sections
- Focus on written communication clarity — CCA evaluates the quality of your written output, not just correctness
Preparing for Both Formats Simultaneously
The most efficient preparation strategy covers both formats because the underlying skills overlap substantially. Here is the combined approach:
- Core skills (both formats): Data interpretation, quantitative reasoning, business judgment, exhibit reading speed. Build these with DrillCase's free practice tools.
- Casey-specific: Chatbot interface practice, mental math without calculator, no-going-back decision discipline. Build with DrillCase Casey simulation cases.
- CCA-specific: Written synthesis practice, partial case completion exercises, structured written communication. Supplement with written case practice from your school's case book or peer practice groups.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BCG Casey and BCG CCA?
BCG Casey is an AI chatbot-based case assessment where you interact with a chatbot interface, answer 8 timed questions with data exhibits, and cannot go back to previous answers. BCG CCA (Case Completion Assessment) is a written case completion format where you receive a partially completed case analysis and must fill in missing elements — conclusions, calculations, or recommendations. Casey tests real-time analytical thinking under chatbot constraints, while CCA tests your ability to complete structured case analysis in a written format.
Which BCG offices use Casey vs CCA?
BCG Casey is the more widely used format globally and is the standard assessment for most offices in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. BCG CCA is used by select offices, particularly in some European and Middle Eastern markets. The format you receive depends on your target office, role level, and recruiting cycle. BCG may also change which format an office uses between recruiting cycles. We recommend preparing for Casey as the default, and adding CCA preparation if your target office specifically uses that format.
Is BCG Casey harder than BCG CCA?
Candidates report different challenges for each format. Casey is harder in terms of time pressure — individual question timers and the inability to go back create significant stress. CCA is harder in terms of analytical depth — you must produce complete, polished case analysis rather than selecting from multiple-choice options. Candidates with strong writing and synthesis skills may find CCA more manageable, while candidates who perform well under rapid decision-making may prefer Casey. Both formats have similar overall pass rates.
Can I prepare for both BCG Casey and CCA at the same time?
Yes, and we recommend it if you are unsure which format your office uses. Both formats test overlapping skills: data interpretation, quantitative reasoning, and business judgment. The core difference is the interface — chatbot interaction vs. written completion. DrillCase's BCG Casey simulation builds the analytical speed and exhibit reading skills that transfer to both formats. Supplement with written case practice for CCA-specific preparation.
Sources
This article predates our citation policy and does not yet list external sources. Format details reflect candidate reports at the time of writing. See our editorial policy.