What is the BCG CCA numerical section?

It is the only timed section of the BCG Consulting Career Assessment, an SHL-hosted screen BCG introduced in August 2024. It runs 8 numerical questions on one 12-minute clock, covering scheduling logic, time reallocation, chart and table reading, and percentage-rate-ratio quant. Calculators are allowed and there is no camera requirement.

How does the timing work on the CCA?

One shared 12-minute countdown covers all 8 questions, which averages about 90 seconds each. You cannot return to a question after moving on, so pacing against the single clock matters more than per-question speed. The simulator runs the identical clock and navigation.

Is this the official BCG assessment?

It is an independent simulator built from the widely documented CCA format, using original practice questions. It reproduces the structure - 8 questions, one 12-minute clock, the four question shapes, forward-only navigation - so the real section feels familiar.

Do I need to prepare for the personality sections too?

Yes, but differently. The two personality tests are untimed, and consistency across answers matters more than speed. Most prep ROI sits in the timed numerical block, which is why this simulator focuses there. The full CCA guide covers the personality sections and a 4-week plan.

BCG CCA Numerical Simulator

Free simulator

Run the CCA numerical simulation right here: 8 questions on one shared 12-minute clock, mixing scheduling logic, time reallocation, chart reading, and quant reasoning, scored instantly with worked solutions.

CCA numerical simulation

8 questions, one shared 12:00 clock
Multiple choice; every question must be answered to move on
No going back: answers lock when you advance
Calculator and scratch paper allowed, same as the real thing

The first 2 questions are free, no signup.

The quick version: The BCG CCA's only timed section is 8 numerical questions on one shared 12-minute clock: scheduling logic, time reallocation, chart reading, and percentage-rate-ratio quant, with a calculator allowed and no going back between questions. This simulator mirrors that format so the pace is familiar before your single real attempt.

Why the CCA numerical section decides the screen

The numerical block is the only timed section of the BCG Consulting Career Assessment, which makes it the highest-ROI place to practice. It runs 8 questions on one shared 12-minute clock on the SHL platform, across four recurring shapes: scheduling logic, time reallocation, chart and table reading, and percentage-rate-ratio quant. Calculators are allowed, so the bottleneck is setup speed, not arithmetic.

The shared clock is the whole game. 12 minutes across 8 questions averages 90 seconds each, and there is no going back once you advance. Candidates who fail the block usually do not fail on math - they burn 3 minutes on one scheduling question and rush the last three. Timed runs against one clock are what fix it.

The full structure, scoring context, and a 4-week plan are in the BCG CCA guide.

How the simulator works

The simulator reproduces the CCA numerical section end to end: 8 questions on one 12-minute countdown, 2 from each of the four question shapes, multiple choice, forward-only. When the run ends you get a score out of 8 plus a per-question review with your answer, the correct answer, a worked solution, and the seconds you spent on each question. Three more question sets rotate in for your retakes.

Run it like the real thing:

One sitting, clock on. Treat the 8 questions as a single block. No pausing to review mid-run.
Set up before you compute. State the equation (out loud or on paper), then plug numbers. Setup errors cost more than arithmetic errors.
Calculator allowed. Same as the real CCA - keep one at hand and practice with it.
Review after, not during. Read the per-question report once the run is done and log which shape (scheduling, reallocation, chart reading, quant) cost you the most seconds.

View worked examples →

4 worked

4 CCA-style practice questions

Original practice examples built to mirror the reasoning shapes the CCA rewards. Set a 6-minute clock for the four of them.

Example 1
Revenue rises 12% while costs rise 8% on a higher cost base. Did profit improve?
Approach
Compute the dollar change in revenue and costs separately, then compare. Comparing the percentages directly is the trap - 8% of a larger base can exceed 12% of a smaller one.
Answer
Depends on the bases: compare dollar deltas, not percentages.
Example 2
A team of 4 finishes a task in 6 days. How long for 6 people at the same pace?
Approach
Total work = 4 × 6 = 24 person-days. Divide by the new headcount: 24 / 6 = 4. Sanity-check the direction: more people, fewer days.
Answer
4 days.
Example 3
Three tasks take 3, 5, and 2 hours and share one resource. What is the minimum total time?
Approach
One shared resource means the tasks run sequentially: identify the binding constraint, sequence to avoid idle time, then add the durations. 3 + 5 + 2 = 10.
Answer
10 hours.
Example 4
A chart shows quarterly sales by region. Which region drove the year's growth?
Approach
Read the title and axes first, isolate the largest absolute delta between the first and last quarter, then connect it back to the question asked - largest delta, not largest bar.
Answer
The region with the largest absolute change, not the largest total.

Train the CCA numerical section with AI feedback

Run the full 8-question simulation

View common mistakes →

4 pitfalls

4 common mistakes on the CCA numerical block

The block is short enough that one bad habit costs the whole section. These are the ones that show up most in timed reps.

Practicing untimed
The CCA numerical block is the assessment's only timed section, and the shared 12-minute clock is what breaks candidates. Every practice run should happen against one countdown, not per-question timers.
Spending 3 minutes on one question
Eight questions share one budget. If a question is not set up within 30 seconds, take your best structured guess and bank the time for the rest of the block - you cannot come back to it anyway.
Skipping scheduling and chart questions in prep
Scheduling grids and exhibit reads show up alongside straight quant. Drill the read order - constraints first, then the calendar or axes, then the asked value - until pulling the right number is automatic.
Treating it like a case interview
There is no interviewer and no partial credit for narration. The CCA rewards fast, correct setup and clean execution. Save the storytelling for BCG Casey and the live rounds.

Frequently asked questions

What is the BCG CCA numerical section?
It is the only timed section of the BCG Consulting Career Assessment, an SHL-hosted screen BCG introduced in August 2024. It runs 8 numerical questions on one 12-minute clock, covering scheduling logic, time reallocation, chart and table reading, and percentage-rate-ratio quant. Calculators are allowed and there is no camera requirement.
How does the timing work on the CCA?
One shared 12-minute countdown covers all 8 questions, which averages about 90 seconds each. You cannot return to a question after moving on, so pacing against the single clock matters more than per-question speed. The simulator runs the identical clock and navigation.
Is this the official BCG assessment?
It is an independent simulator built from the widely documented CCA format, using original practice questions. It reproduces the structure - 8 questions, one 12-minute clock, the four question shapes, forward-only navigation - so the real section feels familiar.
Do I need to prepare for the personality sections too?
Yes, but differently. The two personality tests are untimed, and consistency across answers matters more than speed. Most prep ROI sits in the timed numerical block, which is why this simulator focuses there. The full CCA guide covers the personality sections and a 4-week plan.

Timed simulation

Run the full CCA numerical simulation

8 questions, one 12-minute clock, a per-question score report, and a second question set for your retake.

Run the full simulationThe first 2 questions are free on this page.