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When the email arrives
- Check which platform it names. Bain says the email after you apply tells you whether it's SOVA or TestGorilla. No email? Check your spam folder, then reply to your Bain contact.
- Note the deadline. Bain says applications aren't considered if the assessment isn't done by it.
- Plan for about 30 to 40 minutes, which is Bain's own estimate. Some offices and prep sites report longer.
- Need an accommodation? On TestGorilla, request it on the setup page before you begin. On SOVA, don't start the test: email EMEA.TalentAcquisition@bain.com first.
A week before
- Read the guide for your platform: TestGorilla or SOVA.
- Practise each section on a timer: numerical, logical, verbal and situational judgement. Our Bain practice has a free set in each.
- On SOVA, Bain points you to the samples in SOVA's own candidate preparation hub. Do them.
Two or three days before
- Do one full mock in your platform's format, in one go. Our TestGorilla-style and SOVA-style mocks follow the section mixes candidates report.
- Go back over the question types you missed, using the explanations in the question bank.
The day before
- Use a laptop or desktop with a stable internet connection, as Bain asks.
- On TestGorilla, use Google Chrome. Bain says other browsers work but are less reliable.
- Put out a pen, paper and a calculator. Bain allows all three for both platforms, for the assessment only: not in later interviews.
- Find a quiet room without distractions. Some offices describe webcam monitoring on TestGorilla (Bain's Seoul FAQ), so check your camera too.
On the day
- Work alone. Bain strictly bans AI tools, including recording, screenshots and any software that transcribes or gives feedback during the test.
- TestGorilla: do it in one sitting, as Bain asks. Each test has its own timer and TestGorilla says you can't go back to earlier questions.
- SOVA: you don't have to finish in one sitting, but every section must be done before the deadline. Candidates report no visible clock but say response time still counts, so keep moving.
- If something breaks on TestGorilla, use the widget at the bottom of the screen or email help@testgorilla.com. On SOVA, check SOVA's candidate hub or email EMEA.TalentAcquisition@bain.com.
After the test
- Bain says you can expect to hear within 60 days, though timing varies by role and office.
- Bain doesn't publish a pass mark, and its Seoul FAQ says results aren't shared with candidates. Bain treats the test as one part of your application.
- If you've already taken Bain's assessment, Bain says you won't need to retake it unless told to.
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FAQ
Can I use a calculator on the Bain online test?
Yes. Bain says a pen, paper and calculator are allowed on both SOVA and TestGorilla, for the digital assessment only and not in later interviews.
Do I have to do the Bain test in one sitting?
On TestGorilla, yes: Bain asks you to complete it in one sitting. On SOVA, no: you can split it, as long as every section is done before the deadline in your invitation.
How long until I hear back after the Bain online test?
Bain says applicants can expect to hear within 60 days, with timing varying by role and office.
Is this checklist from Bain?
No. SolveForge wrote it from Bain's public digital assessment page and FAQ, plus candidate reports where it says so. Your invitation email comes first.
SolveForge is an independent practice tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bain & Company, TestGorilla or SOVA. This checklist is built from the firms' public pages and candidate reports; your invitation email and the test's own instructions are the final word.