Bain recruitment: process, interviews and online test
At Bain (generalist, private equity expertise), recruitment runs over 2 interview rounds, for internships and full-time roles alike. A test comes on top of the interviews: "Online Gorilla test (30 min): logic, numeracy, business sense, written English". Bain hires for a second gap-year internship and a full-time graduate role, but not for a first gap-year internship.
How does recruitment work at Bain?
Recruitment at Bain runs over 2 interview rounds, for internships and full-time roles alike.
Internship and apprenticeship
- 1
Round 1
One standard interview + one professional role play (behavioural interview) - 2
Round 2
One case study with Managers or Partners + a fit interview with a Partner
Full-time role
- 1
Round 1
One standard interview + one professional role play - 2
Round 2
Two case studies with Managers or Partners + a fit interview with a Partner
Good to know: TOEFL-style English test between the first and the second round.
Is there an online test at Bain?
Yes, the Bain process includes a test, which our directory describes as "Online Gorilla test (30 min): logic, numeracy, business sense, written English".
Who can apply to Bain?
Bain hires for a second gap-year internship and a full-time graduate role, but not for a first gap-year internship.
| Application | Open |
|---|---|
| First gap-year internship | No |
| Second gap-year internship | Yes |
| Full-time graduate role | Yes |
When should you apply to Bain?
Which cases should you practise for Bain?
These cases from the FrameLab catalogue are attached to Bain: their brief and their outline are free to read.
- SwimGear Acquisition
- Synergies for a Multi-Tech Acquisition
- Aerospace Privatization Strategy
- Cosmetics Decline
- BioMed Acquisition
- Franchise vs. Independent Restaurant
- Professional Cosmetics Growth
- Synergies for Multi-Technical Services Acquisition
- Health Real Estate Growth
- Market Sizing Meubleo
- GourmetPro Growth
- Life Insurance Growth
- Insurance Broker Profitability
- Acquisition S-Pharma
- Profitability ElevateGlobal France
- Performance France Elevators
- Acquisition CalibraTech
- Digitalization of meal vouchers
- Decrease in Professional Cosmetics Revenue
- Avian Disinfection Acquisition
- Food Retail Profitability
- Paper Bag Machine Market
- Premium Bike Manufacturer Acquisition
- Acquisition LinenCare Solutions
- Poultry Disinfection Acquisition
- Market Sizing Aromatherapy
- Acquisition CalibTech
- DD Furniture Online
- Profitability of an elevator company
- Elevator Maintenance Optimization
- Growth ArchivDoc
- Plastic recycling market entry
- DD Veterinary Clinics UK
- Acquisition AgriClean
- Profitability of a distributor
- Refurbished Marketplace
- Benefits of OptiDistri
- Heavy Duty Truck Spare Parts
- Acquisition Radiopharma Solutions
- Heavy Vehicle Acquisition
- Decline of a professional cosmetic leader
- EBIT Margin Ascendia France
- Insurtech Investment
- QuickEat Growth
- DD GreenWave Energy
- DD Acme Analytics
- Optimization of lead times
- Silk Glow Growth
- B2B Synergies
- Recyc'Tech Expansion
- IDF Gas Stations
- CityPark App Growth
- AutoCo Autonomous Minibus
- Democratize water fragmentation
How do you prepare for Bain interviews?
You do not pass a Bain interview by reciting a framework learnt by heart: the interviewer expects a structure built for the question just asked, accurate maths without a calculator and a recommendation you stand behind.
Fit weighs as much as the case in several rounds of this process, so prepare your stories before you walk in. For the case, start with the questions that come up most, train your estimates and your mental maths, and treat the classic frameworks as a starting point you adapt.
To prepare your interviews
Frequently asked questions about Bain recruitment
How many interview rounds are there at Bain?
Recruitment at Bain runs over 2 interview rounds, for internships and full-time roles alike.
Does Bain use an online test?
Yes, the Bain process includes a test, which our directory describes as "Online Gorilla test (30 min): logic, numeracy, business sense, written English".
Can you apply to Bain for a gap-year internship?
Yes, for the second gap-year internship. The first gap-year internship is not open at Bain.
What does the final round at Bain look like?
For an internship: one case study with Managers or Partners + a fit interview with a Partner. For a full-time role: two case studies with Managers or Partners + a fit interview with a Partner.
Is the full-time process different from the internship process at Bain?
The number of rounds is the same (2), but their content differs: each round is detailed higher up on this page.
How is Bain positioned?
Our firm directory describes Bain as: generalist, private equity expertise.