Bain online test (SOVA): sections, timing and how to practise

The Bain online test explained: numerical, verbal and logical sections, typical timing, what a good score needs, and how to practise each part. 7 min readUpdated 12 November 2026By the Prepper team

Several Bain offices screen applicants with an online aptitude test, often provided by SOVA. It is closer to a classic reasoning test than to a case interview. Other Bain offices use a different test or none at all, so read your invitation.

What the Bain online test usually contains

Section	What it tests	Typical style
Numerical	Reading tables and charts, percentages, ratios	Multiple choice, calculator allowed
Verbal	Drawing conclusions from a short business text	True, false or cannot say
Logical	Patterns in shapes or sequences	Pick the next item
Situational (some offices)	How you would act at work	Rank or choose responses

Timing is tight: often well under two minutes per question.

How to practise each part

Numerical. Most errors come from reading the wrong row or unit. Read the question first, then find the numbers. Estimate before you calculate, so you can drop impossible options.
Verbal. Answer only from the text. If the passage does not say it, the answer is "cannot say", even if it is true in real life.
Logical. Check one feature at a time: shape, number, position, colour, rotation.
Situational. Think about what a sensible junior consultant would do: tell the team early, check facts, protect the client relationship.

A one-week plan

Day	Work
1	One untimed set of each section to find the weak one
2 to 4	Timed sets on the weak section, review every mistake
5	Mixed timed set
6	Full mock at test length
7	Light review, then take the test rested

Start with the Bain SOVA-style numerical test. If you also face McKinsey or BCG screens, see consulting online assessments compared.

Frequently asked questions

Does every Bain office use the SOVA test?
No. Screening differs by office and year. Some use an online aptitude test, some a different assessment, and some go straight to interviews.
Is a calculator allowed in the Bain online test?
Usually for the numerical section, but confirm in your invitation.
What score do I need on the Bain online test?
Bain does not publish a pass mark. Aim to finish every section and to be accurate on the numerical part, which candidates most often report as decisive.

Does every Bain office use the SOVA test?

No. Screening differs by office and year. Some use an online aptitude test, some a different assessment, and some go straight to interviews.

Is a calculator allowed in the Bain online test?

Usually for the numerical section, but confirm in your invitation.

What score do I need on the Bain online test?

Bain does not publish a pass mark. Aim to finish every section and to be accurate on the numerical part, which candidates most often report as decisive.