If you've applied to Bain and you're searching for "the Bain online assessment," there's a catch: there isn't one. Bain officially runs two platforms in 2026 — TestGorilla and Sova — and select offices have historically used Pymetrics (reported in Germany) or a HireVue-style video interview (reported in parts of Asia-Pacific and San Francisco). Which one lands in your inbox depends on the office, the role, and the year. Confusing the formats wastes weeks of prep, so the first step is identifying the exact test you're taking.
This page covers all four formats reported at Bain, the regions where each is most common, and what each tests. Each variant has its own dedicated pillar guide linked below.
The Bain assessment formats
Bain TestGorilla
Region: Several US offices and some European offices (e.g., Amsterdam)
Format: Hard-timed, roughly 40–50 min total (Bain officially ~30–40); ~8–15 min per section
Tests: Numerical, Business Judgment, Leadership, Problem Solving (some candidates get only 3 sections; numerical is always included)
Read the full guideBain Sova
Region: Primarily European and Middle East offices, especially London
Format: Soft-timed (~45–75 min); score combines accuracy and speed; multiple sittings allowed
Tests: Situational Judgement, Verbal (True/False/Cannot Say), Numerical, Logical/Abstract, Personality
Read the full guideBain Pymetrics
Region: Reported primarily in Germany (and reportedly select other offices)
Format: 12–16 short mini-games, roughly 25–35 min
Tests: Cognitive + emotional traits (no right answers)
Read the full guideBain HireVue
Region: Reported in parts of Southeast Asia and Australia; a one-way video interview has been reported in San Francisco
Format: ~25 multiple-choice questions on a modified Bain case + a recorded video interview
Tests: Problem solving / deductive MCQs + situational and behavioural video answers
Read the full guideQuick comparison table
| Format | Time limit | Question style | Hardest part |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestGorilla | Hard-timed (~40–50 min; Bain officially ~30–40) | MCQ, no backtracking; calculator allowed | Time pressure |
| Sova | Soft-timed (~45–75 min) | MCQ + True/False/Cannot Say + personality; calculator allowed; multiple sittings allowed | Logical / abstract reasoning |
| Pymetrics (legacy) | ~25–35 min total, per-game timers | 12–16 mini-games, no right answers | Trait-fit (can't really "study") |
| HireVue-style (legacy) | ~30 sec to think, 2–3 min to answer per Q | ~25 MCQs on a modified case + recorded video interview | Performing on camera |
How to figure out which one you're getting
- Check your invitation email. The provider's name and link are always visible — "TestGorilla", "Sova Assessment Platform", "Pymetrics", or a HireVue-style video link.
- Match it to your office. TestGorilla has been reported in several US offices and some European offices (e.g., Amsterdam). Sova is used across most European and Middle East offices, especially London. Pymetrics has been reported in Germany (and reportedly select other offices). A HireVue-style video interview has been reported in parts of Southeast Asia, Australia, and San Francisco.
- Check your application year. Bain rolled out TestGorilla office-by-office from around 2023–24 alongside Sova. Both remain officially in use in 2026 — TestGorilla did not replace Sova, so older Reddit posts naming a single format may be out of date.
Why Bain uses multiple formats
The answer is partly historical and partly intentional. Sova replaced Bain's legacy online test around 2020–21. TestGorilla was rolled out office-by-office starting around 2023–24, but did not replace Sova — both are officially in use in 2026, with the choice varying by office and role. Pymetrics and HireVue-style formats persisted in select offices from earlier vendor relationships.
For candidates, the practical implication is this: do not assume "Bain assessment" means one thing. Confirm the format from your invitation email, then use the right pillar guide below.
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