Nickel-tungsten sulfide catalysts synthesized by two methods-conventional supporting of active components and in situ synthesis in the reaction medium-have been characterized by a complex of physicochemical analysis methods. The catalysts have been compared with respect to their activity in the hydrocracking of vacuum gas oil (VGO) in a batch mode under conditions of varying temperature (380-400A degrees C), reaction time (3-10 h), and zeolite (4-8 wt %) and NiW content (0.85-1.7 wt %). It has been shown that the in situ synthesized catalyst is superior in the hydrocracking and hydrodesulfurization of VGO owing to the accessibility of active catalyst sites.