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Bain Case Interviews: A Comprehensive Preparation Guide

Are you preparing for a Bain case interview? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to ace your interview and land your dream job at Bain.

Posted June 12, 2023

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Table of Contents

If you're looking to land a consulting job at Bain, you're likely aware of the importance of case interviews. In fact, you could say that they're the bread and butter of the entire interview process. That's why it's essential to prepare for these types of interviews. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Bain case interviews, from the structure to common mistakes to how to build a framework, so you can approach them with confidence.

What are Bain Case Interviews?

Bain case interviews are a specific type of interview used to assess problem-solving skills and other competencies relevant to consulting. They involve being presented with a scenario or problem and being asked to work through it with the interviewer in a structured and logical way. These interviews are typically conducted in-person and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.

During a Bain case interview, the interviewer may also be assessing your ability to communicate effectively, think creatively, and work collaboratively. It is important to not only demonstrate your problem-solving skills but also your ability to explain your thought process and work well with others. Additionally, Bain case interviews may include both quantitative and qualitative components, so it is important to be comfortable with both types of analysis.

Why Bain Case Interviews are Important for Consulting Jobs?

Case interviews are the primary way that consulting firms assess candidates' problem-solving abilities and other skills necessary for consulting jobs. In a consulting career, your ability to solve complex problems and provide innovative solutions is essential. These skills are tested in Bain case interviews to see how well you can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world business situations.

Moreover, Bain case interviews also evaluate your communication and interpersonal skills. As a consultant, you will be working with clients from diverse backgrounds and industries. Therefore, it is crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with clients during the case interview process.

Additionally, Bain case interviews provide a glimpse into the consulting firm's culture and values. The case interview process allows candidates to interact with current consultants and understand the firm's approach to problem-solving and client management. This insight can help candidates determine if Bain is the right fit for their career goals and aspirations.

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The Structure of Bain Case Interviews

The structure of a Bain case interview typically involves three main parts: introduction, analysis, and conclusion. The introduction sets the stage for the problem at hand, the analysis is where you work through the problem, and the conclusion is where you present your findings and recommendations.

During the introduction, the interviewer will provide you with a brief overview of the case and the problem that needs to be solved. This is your opportunity to ask any clarifying questions and to make sure you fully understand the problem before moving on to the analysis phase.

The analysis phase is where you will spend the majority of your time in the case interview. This is where you will use your problem-solving skills to break down the problem into smaller, more manageable parts. You will need to use a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis to come up with a solution to the problem.

How to Prepare for Bain Case Interviews?

To prepare for Bain case interviews, you must have a deep understanding of business concepts, analytical thinking, and problem-solving. You can prepare for these types of interviews by practicing with case studies, working on your math and communication skills, and building your business knowledge. It's also a good idea to understand the interview format and structure so you can prepare effectively.

One effective way to prepare for Bain case interviews is to seek guidance from experienced professionals in the field. You can reach out to alumni or current employees of Bain to gain insights into the interview process and learn about their experiences. Additionally, attending networking events and career fairs can provide you with opportunities to connect with professionals and gain valuable advice.

Another important aspect of preparing for Bain case interviews is to stay up-to-date with current events and industry trends. This can help you to develop a broader perspective on business issues and demonstrate your ability to think critically and creatively. Reading business publications, attending conferences, and participating in online forums can all be helpful in staying informed and building your knowledge base.

Although not directly pertaining to case interviews, you should also be able to answer the question "Why Bain?" Take a look at this article to craft a strategic, yet genuine response that captures your passion for the firm and experience in an impactful way.

Bain Case Interview Tips and Tricks

When it comes to case interviews, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to be successful. For example, always clarify the problem before diving into a solution. Make sure to break down the problem into smaller pieces to make it more manageable and clear up any ambiguity. Also, be sure to communicate your thought process and assumptions with the interviewer.

Another important tip is to use frameworks to structure your analysis. Frameworks provide a systematic approach to problem-solving and help you organize your thoughts. It's also important to prioritize your analysis and focus on the most critical issues first. This will help you make the most impact in the limited time you have.

Lastly, don't forget to practice, practice, practice! The more case interviews you do, the more comfortable you will become with the format and the better you will perform. You can practice with friends, colleagues, or even online resources. Remember, preparation is key to success in case interviews.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Bain Case Interviews

There are a few common mistakes that candidates make during Bain case interviews that can hurt their chances of success. For example, rushing through the problem, not asking clarifying questions, and failing to communicate effectively can all negatively impact your performance. It's essential to be aware of these mistakes and take steps to avoid them.

Another common mistake that candidates make during Bain case interviews is not structuring their approach to the problem. It's important to take a structured approach to the problem, breaking it down into smaller parts and analyzing each part systematically. This will help you to identify the key issues and develop a clear and logical solution. Additionally, candidates often fail to demonstrate their problem-solving skills effectively. It's important to explain your thought process and reasoning behind your solutions, as this will demonstrate your analytical abilities and help you to stand out from other candidates.

How to Build a Framework for Bain Cases

A framework is a structured approach to breaking down a problem and analyzing it effectively. To build a framework for Bain cases, you should start by clarifying the problem and then breaking it down into smaller pieces. From there, you can work through each piece individually to ensure that you're covering all aspects of the problem thoroughly.

It's important to keep in mind that your framework should be flexible and adaptable to different types of cases. You should also consider incorporating relevant data and industry knowledge into your analysis. Additionally, it's helpful to practice building frameworks for different types of cases to improve your skills and efficiency in case interviews.

Analyzing the Information in Bain Cases

To analyze information in Bain cases effectively, you need to be able to identify relevant information, prioritize it, and use it to develop a hypothesis about the problem at hand. It's essential to approach the problem logically and systematically, breaking it down into smaller pieces and analyzing each piece individually.

Additionally, it's important to consider the context in which the problem arose. Understanding the industry, market trends, and competitive landscape can provide valuable insights into the root cause of the problem. It's also helpful to gather data and conduct research to support your hypothesis and validate your findings. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing information in Bain cases, you can develop effective solutions that address the underlying issues and drive meaningful results.

Solving Quantitative Problems in Bain Cases

Quantitative problems often arise in Bain cases, and the ability to solve these types of problems is essential for success. To solve quantitative problems in Bain cases, you need a strong foundation in math and critical thinking, as well as the ability to apply these skills in a practical way to the given problem.

It is also important to have a clear understanding of the problem and the data provided. This involves breaking down the problem into smaller, more manageable parts and identifying any relevant information that can be used to solve the problem. Additionally, it is important to check your work and ensure that your solution makes sense in the context of the problem.

Developing Recommendations in Bain Cases

Once you've analyzed the problem, you need to develop recommendations based on your findings. To do this effectively, you should consider the potential outcomes of each solution and weigh the pros and cons. It's also essential to communicate your recommendations clearly and logically.

When developing recommendations in Bain cases, it's important to keep in mind the client's goals and objectives. Your recommendations should align with their overall strategy and vision for the company. Additionally, it's crucial to consider any potential risks or challenges that may arise from implementing your recommendations and have a plan in place to address them. By taking these factors into account, you can ensure that your recommendations are not only effective but also feasible for the client to implement.

The Role of Communication Skills in Bain Case Interviews

Communication skills are critical in Bain case interviews. Effective communication shows the interviewer that you're able to break down complex concepts and explain them in a clear and concise way. It also demonstrates your ability to listen actively and engage in a discussion.

Navigating Ambiguity and Uncertainty in Bain Cases

Bain cases are designed to simulate real-world business problems, which can be complex, ambiguous, and uncertain. To navigate ambiguity and uncertainty in Bain cases, it's important to be comfortable with incomplete information, be flexible in your thinking, and avoid making assumptions. Clarifying questions can also help you gather more information and clarify the problem.

Preparing for Behavioral Questions in Bain Interviews

Behavioral questions are commonly used in Bain interviews to assess your work experience, problem-solving skills, and other competencies. To prepare for behavioral questions, you should prepare specific examples that demonstrate your skills and competencies, and be able to communicate them effectively in an interview setting.

Practice Makes Perfect: Resources for Preparing for Bain Cases

There are many resources available to help you prepare for Bain cases, from online case studies to consulting books. It's important to practice different case types and study the solutions to understand how to approach them effectively.

What to Expect During the Actual Interview Day?

On the actual interview day, you can expect to have one-on-one interviews with Bain consultants or managers. These interviews will likely consist of case interviews and behavioral questions. It's essential to arrive early, dress appropriately, and be prepared to present your skills and competencies effectively.

In conclusion, Bain case interviews are an essential part of the consulting interview process, and it's crucial to prepare for them effectively. By understanding the structure, avoiding common mistakes, building a framework, and practicing effectively, you can approach these interviews with confidence and increase your chances of success.

For more expert tips on how to ace your next management consulting interview or position, delve into these resources:

• How to Prepare for IBM Management Consulting Case Interviews?
• Best 30 Free Resources to Get Into Management Consulting
• Five Tips to Break Into Management Consulting
• A Day in the Life of a Management Consulting Consultant
• How to Prepare for KPMG Management Consulting Behavioral Interviews

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Bain case interview - How to prepare (2024)

Bain case interviews can seem intimidating. But over the years we have managed to develop a simple step-by-step system to get you from "What are case interviews like at Bain?" to "I am confident I can get a job at Bain". 

We have helped more than 30,000 candidates prepare for their consulting interviews, and in this guide, we have summarised the most important things you need to know to prepare for your Bain case interviews. 

Here's a brief overview of what we'll cover:

• Case questions
• Fit and PEI questions
• Preparation plan

Click here to practise 1-on-1 with Bain ex-interviewers

Part 1: bain interview process and skills tested.

Let's first take a look at the interview process you will go through to get an offer from Bain.

1.1 Bain interview process

Bain uses up to four steps in its recruiting process:

• Resume and cover letter screening
• Bain maths tests (South America only)
• First round interviews
• Second round interviews

First, recruiters will look at your resume and assess if your experience matches the open position. This is the most competitive step in the process—we’ve found that 90% of candidates don’t make it past this stage.

You can use  this free resume guide  and this  free cover letter guide  to help tailor your application to the position you’re targeting. 

And if you’re looking for expert feedback, you can also get input from our  team of  ex-MBB recruiters , who will  cover what achievements to focus on (or ignore), how to fine tune your bullet points, and more.

Bain also uses maths tests to screen candidates BEFORE interviews in some countries. There are two Bain maths tests. The first one is largely based on the GMAT and includes 15 critical reasoning, data sufficiency and problem solving questions that need to be completed in 25 minutes.

The second one contains 2 business cases with text, graphs and tables as well as 15 questions that need to be answered in 45 minutes.

According to our information, these tests have only been used in South America so far. For instance, Bain Brazil seems to actively be using these tests at the moment (2018). But we haven't seen them being used in North America, Europe or Asia yet.

Once you make it to the interview rounds, Bain will use three tools to assess your application:

• Fit / PEI questions
• Written cases

First round interviews at Bain are typically carried out by junior consultants and managers. If you make it to the second round you will then be interviewed by partners of the firm who will make a final decision on your application.

Interviews in both the first and second rounds typically start with one or two fit / PEI questions (~10mins) and your interviewer will then ask you case questions (~35mins). We will cover what to expect from Bain case interviews and fit / PEI questions in more detail below.

In addition, Bain also uses written cases in its SECOND ROUND interviews in some countries including the US, UK and Russia. For written cases, your interviewer will give you a pack of 5 pre-filled slides that you will need to complete in 90 minutes by doing analysis on a 20-page business document. You will then need to present and discuss your 5 slides with an interviewer over a 30 minute time slot.

You can download a sample Bain written case here (top of the page). In addition, Bain's written case interview advice can be found here .

1.2 Timeline to get an offer at Bain

When preparing for your Bain case interview, it can be difficult to know when to expect each stage of the interview process. To help illustrate a typical timeline, we've created the below overview of Bain's recruitment schedule. As a rule of thumb, you can expect the whole process to take 4 to 6 weeks.

Please note: this is meant to give you a general overview, and may not reflect your specific interview timeline.  Actual interview timelines depend on a number of factors (e.g. experienced hire vs. university hire).   The below is based off of the expected recruitment timelines at the University of Chicago (an MBB target school). You can find the original document from the University of Chicago   here . 

1.3 Core skills to demonstrate to get an offer at Bain

You might be wondering why Bain uses so many different tools in its recruiting process. The answer is that they are trying to test for a variety of skills that you need as a consultant. According to Bain's website , they look specifically for 4 things in candidates during the interview process:

• Problem solving
• The ability to lead
• Results delivery

In addition to the above skills that Bain formally lists, it's important to mention two additional qualifications that will be critical to your success: 

• Communication
• Soft skills

Now, let's cover each of these skills in a little more detail, to give you an inside look at what Bain recruiters will be looking for during your interviews.

First, Bain wants to make sure that you've got the problem solving skills it takes to be a consultant. Bain often gets hired by clients to solve problems they have been unable to solve by themselves. Case questions are therefore designed to test that you have the analytical horsepower to work through complex problems.

Second, Bain wants to hire junior consultants who have the potential to become future partners. And partners' main job is to lead the firm, handle clients and sell projects. Demonstrating that you have leadership ability, and good soft skills, is therefore extremely valuable and will be extensively tested by the firm.

Third, Bain will want to see that you have a results orientation, and that you have a track record of strong academic and/or professional performance. Your interviewers will likely be speaking to many candidates, and in order to stand-out, you're going to need to demonstrate that you are a top performer that can elevate results for your future clients. 

Fourth, Bain wants to know that you are passionate about the type of consulting work you would do at their firm. For Bain, this isn't just a marketing slogan, they are very serious about employee engagement and values, which is one reason they are ranked #1 in 2019's Best Places to Work list . During your interviews they'll want to see that you've thoroughly considered why you want to be a consultant, and specifically, why you want to join Bain. 

Finally, Bain will also test your ability to communicate your thoughts clearly. Being an analytical genius has very little value if you can't make your clients understand and believe your solutions to their problems. Bain will therefore want you to communicate your thoughts as simply and as clearly as possible during the whole recruiting process. This will be tested both in case and PEI questions.

Part 2: Bain case questions

Now that you know what to expect in your Bain interviews, let's dive into the different parts you need to prepare for. And let's begin with case questions. The video below will give you a good overview of what Bain case interviews are like:

2.1 Case structure

Bain case interviews are similar to BCG case interviews and can be broken down into 7 types of questions:

• Framework development
• Framework exploration
• Quant question – Data provided
• Quant question – No data provided
• Creativity question
• Recommendation

If you would like to deep-dive on this topic, you can learn more about preparing for case interviews in this free case interview guide .

In every case, the first thing your interviewer will do is lay out the company’s problem you are going to solve. Then, they will ask you the areas you would look at to solve the company's problem. This is what is called the framework development question. If you would like to learn more about frameworks you should take a look at this blog post .

In certain types of business problems, you will then have to explore the framework to find the root-cause of an issue. This is the framework exploration question. For instance, if the objective of the case is to find why the company profits are going down, you will have to EXPLORE the framework and test different hypotheses. Profits could be going down because of revenues or costs or a combination of both.

Note that you will not always get a framework exploration question. Your interviewer will sometimes jump straight into quantitative questions. This will for instance be the case if you are asked to analyse which countries Starbucks should go into next. The problem is not about finding the root-cause of an issue, and exploring your framework therefore makes less sense.

Then, you will usually have to solve a quantitative question to further understand the business problem at hand. There are essentially two types of quantitative questions in case interviews. Questions where the interviewer provides you with graphs and tables. And questions where no data is provided and you have to make assumptions by yourself.

In addition, your interviewer will usually also ask a creativity question. These are typically open-ended questions such as “what can the company do to justify increasing its product prices?” These questions aim at assessing your capacity to generate qualitative ideas to solve the problem your client is facing.

Finally, at the end of the case your interviewer will ask you a recommendation question. This will test your ability to summarise your thoughts, and will require you to provide a suggested course of action, given the clients’ situation.

The order and format of these questions may vary slightly between your different interviews. But, you will invariably come across them at some point during your cases, so make sure you're ready for each type of question.

2.2 Case practice questions

One of the most effective ways to learn the 7 different types of case questions, is to practice with realistic sample cases.

One great way to do this is on YouTube. Watch the mock Bain case below, pausing the video when instructed to in order to write down your own answers.

Case book are also great resources for preparing for your Bain case interviews. Below you'll find a short list of case books from consulting clubs at prestigious universities. You can find a larger list of examples, here . 

• University of Michigan (Ross) 2010 case book
• University of Virginia (Darden) 2012 case book
• University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) 2010 case book
• London Business School 2006 case book

A good approach for using these sample cases, would be to read the question statement, and then to respond (out loud) with your own answer before reading the suggested solution. If you can practice with a partner or coach, that's even better. This will allow you to begin developing the skills you will need to succeed in your Bain case interviews. Try to replicate real-life conditions as much as possible, as this will help you be more prepared for the real thing.

There's also a page on Bain's website that has some information about case interviews, provided directly by the firm. The information there is somewhat helpful, but we find it to be rather general. You will likely find it to be more beneficial to prepare with practice cases. 

In the next few sections, we'll highlight a few tips that will help you perform on the candidate-led cases Bain uses. If you want even more tips, check out our larger post about case interview tips .

2.3 Tip #1: Make a hypothesis at the right time

One of the questions candidates often ask us when preparing for case interviews is: “Should I use a hypothesis? And if so, when should I use one?” Some coaches such as   Victor Cheng from caseinterview.com   use a hypothesis all the time. But doing this in practice can feel quite artificial during your case interviews.

For instance, if you are trying to decide what type of new beverage Coca-Cola should launch next year, using a hypothesis is possible but does not add a lot of value. You could start by saying something like: “I’m going to hypothesise that Coca-Cola should launch a new diet orange juice next year because customers are more and more health conscious”.

But, this would be nothing more than a wild guess at the beginning of a case. This is why a lot of candidates are uncomfortable using a hypothesis driven approach. In real life, the main situation when consultants use a hypothesis is when they are looking for the root-cause of an issue.

For instance, when they are trying to understand why the profitability of a company has decreased . The root-cause could be many things: lower price, lower volume, higher variable costs, etc. Using a hypothesis in these cases is actually very helpful because it enables consultants to stay really focused and to methodically test all the potential sources until the real issue is identified.

Our recommendation is therefore to do the same in your cases and to only use hypotheses in framework exploration questions where you are looking for the root-cause of an issue.

2.4 Tip #2: Lead the case

Another important feature of candidate-led cases at Bain is that the interviewer will want you to take lead on the case. This is why Bain cases are often called “candidate-led” cases. After you present your framework to your interviewer they won’t tell you what to do. They will expect you to take the lead and to suggest a next step.

This can be surprising at first, if not intimidating. However, there is a very simple way of dealing with this. Every time you answer one of your interviewer’s questions you should simply suggest a next step.

For instance, if you have just presented your framework, you should say something like: “To summarise, I think we should look into revenues and costs to solve this problem. As a next step, my suggestion is to analyse revenues in more detail. I understand revenues have been going down. Would we happen to have any details on how fast that decrease has happened? And how it has impacted the company’s different products?”

By suggesting a next step and asking for more information, you are taking a lead on the case. Interviewers are instructed to be well-intentioned. If you get stuck or are not on the right track, they will nudge you in a different direction.

2.5 Tip #3: Only make data assumptions if you have to

Another important aspect of candidate-led interviews at Bain is that they will require you to make more data assumptions than   interviewer-led cases at McKinsey . This is because Bain tends to use more quantitative questions without giving you any data, but McKinsey is less likely to do that.

One question we often get from candidates is: “When should I make a data assumption vs. directly ask the interviewer for the data?” The answer to this is actually very straight forward. You should   always ask for the data first. And only if your interviewer tells you the data is not available should you make data assumptions.

A lot of candidates worry about asking for data that is not available, but in reality that’s perfectly fine. It would be nearly impossible for you to guess which data points the interviewer has or doesn’t have. As a result, if you ask for a data point that your interviewer would like you to estimate, they will simply tell you that they don't have the data available.

2.6 Tip #4: Follow the Bain case interview dress code

Another question that candidates often wonder about before their first case interview with Bain, is "what should I wear for my Bain interview?". There are a few things that you should keep in mind when it comes to the dress code. We've summarised some highlights below, and you can also read more in our article on the consulting interview dress code for men and women .

First, follow recruiter instructions. If your HR contact tells you to dress business professional, do it. If they say business casual, dress accordingly. If they haven't specified the dress code, you should feel free to ask your recruiter. They get these questions all the time and will be happy to answer.

Second, don't try to impress interviewers with how you dress. You should dress conservatively for your Bain interview. This may surprise you, but your goal for attire should be to NOT stand-out. Your Bain interviewers are far more interested in your analytical and communication skills than your wardrobe. 

At the end of the day, probably the only reason an interviewer would remember your attire is if you dressed badly. So don't take unnecessary risks, and avoid wearing anything flashy or attention-grabbing, like big jewelry and cuff links. Below is the typical attire for Bain case interviews, for both men and women.

Typical dress code for men:

• Suit in a neutral color (e.g. black, grey)
• Button-up shirt in a simple style and color (e.g. white, light blue)
• Tie without flashy patterns
• Black or brown dress shoes that go with your suit

Typical dress code for women:

• Conservative dress or pantsuit in simple colors (nothing shiny or bright)
• If wearing a pantsuit with a blouse, white is standard for the blouse
• No large or loud jewelry, small and simple items are appropriate
• Shoes should be conservative and comfortable 

Use your judgment in choosing your interview attire. Asking your HR contact for the dress code is helpful, especially for events or mixers where it's less clear. When in doubt, choose clothes that are professional and conservative. It's better to go unnoticed than for interviewers to be distracted by your wardrobe choices.

Next, we'll turn our attention to the fit and PEI questions that Bain uses.

Part 3: Bain fit and PEI questions

Bain interviewers will also ask you behavioural questions during your interviews. You will come across two main types of questions:

• Fit questions (~90% of questions) such as "Why consulting?" or "Why Bain?" These questions are used to assess if you are a good FIT for Bain.
• Personal Experience Interview (PEI) questions (~10% of questions) such as "Tell me about a time when you lead others" or "Tell me about a time when you managed a team conflict." These questions are asked to assess your SOFT SKILLS.

All firms ask a slightly different mix of PEI and fit questions. We have analysed data from  Glassdoor.com for Bain and have summarised the top 5 fit questions asked by the firm and the top 5 PEI questions. Let's go through each list one by one.

3.1 Top 5 fit questions asked by Bain

Let's start with fit questions. Note that the percentages for the top fit questions discussed below add up to 100%. But as mentioned above, fit questions account for ~90% of behavioural questions asked by Bain interviewers, with PEI questions making up the remaining 10%.

So here is the top 5 fit questions:

• Why Bain? (33% of fit questions)
• Why consulting? (25% of fit questions)
• Introduce yourself / Walk me through your resume (20% of fit questions)
• Tell me about X on your resume (5% of fit questions)
• Why choose location X? (4% of fit questions)
• Other (13% of fit questions)

Fit questions at Bain are extremely predictable. The top 3 account for ~80% of all questions. We've extensively discussed how to answer the " Why Bain? " and " Why consulting? " questions in previous posts. Questions 3 and 4 are also frequent questions and you might want to read our article 4 ways to answer “Walk me through your resume” .

But one question that seems to be more frequent at Bain than at other firms is "Why choose location X?" This question is often asked as a follow up to the "Why Bain?" question.

Bain interviewers really want to make sure that you have carefully thought about whether consulting and Bain are a good fit for you. And a big part of your experience as a consultant will depend on the office you are joining.

If you are joining the Houston office, you'll do a lot of oil and gas work. If you are joining the New York office, you'll work in finance and media a lot. Your interviewer wants to make sure that you have done some research and are aware of these differences.

This question is also an indirect way for your interviewer to make the conversation a bit more personal. If you have family in New York or have always wanted to work there because you love the city, now is your opportunity to say it!

Overall, our recommendation for answering the "Why choose location X?" question is to give a mix of work reasons and personal reasons. For instance, you could say something like: "I'm excited to join the New York office for two reasons. First, I'm interested in finance and media and I understand this specific office does a lot of work in these areas. And second, I have family in New York and I've decided it would be a good place for me to start my career."

3.2 Top 5 PEI questions asked by Bain

Let's now briefly turn our attention to PEI questions asked at Bain. These questions only account for about ~10% of behavioural questions asked by the firm. You should only start preparing for these once you are very comfortable with fit questions which are much more frequent (~90% of behavioural questions).

The PEI questions used at Bain are similar to McKinsey Personal Experience Interview questions . They are competency-based questions designed to test the skills Bain looks for such as leadership, impact, and passion. PEI questions are easy to identify because they almost always start with "Tell me about a time when ..." and then some variation of the topics listed below. Here are the top 5 for Bain:

• Leading others  (50% of PEI questions)
• Managing a team conflict/situation (20% of PEI questions)
• Managing a personal conflict  (10% of PEI questions)
• Overcoming challenges (5% of PEI questions)
• Influencing others (5% of PEI questions)
• Other (10% of PEI questions)

We've written extensively about how to answer PEI questions in the past. Our recommendation is to prepare in advance and to use a pre-defined structure that will ensure you cover all the aspects you interviewer expects. You can read more about this approach here . In addition, you can also find Bain's own tips on the personal experience interview here .

Part 4: Bain case interview preparation plan

So what's the best way to prepare for your Bain interviews?

Let's go through the most important things you need to do to make sure you're fully prepared and to maximise your chances of landing that job offer.

4.1 Become really confident at maths

You don't have to have a perfect GPA or GMAT score to succeed at case interview maths. However, during your Bain  interviews, you will be expected to quickly perform accurate mental maths. 

In order to do this, it’s essential to know the formulas for common metrics, like return on investment or breakeven point. And it’s also helpful to know a few maths shortcuts to help you solve problems more quickly. To learn more about these topics, check out our free guide to case interview maths . 

In our experience, the most successful applicants start their interview preparation by practising maths skills, so make sure you prioritise this step.  

4.2 Develop a consistent method to crack cases

One of the biggest challenges of interviewing with Bain  is solving cases that you’ve never seen before. Each case can be difficult, and you’ll have to perform well across multiple case interviews in order to get an offer.

As a result, it’s critical for you to have a consistent approach for solving cases. Bain  uses candidate-led case interviews, which can be broken down into the following types of questions:

If you can crack each type of question (within a case), then you can crack the overall case.

4.3. Practice cases out loud

How you solve each case is important, but your interviewers will also be evaluating how you COMMUNICATE your answers. It's important to speak in a structured way that makes it easy to clearly understand your points.

The best way to hone your communication skills is to practice interviewing out loud, and you can do that in three main ways:

• Interview yourself (out loud)
• Practice interviewing with peers
• Practice interviewing with ex-interviewers

To help you with this process, here is a  broad  list   of consulting interview questions  you can practice with.  Practicing by yourself is a great way to get started, and can help you get more comfortable with the flow of a case interview. However, this type of practice won’t prepare you for realistic interview conditions. 

After getting some practice on your own, you should find someone who can do a mock interview with you, such as a friend or family member.

We’d also recommend that you practice with ex-interviewers from Bain . This is the best way to replicate the conditions of a real interview, and to get feedback from someone who understands the process extremely well. You may not have the connections to do this on your own, but we’ve made the connections for you. Book your Bain mock interview now .

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Consultant Mock Interview

Walk through a practice case interview to see what it's like to interview with us for the Consultant position.

Hacking the Case Interview

We’ve compiled 50 case interview examples and organized them by industry, function, and consulting firm to give you the best, free case interview practice. Use these case interview examples for practice as you prepare for your consulting interviews.

If you’re looking for a step-by-step shortcut to learn case interviews quickly, enroll in our case interview course . These insider strategies from a former Bain interviewer helped 30,000+ land consulting offers while saving hundreds of hours of prep time.

Case Interview Examples Organized by Industry

Below, we’ve linked all of the case interview examples we could find from consulting firm websites and YouTube videos and organized them by industry. This will be helpful for your case interview practice if there is a specific consulting industry role that you are interviewing for that you need more practice in.

Aerospace, Defense, & Government Case Interview Examples

• Agency V (Deloitte)
• The Agency (Deloitte)
• Federal Finance Agency (Deloitte)
• Federal Civil Cargo Protection Bureau (Deloitte)

Consumer Products & Retail Case Interview Examples

• Electro-light (McKinsey)
• Beautify (McKinsey)
• Shops Corporation (McKinsey)
• Climate Case (BCG)
• Foods Inc. (BCG) *scroll to bottom of page
• Chateau Boomerang (BCG) *written case interview
• PrintCo (Bain)
• Coffee Co. (Bain)
• Fashion Co. (Bain)
• Recreation Unlimited (Deloitte)
• Footlose (Deloitte)
• National Grocery and Drug Store (Kearney)
• Whisky Co. (OC&C)
• Dry Cleaners (Accenture) *scroll to page 15
• UK Grocery Retail (Strategy&) *scroll to page 24
• Ice Cream Co. (Capital One)

Healthcare & Life Sciences Case Interview Examples

• GlobaPharm (McKinsey)
• GenCo (BCG) *scroll to middle of page
• PrevenT (BCG)
• MedX (Deloitte)
• Medical Consumables (LEK)
• Medicine Company (HackingTheCaseInterview)
• Pharma Company (Indian Institute of Management)

Manufacturing & Production Case Interview Examples

• Aqualine (Oliver Wyman)
• 3D Printed Hip Implants (Roland Berger)
• Talbot Trucks (McKinsey)
• Playworks (Yale School of Management)

Social & Non-Profit Case Interview Examples

• Diconsa (McKinsey)
• National Education (McKinsey)
• Conservation Forever (McKinsey)
• Federal Health Agency (Deloitte)
• Robinson Philanthropy (Bridgespan)
• Home Nurses for New Families (Bridgespan)
• Reach for the Stars (Bridgespan)
• Venture Philanthropy (Bridgespan)

Technology, Media, & Telecom Case Interview Examples

• NextGen Tech (Bain)
• Smart Phone Introduction (Simon-Kucher)
• MicroTechnos (HackingTheCaseInterview)

Transportation Case Interview Examples

• Low Cost Carrier Airline (BCG)
• Transit Oriented Development (Roland Berger)
• Northeast Airlines (HackingTheCaseInterview)
• A+ Airline Co. (Yale School of Management)
• Ryder (HackingTheCaseInterview)

Travel & Entertainment Case Interview Examples

• Wumbleworld (Oliver Wyman)
• Theater Co. (LEK)
• Hotel and Casino Co. (OC&C)

Case Interview Examples Organized by Function

Below, we’ve taken the same cases listed in the “Case Interview Examples Organized by Industry” section and organized them by function instead. This will be helpful for your case interview practice if there is a specific type of case interview that you need more practice with.

Profitability Case Interview Examples

To learn how to solve profitability case interviews, check out our video below:

Market Entry Case Interview Examples

Merger & acquisition case interview examples.

Growth Strategy Case Interview Examples

Pricing case interview examples.

New Product Launch Case Interview Examples

Market sizing case interview examples.

To learn how to solve market sizing case interviews, check out our video below:

Operations Case Interview Examples

Other case interview examples.

These are cases that don’t quite fit into any of the above categories. These cases are the more unusual, atypical, and nontraditional cases out there.

Case Interview Examples Organized by Consulting Firm

Below, we’ve taken the same cases listed previously and organized them by company instead. This will be helpful for your case interview practice if there is a specific company that you are interviewing with.

McKinsey Case Interview Examples

BCG Case Interview Examples

Bain Case Interview Examples

Deloitte Case Interview Examples

Lek case interview examples, kearney case interview examples, oliver wyman case interview examples, roland berger case interview examples, oc&c case interview  examples, bridgespan case interview examples, strategy& case interview examples, accenture case interview examples, simon kutcher case interview examples, capital one case interview examples, case interview examples from mba casebooks.

For more case interview examples, check out our article on 23 MBA consulting casebooks with 700+ free practice cases . There additional cases created by MBA consulting clubs that make for great case interview practice. For your convenience, we’ve listed some of the best MBA consulting casebooks below:

• Australian Graduate School of Management (2002)
• Booth (2005)
• Columbia (2007)
• Darden (2019)
• ESADE (2011)
• Fuqua (2018)
• Goizueta (2006)
• Haas (2019)
• Harvard Business School (2012)
• Illinois (2015)
• INSEAD (2011)
• Johnson (2003)
• Kellogg (2012)
• London Business School (2013)
• McCombs (2018)
• Notre Dame (2017)
• Queens (2019)
• Ross (2010)
• Sloan (2015)
• Stern (2018)
• Tuck (2009)
• Wharton (2017)
• Yale (2013)

Consulting casebooks are documents that MBA consulting clubs put together to help their members prepare for consulting case interviews. Consulting casebooks provide some case interview strategies and tips, but they mostly contain case interview practice cases.

While consulting casebooks contain tons of practice cases, there is quite a bit of variety in the sources and formats of these cases.

Some practice cases are taken from actual consulting interviews given by consulting firms. These are the best types of cases to practice with because they closely simulate the length and difficulty of an actual case interview. Other practice cases may be written by the consulting club’s officers. These cases are less realistic, but can still offer great practice.

The formats of the practice cases in consulting casebooks also vary significantly.

Some practice cases are written in a question and answer format. This type of format makes it easy to practice the case by yourself, without a case partner. Other practices cases are written in a dialogue format. These cases are better for practicing with a case interview partner.

MBA consulting casebooks can be a great resource because they are free and provide tons of practice cases to hone your case interview skills. However, there are several caveats that you should be aware of.

• Similarity to real case interviews : Some cases in MBA consulting casebooks are not representative of actual case interviews because they are written by consulting club officers instead of interviewers from consulting firms
• Quality of sample answers : While consulting casebooks provide sample solutions, these answers are often not the best or highest quality answers
• Ease of use : Consulting casebooks are all written in different formats and by different people. Therefore, it can be challenging to find cases that you can consistently use to practice cases by yourself or with a partner

Therefore, we recommend that you first use the case interview examples listed in this article and wait until you’ve exhausted all of them before using MBA consulting casebooks.

Case Interview Examples from HackingTheCaseInterview

Below, we've pulled together several of our very own case interview examples. You can use these case interview examples for your case interview practice.

1. Tech retailer profitability case interview

2. Airline profitability case interview

3. Ride sharing app market entry

4. Increasing Drug Adoption

How to Use Case Interview Examples to Practice Case Interviews

To get the most out of these case interview examples and maximize your time spent on case interview practice, follow these three steps.

1. Understand the case interview structure beforehand

If case interviews are something new to you, we recommend watching the following video to learn the basics of case interviews in under 30 minutes.

Know that there are seven major steps of a case interview.

• Understanding the case background : Take note while the interviewer gives you the case background information. Afterwards, provide a concise synthesis to confirm your understanding of the situation and objective
• Asking clarifying questions : Ask questions to better understand the case background and objective
• Structuring a framework : Lay out a framework of what areas you want to look into in order to answer or solve the case
• Kicking off the case : Propose an area of your framework that you would like to dive deeper into 
• Solving quantitative problems : Solve a variety of different quantitative problems, such as market sizing questions and profitability questions. You may also be given charts and graphs to analyze or interpret
• Answering qualitative questions : You may be asked to brainstorm ideas or be asked to give your business opinion on a particular issue or topic
• Delivering a recommendation : Summarize the key takeaways from the case to deliver a firm and concise recommendation

2. Learn how to practice case interviews by yourself 

There are 6 steps to practice case interviews by yourself. The goal of these steps is to simulate a real case interview as closely as you can so that you practice the same skills and techniques that you are going to use in a real case interview.

• Synthesize the case background information out loud : Start the practice case interview by reading the case background information. Then, just as you would do in a live case interview, summarize the case background information out loud
• Ask clarifying questions out loud : Just as you would do in a live case interview, ask clarifying questions out loud. Although you do not have a case partner that can answer your questions, it is important to practice identifying the critical questions that need to be asked to fully understand the case
• Structure a framework and present it out loud : Pretend that you are in an actual interview in which you’ll only have a few minutes to put together a comprehensive and coherent framework. Replicate the stress that you will feel in an interview when you are practicing case interviews on your own by giving yourself time pressure.

When you have finished creating your framework, turn your paper around to face an imaginary interviewer and walk through the framework out loud. You will need to get good at presenting your framework concisely and in an easy to understand way.

• Propose an area to start the case : Propose an area of your framework to start the case. Make sure to say out loud the reasons why you want to start with that particular area
• Answer each case question out loud : If the question is a quantitative problem, create a structure and walk the interviewer through how you would solve the problem. When doing math, do your calculations out loud and explain the steps that you are taking.

If the question is qualitative, structure your thinking and then brainstorm your ideas out loud. Walk the interviewer through your ideas and opinions.

• Deliver a recommendation out loud : Just as you would do in a real case interview, ask for a brief moment to collect your thoughts and review your notes. Once you have decided on a recommendation, present your recommendation to the interviewer.

3. Follow best practices while practicing case interviews :    

You’ll most likely be watching, reading, or working through these case interview examples by yourself. To get the most practice and learnings out of each case interview example, follow these tips: 

• Don’t have notes or a calculator out when you are practicing since you won’t have these in your actual interview
• Don’t take breaks in the middle of a mock case interview
• Don’t read the case answer until you completely finish answering each question
• Talk through everything out loud as if there were an interviewer in the room
• Occasionally record yourself to understand what you look like and sound like when you speak

4. Identify improvement areas to work on

When the case is completed, review your framework and answers and compare them to the model answers that the case provides. Reflect on how you could have made your framework or answers stronger.

Also, take the time to reflect on what parts of the case you could have done better. Could your case synthesis be more concise? Was your framework mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive? Could your math calculations be done more smoothly? Was your recommendation structured enough?

This is the most important part of practicing case interviews by yourself. Since you have no partner to provide you feedback, you will need to be introspective and identify your own improvement areas.

At the end of each practice case interview, you should have a list of new things that you have learned and a list of improvement areas to work on in future practice cases. You’ll continue to work on your improvement areas in future practice cases either by yourself or with a partner.

5. Eventually find a case partner to practice with

You can only do so many practice case interviews by yourself before your learning will start to plateau. Eventually, you should be practicing case interviews with a case partner.

Practicing with a case partner is the best way to simulate a real case interview. There are many aspects of case interviews that you won’t be able to improve on unless you practice live with a partner:

• Driving the direction of the case
• Asking for more information
• Collaborating to get the right approach or structure
• Answering follow-up questions

If you are practicing with a case partner, decide who is going to be giving the case and who is going to be receiving the case.

If you are giving the case, read the entire case information carefully. It may be helpful to read through everything twice so that you are familiar with all of the information and can answer any question that your partner asks you to clarify.

As the person giving the case, you need to be the case expert.

You should become familiar with the overall direction of the case. In other words, you should know what the major questions of the case are and what the major areas of investigation are. This will help you run the mock case interview more smoothly.  

Depending on whether you want the case interview to be interviewer-led or candidate-led, you will need to decide how much you want to steer the direction of the case.

If your partner gets stuck and is taking a long time, you may need to step in and provide suggestions or hints. If your partner is proceeding down a wrong direction, you will need to direct them towards the right direction.

Where to Find More Case Interview Examples

To find more case interview examples, you can use a variety of different case interview prep books, online courses, and coaching. We'll cover each of these different categories of resources for more case interview practice in more detail.

Case Interview Prep Books

Case interview prep books are great resources to use because they are fairly inexpensive, only costing $20 to $30. They contain a tremendous amount of information that you can read, digest, and re-read at your own pace.

Based on our comprehensive review of the 12 popular case interview prep books , we ranked nearly all of the case prep books in the market.

The three case interview prep books we recommend using are:

• Hacking the Case Interview : In this book, learn exactly what to do and what to say in every step of the case interview. This is the perfect book for beginners that are looking to learn the basics of case interviews quickly.
• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook : In this book, hone your case interview skills through 65+ problems tailored towards each type of question asked in case interviews and 15 full-length practice cases. This book is great for intermediates looking to get quality practice.
• Case Interview Secrets : This book provides great explanations of essential case interview concepts and fundamentals. The stories and anecdotes that the author provides are entertaining and help paint a clear picture of what to expect in a case interview, what interviewers are looking for, and how to solve a case interview.

Case Interview Courses

Case interview courses are more expensive to use than case interview prep books, but offer more efficient and effective learning. You’ll learn much more quickly from watching someone teach you the material, provide examples, and then walk through practice problems than from reading a book by yourself.

Courses typically cost anywhere between $200 to $400.

If you are looking for a single resource to learn the best case interview strategies in the most efficient way possible, enroll in our comprehensive case interview course .

Through 70+ concise video lessons and 20 full-length practice cases based on real interviews from top-tier consulting firms, you’ll learn step-by-step how to crush your case interview.

We’ve had students pass their consulting first round interview with just a week of preparation, but know that your success depends on the amount of effort you put in and your starting capabilities.

Case Interview Coaching

With case interview coaching, you’ll pay anywhere between $100 to $300 for a 40- to 60-minute mock case interview session with a case coach. Typically, case coaches are former consultants or interviewers that have worked at top-tier consulting firms.

Although very expensive, case interview coaching can provide you with high quality feedback that can significantly improve your case interview performance. By working with a case coach, you will be practicing high quality cases with an expert. You’ll get detailed feedback that ordinary case interview partners are not able to provide.

Know that you do not need to purchase case interview coaching to receive a consulting job offer. The vast majority of candidates that receive offers from top firms did not purchase case interview coaching. By purchasing case interview coaching, you are essentially purchasing convenience and learning efficiency.

Case interview coaching is best for those that have already learned as much as they can about case interviews on their own and feel that they have reached a plateau in their learning. For case interview beginners and intermediates, it may be a better use of their money to first purchase a case interview course or case interview prep book before purchasing expensive coaching sessions.

If you do decide to eventually use a case interview coach, consider using our case coaching service .

There is a wide range of quality among coaches, so ensure that you are working with someone that is invested in your development and success. If possible, ask for reviews from previous candidates that your coach has worked with.

Summary of the Best Consulting Interview Resources

Here are the resources we recommend to land your dream consulting job:

For help landing consulting interviews

• Resume Review & Editing : Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple consulting interviews

For help passing case interviews

• Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.
• Case Interview Coaching : Personalized, one-on-one coaching with a former Bain interviewer.
• Hacking the Case Interview Book   (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.
• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.

For help passing consulting behavioral & fit interviews

• Behavioral & Fit Interview Course : Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer.

Land Multiple Consulting Offers

Complete, step-by-step case interview course. 30,000+ happy customers.

Access all the online resources you need for success in your case and fit interviews.

Build a successful application with our step-by-step resume advice videos, examples, and templates.

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• Management consulting industry guide
• Top routes for joining McKinsey, BCG and Bain in 2023
• The top-10 management consulting firms
• How to practice case interviews alone
• Tips for last-minute case interview prep

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• Calculations Practice the type of calculations found in a case interview, including the four operations, percentages, and fractions.
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• Charts Interpret charts and tables in the many formats that are used in case interviews.

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Generate a personal preparation plan with a daily list of tasks, based on your objectives, schedule, existing knowledge, and background. Ensure you are ready to perform at your best by the day of your interviews.

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With casecoach, I learned that going through a case study interview isn't just a vicious recruitment process to piss off candidates as much as possible and/or differentiate yourself from other firms; however, it is a pre-employment phase. At BCG, the internship begins with the interview phase, before walking through the doors of their offices. I realized this later than I should have, and I think successful candidates know it.

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Founder and CEO Enguerran Loos created CaseCoach to give more candidates access to his interview preparation techniques. He has 14 years’ experience as an Engagement Manager with McKinsey’s Boston office and as a headhunter for BCG, Bain and McKinsey.

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It is a completely self-paced online course – you decide when you start.

You have unlimited personal access to this course for 6 months – across any and all devices you own.

The course includes 5 hours of video lectures, 10 hours of interview videos and enough material for 60+ hours of practice. The course is designed as a self-service, so you can decide what to focus on and how much time to spend.

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We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase and have downloaded or previewed fewer than 12 of our cases, contact us within 24 hours of your purchase and we will give you a full refund.

No, the course prepares for case interviews, which are used by a variety of employers. If you would like to prepare for case interviews at a strategy firm, a big-4, or in the industry, this course is for you.

Yes, this course has helped many candidates at these levels succeed.

It will prepare you for the case interview. The format of the case interview is identical for all entry levels.

If you look to prepare for the fit interview, this course will help you build your introduction, explain your motivations and pitch your achievements. However, this material is not specific to senior hiring and may not help you convey your expertise, for instance.

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Written Case Interview - Everything You Need to Know [2024]

• Last Updated February, 2024

Rebecca Smith-Allen

Former McKinsey Engagement Manager

Why Do Firms Use the Written Case?

How Should Candidates Approach the Written Case?

Bain Written Case - What to Expect

Tips to Feel Confident in the Written Case

Are Written Cases Different from Case Questions?

The written case interview is less common than the typical case study interview, which is conducted one-on-one with an interviewer. But even top firms like Bain and BCG use them in some geographic regions, so you’ll want to be prepared for them.

The good news is that the written case is just a different form of the case interview. If you’ve been preparing for the case study interview , then you have the foundations to pass the written case as well. But the things you need to do to ace a written case are not exactly the same as a normal case.

In this article, we’ll provide:

• An overview of the Bain and BCG written case interviews,
• Tell you how they’re structured,
• Share our 9 tips on written case study interviews, and
• Tell you how you should prepare for these types of cases.

Why Do Bain and BCG Use Written Case Study Questions?

Some people are great at talking. Some people are great at writing. To succeed in consulting, you need to be pretty strong at both.

Bain and BCG use written case study interviews to make sure they hire consultants that can absorb key facts whether the data is provided in a conversation or in writing. They’re also looking to see whether you can go through large amounts of data quickly and whether your written communication is effective.

In a written case interview, your interviewer is still looking for the same key problem-solving skills:

• Can you frame the question that needs to be answered?
• Can you drive the discussion of the options open to the client?
• Can you do the quantitative analysis required to support your problems solving?
• Do you display good business judgment in your recommendation?

[EXCLUSIVE FREE TRAINING]

• 3 strategies to pass the case in under a week;
• A proven process for taking your casing from "average" to "exceptional";
• Tips from a McKinsey Engagement Manager on how to land the offer.

Bain Written Case Study Questions — What to Expect

Your written case study at Bain will start with you receiving 20-30 PowerPoint slides that describe a client’s situation .

You’ll have 55 minutes to read the slides, pull key data and insights from the material, and handwrite missing data into 3-5 slides provided to you.

You’ll then meet with one or more Bain interviewers  for about 40 minutes to discuss your analysis and recommendations. During the first half of this time, you’ll present your slides. During the second half, your interviewer will ask questions.

Your interview may challenge your assumptions or conclusions. This does not necessarily mean that you got the “wrong” answer. It only means that your interviewer wants to test whether you can support your recommendations when pressed. 

Over the course of a 6-month study, things change. Your interviewer wants to know that when they do, you’ll be able to react to the situation in a way that shows your insight into the problem, not panic.

As mentioned above, you’ll get a few slides that contain some pre-filled information but they are not complete. These slides might have a title and be otherwise blank. In this case, you’ll be required to find the appropriate information to support the title and to create the page. 

Alternatively, these slides might have graphs and tables that require data to be filled in. In this case, you need to find the information required and do the appropriate calculations to provide the missing numbers.

The good news is that because you’re provided direction on what belongs on the page, you don’t need to create a storyline for the presentation or decide how many pages to present.

During the Bain case interview you are not allowed to use a calculator.  

The quantitative problems in the written cases are not complicated, but your interviewer is looking to see that you can do basic analysis correctly.

Which Candidates Get a Bain Written Case Interview?

Not all Bain recruits are given written case interviews. They’re primarily used in the European and Asian offices, not in North America. They’re very common in Bain’s Greater China offices.

Any recruits—undergraduates, business school students and people looking to transition to consulting from jobs in other fields—could all be given written case interviews. People applying for summer internships could as well.

Bain uses written cases in final round interviews , not the first round. The final round interviews will include a fit interview as well as a written case.

The written cases count as much as “normal” cases do. They can involve any industry and any type of client problem

BCG Written Case Study Questions — What to Expect

The BCG written case question is structured like an email written by a partner at the firm. In the email, the partner asks you to answer 3-4 questions. He or she wants you to prepare slides that could be used to discuss the issues with the client. 

Along with the email, a slide packet of about 40 pages will be provided. These slides will include data charts, graphs, and text. 

You’ll have 2 hours to go through the information you’re provided on your own and create the slides. However, with 40 slides of dense information in your hands, you could easily spend the entire 2 hours just reading and not have anything to show your interviewer. 

Use your time efficiently , skimming for information that’s directly relevant to the questions you were asked to answer. 

Your packet will include a few blank pieces of paper to use to create the slides that answer the partner’s question. Because these pages are blank, you’ll have to decide how many slides to create and how to structure them. This puts a lot more pressure on you to decide how to shape the story about the solution to the client’s business problem than in the Bain written case.

A couple more small but important points:

You’re allowed to use a calculator during the BCG written case interview.

You’re not allowed to write on the slides you’re given because BCG uses the se same slides with other candidates. This can be challenging because you won’t be able to make notes on the slides you’ve pulled data from in case you want to go back and reference it.

After the 2 hours working on your own, you’ll have a 40-minute discussion with an interviewer . 

• During the first 20 minutes: you’ll present your slides to the consultant.
• During the second: they’ll ask you questions about your analysis and conclusions.

Which Candidates Get a BCG Written Case Interview?

BCG does not use written cases in all of its locations. We’ve heard of BCG using written cases in U.S. offices, Russia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and South Africa.

When they do use written cases, it’s always in the second round of interviews and you will know well ahead of time to prepare for them, so no need to worry if it will be a surprise come interview day.

What Are the Differences Between the Bain and BCG Written Case Study Interview Assessments?

The Bain written case is shorter both in terms of the number of slides you’ll need to sort through for information and in terms of the time you have to work on your own. 

The Bain written case also provides slides that are partially filled in, which you will need to complete.

You are not allowed to use a calculator on the Bain written case interview but you are allowed to on the BCG written case interview. 

For the BCG written case, you’ll have more slides to sort through and more time to do it. You’ll be provided with blank slides on which you can provide your answers to the questions from the partner’s email.

Are Written Case Questions Different from Normal Cases?

Written cases are similar to normal cases. The interviewer is still assessing how you structure and solve a business problem.

There are 4 key differences though:

• There’s too much information. The 20-40 slides you’re given will provide more information than you need. Sift quickly through the data to find the information most relevant to the question you need to answer. This tests a skill that is directly applicable to real-world consulting. Clients have tons of data, but if you ask for everything that could possibly be relevant, you’ll take so long answering the question that it could be irrelevant by the time you reach it. You need to sort through what is worth your time and what to set aside.
• You’ll need to focus on your recommendation. In our article on Case Interview Examples , MyConsultingOffer.org founder, Davis Nguyen, discusses the 4 key parts of the case interview , the opening, the structure, the analysis, and the closing. In written cases, focus on the closing or recommendation for the client. You’ll discuss other aspects of the case when you meet with your interviewer.

Don’t use the slides to describe how you did the work.

Don’t document every step you went through to reach your conclusion or every calculation you did. Use headings that speak to the steps you recommend the client takes. On graphs or charts, headings should speak to the implications of data, not simply regurgitate what the chart shows. 

What Written Case Study Questions Tell You About the Job of a Junior Consultant

Look at the structure of the Bain and BCG written cases:

• You get an email from a partner who’s not available to answer questions when you start your work, or
• You’re given a huge pile of data with slides that roughly outline the analysis to be done,
• You’re responsible for quickly finding the key data, doing the analysis and creating the PowerPoint slides for the client meeting.

This is actually a fair representation of the work new consultants do at any of the top consulting firms. Partners work with multiple clients so they will not be around to tell you exactly what to do and how to do it. 

A great consultant will work independently finding and analyzing data and creating slides.

Because of this, a written case is a great second round interview. It will tell your interviewer a lot about how well you’ll perform in the job. It will also give you good insight into what the job is like.

Written Case Study Interview Examples

• Which market should the client enter? Why is this market attractive?
• What would the competitive advantages and disadvantages of the client’s product be in the new market?

A written case study question could focus on any industry and any geographic region, just like a normal case study can.

Writing PowerPoint Slides – The Best Approach

In our intro page on Case Study Interview Prep , we talk about the 4-part process for answering a case. 

The one time we don’t recommend you use this approach is on written case study questions.

If you go through the 4-part process for answering a “normal” case in your PowerPoint slides, you’ll spend too much time on less important topics and not enough on your recommendation for the client. Instead, turn the structure around and start with your conclusion or recommendation. We recommend your written slides follow the following 5 R outline:

• Recap the question.
• State your recommendation.
• Provide the reasoning behind your recommendation.
• Outline any risks to your recommendation.
• Retain the client by suggesting next steps.

Below, we’ll provide more detail on each point.

1. Recap the question.

This is a simple step but it ensures that everyone is focused on the same goal. Don’t skip this step even though it seems obvious.

2. State your recommendation.

The best way to move the discussion forward efficiently and keep the interviewer (and your future consulting clients) focused on what you’re saying rather than on guessing what’s coming next is to simply lead with your answer. 

3. Provide the reasoning behind your recommendation.

Now is the time to show that you thought through your solution and crunched all the necessary numbers. Create a slide with the data behind each supporting argument.

4. Outline any risks to your recommendation.

Many recruits can do steps 1-3. Their computations are correct and they come up with a reasonable recommendation. What will set your written case study answer apart? 

Going above and beyond the average answer. One way to do this is by outlining risks.

Whoa, you might say, if I talk about risks won’t my answer sound weaker?

First of all, any senior business leader knows that all business decisions come with risks. There is risk in doing nothing because your competitors will act faster and come out with better products or better marketing plans. 

There is also risk in acting fast because you might find that with imperfect information, you didn’t make the best possible decision.

But knowing what risks are the most relevant to a business situation will help the client minimize the risks or avoid them altogether.

5. Retain the client by suggesting next steps.

Like outlining risks, suggesting next steps is a way to go beyond the basic answer most recruits provide. In particular, you want to show how you can help with the next steps.

Consultants make money by providing support to their clients. If there are ways that you can help the client with the next stage of the project, that will also create more interesting work for you and continue to help your client’s business.

What Does this Approach to Writing PowerPoint Slides Look Like?

• 1st slide: Client Should Take Recommended Action for the Following 3 Reasons.
• 2nd slide: Outline reason #1. The slide should provide charts or data that support the statement.
• 3rd slide: Outline reason #2. The slide should provide charts or data that support the statement.
• 4th slide: Outline #3. The slide should provide charts or data that support the statement.
• 5th slide: Recap the Recommendation – emphasizing benefits but touching on risks and how the consultant can help with next steps.

9 Tips for Solving Written Case Study Questions

1 | Contact your recruiter or prior applicants to get a solid understanding of what’s expected. Will you be expected to complete slides provides or write slides from scratch? How long is the preparation time, presentation time, and Q&A time? Who will you be presenting to?

2 |  Focus on the question you need to answer. If you start with the end in mind, it will help you zero in on the information that will drive the answer to the client’s question. It will also help you discard irrelevant facts.

The question must be clear in your mind before you go through the slides. The question may be stated in the way that is nebulous or strategic. If so, you should reframe it into something more straightforward that can be answered with data.

Write your reframed question down.

You may think that you will clearly remember the question, but all the information on the slides will look important. Keep the question close to hand as you skim through the information on the slides.

3 | Develop a hypothesis you can prove or disprove. A strong hypothesis will keep you focused on finding data and anecdotes that are relevant.

4 | Prioritize relevant data. Not all facts or slides are equally important. Focus on the key issues and avoid getting lost in the weeds.

5 |  Analyze key numbers. Figure out what data is important for the decision the client must make and perform necessary calculations. Ignore the rest of the data.

6 |  Structure your slides as a client recommendation. While the “normal” case has 4 stages: the opening, the structure, the analysis, and the conclusion, your written case study answer should start with the conclusion or recommendation.

What should the client do?

Don’t waste time describing the tables you created or the calculations you did if they have no bearing on your recommendation. Everyone assumes you can do the math. What they care about is the “so what” that comes out of the math.

7 | Keep an eye on the time. It’s important to make sure you have enough time to write your slides. Allocate the time you’re given to skimming the slides provided for information, doing necessary calculations, and drafting slides. Make sure you don’t run over on reading slides.

Optimally, you’ll want to leave a few minutes to think through how you’ll present the slides to your interviewer as well.

8 | Remember there is no “right” answer. The key to this interview is to make a well-reasoned recommendation and have a rich discussion about how to achieve results for your client. 

Everyone gets nervous during an interview, but second-guessing whether your recommendation is right or wrong will only waste time. Instead, focus on making your argument for the recommendation you’ve chosen as strong as it can be.

9 | Conclude with insights that go beyond the average answer to the case. As mentioned above, most recruits will get the math right and present a reasonable recommendation. Go beyond this by highlighting risks that the client should be aware of as they implement your recommendation and ways your consulting team can continue to assist the client through the next steps. 

Risks and next steps are mentioned by few candidates and will set your answer apart from the rest.

How Should Candidates Approach Written Case Study Practice?

Learn to write presentations like a consultant..

The key to writing presentations like a consultant is to tell a story. Use the 5R framework from above t o create your story.

Start with your recommendation to the client. Back up your recommendation with supporting arguments and the data that lead you to them.

Use message headings rather than titles that just repeat the data in a  chart.

Chart Title: Product C has higher sales than products A or B.

Message Heading: Product C’s success in the domestic market indicated that it is the best product to launch into the new market.

Practice your consulting math skills.

If your basic math skills are rusty and making you nervous, that will slow you down in any case interview. Rusty math skills can be particularly problematic in a written case because there will be no interviewer to coach you that you’ve made a mistake until your slides are already written. Bad math could cause you to create slides with the wrong recommendation and that would be difficult to recover from. 

See our page on  Case Interview Math   for more information on what types of calculations case study questions typically ask for and tips on how to practice.

Preview written case interviews.

Just knowing what to expect in a written case interview is a huge advantage. Take a look at the resources listed in the next section. Reviewing a couple of BCG or Bain written cases will make you feel more confident and allow you to answer the question faster once you’re in the interview.

Additional Resources on Written Case Study Questions

For more information on written case study questions, see:

This Bain video or  BCG’s Guided Consulting Cases .

In this article, you’ve learned about both the Bain written cases and the BCG written cases. You’ve learned what the format is, what to expect and how to prepare for these written case study interview questions. 

We hope you ace that written case!

Still have questions??

If you have more questions about written case interviews, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s Bain or BCG case coaches will answer them.

Other pages people preparing for written case study interviews found helpful include:

• Group Case Interviews
• BCG Online Case
• Market Sizing Questions
• Case Interview Examples
• Consulting Networking

Want to feel confident walking into your written case interview? Find out how.

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• The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview
• Consulting Career Secrets
• Cover Letter & Resume
• McKinsey Solve Game (Imbellus)
• BCG Online Case (+ Pymetrics, Spark Hire)
• Bain Aptitude Tests (SOVA, Pymetrics, HireVue)
• Kearney Recruitment Test
• BCG Cognitive Test Practice
• All-in-One Case Interview Preparation
• Industry Cheat Sheets
• Structuring & Brainstorming
• Data & Chart Interpretation
• Case Math Mastery
• McKinsey Interview Academy
• Brainteasers

Case Interview Examples (2024): A Collection from McKinsey and Others

Last Updated on January 11, 2024

Whenever you prepare for case interviews, you have to practice as realistically as possible and mimic the real case study interview at McKinsey , BCG , Bain , and others. One way to do this and make your preparation more effective is to practice real cases provided by the firms you apply to.

It will help you to understand what the differences are across firms, how they structure and approach their cases, what dimensions are important to them, and what solutions they consider to be strong.

Below is a steadily expanding selection of real case interview examples provided by different management consulting firms.

Before wasting your money on case interview collection books that use generic cases, use original cases first. Additionally, use professional case coaches, who interviewed for the top firms , to mimic the real interview experience and get real, actionable feedback to improve.

Please be aware that cases are just one part of a typical consulting interview. It is equally important to prepare for behavioral and fit interview questions .

McKinsey Case Interview Examples

• Loravia – Transforming a national education system
• SuperSoda – Electro-light product launch
• GlobaPharm – Pharma R&D
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – Diconsa financial services offering
• Beautify – Customer approach
• Shops – DEI strategy
• Talbot Trucks – Electric truck development
• Conservation Forever – Nature conservation

We have written a detailed article on the McKinsey application process, the McKinsey interview timeline, the typical McKinsey case interview, and the McKinsey Personal Experience interview here . You can expect similar cases regardless of your position (e.g. in a McKinsey phone case interview or interviewing for a McKinsey internship as well as a full-time BA, Associate, or Engagement Manager role).

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Case interview Examples

• Consumer Goods – Climate strategy
• Banking – Client satisfaction
• Consumer Goods – IT strategy
• Chateau Boomerang – Written case

Bain and Company case interview examples

• NextGen Tech
• FashionCo .

Ace the case interview with our dedicated preparation packages.

Deloitte Case Interview Examples

• Federal Agency – Engagement strategy
• Federal Benefits Provider – Strategic vision
• Apparel – Declining market share
• Federal Finance Agency – Architecture strategy
• MedX – Smart pill bottle
• Federal Healthy Agency – Finance strategy
• LeadAuto – Market expansion
• Federal Bureau – Talent management

Strategy& Case Interview Examples

• Strategy& tips and examples  (case examples included )

Accenture Case Interview Examples

• Accenture interview tips and examples (case examples included )

Kearney Case Interview Examples

• Promotional planning

Roland Berger Case Interview Examples

• Transit-oriented development Part 1
• Transit-oriented development Part 2
• 3D printed hip implants Part 1
• 3D printed hip implants Part 2

Oliver Wyman Case Interview Examples

• Wumbleworld – theme park
• Aqualine – boats

LEK Case Interview Examples

• Video case interview example (currently unavailable)
• Market sizing video example
• Brainteaser (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Simon Kucher Case Interview Examples

• Smart phone pricing

OC&C Case Interview Examples

• Imported whiskey in an emerging market – business strategy
• Leisure clubs – data interpretation

Capital One Case Interview Examples

• How to crack case interviews with Capital One (includes case examples)

Bridgespan Case Interview Examples

• Robinson Philanthropy – Strategy
• Reach for the Stars – Student success
• Home Nurses for New Families – Expansion strategy
• Venture Philanthropy – Charity

Consulting Clubs Case Interview Books

Contact us at [email protected] for a collection of consulting club case interview books (from Harvard, ESADE, LBS, Columbia, etc.).

How We Help You Ace Your Case Interviews

We have specialized in placing people from all walks of life with different backgrounds into top consulting firms both as generalist hires as well as specialized hires and experts. As former McKinsey consultants and interview experts, we help you by

• tailoring your resume and cover letter to meet consulting firms’ highest standards
• showing you how to pass the different online assessments and tests for McKinsey , BCG , and Bain
• showing you how to ace McKinsey interviews and the PEI with our video academy
• coaching you in our 1-on-1 sessions to become an excellent case solver and impress with your fit answers (90% success rate after 5 sessions)
• preparing your math to be bulletproof for every case interview
• helping you structure creative and complex case interviews
• teaching you how to interpret charts and exhibits like a consultant
• providing you with cheat sheets and overviews for 27 industries .

Reach out to us if you have any questions! We are happy to help and offer a tailored program to help you break into consulting.

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Florian spent 5 years with McKinsey as a senior consultant. He is an experienced consulting interviewer and problem-solving coach, having interviewed 100s of candidates in real and mock interviews. He started StrategyCase.com to make top-tier consulting firms more accessible for top talent, using tailored and up-to-date know-how about their recruiting. He ranks as the most successful consulting case and fit interview coach, generating more than 500 offers with MBB, tier-2 firms, Big 4 consulting divisions, in-house consultancies, and boutique firms through direct coaching of his clients over the last 3.5 years. His books “The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview” and “Consulting Career Secrets” are available via Amazon.

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35 Case Interviews Examples from MBB / Big Four Firms

Studying case interview examples is one of the first steps in preparing for the  management consulting  recruitment process. If you don’t want to spend hours searching the web, this article presents a comprehensive and convenient list for you – with 35 example cases, 16 case books, along with a case video accompanied by detailed feedback on tips and techniques.

A clear understanding of “what is a case interview” is essential for effective use of these examples. I suggest reading our  Case Interview 101  guide, if you haven’t done so.

McKinsey case interview examples

Mckinsey practice cases.

• Diconsa Case
• Electro-Light Case
• GlobaPharm Case
• National Education Case

What should I know about McKinsey Case interviews?

At McKinsey, case interviews often follow the interviewer-led format , where the interviewer asks you multiple questions for you to answer with short pitches.

How do you nail these cases? Since the questions can be grouped into predictable types, an efficient approach is to master each question type. However, do that after you’ve mastered the case interview fundamentals!

For a detailed guide on interviewer-led cases, check out our article on McKinsey Case Interview .

BCG & Bain case interview examples

Bcg practice cases.

• BCG – Written Case – Chateau Boomerang

Bain practice cases

• Bain – Coffee Shop Co.
• Bain – Fashion Co.
• Bain – Mock Interview – Associate Consultant
• Bain – Mock Interview – Consultant

What should I know about BCG & Bain case interviews?

Unlike McKinsey, BCG and Bain case interviews typically follow the candidate-led format – which is the opposite of interviewer-led, with the candidate driving the case progress by actively breaking down problems in their own way.

The key to acing candidate-led cases is to master the case interview fundamental concepts as well as the frameworks.

Some BCG and Bain offices also utilize written case interviews – you have to go through a pile of data slides, select the most relevant ones to answer a set of interviewer questions, then deliver those answers in a presentation.

For a detailed guide on candidate-led cases, check out our article on BCG & Bain Case Interview .

Deloitte case interview examples

Deloitte practice cases.

Undergrad Cases

• Human Capital – Technology Institute
• Human Capital – Agency V
• Strategy – Federal Benefits Provider
• Strategy – Extreme Athletes
• Technology – Green Apron
• Technology – Big Bucks Bank
• Technology – Top Engine
• Technology – Finance Agency

Advanced Cases

• Human Capital – Civil Cargo Bureau
• Human Capital – Capital Airlines
• Strategy – Club Co
• Strategy – Health Agency
• Technology – Waste Management
• Technology – Bank of Zurich
• Technology – Galaxy Fitness

What should I know about Deloitte case interviews?

Case interviews at Deloitte also lean towards the candidate-led format like BCG and Bain.

The Deloitte consultant recruitment process also features group case interviews , which not only test analytical skills but also place a great deal on interpersonal handling.

Accenture case interview examples

Accenture divides its cases into three types with very cool-sounding names.

Sorted in descending order of popularity, they are:

These are similar to candidate-led cases at Bain and BCG. albeit shorter – the key is to develop a suitable framework and ask the right questions to extract data from the interviewer.

These are similar to the market-sizing and guesstimate questions asked in interviewer-led cases – demonstrate your calculations in structured, clear-cut, logical steps and you’ll nail the case.

These cases have you sort through a deluge of data to draw solutions; however, this type of case is rare.

Capital One case interview examples

Capital One is the odd one on this list – it is a bank-holding company. Nonetheless, this being one of the biggest banks in America, it’s interesting to see how its cases differ from the consulting ones.

Having gone through Capital One’s guide to its cases, I can’t help but notice the less-MECE structure of the sample answers. Additionally, there seems to be a greater focus on the numbers.

Nonetheless, having a solid knowledge of the basics of case interviews will not hurt you – if anything, your presentation will be much more in-depth, comprehensive, and understandable!

See Capital One Business Analyst Case Interview for an example case and answers.

Other firms case interview examples

Besides the leading ones, we have some examples from other major consulting firms as well.

• Oliver Wyman – Wumbleworld
• Oliver Wyman – Aqualine
• LEK – Cinema
• LEK – Market Sizing
• Kearney – Promotional Planning
• OC&C – Imported Spirits
• OC&C – Leisure Clubs

Consulting clubs case books

In addition to official cases, here are a few case books you can use as learning materials.

Do keep in mind: don’t base your study on frameworks and individual case types, but master the fundamentals so you can tackle any kind of case.

• Wharton Consulting Club Case Book
• Tuck Consulting Club Case Book
• MIT Sloan Consulting Club Case Book
• LBS Consulting Club Case Book
• Kellogg Consulting Club Case Book
• INSEAD Consulting Club Case Book
• Harvard Consulting Club Case Book
• ESADE Consulting Club Case Book
• Darden Consulting Club Case Book
• Berkeley Consulting Club Case Book
• Notre-Dame Consulting Club Case Book
• Illinois Consulting Club Case Book
• Columbia Consulting Club Case Book
• Duke Consulting Club Case Book
• Ross Consulting Club Case Book
• Kearney Case Book

Case interview example – Case video

The limitation of most official case interview examples is that they are either too short and vague, or in text format, or both.

To solve that problem for you, we’ve extracted a 30-minute-long, feedback-rich case sample from our Case Interview End-to-End Secrets Program .

This is a candidate-led, profitability case on an internet music broadcasting company called Pandora.

In 30 minutes, this candidate demonstrates the exact kind of shortcoming that most candidates suffer during real case interviews – they come in with sharp business senses, then hurt their own chances with inadequate techniques.

Here are seven notable areas where the candidate (and you) can improve:

Thanking Throughout the case, as especially in the opening, he should have shown more appreciation for the time the interviewer spent with him.

Structured opening The candidate’s opening of the case feels unstructured. He could have improved it by not mixing the playback and clarification parts. You can learn to nail the case in a 3-minute start through this video on How to Open Any Case Perfectly .

Explicitness A lot of the candidate’s thought process remains in his head; in a case interview, it’s better to be as explicit as possible – draw your issue tree out and point to it as you speak; state your hypothesis when you move into a branch; when you receive data, acknowledge it out loud.

Avoiding silence The silence in his case performance is too long, including his timeout and various gaps in his speech; either ask for timeout (and keep it as short as possible) or think out loud to fill those gaps.

Proactivity The candidate relies too much on the interviewer (e.g: asking for data when it can easily be calculated); you don’t want to appear lazy before your interviewer, so avoid this.

Avoiding repeating mistakes Making one mistake twice is a big no-no in consulting interviews; one key part of the consulting skill set is the ability to learn, and repeating your mistakes (especially if the interviewer has pointed it out) makes you look like someone who doesn’t learn.

Note-taking Given the mistakes this candidate makes, he’s probably not taking his notes well. I can show you how to get it right if you watch this video on Case Interview Note-Taking .

Nonetheless, there are three good points you can learn from the candidate:

The candidate sums up what he’s covered and announces his upcoming approach at the start and at key points in the case – this is a very good habit that gives you a sense of direction and shows that you’re an organized person.

The candidate performs a “reality check” on whether his actions match the issue tree; in a case interview it’s easy to lose track of what you’re doing, so remember to do this every once in a while.

The candidate prompts the interviewer to give out more data than he asked for; if anything, this actually matches a habit of real consultants, and if you’re lucky, your interviewer may actually give out important pieces you haven’t thought of.

These are only part of the “ninja tips” taught In our Case Interview E2E Secrets Program – besides the math and business intuition for long-term development, a key feature is the instant-result tips and techniques for case interviews.

Once you’ve mastered them, you can nail any case they throw at you!

For more “quality” practice, let’s have a mock case interview with former consultants from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Oliver Wyman, Strategy& and many other consulting firms. They will help you identify your problem areas and give you actionable feedback, making your preparation much easier and faster.

Hi! This is Kim and welcome to another performance in the Tips & Techniques part of our amazing End-to-end program. You are about to hear a really interesting performance.

There is a common Myth that Profitability cases are easier. Well, for beginners, that’s may make sense, but I would argue that Profitability cases can be really tricky and candidates without good foundation will make about the same level of mistakes regardless of type of cases given.

The profitability case we are about to watch will show that. It’s a very unconventional

Profitability. It started out like a typical one but getting more and more tricky toward the end.

The candidate is fairly good in term of business intuition, but the Tips & Techniques aspect needs a lot of fine tune! Now let’s go ahead and get started! 

It’s actually a little better to playback the case information and ask clarifications. The candidate does not distinguish between the two and do both at a same time. Also, the candidate was asking these clarifications in an unorganized and unstructured fashion. This is not something terrible, but could have been better, especially when this is the very first part of the case, where the crucial first impression is being formed.

My pitch would sound like this:

“That’s a very interesting problem and I am happy to get the chance to solve it. First of all let me tell you my understanding of the case context and key objectives. Then I would like to ask a few clarifying questions regarding a few terminology and concepts. Both of these are to make sure that I will be solving the right problem.

So here is my understanding of the case: The client is ABC. Here are some DEF facts about the situation we just talked about. And the key case question is XYZ.

Does that correctly and adequately summarize the case?”

Once the interviewer confirms, I would move to the clarification part as follows: “Now I would like to ask a few clarification questions. There are three of them: No 1, … No 2, … and No 3, …”

You may see above pitch as obvious but that’s a perfect example of how you should open any cases. Every details matters. We will point out those details in just a second. But before we do that, it’s actually very helpful if you can go back, listen carefully to the above pitch, and try to point out the great components yourselves. Only after that, go back to this point and learn it all together.

Alright, let’s break down the perfect opening.

First of all, you hear me say: “That’s a very interesting problem and I am happy to get a chance to solve it”. This seems trivial but very beneficial in multiple ways:

1. I bought myself a couple of seconds to calm down and get focused. 2. By nature, we as human unconsciously like those who give us compliments. Nothing better than opening the case with a modest compliment to the interviewer.

And (c) I showed my great attitude towards the case, which the interviewer would assume is the same for real future consulting business problems.

You should do that in your interviews too. Say it and accompany it with the best smile you can give. It shows that you are not afraid of any problems. In fact, you love them and you are always ready for them.

Secondly, I did what I refer to as the “map habit”, which is to always say what you are about to do and then do it. Just like somebody in the car showing the drivers the route before cruising on the road. The driver would love it. This is where I said: “Let me tell you my understanding of the case context and key objectives. Then ABC…”.

Third, right at the beginning of the case, I try to be crystal clear and easy to follow. I don’t let the interviewer confused between playing the case vs. asking clarification questions. I distinguish between the two really carefully. This habit probably doesn’t change the outcome of how the case goes that much, but it certainly significantly changes the impression the interviewer has of me.

Fourth, in playing back the case, each person would have a different way to re-phrase. But there are three buckets to always include:

1. Who is the client 2. The facts regarding the client and the situation and (c) The key question and the objective of the case.

Fifth, after playing the case context and objectives, I pause for a second and ALIGN with the interviewer: “Does it correctly and adequately summarize the case?”. This is a habit that every consulting manager loves for young consultants to do. Nobody wants first-year folks to spend weeks of passion and hard-work building an excel model that the team can’t use. This habit is extensively taught at McKinsey, Bain and BCG, so therefore interviewers would love somebody that exhibits this habit often in case interview.

Lastly, when asking clarification questions, you hear me number them very carefully to create the strong impression that I am very organized and structured. I said I have three clarifying questions. Then I number them as I go through each. No.1, No.2, and No.3.

Sometimes, during interviews it’s hard to know exactly how many items you are going to get. One way is to take timeout often to carefully plan your pitch. If this is not possible in certain situations, you may skip telling how many items you have; but you should definitely still number your question: No.1, No.2; and so on. 

Just a moment ago, the candidate actually exhibited a good habit. After going through his clarification questions, the candidate ended by asking the “is there anything else” question. In this case, I actually give out an important piece of data.

Though this is not very common as not every interviewer is that generous in giving out data. But this is a habit management consultants have to have every day when talking to experts, clients, or key stakeholders. The key is to get the most data and insights out of every interview and this is the type of open-ended question every consultant asks several times a day.

To show of this habit in a case interview is very good!

There are three things I would like you to pay attention to:

First, it took the candidate up to 72 seconds to “gather his thoughts”. This is a little too long in a case interview. I intentionally leave the 72 seconds of silence in the recording so you get an idea of how long that is in real situations. But it’s worth-noting here is not only that. While in some very complicated and weird cases, it’s ok to take that long to really think and gather ideas. In this case, the approach as proposed by the candidate is very simple. For this very approach, I think no more than 15 to 20 seconds should be used.

No.2, with that said, I have told I really like the fact that this candidate exhibits the “map” habit. Before going straight to the approach he draws the overall approach first.

No.3. You also see here that the candidate tried to align the approach with me by asking my thoughts on it. As I just said on the previous comment, this is a great habit to have. Not only does it help reduce chance of going into the wrong direction in case interviews, but it also creates a good impression. Consulting interviewers love people doing it often!

Here we see a not-really-bad response that for sure could be much better. The candidate was going into the first branch of the analysis which is Revenue. I would fix this in 3 aspects:

First, even though we just talked about the overall approach, it’s still better to briefly set up the issue tree first then clearly note that you are going into one branch.

Second, this is not a must, but I always try to make my hypothesis as explicitly clear as possible. Here the candidate just implicitly made a hypothesis that the problem is on the revenue side. The best way to show our hypothesis-driven mindset is to explicitly say it.

Third, you hear this a ton of times in our End-to-End program but I am going to repeat it again and again. It is better to show the habit of aligning here too. Don’t just go into revenue, before doing that, give the interviewer a chance to agree or to actually guide you to Cost.

So, summarizing the above insights, my pitch would sound something like this:

“So as we just discussed, a profit problem is either caused by revenue or by cost. Unless you would like to go into cost first, let’s hypothesize that the problem is on revenue side. I would like to look deeper into Revenue. Do we have any data on the revenue?”

And while saying this, you should literally draw an issue tree and point to each as you speak.

There is an interesting case interview tip I want to point out here. Notice how the candidate responds after receiving two data points from me. He went straight into the next question without at least acknowledging the data received and also without briefly analyzing it.

I am glad that the candidate makes this mistakes… well, not glad for him but for the greater audience of this program. I would like to introduce to you the perfect habit of what you should react and do every time you have any piece of data during case interviews. So three things you need to do:

Step 1: Say … that’s an interesting piece of data. This helps the interviewer acknowledge that you have received and understand the data. This also buys you a little time. And furthermore, it’s always a good thing to give out modest compliments to the interviewer.

Step 2: Describe the data, how it looks, is there any special noteworthy trend? In this case, we should point out that revenue actually grew by more than 50%.

Also notice here that I immediately quantified the difference in specific quantitative measurement (in this case, percentage). Saying revenue went up is good, but it’s great to be able to say revenue went up by more than 50%.

Step 3: Link the trend identified back to the original case question and the hypothesis you have. Does it prove, disprove, or open up new investigation to really test the hypothesis? In this case, this data piece actually opened up new investigating areas to test the hypothesis that the bottleneck is within revenue.

My sample pitch for this step 3 would sound like this: “It’s interesting that revenue went up quite a bit. However, to be able to fully reject our hypothesis on the revenue, I would like to compare our revenue to that of the competitors as well.”

Then only at this point, after going through 3 steps above, I ask for the competitors’ revenue like the candidate did.

Notice here that I ended up asking the same question the candidate did. This shows that the candidate does have a good intuition and thought process. It’s just that he did all of these implicitly on his head.

In consulting case interview, it’s always good to do everything as explicitly as possible. Not only is it easier to follow but it helps show your great thought process.

… the rest of the transcript is available in our End To End Case Interview

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