How to succeed in a case interview?
Basic concepts for success
What is a case interview?
A case interview is a type of interview in which a candidate must analyze and solve a problematic business scenario (“case study”). It is used to simulate a workplace situation to determine whether the candidate has the necessary analytical and communication skills required for the profession. Case interviews are widely and universally used in the selection process in consulting companies such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), or Bain & Company. They are the most important part of the consulting hiring process, and are usually based on projects that the hiring firm has completed for a client. It is an exercise that requires a logical approach to finding a problem and an appropriate solution.
Case interview format
The interview usually begins with a brief introduction and small talk (about 5 minutes), during which the interviewer sets the tone and establishes rapport. This is followed by a personality fit interview (25 minutes) where you will be asked about your background, motivations and approach to problem solving to assess your cultural and professional fit. The main part of the interview is the case analysis (25 minutes). In this part, you will be presented with a business problem to be analyzed and solved in a structured manner. Finally, the interview concludes with questions to ask you as a candidate (5 minutes).
Introduction, Small Talk
~5 minutes
Individual Fit Interview
~25 minutes
Solving the business case
~25 minutes
Candidate's questions
~5 minutes
What skills are required when going through a case interview?
There is no “right” or “standard” answer in a case interview. There are often many solutions to a single case, and what ultimately matters is your thinking and how you arrived at your solution. The interviewer will evaluate you in five main areas:
- Strategic analysis and problem solving skillsThe interviewer will assess your ability to identify key issues, determine their root causes and prioritize them appropriately. During the interview, you will be exposed to both relevant and irrelevant information - it is important to show that you are able to structure data, separate the essential from the non-essential, and formulate clear, logical recommendations based on this. It is expected that you avoid jumping to conclusions, relying only on sufficient and sound evidence.
- Creativity and business senseAs a consultant candidate, you should be familiar with basic business concepts, as well as exhibit a certain amount of business sense and creativity. If the interviewer asks you to come up with innovative ideas to improve the profitability of a hotel chain, you will have to come up with a number of ideas that make good business acumen. You are not expected to have in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry, but you should be able to ask relevant and insightful questions on aspects that are important to solving the customer's problem.
- StructureFollowing a structure means that you address the question with a clear approach that best solves the problem. Good structure is the most important part of a case interview, as it is the foundation of your entire approach and argument. It is also the main reason why candidates fail case interviews. A common mistake candidates make is that they try to apply standardized schemes to any case study they are given. Instead, you should solve each case by creating a system specifically tailored to its needs - just as a consultant would do in the workplace.
- CommunicationIn the age of digitalization, communication skills are becoming increasingly important for consultants. At work, you will communicate with high-level executives, clients, partners and colleagues. Strong communication is crucial for effective performance. Therefore, the interviewer will pay close attention to how you communicate and present yourself during the conversation. Always be professional, answer concisely and deliver the key message first.
- Math skillsAs a counselor, part of your job is to calculate and interpret data. It is therefore important that you have excellent mental math skills. You should be able to perform simple calculations in your mind and quickly make approximate calculations without having to go into unnecessary detail - this allows you to keep the pace of reasoning and focus on the heart of the problem.
What is the difference between...?
First and second round interviews
First round
Second round
Format
Identical
Identical
Interviewer
Managers (up to 4 years of consulting experience)
Partners (more than 10 years of consulting experience)
Difficulty
Usually lower
Usually higher
Candidate- and interviewer-led interviews
In candidate-led cases, the interviewer expects the candidate to guide him or her through the case. As a candidate, you can do this by asking relevant questions and developing and testing your hypotheses. Candidate-led cases are the most common types of cases. They can be found at most major consulting firms such as BCG, Bain, and occasionally McKinsey.
Candidate-led
Interviewer-led
Question(s) type
Very general initial question or no question (general description of the situation)
Very specific questions throughout the interview
Data
Data and information is provided mainly upon your request
A lot of data will be provided as the interview progresses, such as tables or graphs
Company
Most of the consulting firms
Commonly used in McKinsey interviews
How to solve a case in 10 steps
Solving a case may seem difficult at first glance, but with the right approach it becomes much more doable. These 10 steps will help you break down the problems, think logically, and handle any case interview with confidence.
Preparing for a case interview: key materials
Use trusted sources to prepare for case interviews with confidence.
Case in Point - Mark Cosentino's classic book is considered the standard for beginners: it will help you understand the structure of cases and learn how to think like a consultant.
Victor Cheng's Case Interview is one of the most popular online resources with videos, tips, and examples from real interviews at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.
Case in Point - Mark Cosentino's classic book is considered the standard for beginners: it will help you understand the structure of cases and learn how to think like a consultant.
Victor Cheng's Case Interview is one of the most popular online resources with videos, tips, and examples from real interviews at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.
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Source:
Case Interview 2025 - The Ultimate Guide for Success
https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/case-interview
https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/case-interview
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