A case interview is a business problem-solving exercise used by consulting firms to assess how you think, not just what you know. You're given a real-world-style business scenario and asked to analyze, structure, and recommend solutions—just like a consultant would.
Firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain use cases to evaluate your ability to:
You’ll be assessed on:
You’re given the scenario—listen carefully and clarify the objective. Ask smart questions to define the scope, constraints, and success metrics.
Tip: Repeat the objective back, clarify unclear points, and confirm what success looks like.
You break down the problem using logic and structure. Use frameworks as a starting point, but always tailor to the specific case.
Tip: Make your structure MECE (mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive). Use clear categories—revenue vs. cost, internal vs. external, etc.
You’re given charts or numbers. Time to interpret the data, run calculations, and extract insights that push your analysis forward.
Tip: Talk through your math. Look for trends, anomalies, or drivers—not just raw numbers.
Synthesize what you’ve learned and deliver a clear, actionable recommendation. Justify your approach and be ready for follow-up questions.
Tip: Lead with your answer, then back it up. Keep it concise and structured (e.g., “I recommend a 3-part strategy…”).
Frameworks help organize your thinking—but don’t force-fit them.
Avoid rigid memorization. Real success comes from customizing your approach based on the case, not following a script.
Prompt: A national coffee chain is seeing falling profits. What’s going on?
Clarify: Profits are down due to rising costs (not revenue issues). Labor and ingredients are the main drivers.
Structure: Break costs into fixed (rent, salaries) and variable (beans, milk, baristas).
Analyze:
Recommend:
Defend your answer by addressing risks (e.g., customer reaction to price hikes) and offer mitigation strategies like A/B testing or loyalty perks.
Why Practice Matters:Top candidates do dozens of mock cases before interviews. It's not just about knowing frameworks—it’s about applying them quickly and clearly.
How TheCaseBot Helps:
Other Helpful Resources:
Clarify the case, tailor your structure, analyze data smartly, and deliver clear recommendations. Then repeat. With smart practice and tools like TheCaseBot, you’ll get sharper—and closer to the offer.
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