My super day is in a few days, and I’ll have a regular case and a case that I need to use excel. This is for entry level generalist strategy, but I’ve never done a consulting case with excel before, I don’t know what that looks like, what to expect, what should I know. Is it modeling, financial statements? Build from scratch?? Please help
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That Excel component is standard for strategy arms like EYP/Parthenon, and it definitely feels like a curveball if you haven’t seen one before. Don't panic; the goal here is less about complex financial modeling and entirely about efficiency and structuring data to answer a client question under pressure.
Here’s the reality for an entry-level generalist role: You are almost certainly not building a complex three-statement model or performing detailed DCF analysis. They are typically testing your ability to handle messy, raw data quickly. You will likely be given a partially structured dataset—think a few hundred rows of market data, customer survey results, or operational metrics. Your task is to use that data to calculate key metrics that drive a recommendation.
The core tools they are testing are Pivot Tables for segmentation, and Lookup functions (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP) to merge or cross-reference data. You also need fluency in keyboard shortcuts for navigation and basic functions like SUMIF/COUNTIF. The output must be structured cleanly so that it could drop right into a slide deck—clear labels, clean formatting, and a highlighted answer. Time management is crucial: Allocate 70% of the time to analysis and 30% to synthesizing the findings and creating a clear narrative.
Spend 60 minutes drilling the mechanics of Pivot Tables and practicing quick data cleaning. Show that you can not only get the right number but do it fast and present it clearly.
All the best in the Super Day!
hey there!
I know this format from Interto!
In general don’t expect heavy financial modeling or full three statement builds. It’s usually a structured business problem where you get raw data in Excel and need to clean it, structure it, and derive insights fast. Think market sizing, profitability analysis, pricing impact, scenario comparison, break even, simple NPV, or operational performance analysis. The focus is less on advanced formulas and more on structured thinking with numbers.
You should be very comfortable with basic formulas like SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP, pivot tables, simple margin calculations, growth rates, and building a clean, transparent logic. Often you will need to build calculations from scratch but at a simple level, not complex corporate finance. What really matters is that you clearly explain what you are doing and what the numbers mean for the client.
Practice timing yourself on turning messy data into 2 to 3 clear insights and a recommendation. Structure first, then calculate, then interpret. If you want, feel free to share your background and I can give you a more tailored prep plan.
best,
Alessa :)
Ask the recruiter.
Only they can tell you for sure. That's especially the case because the format differs from role to role and office to office.
Typically (though you should find out exactly how it works for you), they want to test whether you are Excel-literate. That is, you know the basics of working in a database, filtering, formulas, and pivots. If you've worked with Excel previously, you will very likely handle it well. If not, it would be worth learning the basics ASAP.
But once again, try reaching out to the recruiter first to validate. Especially since you don't have a lot of time until the interview, it wouldn't make sense to invest all your time in Excel prep when, in fact, you almost no further prep there.
Best,
Cristian
