Final round Case prep

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the progress in the application process thus far! I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, preparation doesn't need to change significantly. It would be beneficial to practice one or two written case studies, but other than that, it remains a case study.
• Moreover, for PowerPoint and Excel advice, ensure you are comfortable with the basic functionalities: creating charts in Excel and designing slides in PowerPoint. Focus on clarity and simplicity over complexity in your presentation.
• Lastly, expect anything. A quick call with the recruiter might help, but don't expect a lot of insights, as working with a certain level of uncertainty is part of consulting.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

First, good luck!

I have 30+ REAL written cases of all formats/types.

I recommend the following:

1. Remember that most casing tips apply here (i.e. be very clear+focused on the objective, ruthlessly cut out information that doesn't help you meet this objective/question, make sure to thinking + communicate in a structured way, etc. etc.)
2. Practice/simulate this as much as possible beforehand...getting a coach to help you run through scenarios + how to react in inevitably challenging moments will do a world of good.

What I generally do with my candidates is, give them a written case x hours before our scheduled session (adjust # of hours based on the specific interview they're going to have), and then review their work during the session (as well as talk through tips+tricks to get better).

Other helpful Q&As

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/scenario-interview-presentation-prep-9325

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-practice-written-case-interviews-9199

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/case-interview-9228

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-practice-written-case-interviews-9199

Preparation: To prepare for the case presentation, it's important to practice structuring your thoughts and delivering a clear and concise message. Use resources such as case interview books, online case libraries, and mock interviews to simulate the final round format. Additionally, consider seeking guidance from experienced consultants or hiring a coach who can provide personalized feedback and help you refine your presentation skills.

PowerPoint and Excel advice: When creating your PowerPoint presentation, focus on creating a clear and visually appealing structure. Use bullet points, charts, and graphs to convey your key insights effectively. Ensure that your slides have a logical flow and are easy to follow. In Excel, practice using formulas and functions to analyze data efficiently. Familiarize yourself with common Excel shortcuts to save time during the case.

What to expect: In the final round, expect to receive a case prompt and have one hour to analyze the data, develop insights, and create your presentation. During the presentation, be prepared to articulate your findings, recommendations, and the underlying analysis. After the presentation, you may receive feedback and have the opportunity to ask questions. The second round will likely follow a similar format, but with a different case prompt.

Remember to stay calm, think critically, and communicate your ideas effectively. Practice time management to ensure you allocate enough time for analysis, slide creation, and presentation rehearsal.

Hi,

Sharing some quick thoughts on this

1. How to prepare for that? resources?

• Fundamentals of good problem solving skills dont change at all - focus on building those up 

2. Powerpoint and excel advice?

• Excel - as long as it works its fine (assuming you don't have to submit it). I would deprioritize formatting if you don't have to submit it
• Powerpoint 
  • Plan out your story first
  • Less is more. Think of what is really important to put on the slide and don't overclutter things

3.  What to expect?

• Time management is key - be very disciplined and deliberate in your time management

All the best!

Hi!

This is a ‘written’ case format. 

Basically, here is not only necessary to know how to solve the problem, but also how to present the solution (both verbally and visually). 

In that sense, it's more complex than the regular case study, but at least you have the privilege of silent analysis. It's also more similar in that way to how an actual consulting project goes. 

Typically, when I coach candidates in this area, I send them two written cases before the session for them to develop their answers and presentation, and then they present the answers live when we meet. This way, they get to try different cases and get tailored feedback not only on the solution but also on the presentation. 

Good luck!
Cristian

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Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> CodeWave  

Hi, 

Please find my answers:

1. How to prepare for that? resources? → just as you did for the case interview, it's the same things that are tested

2. Powerpoint and excel advice? → Pivot table to know

3.  What to expect? Too much info, the key thing will be to priorize and to only use facts

I have a (retired) real one for EY-Parthenon. Let me know if that would help.

Hi there,

I've recently helped a candidate to prepare for a similar situation and it was a success.

Happy to keep talking about this in private, just send me a message.

Best,

Alberto

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Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

Hi there, just had a coachee of mine with exactly the same scope. Happy to share the case, XLS and PPT along with some best practice tips. Warm regards, Freddy