Consulting Consulting
Consulting Finance General
Login Sign up for free Sign up for free
Consulting Finance General
Community
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Coaching
Coaches
Coaching Packages
Consulting Q&A
Resources
Case Interview Basics
Case Library
AI Casebot
Tests & Guides
Mental Math Tool
Stress Questions
Drills
Video Tutorials
Brainteaser
Career
Employers
Career Events
Consulting Jobs
Consulting Blog
Sign up for free
Login
Community
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Coaching
Coaches
Coaching Packages
Consulting Q&A
Resources
Case Interview Basics
Case Library
AI Casebot
Tests & Guides
Mental Math Tool
Stress Questions
Drills
Video Tutorials
Brainteaser
Career
Employers
Career Events
Consulting Jobs
Consulting Blog
Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Back to overview
Anonymous A
on Oct 27, 2024
Global
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

Hi there, when I am answering questions in case interviews, do I have to add many relevant points in brainstorming questions or answering precisely is better?

6
800+
55
Write an answer
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Jose Maria
Coach
edited on Oct 27, 2024
Former-McKinsey | >95% approval rate | >50 candidates supported | Expert in McKinsey case and PEI

Hi friend,  I hope you are having a great day. 

When answering brainstorming questions, both the number and quality of ideas are important. Your interviewer will evaluate you on both topics (think as he needs to complete a form with both). 

A strong and simple way to show quantity and quality is bucketing up your ideas before starting to bring them. For example, when asked about ideas to increase sales for a new sandals retailer (real question from an interview), you break your answer using a sales framework: 1) Pricing strategies, 2) Value proposition and 3) Locations and 4) Promotions. Then, bring 2 ideas for each (e.g., for pricing, "1.a. adjust pricing strategy with best elasticity to increase sales, and 1.b. use different groups of products for different price layers". Great ideas use something already seen in the case. 

I hope that answers your question! 

Good luck in your journey!  

27
Contact coach
0 comments
Florian
Coach
on Oct 28, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

You should approach a brainstorming question with the same structured thinking and communication as a framework question as they essentially test for the same qualities.

Dos:

  • Broad (captures the topic well)
  • Deep (create a structure with 2-3 levels and concrete ideas at the bottom)
  • Insightful (variety of commonsense and more creative ideas)
  • Interdependencies (consider how they affect each other)
  • Communicate top-down, numbered, and signposted

Don't:

  • Create a laundry list of ideas that you communicate with “and then”

Check out my book if you want to learn a modern approach to cases (including frameworks and brainstorming).

All the best,

Florian

7
Contact coach
0 comments
Soh
Coach
on Oct 28, 2024
Lifesciences industry/Mkt. Sizing/M&A Expert|15m free intro | Ex-ZS Interviewer | Comm. Strategy lead | 30% off 1st case

Hi,

Thanks for your question.

If it is a brainstorming question, the more ideas you bring, the better since what they are evaluating you for is creativity. Depending on the context of the question and the amount of time you have, you can either bucket and have a few sub-buckets, or just list the first level ideas.

Example of listing the ideas:

What are the different ways you would increase sales for the theatre?

1. Cross sell 2. Marketing 3. Expand to other services

Example of bucketing with sub-buckets:

1. Cross sell -> level 1 - offer food and drink combos with ticket purchases, ...etc.

2. Marketing -> level 1 - 1. Digital, 2. print 3. radio 

3. Expand to other services - level 1 - 1. open a restaurant 2. open a game machine etc.

Which approach you take depends on the context for the question. For example, if you are at the beginning of the case or if the brainstorming question is asked as part of your initial framework, or it is a separate question in the case, you can spend more time. However, if this is a question in the middle or end of a case where the interviewer just wants you to share some ideas, you have to be careful on how deep you go, since it will take away time from the rest of your case. If in doubt, list the initial ideas and ask your interviewer if he/she would like you to elaborate more.

Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out if any questions.

Thanks.

6
Contact coach
0 comments
Alberto
Coach
on Oct 28, 2024
Ex-McKinsey AP | Training top candidates to perform at MBB level and win the offer

Be relevant and structured in all your answers.

Make sure you answer the exact question you have been asked. Be accurate. Be structured. Elaborate the rationale of your points. 

If you are asked to brainstorm, provide quantity and creativity. 

6
Contact coach
0 comments
Fathu
Coach
on Oct 28, 2024
Ex-BCG Europe/ME/Africa | 50+ offers from MBB, Kearney, OW | Personalized coaching | Free 15-min intro call

Hello there,

Brainstorming questions typically test 3 major things:

  1. Structure: You should structure and present your points in MECE categories so you can cover the wide range of points relevant to the prompt
  2. Exhaustiveness: The interviewer also assesses whether you have recognized the table stakes, bare minimum points that cannot be ignored in that scenario
  3. Creativity: Finally, they check how much you can think outside the box for points that might not be obvious at first glance 

Feel free to reach out with any further questions.

Fathu

6
Contact coach
0 comments
Hagen
Coach
on Jan 27, 2025
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

  • First of all, you should aim for both – it will not help if you provide a lot of invalid aspects, and it will not be enough if you only provide one or two aspects.
  • Moreover, can you please provide a proposal that I can review?

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

6
Contact coach
0 comments
Similar Questions
Consulting
How long should you be taking to think in case interviews
on Apr 06, 2025
Global
10
500+
Top answer by
Mariana
Coach
Free CV evaluation | xMckinsey | 1.5h session | +200 sessions | Free 20-min introductory call
17
10 Answers
500+ Views
+7
Consulting
Does anyone have advice on how to improve the brainstorming part?
on Jan 31, 2025
Global
7
600+
Top answer by
Evelina
Coach
EY-Parthenon (6 years) l BCG offer holder l 97% success rate l 30% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS
19
7 Answers
600+ Views
+4
Consulting
Essential ideas for brainstorming?
on Feb 01, 2025
Global
7
600+
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
18
7 Answers
600+ Views
+4
Top Answer by
Jose Maria
Coach
Former-McKinsey | >95% approval rate | >50 candidates supported | Expert in McKinsey case and PEI
To coach profile
Related Article
Mastering Group Interviews in Consulting: What to Expect
Learn how to master teamwork, communication and problem-solving in group interviews.
View article
Related Case
Expert case by
Ian
MBB - Climate Change Operations
5.0
3.1k times solved
Intermediate
Candidate-led
Open case
Similar Questions
Consulting
How long should you be taking to think in case interviews
on Apr 06, 2025
17
10
500+
Consulting
Does anyone have advice on how to improve the brainstorming part?
on Jan 31, 2025
19
7
600+
Consulting
Essential ideas for brainstorming?
on Feb 01, 2025
18
7
600+
Everything for Your Career
  • Interview Coaching
  • Q&A
  • Interview Partner
  • Mental Math Tool
  • Interview Drills
  • Stress Questions
  • Blog
Everything for Your Career
  • Interview Coaching
  • Q&A
  • Interview Partner
  • Mental Math Tool
  • Interview Drills
  • Stress Questions
  • Blog
Popular in Consulting
  • Case Library
  • Meeting Board
  • Case Partner
  • Case Interview Basics
  • Case Interview
  • Consulting Q&A
Popular in Finance
  • Finance Q&A
  • Interview in Investment Banking
  • Investment Banking Salaries
Popular in Consulting
  • Case Library
  • Meeting Board
  • Case Partner
  • Case Interview Basics
  • Case Interview
  • Consulting Q&A
Popular in Finance
  • Finance Q&A
  • Interview in Investment Banking
  • Investment Banking Salaries
Consulting and Finance Employers
  • RWE Consulting
  • Whiteshield Advisory
  • All Employers »
About PrepLounge
  • For Companies
  • For Universities
  • For Coaches
  • About Us
  • Career
  • FAQ
© 2012 PrepLounge
Our servers are powered by electricity from renewable sources.
  • Cookies & Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Imprint
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
Questions or Feedback?
Select category
  • Select category
  • General Feedback
  • Case Interview Preparation
  • Coaching
  • Technical Problems
  • Other
Your name
Your email address
Cancel