If you have used the replacement concept in an interview for MBB, could you share: 1) did it work? 2) did the interviewer ask you to use a different method instead?
Back to overview
16
How successful have you been by using the 'Replacement Concept'?
1
3.0k
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Vlad
on Aug 05, 2019
Coach
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi,
Replacement concept is just one of the tool, that you should use in combination with the other tools. In other words, it's not a magic pill (And yes it works)
1) First of all, there are 2 ways to structure market sizing:
- Formula - basically a math formula to come up with a solution. The problem with the formula is that it is easy to forget something or get lost.
- Tree - same as with regular cases you build a tree. A very simple example: you need to calculate the number of dogs on manhattan. A number of dogs = share of households having a dog * # of households. # of households = population / average household size. In the end, you'll have a pyramid where you have to fill the numbers on the base of the pyramid. This approach is much easier and help you track all the numbers
2) You should learn the key market sizing techniques:
- Making assumptions based on personal experiences (Use the example of your house where out of 100 apt-s 10 have dogs)
- Adjusting numbers (NY is a busy city thus fewer people have dogs)
- Sanity check - try to apply your calculations to the real environment
- etc.
3) You should learn the key tools:
- Using age even age split (suppose life expectancy is 80 years. Assuming even age split we have 4 mln people in US of each age)
- Using 80/20 split (suppose 20% people earn 80% wealth and the average salary is xx...)
- Using approximations (Length of NY-SF flight and plane speed to calculate US length)
- etc.
4) Learn key numbers: populations, gas price, gas consumption, Boeing speed and nmber of seats, average salary, # of gates in the airport, GDP growth rate, inflation, etc.
5) Practice 10-15 cases and you'll be fine. Almost all casebooks have good market sizing examples and the solutions
Feel free to PM for clarifications
Good Luck!
0 comments
Sign up for free to read all answers.
Sign up for free to read all answers.
Similar Questions
Most Popular Posts
BCG Casey (LATAM) - Scratch paper
9
on Feb 27, 2026
South America
5
100+
Top answer by
Ian
Coach
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success
5 Answers
100+ Views
+2
McKinsey Interview Prep from Zero
19
on Feb 27, 2026
Global
9
300+
Top answer by
Alessandro
Coach
McKinsey Senior Engagement Manager | Interviewer Lead | 1,000+ real MBB interviews | 2026 Solve, PEI, AI-case specialist
9 Answers
300+ Views
+6
How does the BCG Casey Chatbot work, and what is the best free way to prepare for it?
8
on Feb 27, 2026
Global
4
100+
Top answer by
Cristian
Coach
Most awarded coach | Ex-McKinsey | Verifiable 88% offer rate (annual report) | First-principles cases + PEI storylining
4 Answers
100+ Views
+1
How Do I Ask Better Questions at the End of an Interview?
20
on Feb 27, 2026
Global
10
200+
Top answer by
Alessandro
Coach
McKinsey Senior Engagement Manager | Interviewer Lead | 1,000+ real MBB interviews | 2026 Solve, PEI, AI-case specialist
10 Answers
200+ Views
+7
How important is it to find a coach from the same region?
10
on Mar 03, 2026
Middle East
8
100+
Top answer by
Komal
Coach
50% off first session. MBB Consultant. Offers from McK, BCG, etc. LBS MBA. Practical coaching with in-depth feedback.
8 Answers
100+ Views
+5