I got the strategy to answer market sizing questions like "How many petrol stations are there in city xx"?". You take assumptions like the population, number of cars, number of cars a petrol station can serve, etc. But what about questions like "How many elephants are there in the world?" Despite saying "There are elephants in Africa, Asia and in Zoos", I would not know how to continue.
Back to overview
8
0
How to answer sizing questions without obvious assumptions?
1
5.3k
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Anonymous B
on Dec 22, 2017
Sometimes you have to make obvious assumptions or at least start with those.
You also always have to consider that for questions like this, a correct answer isn't the (mail) goal, but rather how you approach it. You can have different ways of answering a question that the interviewers will appreciate the same.
For instance, the elephant question was answered here (https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/case-how-many-elephants-are-there-1056 ) and they made different assumptions
0 comments
Sign up for free to read all answers.
Sign up for free to read all answers.
Similar Questions
Most Popular Posts
How much does the interviewer prompt you in an interviewer led case interview? After doing your structure is it pretty much just answering their questions?
15
on Oct 12, 2026
USA
5
200+
Top answer by
Ian
Coach
Ex-BCG | NYU Stern | MBB, Tech, & Strategy Coach | 5,000+ Sessions | 500+ Offers | 1,000+ Candidates | 100+ Countries
5 Answers
200+ Views
+2
For a "tell me about yourself" question, is it best I say things that are relevant but not on my resume?
22
on Oct 12, 2026
USA
7
300+
Top answer by
Franco
Coach
Ex BCG Principal & Global Interviewer (10+ Years) | 100+ MBB Offers | 90% Success Rate
7 Answers
300+ Views
+4
McK R1: What PEI areas will be asked?
15
on Oct 12, 2026
USA
9
300+
Top answer by
Franco
Coach
Ex BCG Principal & Global Interviewer (10+ Years) | 100+ MBB Offers | 90% Success Rate
9 Answers
300+ Views
+6
follow up after interview
18
on Oct 15, 2026
Global
8
200+
Top answer by
Franco
Coach
Ex BCG Principal & Global Interviewer (10+ Years) | 100+ MBB Offers | 90% Success Rate
8 Answers
200+ Views
+5
What are my chances of getting a McKinsey first-round interview in Abu Dhabi with a Solve score of 550 ?
14
on Oct 16, 2026
Middle East
6
200+
Top answer by
Ian
Coach
Ex-BCG | NYU Stern | MBB, Tech, & Strategy Coach | 5,000+ Sessions | 500+ Offers | 1,000+ Candidates | 100+ Countries
6 Answers
200+ Views
+3