Oliver Wyman Financial Services

Preparing for a case interview can feel overwhelming, but having a structured plan will help you stay focused and make steady progress. A well-organized approach ensures you build a strong foundation, practice effectively, and refine your skills before the big day.In this guide, we will walk you through the key components of an effective practice plan, including self-study, peer practice, and working with a coach. Let’s go! How Much Time Should You Spend Preparing for the Case Interview?To get the most out of your preparation, it's important to start early. Ideally, you should begin at least 6-8 weeks before your first interview to give yourself enough time to cover all key areas. The amount of time you’ll need also depends on your background. If you're completely new to case interviews, dedicating 10-12 hours per week to a mix of theory and practice will help you develop a solid understanding. If you already have some experience, 6-8 hours per week should be enough to sharpen your skills and refine your approach. Key Components of an Effective Preparation PlanSuccessfully preparing for a case interview requires a structured approach that builds both the necessary skills and the right mindset.  Let’s break down the essential steps of a strong preparation strategy:  1. Build a Foundation with Self-Study.When starting your practice, it’s important to build a solid foundation first. The good news: You’ve come to the right place as our Case Interview Basics offer the ideal starting point. If you work through the content thoroughly, you’ll have built the most important foundation – giving you the key knowledge to confidently move forward with the rest of your interview preparation.When getting started with case interview prep, it's important to focus on the core areas that truly matter. Our Case Interview Basics are designed to walk you through all the essential background knowledge and concepts step by step. From our perspective, you should cover the following areas:Understand the purpose behind case interviews.Before diving into techniques, it helps to know why case interviews are used in the first place. Consulting firms want to see how you approach unfamiliar problems – and whether you think and communicate like a consultant. In the General Info chapter, you'll learn how case interviews simulate real-life consulting challenges and why they're such a central part of the recruiting process.Know what skills firms are really testing.It's not just about getting the right answer – firms look for how you think, how you structure your thoughts, and how clearly you communicate under pressure. In the Consulting Skills section, you'll find a breakdown of note-taking, interpreting charts and data, case leadership, stating your recommendation, and presenting your ideas clearly. You’ll also explore key topics like creativity and essential business facts to help you stand out in your interviews.Master case types, structures, and frameworks.Case structuring is one of the most critical – and most challenging – skills to develop. That’s why a big part of your prep should be focused here. In the chapters about the Case Interview Structure and Frameworks, we introduce different case types (like profitability, market entry, or M&A) and show you how to break them down using logical, custom-built structures – rather than relying on a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. This section will give you practical tools for building strong case approaches from scratch.Bonus: Improve your mental math.Strong math skills are essential in many cases – especially market sizing or profitability questions. But it’s not just about speed – it's about calculating confidently while explaining your logic out loud. Our chapter Math in Case Interviews helps you sharpen your math-skills and boost both speed and accuracy in high-pressure settings. You can also check out our Mental Math Tool to improve your skills.  

The case interview is one of the most challenging parts of the application process for consulting jobs. But why do companies prefer this method over traditional interviews? The answer lies in the many benefits case interviews offer — not just for you as a candidate, but also for the companies themselves. Let’s first explore why case interviews can be valuable for you before taking a look at the perspective of consulting firms. The Benefits of Case Interviews for You as a CandidateA case interview is very different from traditional job interviews because it simulates real challenges from the day-to-day life of a consultant. It gives you direct insight into typical problems and the ways of thinking and working in consulting. At the same time, it helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses while showing how you handle stressful situations. You’ll get the chance to test your resilience, decision-making skills, and analytical thinking — all essential qualities, not just in consulting.Additionally, a case interview allows you to gain hands-on experience. You’ll learn to work efficiently under pressure, use resources effectively, and develop innovative solutions for complex problems. Even if you don’t pass the interview, you’ll often receive valuable feedback to help you prepare for future opportunities. In group case interviews, you also get to showcase your teamwork skills — an important factor for your success in consulting. How Companies Benefit from Case InterviewsCase interviews also offer a range of advantages for companies. They allow employers to assess candidates in realistic scenarios and pinpoint the skills that are crucial for the job. By using practical challenges, companies can thoroughly evaluate a candidate's suitability and ensure they meet the demands of day-to-day consulting work.Moreover, case interviews are an efficient and standardized method that makes the selection process more objective and streamlined. They enable companies to test the specific skills needed in consulting, helping them identify the most qualified candidates. At the same time, these demanding interviews enhance employer branding by showcasing the company as an attractive and professional workplace. They also provide candidates with valuable insights into the company’s work environment, potential projects, and industry focus areas. What Skills Are Tested in Case Interviews?In case interviews, consulting firms want to ensure you have the key skills needed for a successful career in consulting. These include:Problem-Solving Skills: How do you approach complex challenges?Analytical Thinking: Can you critically assess information and draw logical conclusions?Structured Thinking: Are your arguments clear, logical, and goal-oriented?Quantitative Skills: How comfortable are you with numbers and data and can you perform quantitative analyses?Communication Skills: Can you present your solutions clearly and persuasively?Creativity: Do you come up with innovative approaches to tackle unusual problems?This might sound like a lot, but you're already on the right path! With proper preparation and practice in presenting these skills effectively, you’ll lay a solid foundation for your consulting career. Key TakeawaysCase interviews are an essential part of the consulting industry. They’re a crucial element of the application process and bring benefits for both sides.For you as a candidate, they provide a first glimpse into the typical tasks of a consultant’s day-to-day work. They also give you the chance to showcase your skills directly during the interview. Additionally, case interviews help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. Even if things don’t work out, you’ll often receive valuable feedback to help you prepare for future interviews.For companies, case interviews are a vital tool for realistically assessing a candidate's abilities. They allow firms to check whether you have the right skills and can handle the demands of a consulting role. Overall, they provide an efficient and practical way to identify the best candidates.Case interviews are challenging, but they’re far from impossible to master — with the right preparation. Make use of our resources and take the first step toward your consulting career!