Question on MBB case style in the Middle East office

Hey there :)

For the Middle East, especially Riyadh with Dubai often running R1, it’s true that cases can be a bit different from the “CaseCoach” style. They tend to be less about crunching long chains of math and more about discussing high-level drivers, qualitative insights, and applying logic to ambiguous contexts. Often they reflect local industries like energy, public sector, or large transformation programs, so they may be less “structured textbook” and more conversational. That said, structure is still expected, but the interviewer might guide you more and expect you to flex between qualitative reasoning and light quantitative checks.

best, Alessa :)

Hi there, 

The fact that cases differ from the ones on CaseCoach is not only applicable to the ME offices. 

Basically, the MBBs have tried in the last couple of years to come up with more creative case scenarios to push candidates to dig deeper into their thinking. They want to get a sense of whether you are able to assess a situation from first principles, rather than replay typical frameworks. 

CaseCoach cases that are older might seem thus different from the new MBB cases.

If you want to see some of these newer cases, take a look at these:

• https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/advanced/mbb-first-round-soy-technologies-303
• https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/interviewer-led-mckinsey-style/intermediate/element-mobile-expands-into-refurbished-phones-mbb-2nd-round-302

And if you're interested in first principles structuring, take a look at this:

• Masterclass: First Principle Structuring

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions I could help with.

Best,
Cristian

Yes — that’s true to an extent. MBB cases for the Middle East (Riyadh, Dubai) can often be more unstructured and qualitative compared to standard CaseCoach-style drills. This reflects the nature of the work there: large-scale transformations, public sector strategy, and emerging/new-economy topics.

What to expect:

• High-level, ambiguous prompts where you have to bring structure from scratch.
• More emphasis on first-principles thinking and macro-level insights, not just frameworks.
• Fewer “neat” profitability/market entry style cases; more “What would you do if…” scenarios tied to national vision projects or sector reforms.
• Math is still there, but often in smaller chunks, embedded in broader strategic discussion.

How to prepare:

1. Practice taking vague problems and structuring them in 1–2 minutes without relying on memorized frameworks.
2. Read up on Middle East economic diversification plans, sectoral transformations, and relevant public/private sector trends.
3. Be ready to lead the conversation — interviewers often see how you handle ambiguity and whether you can set a clear path forward.

You’ve already received good input on the qualitative, ambiguous nature of ME cases. I’d just add two points, having coached and interviewed candidates specifically for Riyadh/Dubai, and having gone through the process myself:

1. Context matters: Even if Dubai runs R1, the cases will often mirror the Riyadh pipeline: PIF-backed giga-projects, public sector reforms, large-scale transformations. This means the “story” of the case will often be rooted in local economic priorities, and your examples/recommendations should feel relevant to the region. This will especially be tested in the personal fit section. Generic FMCG or US retail examples are still used, so prep for them regardless
2. Interviewer calibration – In the Middle East, cases can vary more interviewer-to-interviewer compared to other regions because many consultants rotate between sectors. Some will stick closely to the casebook, others will make it more conversational. You should be able to pivot between highly structured, MECE-style problem solving and free-flowing on-the-fly thinking