Switching within MBB as consultant - how to prepare case interview given limited prep time?

Question

Hi all, I am a current BCG consultant looking to switch into Bain (consultant level). Given that I have already been working at BCG for 1 year, I expect the "bar" of case performance will be higher. May I seek your advice on how to prepare for Bain's case interview given my specific situation? For instance, should I put more focus on any specific dimension/ direction?

Lastly, given that I have only a few weeks left (<1 month) and limited preparation time (only during weekend), what would be the most effective way to prepare, and what material would you suggest? I have done 60+ cases in the past but that was already a long while ago.

Thanks for your suggestion!

Answer 1

Hi there,

Given your limited time, the goal isn’t to relearn casing but to sharpen Bain-specific execution. Focus on being crisp and pragmatic: simple structures, fast prioritization, strong exhibit reading, and clear top-down synthesis. Bain cases reward decisiveness and business judgment more than complex frameworks.

With only weekends available, prioritize quality over volume. Do a small number of full Bain-style cases under time pressure and spend most of the time refining synthesis and recommendations. At this stage, practicing with a coach is one of the most efficient ways to quickly recall and reinforce the good habits and tips you’ve built from past practice, rather than trying to start from scratch. I can help with that if useful - feel free to reach out!

Best
Evelina

Answer 2

In your case, just work with a coach.

You already have the baseline you need.

You just need to refresh your memory as to how casing works and to resharpen / update your value proposition.

Working with a coach is the best return for your time, esp since you can only practice on weekends, you have a paid full time job and don't want to waste time with generic feedback from peer practice.

Do reach out if you need help. I've worked in previous situations with cross-MBB transfers.

Best,
Cristian