If you’re trying to calculate number of school buses and you’re not sure if school busses are used by people up to 4- 12 years of age or even up to 17 years of age..is it fine to ask the interviewer? Can we validate all the assumptions we make and ask if they sound reasonable? Or are you expected to run the numbers without any validation from the interviewer
Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview
10
3
Validating Assumptions for market sizing
2
1.7k
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Ian
on Aug 12, 2021
Coach
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success
Hi there,
Unfortunately no you cannot!
One of the main points of market sizing is to assess whether you can approach the problem and make reasonable assumptions on your own.
To help, what might be a way to figure out if school buses are used by those aged 4-12? Have you ever seen a school bus? Talked to someone with kids? What do you think happens?
0 comments
Deleted user
on Aug 13, 2021
Hello,
You shouldn't really be asking for data in market-sizing questions. But don't worry - the interviewers care more about your thought process than the accuracy of the assumptions you use. So do your best to make an educated guess about who would be using a school bus, and go from there.
Sign up for free to read all answers.
Sign up for free to read all answers.
Similar Questions
Most Popular Posts
Applying to another role at BCG after receiving rejection
12
on Oct 10, 2025
Asia
7
100+
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
Globally top-ranked MBB coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience
7 Answers
100+ Views
+4
Leadership examples PEI question MCK
13
on Oct 10, 2025
Europe
7
100+
Top answer by
Pedro
Coach
Most Senior Coach @ Preplounge: Bain | EY-Parthenon | RB | Principal level interviewer | PEI Expert | 30% in October
7 Answers
100+ Views
K
+4
Teneo Consulting TestGorilla Math Assessment Prep
19
on Oct 11, 2025
USA
3
400+
Top answer by
Jenny
Coach
Buy 1 get 1 free for 1st time clients | Ex-McKinsey Manager & Interviewer | +7 yrs Coaching | Go from good to great
3 Answers
400+ Views
Trouble with brainstorming
11
on Oct 12, 2025
USA
8
100+
Top answer by
Sidi
Coach
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 500+ candidates secure MBB offers
8 Answers
100+ Views
+5
Final question to ask to the interviewer, MCK
12
on Oct 12, 2025
Europe
6
200+
Top answer by
Seongyun
Coach
Current OW Interviewer | Offers from McKinsey, OW, All Big 4 Strategy Houses | CV & Cover Letter Review
6 Answers
200+ Views
+3