Bain Cases

Hi Justin,

This video on YouTube provides an excellent example of a fairly typical Bain interview format, with tips on how to shine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nib4_5_4afA

While I can't share any specific Bain cases, Bain has three broad types of cases:

1) Market sizing

2) Full length case: Much more than other firms, Bain is likely to give an M&A/PE acquistion case, and that you should be ready for it. As for other "types" of cases, I wouldn't say it is over-indexed to any particular type, when compared to other firms (BCG, McKinsey).

3) Written case: This is not done in all geographies (it is in London), but you are basically given a pack of 20-30 pages with various pieces of information and have ~30 minutes to do some calculations and present a recommendation.

Some other observations about Bain cases:

1) In my experience, they are a bit of a mix of interviewer led and interviewee led. The interviewer is likely to ask prompts and guide the interview, but in a less structured way than at McKinsey.

2) There is an increasing trend of throwing a "curve ball" towards the end of the interviewer - which may test your problem solving or your EQ/interpersonal skills - for example, "the CEO hated your recommendation and is insisting on going with option B instead - how would you handle this situation"

Hope this helps - do get in touch if you have any other questions!

Hi Justin,

based on my experience, the vast majority of the cases at Bain are related to one of the following three categories:

• M&A/PE
• Profitability
• Market sizing

The specific type of cases could be different in different geographies.

The easiest thing to find actual samples is to download some MBA handbooks online and filter for Bain types.

Hope this helps,

Francesco