Hi there,

The method I recommend for graph analysis is the following:

1. READ THE GRAPH

• Ask for 30 seconds to understand the graph
• Summarize the graph. Read in particular the graph title, the legend, and the footnote. Candidates quite often skip this part and then make mistakes

2. ANALYZE THE GRAPH AND FIND THE MAIN INSIGHTS

• Repeat the question. Many candidates don’t spend time clarifying the question; consequently, they answer the wrong question. Be sure to align with the interviewer on what you have to do
• Provide an analysis related to the question. Identify the key insights of the graph based on the question. This is the most difficult part of graph analysis to master, as it is different in every graph. You can improve with drills on your own or coaching

3. PROPOSE THE NEXT STEPS

• State your hypothesis or suggestion on what to do next. Present what should be done next to help further the client
• Ask a question/propose an analysis related to what is needed to move forward. This will show you are able to drive the case

In case you need help, I do a specific session on graph analysis, please feel free to PM me for details.

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

That's a tough problem!

To answer your question, I would take a two-pronged approach.

1) Learn the most common types of graphs and where the insights typically are in those graphs.  This won't truly solve your problem, but will help you get by, with an 80/20 approach.  

2) Deep dive into what exactly your challenge is.  I suspect that many people think it's a logical or technical difficulty, but in reality it's because you're trying to do the wrong thing.  For example, some people look at graphs and instead of trying to understand the message, they are immediately trying to find connections to the case.  Often, they can't find an immediate connection, get nervous, and only then do they try to understand the graph, which is difficult after the clock has been ticking and you're already nervous! You have to go forward, not backward.

A coach can definitely help with both of these or help you come up with another strategy if required.  It's what we do :)

Happy to explain more, if you like.  In the meantime, hope this helps!

Allen

Hi there,

My hypothesis hear is that you don't have trouble literally reading charts/exhibits but rather being objective-driven.

You don't have a chart/exhibit issue. You have a structuring/case leadership/objective-driven issue.

Rocketblocks unfortunately won't help here. I promise I'm not baised when I say I truly do think coaching will help here.

If you're weak in math, chart reading, etc. coaching doesn't help much. It's when you struggle on the case fundamentals and solving the problem that coaching helps.

Feel free to reach out - I'm always happy to have an intro call so that you can decide for yourself if coaching might help!

Hello!

Have you tried GMAT resources? It worked very well for many candidates 

There are free exams in the internet that you can use for practice (the one of LBS MBA page, Verits prep, as well as some free trials for courses such as the one of The Economist (https://gmat.economist.com/)

Hope it helps!