Learn the case interview basics, practice with 200+ cases, and benefit from extensive test materials, and interactive self-study tools.
Topic Overview
Topic Overview
Getting Started
Learn how to prepare for your case interview in a structured and efficient way, and maximize your chances of success.
Preparation Plan
Self Study
Practice With Peers
Practice with Coaches
Learn all about the different types of cases in consulting interviews and how to be well-prepared for every challenge.
Market Sizing
Market Entry
Brainteaser
Growth Strategy
M&A Cases
Pricing
Competitive Response
Valuation Cases
Profitability Cases
Structuring
Understand why a clear structure is crucial in case interviews and how it helps you solve complex cases efficiently.
Approaching a Case
How to Build a Good Structure
How to Communicate Your Structure
How to Practice Structure
Math in Case Interviews
Learn about the most common mathematical requirements in case interviews and how to handle them confidently and efficiently.
Why Math Matters
Fast Math
How to Practice Math Skills
Back to overview

Business Sense

Business sense refers to the ability to quickly grasp economic dynamics and make decisions that are both strategically and commercially sound. In consulting, it’s not enough to repeat theories from your business degree. What matters is a deep understanding of how companies operate, what drives markets, and what different stakeholders are aiming to achieve.

Consultants with strong business acumen can quickly adapt to new industries, understand client needs, and set priorities that make economic sense. They don’t just ask, “What is analytically correct?” – they also ask, “What truly benefits the company?” This mindset often makes the difference in a case interview.
 

Why Your Business Sense Matters in Consulting

As a consultant, you’re expected not only to analyze complex problems but also to think in a solution-oriented and entrepreneurial way. A strong business mindset helps you put analyses into context, assess actions realistically, and focus on generating maximum client value.

In day-to-day consulting, you're working under pressure, collaborating with decision-makers, and constantly weighing trade-offs. Those who think commercially and can strategically prioritize have a clear edge.

In a case interview, showing that you understand markets and business models is key – it sets you apart and proves your readiness for the job.

👉 In our Case Library, you can prepare effectively with curated practice cases and put your business sense to the test.

Company case by
Bain & Company
Bain Case: BeautyCo – Where Did the Profits Go?
4.5
44.9k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Market analysis
Profitability analysis
Our client BeautyCo is a large European perfumery company with 500 shops across Europe. However, BeautyCo has been strug(...)
Our client BeautyCo is a large European perfumery company with 500 shops across Europe. However, BeautyCo has been struggling with a decrease in profi(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Gravestone Inc.
4.4
14.3k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Profitability analysis
Valuation
Your client, Gravestone Inc., is a mason producing gravestones situated in Switzerland. He is producing high-quality, ha(...)
Your client, Gravestone Inc., is a mason producing gravestones situated in Switzerland. He is producing high-quality, hand-crafted gravestones with ve(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Perpetual motion
4.1
11.0k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Candidate-led
Market entry
Market sizing
New product
After a congress about general science in which you took part out of personal interest, a renowned scientist comes to ta(...)
After a congress about general science in which you took part out of personal interest, a renowned scientist comes to talk to you. He swears he i(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Europe Rail Tunnel
3.8
5.3k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Candidate-led
Competitive response
Market analysis
The airlines covering the Cologne to London route are facing a competitive threat from a new rail tunnel connecting Brit(...)
The airlines covering the Cologne to London route are facing a competitive threat from a new rail tunnel connecting Britain and Germany by train. (...)
Case by
PrepLounge
DairyCo
4.4
21.0k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Market analysis
Profitability analysis
DairyCo, a mid-sized CPG manufacturer (consumer packaged goods) which sells dairy products (derived from milk), has turn(...)
DairyCo, a mid-sized CPG manufacturer (consumer packaged goods) which sells dairy products (derived from milk), has turned to you to ask for your advi(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
McBurger
4.3
15.3k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Interviewer-led
Profitability analysis
A large fast food chain has hired us to improve the company’s profitability by cutting costs. Before engaging in the ini(...)
A large fast food chain has hired us to improve the company’s profitability by cutting costs. Before engaging in the initial brainstorming session abo(...)
Expert case by
SuperMovil - Telco startup market expansion
4.6
13.2k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Market analysis
Market entry
Market sizing
Mergers & Acquisition
Your client is the CEO of a Europe-based mobile Telco operator, SuperMovil. Their business model is very unique: th(...)
Your client is the CEO of a Europe-based mobile Telco operator, SuperMovil. Their business model is very unique: they are a “virtual Telco”. They(...)
Company case by
Roland Berger
Roland Berger Case: Onlinestar
4.2
104.6k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Growth strategy
Market analysis
Profitability analysis
Onlinestar, an online retailer of furniture and garden products (core business), has grown significantly in recent years(...)
Onlinestar, an online retailer of furniture and garden products (core business), has grown significantly in recent years as a result of an expansion o(...)
Expert case by
Element Mobile expands into refurbished phones (MBB 2nd round)
4.6
13.7k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Competitive response
Growth strategy
Market analysis
Market entry
Market sizing
New product
Pricing
Profitability analysis
Our client, Element Mobile (EM), is the largest German telecommunications provider, with an impressive supply chain comp(...)
Our client, Element Mobile (EM), is the largest German telecommunications provider, with an impressive supply chain comprised of dozens of suppliers,(...)
Expert case by
Acquiring a vineyard in the Piedmont region (Italy)
4.7
5.8k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Interviewer-led
Market analysis
Market entry
Market sizing
Your client, a private equity fund, is considering entry into the wine business through the acquisition of a vineyard ca(...)
Your client, a private equity fund, is considering entry into the wine business through the acquisition of a vineyard called “Piumarolo” in Italy's re(...)
Company case by
Oliver Wyman
Oliver Wyman Case: Full Electrons Ahead
4.4
131.5k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Growth strategy
Market analysis
Market sizing
Operations strategy
Your client, large automotive OEM WyCar, has developed its first fully electric vehicle (EV) and introduced it as a pilo(...)
Your client, large automotive OEM WyCar, has developed its first fully electric vehicle (EV) and introduced it as a pilot on the Austrian market last(...)
Expert case by
StyleScape responds to customer feedback (McKinsey final round)
0.0
1.4k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Interviewer-led
Competitive response
Growth strategy
Market analysis
Organizational behavior
Style Scape is a mid-sized retailer that sells clothing, accessories, and home goods through its physical stores and onl(...)
Style Scape is a mid-sized retailer that sells clothing, accessories, and home goods through its physical stores and online platform. The business has(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Chip equity
4.5
37.8k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Candidate-led
Mergers & Acquisition
Our client is an electronics holding called Chip’n’Chip.They want to invest in a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacture(...)
Our client is an electronics holding called Chip’n’Chip.They want to invest in a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturer called OnBoard, and asked yo(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Music Streaming - Market Sizing
4.4
9.0k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Interviewer-led
Brain teaser
Market sizing
Profitability analysis
Your friend is an aspiring artist and is asking for your consulting advise on a problem that he has been struggling with(...)
Your friend is an aspiring artist and is asking for your consulting advise on a problem that he has been struggling with. Your friend (the artist) is(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Universal TV
4.1
7.4k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Market analysis
Profitability analysis
Our client is a Canadian TV company, Universal TV. They recently entered the US market in the northeast to expand its ma(...)
Our client is a Canadian TV company, Universal TV. They recently entered the US market in the northeast to expand its market share and capture a large(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Bodybuilding Made Easy
4.0
11.3k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Candidate-led
Market analysis
Market entry
Market sizing
New product
Operations strategy
Your client is a newly founded protein company. Its owners are two brothers. One of them is a chemist and the other one(...)
Your client is a newly founded protein company. Its owners are two brothers. One of them is a chemist and the other one is a very famous fitness model(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
GamingHub
4.2
11.0k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Growth strategy
Market analysis
Our client, GamingHub, is a large diversified entertainment corporation that received a request to approve a $200 m capi(...)
Our client, GamingHub, is a large diversified entertainment corporation that received a request to approve a $200 m capital allocation from its video(...)
Expert case by
MBB First Round - StayPro - Consumer Growth Strategy
4.0
500+ times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Growth strategy
Your client is StayPro, a San Francisco based technology company that develops and sells wearable and mountable action c(...)
Your client is StayPro, a San Francisco based technology company that develops and sells wearable and mountable action cameras. StayPro’s CEO believes(...)
Company case by
Deloitte
Deloitte Case: Footloose
4.4
98.8k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Competitive response
Market analysis
Duraflex is a German footwear company with annual men’s footwear sales of approximately €1 b.They have always relied on(...)
Duraflex is a German footwear company with annual men’s footwear sales of approximately €1 b.They have always relied on the boot market for the majori(...)

How Business Sense Shows Up in Case Interviews

Your business sense won’t be tested directly – but it shows up in your thinking, your assumptions, and your recommendations. Here are five moments when it really counts:

5 tips on how to show business sense in case interviews

1. Define a clear objective.

Clarify what the company wants to achieve in the case. Is it short-term profit, long-term growth, or a stronger market position? A well-defined goal aligns your analysis and recommendations – and shows you understand the business context.

2. Develop sound hypotheses.

Top candidates derive economically plausible hypotheses. If revenue is dropping, explore potential causes like demandpricing, or competitive pressure.

3. Evaluate actions realistically.

Go beyond theory. Consider real-world feasibility, conflicting objectives, and strategic risks. Instead of simply saying “raise prices,” consider price elasticity, customer segments, and likely competitor reactions.

4. Interpret numbers in the right context.

Numbers only make sense when interpreted correctly. High margins might signal a premium position – or upcoming competitive threatsBusiness sense means understanding what the numbers imply in context.

5. Make a well-founded recommendation.

Your final recommendation should be logical and economically viable. Acknowledge risks or gaps, and show that your solution could succeed in the real world.
 

How to Train Your Business Sense

Business sense isn’t innate – it’s a skill you can develop. The key is to build a solid understanding of economic principles and learn how real-world decisions are made.

Start by regularly reading business news. Outlets like New York Times, the Wall Street Journal or the Financial Times will help you get a feel for marketsbusiness models, and strategic thinking. Go beyond the facts – try to understand the economic rationale behind each story.

When practicing case interviews, stay sharp and reflective. Ask yourself: Is my reasoning not only logical but also economically sound?

Mock interviews with peers are especially helpful. You’ll improve your communication skills and receive valuable feedback.

👉 Use our Meeting Board to find peers and practice together.

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Also, think like an entrepreneur in daily life. Observe companies, analyze new strategies, and reflect on what drives success or failure. The more often you go through this process, the sharper your business intuition becomes – and that’s what sets you apart in interviews.
 

Key Takeaways

Business sense is one of the most important success factors in both consulting and case interviews. It reflects your ability to quickly recognize economic patterns, form sound assumptions, and make realistic, client-oriented decisions. In interviews, what sets top candidates apart isn’t memorized theory but the ability to see the bigger picture: understanding what really matters to a business, prioritizing strategically, and proposing solutions that are both practical and value-driven.

To demonstrate your business sense, it’s crucial to clearly define the objective of the case, develop plausible hypotheses, assess potential actions not only analytically but also from a business standpoint, and interpret numbers within the correct context. Your final recommendation should be not just logical, but economically viable and well thought through.

The good news is that business sense can be learned. By regularly reading business news, reflecting on strategic decisions, working through case interviews critically, and actively seeking feedback, you’ll build a strong foundation in economic thinking. Over time, this mindset will not only boost your interview performance but also set you up for long-term success in consulting.