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
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The Case Interview Format

When applying to top consulting firms, one of the most crucial stages of the interview process is the case interview. This format is designed to assess your analytical competencies, problem-solving skills, and ability to think strategically under pressure. Let's take a look at what to expect.  
 

 

Structure of a Case Interview

A case interview is a 30-minute simulation of a typical business project that consultants may have worked on. Cases provide a real example of an on-the-job experience and the assumption is that if a candidate is successfully able to tackle a case interview, he or she is also more likely to be a successful management consultant.

Case studies are the most important and usually the longest part of consulting interviews. In addition to the case study, the interview typically includes introductory small talk, a personal fit interview, and closing questions (see the illustration below).

The graph shows the process of a case-interview, based on 4 steps.

Many companies review and standardize their consulting cases prior to a real interview to ensure that the case is neither too difficult nor too easy. Companies also ensure that a variety of skills are tested during the interviews.

 

The Typical Flow of a Case Interview

The case interview typically follows a structured flow to ensure that both the interviewer and the candidate cover all necessary aspects of the business problem. It involves the following phases:

1. Case Presentation and Problem Understanding

To start off, the interviewer will present a specific business problem or scenario. This could range from market entry considerations, to profitability issues, or organizational changes. The problem is usually based on real-world business issues that the consulting firm dealt with in the past.

You are expected to listen carefully, take notes, and clarify any points that are not clear to fully understand the scope and context of the problem.

👉 To get a better feeling for possible case prompts, check out the following beginner cases. 

Case by
PrepLounge
DHL Consulting case: Bike Shop
4.4
89.5k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Interviewer-led
Growth strategy
Profitability analysis
You have been hired to support the owner of a bike-shop as a business consultant. The bike-shop has suffered a sign(...)
You have been hired to support the owner of a bike-shop as a business consultant. The bike-shop has suffered a significant revenue decline during(...)
Expert case by
FastFood Chain Turnaround
5.0
900+ times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Candidate-led
Profitability analysis
Our client (FastFood Co) is a fast-food company that has > 20 restaurants in the city. Recently, the business has enc(...)
Our client (FastFood Co) is a fast-food company that has > 20 restaurants in the city. Recently, the business has encountered significant challenge(...)
Company case by
Oliver Wyman
Oliver Wyman Case: Setting up a Wine Cellar
4.1
116.8k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Candidate-led
Profitability analysis
I’m thinking about setting up a wine cellar in my basement. The way I see it, shelf space would be divided into two sect(...)
I’m thinking about setting up a wine cellar in my basement. The way I see it, shelf space would be divided into two sections: (1) a “drinking” section(...)

2. Framework Development

Afterwards, you outline a structured approach or framework to tackle the problem. Common frameworks include the SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, or the 4P's, with which you can structure your information. This step demonstrates your ability to break down complex issues into manageable parts.

However, keep in mind that it is not enough to simply memorize the standard framework concepts. While standard frameworks are useful for a rudimentary outline of a case problem, they need to be optimized and adapted to the individual case. Don't worry, as this is a skill you can develop, but it definitely requires thorough preparation and practice

Once you have crafted your structure, clearly explain your framework to the interviewer, ensuring he or she understands your thought process and logical flow.

3. Analysis and Problem Solving

Next, you dive into the analysis. During the interview, your interviewer may provide additional data, charts or exhibits. Analyze this information to support your framework and build your argument. Formulate hypotheses based on your analysis and test them against the data provided. If needed, adjust your approach based on your new findings.

During the quantitative analysis, perform the necessary calculations to support your findings. This could include market sizing estimations, profitability calculations or a cost analysis. Good mental math skills will definitely help in this phase. 

4. Recommendations

Once you have worked through your structure, provide clear, and actionable recommendations based on your analysis. Use the Pyramid Principle of communication, highlight your key findings and explain how they address the problem.

You should also be ready to justify your suggestions with evidence from your analysis (i. e. data) and discuss possible next steps or further areas of investigation that the client may wish to consider.

After all, the interviewer may question your conclusions or ask for further clarification. Be prepared to defend your recommendations and discuss alternative perspectives. 

After, all the best way to prepare for your interview is practice. Explore our Case Library with real examples now!

Company case by
Oliver Wyman
Oliver Wyman Case: Full Electrons Ahead
4.4
134.3k 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(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Fast Food Pricing
4.5
7.2k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Pricing
Profitability analysis
Our client is a global fast-food restaurant that offers a wide range of breakfast and rest of day products including bur(...)
Our client is a global fast-food restaurant that offers a wide range of breakfast and rest of day products including burgers, salads, fries, and bever(...)
Expert case by
McKinsey Digital / BCG Platinion: Oil & Gas Upstream Technology
4.3
17.7k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Interviewer-led
Operations strategy
Organizational behavior
[PLEASE NOTE: This is a technically difficult case and should only be completed by those coming in as a Technology speci(...)
[PLEASE NOTE: This is a technically difficult case and should only be completed by those coming in as a Technology specialist, i.e. recruiting for McK(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Gambling Business
4.3
11.8k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Competitive response
Market entry
Profitability analysis
Poker Inc. is currently operating four casinos in Royal City. Competitors are right now planning to open up a rival casi(...)
Poker Inc. is currently operating four casinos in Royal City. Competitors are right now planning to open up a rival casino in Kingsville.Poker Inc. ha(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Bank envelope
4.5
63.0k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Candidate-led
Pricing
Profitability analysis
Your client, Customlope, is the leader in the US secure envelope manufacturing industry. Banks buy these envelopes for o(...)
Your client, Customlope, is the leader in the US secure envelope manufacturing industry. Banks buy these envelopes for operations such as money deposi(...)
Expert case by
MBB First Round - StayPro - Consumer Growth Strategy
4.0
600+ 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(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Coffee pads
4.5
6.1k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Growth strategy
Market entry
New product
Profitability analysis
Your client is the CEO of Wiehle, a major household appliance manufacturer. It has been decided that a coffee machine sh(...)
Your client is the CEO of Wiehle, a major household appliance manufacturer. It has been decided that a coffee machine should be added to the product l(...)
Expert case by
MBB - Climate Change Operations - Part 2
5.0
1.3k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Capacity change
Market analysis
Operations strategy
Restructuring
Sustainability
Note: If you have not already done so, first work through the 1st part of this case: https://www.preplounge.com/en/manag(...)
Note: If you have not already done so, first work through the 1st part of this case: https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candida(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Love thy neighbour as thyself
4.3
3.5k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Competitive response
Market analysis
Your client, Port-Pouri, is a discount retailer in Portugal having 130 stores spread throughout the country and thereby(...)
Your client, Port-Pouri, is a discount retailer in Portugal having 130 stores spread throughout the country and thereby being the largest player in th(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
New magazine
4.4
18.5k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Market entry
Market sizing
Your client is the CEO of a publishing company that publishes an educational magazine and a women's magazine.Although bo(...)
Your client is the CEO of a publishing company that publishes an educational magazine and a women's magazine.Although both businesses are profitable,(...)
Company case by
Roland Berger
Roland Berger Case: Onlinestar
4.2
107.9k 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(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Practical LBO Interview Questions for Finance
5.0
100+ times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Mergers & Acquisition
Valuation
This set of questions helps you apply key LBO concepts in practical, realistic interview scenarios. You'll explore how l(...)
This set of questions helps you apply key LBO concepts in practical, realistic interview scenarios. You'll explore how leveraged buyout logic is used(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Daily Journal
4.1
15.4k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Growth strategy
Market sizing
Our client, Daily Journal is a highly respected & upscale newspaper which is read widely in the UK. The paper is pos(...)
Our client, Daily Journal is a highly respected & upscale newspaper which is read widely in the UK. The paper is positioned between the Wall Stree(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Military helicopters
4.4
26.6k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Interviewer-led
Market analysis
Profitability analysis
Your client is BS Systems, a defence contractor situated in the US.They have contacted our company to advise them in the(...)
Your client is BS Systems, a defence contractor situated in the US.They have contacted our company to advise them in the selection of the location for(...)
Company case by
E.ON Inhouse Consulting
E.ON Inhouse Consulting Case: Heating Systems
4.4
4.1k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Market analysis
The European Union pursues the target of lowering the CO₂ emissions of their residents. Therefore, the EU introduced a C(...)
The European Union pursues the target of lowering the CO₂ emissions of their residents. Therefore, the EU introduced a CO₂ tax to create incentives fo(...)
Expert case by
MBB Final Round Case - Smart Education
4.6
33.6k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Interviewer-led
Growth strategy
Market analysis
Market entry
New product
Our client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client(...)
Our client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US.The mission(...)
Expert case by
StyleScape responds to customer feedback (McKinsey final round)
0.0
1.5k 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(...)
Company case by
Bain & Company
Bain Case: BeautyCo – Where Did the Profits Go?
4.6
51.6k 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(...)
Company case by
BearingPoint Germany
BearingPoint Case: Diesel- oder Elektroflotte?
4.6
8.4k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Operations strategy
Profitability analysis
Der mittelständische Solaranlagen-Hersteller EcoSunGo GmbH ist in Deutschland ansässig und beschäftigt 150 Mitarbeiter:i(...)
Der mittelständische Solaranlagen-Hersteller EcoSunGo GmbH ist in Deutschland ansässig und beschäftigt 150 Mitarbeiter:innen. Der Solaranlagen-Anbiete(...)

Key Takeaways for Your Case Interview Success

Mastering the case interview is a crucial step in securing a consulting job. To perform well, you need to demonstrate structured thinking, analytical skills, and clear communication while solving a real-world business problem.

The interview typically follows a structured flow, starting with an introduction and resume discussion, followed by the case presentation, where you clarify the problem and outline a logical framework. From there, you analyze data, test hypotheses, and apply quantitative skills to arrive at well-supported recommendations. Finally, you summarize your findings and engage in a discussion to defend your approach.

Success in case interviews comes down to practice. Familiarizing yourself with common frameworks is useful, but true preparation involves adapting them to different cases, improving your problem-solving speed, and refining your communication. By structuring your thoughts clearly, staying flexible in your approach, and confidently presenting your findings, you’ll increase your chances of impressing your interviewer and landing an offer at a top consulting firm. 🚀

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