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
89.3k 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
800+ 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
116.3k 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
Bain & Company
Bain Case: BeautyCo – Where Did the Profits Go?
4.6
48.5k 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
ChemCo Foods
4.0
5.2k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Market analysis
Profitability analysis
A chemical producer is a major manufacturer of chemical products used to preserve foods in containers. The company has s(...)
A chemical producer is a major manufacturer of chemical products used to preserve foods in containers. The company has seen an increase in market shar(...)
Expert case by
Pedal Pals' Financial Fitness Challenge: Cost Optimization Consultancy
0.0
300+ times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Profitability analysis
Pedal Pals is an interactive fitness platform with millions of members, offering connected, technology-enabled fitness c(...)
Pedal Pals is an interactive fitness platform with millions of members, offering connected, technology-enabled fitness classes that utilize its propri(...)
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(...)
Expert case by
LightFast - Launching high-speed broadband in Indonesia
4.4
6.4k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Candidate-led
Growth strategy
Market analysis
Market entry
Market sizing
New product
Profitability analysis
Your client is the CSO of LightFast, a Middle-Eastern telecoms and media player. They are a national incumbent player wh(...)
Your client is the CSO of LightFast, a Middle-Eastern telecoms and media player. They are a national incumbent player who expanded operations into Sou(...)
tkMC Case: Portfolio optimization of a holding company
4.1
11.3k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Growth strategy
Mergers & Acquisition
Your client is a holding company that has three larger companies in its portfolio. The successful portfolio has develope(...)
Your client is a holding company that has three larger companies in its portfolio. The successful portfolio has developed very dynamically over the la(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Laos Tire
4.4
9.3k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Competitive response
Market analysis
Profitability analysis
A manufacturer of tires in Laos has had a monopoly in the market for years due to high tariff on imports. If foreign pro(...)
A manufacturer of tires in Laos has had a monopoly in the market for years due to high tariff on imports. If foreign producers wanted to import tires,(...)
Expert case by
Poliglot Language App Needs Users
4.6
3.4k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Capacity change
Growth strategy
Market analysis
Market sizing
Operations strategy
Organizational behavior
Let’s assume our client is Poliglot, a popular language app. Poliglot is five years old, originally from the US, but ava(...)
Let’s assume our client is Poliglot, a popular language app. Poliglot is five years old, originally from the US, but available worldwide. The app curr(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
ChemInt
4.0
7.7k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Interviewer-led
Competitive response
Market analysis
Operations strategy
Your client, ChemInt, is a global chemicals company that manufactures Ponsulene in some locations around the world.It ha(...)
Your client, ChemInt, is a global chemicals company that manufactures Ponsulene in some locations around the world.It has several joint ventures (JV)(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Deep Water Rescue
3.2
2.2k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Candidate-led
Market analysis
Profitability analysis
Deep water is a European manufacturer of small yachts and premium boats for private customers. The company operates in E(...)
Deep water is a European manufacturer of small yachts and premium boats for private customers. The company operates in Europe and the Middle East and(...)
MBMC Case: AMG | Turning the most affluent prospects into loyal clients
3.7
10.2k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Growth strategy
New product
Profitability analysis
As a consultant at Mercedes-Benz Management Consulting (MBMC), you actively shape the desire for Mercedes-Benz as an ico(...)
As a consultant at Mercedes-Benz Management Consulting (MBMC), you actively shape the desire for Mercedes-Benz as an iconic luxury brand. While you co(...)
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(...)
Expert case by
Zero Carbon Mine (McKinsey 1st & 2nd round)
4.1
4.4k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Interviewer-led
Operations strategy
Client goalOur client is an international mining company Global Mining Corp (GMC) that focuses on copper mining and is i(...)
Client goalOur client is an international mining company Global Mining Corp (GMC) that focuses on copper mining and is interested in the possibility o(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Retirement homes
4.5
15.6k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Candidate-led
Profitability analysis
Your client is a 5-year-old company that operates retirement homes (where elderly people can receive appropriate care) i(...)
Your client is a 5-year-old company that operates retirement homes (where elderly people can receive appropriate care) in Germany.A few months ago, th(...)
Expert case by
Grain Co-operative – Brand Launch
4.3
4.5k times solved
Difficulty: Intermediate
Interviewer-led
Market sizing
New product
Pricing
MeGrain is a co-operative of 5000 farmers in the central part of India. As a co-operative, the farmers came together to(...)
MeGrain is a co-operative of 5000 farmers in the central part of India. As a co-operative, the farmers came together to sell the grains to retailers a(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
LBO Interview Questions for Finance
5.0
100+ times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Interviewer-led
Mergers & Acquisition
Valuation
This set of questions is designed to help you master key concepts in Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs). The difficulty progresses(...)
This set of questions is designed to help you master key concepts in Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs). The difficulty progresses from foundational questions a(...)
Company case by
Oliver Wyman
Oliver Wyman Case: Full Electrons Ahead
4.4
133.2k 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
Supermarket turnaround
4.5
20.7k times solved
Difficulty: Advanced
Candidate-led
Market analysis
Profitability analysis
Our client is a supermarket chain in Britain called Sparx. They have been the market leader for more than 30 years. Howe(...)
Our client is a supermarket chain in Britain called Sparx. They have been the market leader for more than 30 years. However 5 years ago they have seen(...)
Case by
PrepLounge
Spain Shipping
4.2
5.0k times solved
Difficulty: Beginner
Candidate-led
Operations strategy
Profitability analysis
Our client is a local shipping firm in Spain where they handle local shipping of packages delivered by international shi(...)
Our client is a local shipping firm in Spain where they handle local shipping of packages delivered by international shipping firms like FedEx, UPS &a(...)

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. 🚀