Topic Overview
Topic Overview
Back to overview

Practice with Coaches

When preparing for a case interview, especially under time constraints, working with an experienced coach can significantly enhance your chances of success.

💡 Pro Tip: PrepLounge offers access to over 800 (former) management consultants from top firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, who are ready to help you perfect your interview technique.

What Are the Key Advantages of Practicing With a Coach?

Key Advantages of Practicing With a Coach

Personalized Feedback

One of the primary benefits of working with a case coach is receiving tailored feedback. Unlike general preparation methods, a coach can pinpoint your specific weaknesses and provide actionable advice to improve. This personalized approach ensures that your preparation is efficient and targeted, addressing your unique needs and challenges.

Realistic Simulation

Practicing with a coach allows you to experience a realistic interview setting. Coaches who have conducted numerous case interviews can replicate the pressure and dynamics of a real interview, helping you become more comfortable and confident. This experience is invaluable, as it prepares you to handle the stress and spontaneity of actual interviews.

Insider Knowledge

Experienced coaches often come from prestigious consulting backgrounds themselves. Their insider knowledge about what top firms are looking for can give you a significant edge. They can share insights about the interview process, common pitfalls, and the specific attributes that firms value, ensuring that you are well-prepared to meet these expectations.

Structured Approach

A coach can help you develop a structured approach to solving case problems. This structured thinking is crucial in case interviews, where clear, logical, and well-organized answers are highly valued. Coaches can teach you frameworks and methodologies that streamline your problem-solving process, making your responses more coherent and compelling.

Time Efficiency

For candidates with limited preparation time, coaching is a highly efficient way to get ready. Coaches can quickly identify areas that need improvement, helping you focus your efforts where they are most needed. This targeted preparation can save you time and help you progress faster than you would on your own.

Confidence Boost

Confidence plays a crucial role in interview performance. Regular practice with a coach can boost your confidence by familiarizing you with the interview format and helping you refine your answers. Knowing that you have prepared thoroughly with expert guidance can significantly reduce anxiety and improve your overall performance.

 

How PrepLounge Optimally Supports You With a Wide Range of Coaching Options

🚀 Flexibility and Convenience

PrepLounge offers a variety of coaching options to fit your needs and preferences. You can choose from individual sessions, CV reviews, or comprehensive coaching packages that include multiple sessions or focus on specific topics. Additionally, there are programs available that combine a premium membership with coaching credits, providing a cost-effective way to access top-notch coaching services.

📅 Workshops and Online Events

PrepLounge also regularly hosts workshops and online events led by experienced coaches. These sessions cover a range of topics and provide opportunities for interactive learning and direct feedback. Participating in these events can further enhance your preparation and keep you updated on the latest trends and techniques in case interviews.

 

How to Find the Perfect Coach to Suit Your Needs

To find the perfect coach for your case interview preparation, you can proceed in three steps within the coach overview:

How to Find the Perfect Coach to Suit Your Needs
  1. Filtering: Begin by filtering the coaches based on your most important criteria, such as price per coaching session, or employer.
  2. Selection: Choose up to 10 coaches whose profiles, ratings, Q&A contributions, and PrepLounge awards you wish to explore further.
  3. Contacting: Reach out to 2-3 coaches to address any potential questions or concerns about their coaching approach. Feel free to ask if they offer a free intro call.

 

What Makes a Good Coach?

Good coaches are characterized by the following features:

  • Customization: they tailor the coaching to your specific needs.
  • Good rapport: They make you feel comfortable and work well with them.
  • Transparency: They offer you full transparency about the coaching process on PrepLounge.

 

Final Thoughts on Working With a Coach

Practicing with a coach is a strategic investment in your case interview preparation. The personalized feedback, realistic simulation, insider knowledge, and confidence boost that coaches provide can make a significant difference in your performance. With the expert guidance available on PrepLounge, you can ensure that you are thoroughly prepared and ready to excel in your case interviews.

By leveraging the expertise of experienced case coaches and taking advantage of the diverse coaching options and events available on PrepLounge, you can maximize your preparation efficiency, build your confidence, and increase your chances of securing a position at a top consulting firm.

 

Take a Look at Our Coaches

Francesco
Francesco
1,707 Reviews
English, Italian, Spanish
United Arab Emirates (UTC +4)
Francesco
Consulting
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
English, Italian, Spanish
United Arab Emirates (UTC +4)
USD 999 / hour
4,716 Coachings
59,393 Q&A Upvotes
483 Awards
USD 999 / hour
Hagen
Hagen
1,145 Reviews
English, German
Germany (UTC +1)
Hagen
Consulting
Premium + Coaching
Globally top-ranked MBB coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience
Globally top-ranked MBB coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience
English, German
Germany (UTC +1)
USD 329 / hour
1,448 Coachings
41,630 Q&A Upvotes
192 Awards
USD 329 / hour
Florian
Florian
635 Reviews
English, German
Austria (UTC +1)
Florian
Consulting
1500 5-star reviews across platforms | 700+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU
1500 5-star reviews across platforms | 700+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU
English, German
Austria (UTC +1)
USD 399 / hour
1,424 Coachings
40,191 Q&A Upvotes
195 Awards
USD 399 / hour
Cristian
Cristian
368 Reviews
English
Germany (UTC +1)
Cristian
Consulting
Most awarded coach | Ex-McKinsey | Verifiable 88% offer rate (annual report) | First-principles cases + PEI storylining
Most awarded coach | Ex-McKinsey | Verifiable 88% offer rate (annual report) | First-principles cases + PEI storylining
English
Germany (UTC +1)
USD 379 / hour
1,042 Coachings
55,379 Q&A Upvotes
223 Awards
USD 379 / hour
Casper
Casper
207 Reviews
English, Polish
Philippines (UTC +8)
Casper
Consulting
Premium + Coaching
1st session: -50% | Ex-Bain, Big 4 Recruiter | 12 yrs coaching | Great Price/Value | Free Intro Calls | Written Cases
1st session: -50% | Ex-Bain, Big 4 Recruiter | 12 yrs coaching | Great Price/Value | Free Intro Calls | Written Cases
English, Polish
Philippines (UTC +8)
USD 179 / hour
1,101 Coachings
8 Q&A Upvotes
66 Awards
USD 179 / hour
Agrim
Agrim
67 Reviews
English
United Arab Emirates (UTC +4)
Agrim
Consulting
Finance
ELITE Prep | BCG Dubai Project Leader | Top Coach | 3hrs Case Mastery | 10y+ Consulting | Free Counselling
ELITE Prep | BCG Dubai Project Leader | Top Coach | 3hrs Case Mastery | 10y+ Consulting | Free Counselling
English
United Arab Emirates (UTC +4)
USD 329 / hour
529 Coachings
7,205 Q&A Upvotes
141 Awards
USD 329 / hour
Alberto
Alberto
77 Reviews
English, Spanish
Spain (UTC +1)
Alberto
Consulting
Ex-McKinsey AP | Professional MBB Coach | +13yrs experience | +2,000 real interviews | +150 offers
Ex-McKinsey AP | Professional MBB Coach | +13yrs experience | +2,000 real interviews | +150 offers
English, Spanish
Spain (UTC +1)
USD 699 / hour
306 Coachings
11,428 Q&A Upvotes
89 Awards
USD 699 / hour
Alessandro
Alessandro
5 Reviews
English, Indonesian, Italian
Indonesia (UTC +7)
Alessandro
Consulting
Premium + Coaching
McKinsey Senior Engagement Manager | Interviewer Lead | 1,000+ real MBB interviews | 2026 Solve, PEI, AI-case specialist
McKinsey Senior Engagement Manager | Interviewer Lead | 1,000+ real MBB interviews | 2026 Solve, PEI, AI-case specialist
English, Indonesian, Italian
Indonesia (UTC +7)
USD 159 / hour
7 Coachings
1,496 Q&A Upvotes
2 Awards
USD 159 / hour
Robert
Robert
2 Reviews
English, German
Germany (UTC +1)
Robert
Consulting
Ex-McKinsey | Ex-(Junior) Engagement Manager | Recruiting Erfahrung bei McKinsey Digital
Ex-McKinsey | Ex-(Junior) Engagement Manager | Recruiting Erfahrung bei McKinsey Digital
English, German
Germany (UTC +1)
USD 169 / hour
3 Coachings
0 Q&A Upvotes
0 Awards
USD 169 / hour
Bram
Bram
1 Review
Dutch, English
Netherlands (UTC +1)
Bram
Consulting
Free 15-min. intro call | 1st session -50% discount | Ex-McKinsey (US & NL) | 100+ sessions | 100% Custom Cases
Free 15-min. intro call | 1st session -50% discount | Ex-McKinsey (US & NL) | 100+ sessions | 100% Custom Cases
Dutch, English
Netherlands (UTC +1)
USD 149 / hour
3 Coachings
0 Q&A Upvotes
0 Awards
USD 149 / hour

Browse Through the Coaching Packages

Path to Consulting Package
Path to Consulting Package
27 Reviews
5 tailored sessions
Personal fit & case mastery
First principles thinking
5 tailored sessions
Personal fit & case mastery
First principles thinking
The 1% Case Method
The 1% Case Method
62 Reviews
Intuitive Case and Fit Mastery
Unparalleled Offer Rates
$1,877 Bonus Practice Materials
Intuitive Case and Fit Mastery
Unparalleled Offer Rates
$1,877 Bonus Practice Materials
Prepped and Primed 3
Prepped and Primed 3
31 Reviews
3 1-on-1 Coaching Sessions
Fully tailored and customized
100+ video course included
3 1-on-1 Coaching Sessions
Fully tailored and customized
100+ video course included

Find Interesting Insights From Coaches in the Q&A

BCG Location Selection
14 min
< 100
3
Profile picture of Alessa
Best answer by
Alessa
hi!  If you only want to be in New York, selecting NYC and Brooklyn is completely fine. From what I heard from a friend in the NYC office, they do not interpret this as trying to game the system. Both offices are in the same metro area and often collaborate closely, so it does not send a negative signal. That said, you should only list Brooklyn if you would genuinely accept an offer there. If you would decline it anyway, better to be transparent and just choose NYC. best,Alessa :)
View Q&A
Mck PEI
19 min
< 100
4
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
1. Inclusive Leadership Opening questions: "Tell me about a time you led a team through conflict" "Describe bringing together people with different perspectives" "Walk me through leading without formal authority" What they evaluate:Managing interpersonal conflict within teams, not just task conflict. Creating space for others to contribute. Building relationships over weeks/months, not one meeting. Leading diverse perspectives toward common goal. Average vs. top: Average: "I delegated tasks and motivated my team to hit deadline" (project management) Top: "Two engineers clashed over technical approach, blocking progress. Met each 1:1 to understand positions, facilitated joint session where both contributed to hybrid solution, team dynamic shifted from competitive to collaborative for rest of 3-month project" (conflict navigation + sustained transformation)2. Personal Impact Opening questions: "Tell me about persuading someone who strongly disagreed with you" "Describe influencing a senior stakeholder with conflicting interests" "Walk me through changing someone's decision on something important" What they evaluate:One-on-one influence, not group persuasion. Real conflicting interests where both sides had stakes. Strategic influence over time, not single conversation. Stakeholder diagnosis and tailored approach. Average vs. top: Average: "I convinced my manager with data and presentation" (transactional, no real conflict) Top: "VP blocked our product launch citing market timing. Through 1:1s learned real concern was personal reputation risk from prior failed launch. Reframed proposal to include pilot phase reducing his exposure, got approval after 2 weeks. Product now generates $2M annually" (motive diagnosis + strategic reframing + impact)3. Entrepreneurial Drive Opening questions: "Tell me about setting an ambitious goal beyond your role" "Describe taking initiative on something you weren't asked to do" "Walk me through overcoming major obstacles to deliver results" What they evaluate:Self-initiated, not assigned. Clear intrinsic motivation (why you personally cared). Multiple substantial obstacles overcome. Sustained effort over time showing grit. Average vs. top: Average: "I volunteered for extra project and completed it" (initiative but lacks obstacles) Top: "Noticed sales team lacked competitive intelligence. Built scraping tool nights/weekends despite no coding background, pitched leadership 3 times before budget approval, navigated legal compliance issues, launched dashboard now used by 40-person sales org and credited with 15% faster deal cycles" (ownership + resilience + business impact)4. Growth Opening questions: "Tell me about receiving critical feedback and changing your approach" "Describe a situation where you failed and what you learned" "Walk me through admitting you were wrong and changing course" What they evaluate:Self-awareness and genuine reflection on failure. Willingness to pivot despite ego or sunk cost. Concrete behavior change that stuck. Learning that transferred to new situations. Average vs. top: Average: "I tried an approach that didn't work, got feedback, then tried something else" (surface adjustment) Top: "Led client project using my usual 'move fast, decide independently' style. Missed key stakeholder concerns, first presentation bombed. Feedback was harsh, realized my strength (speed) became liability (skipping alignment). Spent 2 weeks rebuilding relationships 1:1, co-created revised approach. Delivered successfully 3 weeks later. Now on every new project I map stakeholders and decision rights before executing. Applied this on next 3 engagements with stronger outcomes" (genuine mistake + insight into personal pattern + sustained behavior change + proof of transfer)What separates top from average across all four Top answers include decision-making rationale (why you chose X over Y), quantified impact (time saved, revenue generated, people affected), genuine insight about yourself or the situation, and evidence of learning transfer to new contexts. Average answers just describe what happened chronologically, skip the "why" behind choices, lack specific metrics, and sound rehearsed without real reflection.
View Q&A
Unconventional question and leadership survey post Solve
21 min
< 100
4
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
They are piloting these personalized scenarios and leadership surveys as an extra layer beyond standard Solve. Not every office or candidate gets them yet-depends on region and role level. The fact they customized the scenario to your background (mentioning someone with similar education/experience) shows they're layering in situational judgment and culture fit assessment directly into the game process instead of waiting for interviews.Treat it seriously. Answer structured and clear, like you would in a PEI-show how you would adapt without losing rigor, land a concrete outcome. The leadership survey is likely measuring team mindset and collaboration style.
View Q&A
OC&C mapped online test
25 min
< 100
4
Profile picture of Alessa
Best answer by
Alessa
hey there :) There is no officially published passing score as far as I know, but for AC level you typically want to be in a clearly strong percentile range, which usually means around 80 percent plus performance. Scoring 16 out of 18 in the practice is a very good sign. In my experience the real test is similar in style but can feel slightly tighter on timing rather than harder in content, so speed and accuracy under pressure matter most. If you are consistently above 80 percent in practice, you are in a strong position.  best,Alessa :)
View Q&A
Casey bot BCG Italy - Can I answer in italian?
30 min
< 100
4
Profile picture of Alessa
Best answer by
Alessa
Hi Silvia :) from my experience the language usually follows the office working language. In most Italian offices, interviews for Consultant are often conducted in English, but this can vary. The safest and best step is to directly ask HR in advance whether the video and written responses can be done in Italian. That shows professionalism, not weakness. If you feel confident in your skills, go confidently into the interview process and clarify expectations upfront. It is much better to align early than to worry during the test. If you want, I can also share a few quick tips to feel more comfortable answering in English under time pressure. best,Alessa :)
View Q&A
McKinsey PEI – Depth of Follow-ups & Best Way to Structure Answers?
34 min
< 100
7
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
Q1: Follow-up types Mix, but weighted toward judgment probes over factual questions. Judgment probes (70% of follow-ups): "Why that approach?" "What were you thinking?" "What would you do differently?" "How did they react?" Factual drill-downs (30%): "How long did this take?" "Who was involved?" "What exactly did you say?" Factual questions surface when they sense vagueness or want to verify the story's real. Judgment probes are where they actually evaluate you. Q2: Answering style Short and direct. No STAR on follow-ups, that's for initial story only. Answer structure: 1-2 sentences max Lead with reasoning on "why" questions, not more story Lead with outcome on "what happened" questions, not buildup Example contrast: Weak: "Well, I was thinking about a few options, considered A and B, and ultimately..." Strong: "Chose 1:1s over group discussion because group dynamics amplified conflict. Separating them let me diagnose root concerns without posturing." Prep for follow-ups For each story, pre-write: Why you made each key decision (not just what) What you were thinking/feeling at turns What you'd do differently and why Specific metrics (timelines, team size, impact) Exact quotes or actions at critical moments Practice with someone who interrupts and probes. Most candidates over-prep the initial story and freeze on follow-ups. Follow-ups are where interviewers decide if your story is real and if you think like a consultant.
View Q&A
Excel Case Interview
52 min
< 100
5
Profile picture of Jimmy
Best answer by
Jimmy
Hi, Great question - Excel cases are becoming increasingly common, especially at firms that want to test your ability to work with real data under time pressure.  Here is what you can typically expect: 1. Data analysis &amp; structuring: You will likely be given a messy dataset (often with multiple tabs) and asked to clean, organize, and extract insights. Think revenue data across regions, customer segments, or product lines. The key is demonstrating you can impose structure on chaos - just like on a real engagement! 2. Financial modelling: You might be asked to build a simple P&amp;L, a break-even analysis, or a scenario model. Know your SUM, SUMIF, VLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, and pivot tables inside out. These are your bread and butter. 3. Chart &amp; visualization: Often they want to see if you can translate numbers into a clear, executive-ready chart. Keep it clean - no 3D pie charts! A simple bar or waterfall chart with a clear takeaway message works wonders. 4. Synthesis &amp; recommendation: The golden skill - can you look at the data and tell a story? They want to see you go from "here are the numbers" to "here is what this means and what we should do about it." Top tips for preparation: - Practice building pivot tables quickly - they are a lifesaver for organizing large datasets - Get comfortable with keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+Shift+L for filters, Alt+= for AutoSum, etc.) - speed matters! - Always label your work clearly and keep your sheet organized. Interviewers notice presentation quality - Allocate the last 5-10 minutes to write a short summary / recommendation slide or note Hope that helps. Happy to connect over a session if you would like to practice with real Excel case examples! All the best!
View Q&A
Mckinsey R1 - Middle East - associate
2 hrs
< 100
6
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
9 days is annoying but still normal for ME offices. Send one clean follow-up to your recruiter: "Checking in on next steps from my Feb 6 interview. Let me know if you need anything else." If nothing in 3-4 days, ping the general MEO recruiting inbox. Don't jump to the head of HR-looks desperate and pisses people off. Use your AP referral only if you hit 3+ weeks of total silence. Even then, keep it light: "Any sense of timeline?" Don't ask them to push HR. ME offices are notorious for slow feedback and recruiter ghosting. Could be they're still running other interviews, could be internal coordination mess. Silence after R1 doesn't mean no-it usually just means their process is ongoing. Wait another week. One more recruiter ping is fine, but flooding inboxes makes you look worse, not better.  Patience is a strength you can demonstrate. 
View Q&A
What are the values you live by?
7 hrs
5.0k
46
Profile picture of Gaurav
Best answer by
Gaurav
Hi there, I suggest you name 2-3 of your values and give an example of how they could affect your work / life. e.g.: Honesty - i am honest when giving feedback to my colleagues and I expect the same from them Hard work - if i have to do a task, I do my best Family - i take care of this part of my life. i.e. i need to be very organized at work to not steal time from spending with my beloved ones etc. Cheers, GB
View Q&A

Let's Move On With the Next Articles:

Market Sizing
Types of Cases
Questions about market size are frequently asked in case interviews in consulting because they require a blend of logic, mathematics, and common sense. They can be asked as standalone questions or as part of a larger case. Applicants who are familiar with market sizing questions can really perform here.
To the article
Market Entry
Types of Cases
Market entry cases are one of the key issues in the consulting industry and present consultants and firms with unique challenges and opportunities. These cases require deep analysis and strategic planning to successfully enter new markets.
To the article
Brainteaser
Types of Cases
Brainteasers are a type of problem that focuses on a single issue rather than complex business cases. They require out-of-the-box thinking, logic or math skills and can take the form of riddles, word problems or visual puzzles. These tasks are designed to test your problem-solving skills, analytical thinking and ability to remain calm under pressure.Typical problems cover everyday life's topics and might even include unrealistic assumptions. All necessary information is usually included in the question so that further assumptions are not necessary. This article explains in more detail why brainteasers are useful in case interview preparation and how to solve them.
To the article