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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

Florian
Florian
5.0
644 Reviews
English, German
Austria (UTC +2)
Florian
Consulting
1600 5-star reviews across platforms | 700+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU
1600 5-star reviews across platforms | 700+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU
English, German
Austria (UTC +2)
USD 399 / hour
1,452 Coachings
40,218 Q&A Upvotes
199 Awards
USD 399 / hour
Francesco
Francesco
5.0
1,713 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
4,730 Coachings
59,498 Q&A Upvotes
489 Awards
USD 999 / hour
Hagen
Hagen
5.0
1,170 Reviews
English, German
Germany (UTC +2)
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 +2)
USD 329 / hour
1,511 Coachings
41,845 Q&A Upvotes
198 Awards
USD 329 / hour
Casper
Casper
5.0
208 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 189 / hour
1,164 Coachings
8 Q&A Upvotes
68 Awards
USD 189 / hour
Cristian
Cristian
5.0
381 Reviews
English
Germany (UTC +2)
Cristian
Consulting
Most awarded MBB coach on the platform | verified 88% success rate | ex-McKinsey | Oxford | worked with ~400 candidates
Most awarded MBB coach on the platform | verified 88% success rate | ex-McKinsey | Oxford | worked with ~400 candidates
English
Germany (UTC +2)
USD 289 / hour
1,068 Coachings
58,883 Q&A Upvotes
233 Awards
USD 289 / hour
Benjamin
Benjamin
5.0
91 Reviews
English
Singapore (UTC +8)
Benjamin
Consulting
Premium + Coaching
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
English
Singapore (UTC +8)
USD 279 / hour
573 Coachings
15,277 Q&A Upvotes
83 Awards
USD 279 / hour
Alberto
Alberto
5.0
77 Reviews
English, Spanish
Spain (UTC +2)
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 +2)
USD 699 / hour
306 Coachings
11,462 Q&A Upvotes
92 Awards
USD 699 / hour
Tommaso
Tommaso
5.0
5 Reviews
English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
Spain (UTC +1)
Tommaso
Consulting
Ex-McKinsey | MBA @ Berkeley Haas | No-nonsense coaching | 50% off on 1st meeting in April (DM me for discount code!)
Ex-McKinsey | MBA @ Berkeley Haas | No-nonsense coaching | 50% off on 1st meeting in April (DM me for discount code!)
English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
Spain (UTC +1)
USD 149 / hour
8 Coachings
796 Q&A Upvotes
0 Awards
USD 149 / hour
Vincent
Vincent
5.0
1 Review
English, German
Switzerland (UTC +2)
Vincent
Consulting
Principal BCG | 60+ projects in all Industries | Munich & Zürich | Ex-Lazard & Berenberg
Principal BCG | 60+ projects in all Industries | Munich & Zürich | Ex-Lazard & Berenberg
English, German
Switzerland (UTC +2)
USD 199 / hour
1 Coaching
89 Q&A Upvotes
0 Awards
USD 199 / hour
Thabang
Thabang
5.0
177 Reviews
English
United Kingdom (UTC +2)
Thabang
Consulting
Top Rated McKinsey Coach | Ex-McKinsey | Top MBB Coach |
Top Rated McKinsey Coach | Ex-McKinsey | Top MBB Coach |
English
United Kingdom (UTC +2)
USD 199 / hour
411 Coachings
6,811 Q&A Upvotes
20 Awards
USD 199 / hour

Browse Through the Coaching Packages

Graphic with the headline 'Path to Consulting Package – 5 Sessions'. Includes a photo of Coach Cristian and a note about a full library of practice materials.
Path to Consulting Package
Path to Consulting Package
5.0
28 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” coaching program by Dr. Florian Smeritschnig, ex-McKinsey. Chess-themed visual promoting custom prep for top consulting offers.
The 1% Case Method
The 1% Case Method
5.0
63 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’ coaching program by Ian – a hand holds an empty Polaroid frame in front of a nature scene with cliffs and water.
Prepped and Primed 3
Prepped and Primed 3
5.0
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

Who do you need as your 'right hand'?
32 min
4.0k
24
Profile picture of Rakan
Best answer by
Rakan
Good question. I always state, prior to responding, that personal fit questions are more important to the applicant than to the firm. One must always be genuine with their answers because it's critical that you work at a firm that is aligned with your own values, work style, approach to teamwork, and standards. Personally, I would want a right hand that challenges me: (a) to think more logically and with more depth (b) to see different perspectives (c) to complement my skillsets. At the same time, I would like a person that's very positive and has an attitude of 'everything is achievable and possible' yet in a pragmatic way. Not a dreamer, but a person with a positive attitude that does not fear creative ideas. Rakan
View Q&A
Where to start with case prep as a complete beginner?
3 hrs
< 100
8
Profile picture of Tommaso
Best answer by
Tommaso
Hey, Congrats on the admission! My advice for the first month is the following: Week1 - Intro Read a few MBA casebooks, watch a few videos of solved cases from real consultants (there's a good example from Bain on Youtube), try to familiarize with the main sections of the case (i.e., clarifying questions, structure, exhibits, market/opportunity sizing, qualitative questions, recommendation), and understand what is highly valued in these interviews (e.g., exhaustiveness, realistic quantification, tight logic) Week2 - Just try Just try! Do 3-5 cases on PrepLounge with other folks. It will be hard, but you'll gain a ton of context and awareness. Now, you can read Case in Point (which might be a bit dated, and often more complex than what's really needed) Week3 - Section by Section (Content, or Hard Skills) Try to improve on one section a day through drills and do more cases. E.g., structure: read 5-10 cases from casebooks, and try to structure them on your own, recording yourself with a phone. When you are done, go back and try to be positively critical about your performance: what worked, what didn't work, what biases I have, what could have been better in terms of comms, what content pieces I missed the most. Try to do at least 3-4 cases with peers, try to be a good observer of their own performance Week4 - Leading a full case (Comms and Process, or Soft Skills) Try to do one a case a day. Your focus: you should already have some understanding of how to handle each section, now you should try to put it all together -- try to lead the case, try to connect the dots between different sections, try to mix convergence and divergence. This is where you should transition from "the interviewer has to interrupt me a lot" to "I am starting to have a good conversation with my interviewer" At the end of Week4, my suggestion is to do a casing session with a current or former MBB consultant (a friend, a coach, an Alum of your university) to get an expert perspective on what's working and what not in your casing.  This person can then tell you how to go from the 5-6/10 you reached (hopefully!) to an 8-9/10 -- at that point, it's fairly personal and context-dependent, I wouldn't feel confident giving you recommendations for Week5 onwards today :) Best, Tom PS: Feel free to DM me for a free intro call (no obligation), happy to help someone who will attend the university where I did my undergrad!  
View Q&A
See Later + Keep In Touch repeated across 3 McKinsey recruiting cycles — headcount issue or profile gap?
3 hrs
< 100
4
Profile picture of Mauro
Best answer by
Mauro
Hi,  Honestly, from what you describe, I would read this much more as a supply / headcount issue than a fundamental “you’re not good enough” signal. A few reasons: First, getting kept in Keep in Touch repeatedly is not how firms treat profiles they have clearly screened out. The fact that you: stayed in KIT multiple cycles passed Solve twice had a recruiting partner engage with your profile all suggests there is interest. Second, decile 7 on Solve is solid. Maybe not a “blow the doors open” score, but certainly not something that explains repeated non-progression by itself. Third, “See Later” often literally means what it says — timing, pipeline management, headcount, office needs. People sometimes read it as a hidden rejection; often it isn’t. Could there still be something in the profile positioning to improve? Possibly. There almost always is. But I would not conclude there is some major hidden gap. Also yes — I’ve seen many STEM candidates break in without a top global MBA. That is absolutely possible. My honest read: your profile seems close this may be more about timing than fit I would keep pushing, not interpret this as a dead end If anything, I might actually consider reconnecting with that partner at some point. Politely and thoughtfully. It’s not “annoying” if done well. And one last thought: sometimes after several cycles, an external perspective on positioning can help a lot. Small things in CV narrative or application strategy can matter more than people think.
View Q&A
When do firms decide which seniority you are hired from?
3 hrs
< 100
6
Profile picture of Franco
Best answer by
Franco
Hi Bryan, This is usually decided before interviews even start, based on your CV and background. Firms have fairly standard entry points, so by the time you’re invited to interview, they already have a level in mind. In your case, I’d expect something like Consultant at BCG or Associate at McKinsey, given the PhD plus your startup experience. As a reference, a PhD without post-PhD experience typically enters one step below that (e.g. Senior Associate). There’s some flexibility, but it’s limited; it's much easier to negotiate things like a sign-in bonus than to shift your seniority level. Best, Franco If you want, feel free to DM me and we can sanity-check your positioning.
View Q&A
Guidance on Improving my Case Structuring.
6 hrs
< 100
11
Profile picture of Soheil
Best answer by
Soheil
Hi, What you’re describing is actually very typical at this stage. You’ve only done a few cases, then switched to drills — it feels like you’re getting worse, but in reality you’re just becoming more aware of what good structuring looks like. A couple of thoughts that might help you get unstuck. First, the inconsistency (6 → 3 → 2) is not unusual. Structuring isn’t a “memory skill,” it’s a thinking habit. Until that habit stabilizes, your performance will fluctuate. The core issue I usually see is this: people try to be MECE and “structured,” but they don’t start from the question itself. Before writing anything, force yourself to pause and ask: what exactly am I trying to figure out? Then: what would need to be true for me to answer that? Your first-level buckets should come from that — not from memorized frameworks. If they don’t directly answer the question, they’ll feel off. Second, don’t try to fix everything at once. That’s what creates the feeling of being stuck. If I were you, I’d narrow the focus: for a few days, only care about getting the first level right. Nothing else. Are your buckets directly linked to the objective? Are they non-overlapping? That’s it. Only once that feels more natural, move to the second level. Third, be more deliberate in how you review drills. After each one, instead of just looking at the score, ask yourself: did my structure actually answer the question? did I miss an obvious driver (like price/volume, revenue/cost)? was I too generic? If you can’t clearly diagnose it, that’s where you’re blocked. Also, don’t stay only in drills. They help, but they don’t fully translate unless you apply them in real cases. Try to mix in a couple of full cases and consciously focus on your structure at the start. On timeline: you’re early enough that this is very fixable. Even with some inconsistency, a few focused weeks on structuring can change things quite a bit, and you still have time until September. If I had to simplify it: you’re not stuck — you just don’t have a consistent method yet. Build from the question, fix one layer at a time, and review your mistakes more deliberately. That’s usually when things start to click.   Best, Soheil
View Q&A
First-Gen Student Prepping for Bain/McKinsey Assessments on a Budget
6 hrs
< 100
9
Profile picture of Franco
Best answer by
Franco
Hi Lucia, I’ve been in your exact shoes: an absolutely first-gen student, no budget (I invested time but no money in my interview prep), and still made it to BCG and stayed for 10 years. So let me be clear: you don’t need money or a special background to get in. Right now, with one week left, keep it simple and consistent. There are several free resources on the internet to improve your logic and mental math: daily drills are important, but you don’t need anything fancy, just repetition and timing. For the case prep, I’d focus on what actually moves the needle. Do a lot of practice with other people. Once you know the basics, improvement comes from exposure: different partners, different styles, different mistakes. That’s what builds real instinct. And on the confidence side: the feedback you got from BCG matters. You’re closer than you think; you just need sharper execution under pressure. If you want, DM me and I can point you to a few free resources. Regards, Franco
View Q&A
EY-Parthenon Manager Case Interview - Liquidity & Working Capital
6 hrs
< 100
7
Profile picture of Franco
Best answer by
Franco
Hi, You should expect an operational, finance-heavy case, not a classic strategy one. The focus can probably be on liquidity pressure, working capital optimization, and short-term cash levers Be ready to move comfortably across the balance sheet and cash flow, e.g. receivables, payables, inventory, and how to quickly unlock cash and prioritize concrete actions (e.g. renegotiating payment terms, reducing DSO, inventory liquidation). I’d prepare by practicing cases where the goal is “improve cash in the next 3–6 months”, and make sure you can structure answers in a very practical, action-oriented way rather than staying high-level. Good luck with it and if you want to deep-dive feel free to DM me. Regards, Franco
View Q&A
Arthur D. Little SEA Internship "Under Review" status timeline?
6 hrs
< 100
5
Profile picture of Mauro
Best answer by
Mauro
Totally normal — Under Review for several weeks (even 1–2+ months) is pretty common for Arthur D. Little internships, especially for SEA offices where recruiting timelines can move slowly and applications are often reviewed in batches. I wouldn’t read it as a rejection signal at all. A few thoughts: No news does not mean bad news. Firms often keep candidates in ‘Under Review’ until they’re ready to move a full batch forward. Late March application for a September intake is still within a reasonable timeline. A polite follow-up could be appropriate if it’s been ~4–6 weeks since your last status change. A short email to recruiting expressing continued interest is perfectly fine. Something simple like: ‘Dear Recruiting Team, I hope you’re well. I wanted to kindly follow up regarding my application for the SEA Internship (September intake), which has been under review since early April. I remain very interested in the opportunity and would appreciate any update you may be able to share. Thank you for your time and consideration.’ I’d stay patient for now, and maybe send a follow-up if you haven’t heard anything in the next week or two. Also, if you’re preparing for potential interviews, happy to help — I coach consulting candidates and would be glad to offer a free intro call if useful.
View Q&A
Kearney Online Test (SHL General Ability)
8 hrs
< 100
6
Profile picture of Franco
Best answer by
Franco
Hi, First of all, congrats on the invitation!  The SHL General Ability test is pretty standard expect numerical, logical, and verbal questions under tight time pressure. Biggest tip: speed matters as much as accuracy. You won’t finish everything, so don’t get stuck; skip and come back. For prep, just do a few timed SHL-style practice tests (you can find several sources on the web) to get used to the format; the goal isn’t to learn new math it’s to think quickly and stay calm under pressure. Hope it helps Franco
View Q&A

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