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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

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
55,380 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
Younes
Younes
1 Review
English, French
France (UTC +1)
Younes
Consulting
5+ years at McKinsey of which 2 as Engagement Manager, mostly working on strategy, growth and private equity studies
5+ years at McKinsey of which 2 as Engagement Manager, mostly working on strategy, growth and private equity studies
English, French
France (UTC +1)
USD 189 / hour
1 Coaching
0 Q&A Upvotes
0 Awards
USD 189 / 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

Excel Case Interview
3 hrs
< 100
7
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
MCK R1
3 hrs
< 100
9
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
entirely depends on the office. usually 1-2 weeks.  after 5 working days you could contact HR and politely ask for an update.
View Q&A
Anyone work at Visa Consulting & Analytics?
3 hrs
< 100
4
Profile picture of Kevin
Best answer by
Kevin
VCA is an outstanding place to be right now. Focusing on an internal shop with such deep domain expertise shows strong strategic thinking, especially as the consulting market saturates. The work is fundamentally different from a typical external consulting gig. Payments is intensely interesting because the space is highly regulated but moves at the speed of FinTech—it's never static. Your core value proposition at VCA is not just strategy, but implementation. Because your client is often Visa itself or its captive partners, you avoid the "deck and done" fate. You are an operating partner helping guide product, go-to-market, and execution, giving you far more ownership than you'd get in a generalist firm. Regarding progression, internally, VCA is a great pipeline into leadership roles within Visa's wider product or regional strategy groups. Externally, this experience is golden. A few years at VCA perfectly positions you for strategic roles at major FinTechs (think Stripe or Square), specialized private equity operating groups focused on financial services, or specific strategy roles at major banks. You exit not just as a "consultant," but as a domain expert with implementation credibility—which often opens doors to more senior roles than a pure generalist background would. It’s a powerful move if you want to commit to the space. All the best!
View Q&A
Non-traditional candidate re-applying to the GCC
3 hrs
100+
5
Profile picture of Kevin
Best answer by
Kevin
This is incredibly frustrating, especially because getting to the final round at both McKinsey and BCG is a massive proof point that you have the skills and the intellectual horsepower. The system has confirmed you are a top candidate, but this year the filtering mechanism is different. Here is the reality of what is happening, particularly in the GCC market right now: When headcount is tight, HR falls back on the safest, easiest filters. While your background is excellent, the combination of "non-traditional degree" and "re-applicant" is hitting those tight filters hard. The mention of prioritizing Arabic speakers and traditional profiles (top MBA feeders) is not just a polite brush-off—it’s an active, high-priority mandate HR is using to quickly cut a large application pool. Furthermore, the process remembers. You made it to the last step, which means they already decided not to hire you once. To overcome this, you need to be positioned as a perfect fit for a current, urgent market need, not just a strong generalist. The key to unlocking the next step lies solely in reactivating your existing champions. General cold outreach (like the new Bain partner cold emails) is almost useless when the firms are in an internal slowdown. Your previous partner referrals were effective because they bypassed the initial blind screening. Reach out to those partners again, but this time, frame it differently. Do not ask for an interview; ask for 15 minutes to share a concise update on how your specific sustainability and tech background aligns perfectly with a concrete challenge the GCC offices are tackling (e.g., regional ESG mandates, sovereign wealth green strategies). Make the case for why you are uniquely billable today. If the previous partners remain unresponsive, you need a strategic pivot. Focus aggressively on firms with a strong sustainability practice where your 4+ years of specialized experience becomes a distinct asset, rather than a hurdle—think Kearney, Strategy&amp;, or Deloitte S&amp;O, who are often hungrier for experienced, niche hires than the Big Three are during a slow cycle. Secure an offer there, execute a major regional project, and then re-engage McKinsey or BCG in 18 months as an experienced hire with established regional expertise. All the best!
View Q&A
PEI storytelling delivery
3 hrs
< 100
5
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
Clarity and structure is what they evaluate. From "hi" to "goodbye". Most candidates miss this: McKinsey isn't testing if you have good stories. They're testing if you can communicate like a consultant under pressure. Every word from hello to exit is a work sample (rehearse in front of mirror/video recording). Your "narrative hook" or "chronological drama" signals "I need time to warm up before I get clear." it's a straight minus into score sheet. What interviewers are scoring: Can you frame a problem in 10 seconds? Can you signpost your thinking so they never get lost? Can you land a crisp takeaway without meandering? Delivery and povWhen you open with suspense: Interviewer thinks "oh gosh this is gonna be long isn it"When you open with "Prompt fit + stakes + my impact": Interviewer thinks "good" Amplified perception - this person cannot keep client interested in any convo. good for coffee chats and dinners. not for client stake communications. Q1 Cut the "would you like to hear more?"They asked the question, they want to hear more. Start with the punchline so they know you nailed the prompt. "I had to influence a blocking stakeholder 3 days before a board meeting by shifting from data arguments to addressing his ownership concerns. We got approval 24 hours later." That gives them the prompt fit, the tension, and the outcome in 10 seconds.  Q2Pure chronological makes you ramble and boring as hell. Say: "I took three main actions." Then tell the story of those actions naturally. "First, I tested the data argument, which failed. That told me it wasn't a logic problem. Second, I set up a 1:1 coffee to find the real blocker-it was ego, not numbers. Third, I rewrote the proposal to put his name on it." if possible --&gt; Quantify the win (time saved, dollars protected) and always end with a lesson ("I learned to diagnose emotion before pitching logic"). That's the consultant voice.
View Q&A
update on BCG Platinion Senior IT Consultant - Enterprise Solutions - i am moved to the next stage of case-based interviews. i havent done an MBB style case before - especially for Platinion. any help is much appreciated. how should i prepare?
3 hrs
< 100
5
Profile picture of Mateusz
Best answer by
Mateusz
Hello!  Congrats on moving to the case stage! Hope our earlier feedback was helpful. Important: Platinion cases are not classic pure-strategy MBB cases. They are typically more focused on: IT architecture and system landscapes Enterprise transformations (ERP, CRM, cloud, data platforms) Technology selection / vendor evaluation Implementation roadmaps Linking IT decisions to business impact How to prepare: 1️⃣ Refresh core case skills Structured thinking (MECE) Clear top-down communication Basic math under pressure 2️⃣ Strengthen IT consulting fundamentals How to assess legacy architecture Cloud migration trade-offs Build vs buy decisions Enterprise system integration risks Governance, rollout planning, stakeholder alignment 3️⃣ Practice explaining technical topics simplyYou’ll likely need to translate technical complexity into CEO-ready language. 4️⃣ Prepare senior-level storiesAs this is a Senior role, they will test: Ownership Influencing stakeholders Handling ambiguity Driving IT decisions Avoid: Going too deep into technical weeds Sounding like a system integrator rather than a strategic IT advisor Bottom line: show that you can combine structured consulting thinking + credible enterprise IT expertise. As a coach, I’m here to help you — we can run Platinion-style mock cases, sharpen your IT structuring approach, and make sure you perform at a true senior-consultant level in the interview.
View Q&A
T2 firms in Zurich - Language Requirements
3 hrs
< 100
5
Profile picture of Katrina
Best answer by
Katrina
Hi, I used to work and hire for Monitor Deloitte Switzerland, and am still in touch with the team. While they used to be open to non-German speakers, this is no longer the case. While HR may tell you differently, and you will see on their public job postings that German is only "strongly preferred" and not mandatory, I can assure you that this is not the case - at least currently. There are English-only projects and clients, but the idea is that people are staffable on as wide a range of projects as possible - especially in the current climate where strategy projects are much harder to come by compared to a few years ago. I personally know a candidate who was recently rejected after the first round just because they didn't speak German (all other feedback was good). They might still let you interview, but when push becomes shove, between you and a DE-fluent candidate, they will go with the latter. And you can imagine that there is no shortage of such candidates in Switzerland. Feel free to reach out for a session if you'd like to know more about the team and process. 
View Q&A
Mckinsey R1 - Middle East - associate
3 hrs
< 100
8
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
Mckinsey JA -> MBA route
3 hrs
< 100
5
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
You would return as Associate post-MBA.  The path looks like this: Leave as JA or Associate after 2-3 years MBA at M7 or equivalent Return as Associate (post-MBA entry level) If you were a Business Analyst (BA) in other regions, same thing—you return as Associate after MBA. EM comes after you perform well as an Associate for 2-3 years. Why not EM?EM is the first true leadership role managing teams and client relationships. McKinsey doesn't hand that out just for getting an MBA-you need to prove yourself as an Associate first, then JEM before having a shot at being promoted to EM. nowadays it takes ~9months to 1 year of JEM (Junior engagement manager) experience before having a shot at becoming EM. (this is especially true in Asia where going through rannks is even harder than europe and usa, for several reasons) If I were you, and your goal is to become EM, I would not go to MBA.
View Q&A

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