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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
59,497 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
1,509 Coachings
41,844 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
58,853 Q&A Upvotes
233 Awards
USD 289 / 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
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
570 Coachings
15,275 Q&A Upvotes
83 Awards
USD 279 / 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
765 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
76 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

Not getting responses from LinkedIn outreach or post-event follow-ups — what am I doing wrong?
2 hrs
100+
8
Profile picture of Soheil
Best answer by
Soheil
Hi, This is much more normal than it feels — I wouldn’t read it as “you’re doing something fundamentally wrong.” I’ve been on both sides (sending these messages and receiving them), and the honest truth is: even well-written outreach often gets ignored. People are busy, and networking messages are low priority. That said, there are a couple of patterns I see all the time that explain low response rates. First, most messages are “personalized”… but still feel generic. Something like “I saw your background and would love to learn about your experience” is polite, but it doesn’t give the other person a clear reason to reply. They’ve seen that exact message many times. Second, the ask is often too vague. If I have to think “what exactly does this person want from me?”, I’m less likely to respond. The easier you make it, the better. Third, people underestimate follow-ups. A simple, polite follow-up after ~5–7 days often gets replies that didn’t come the first time. What tends to work better (at least from what I’ve seen): Be very concrete and low-effort in your ask. Instead of “would love to learn about your experience,” try something like: “I’m currently preparing for consulting interviews — would you be open to a quick 15-min chat on how you approached case prep at [firm]?” Now it’s clear, specific, and easy to say yes or no. Same for post-event emails. The ones that get replies usually reference something specific from the session and then ask one focused question. Generic “thanks, would love to connect” emails are easy to ignore. Also, don’t worry too much about “building a relationship” in the first message. That comes later. At the start, it’s really about starting a simple conversation. If I had to simplify it: it’s partly a numbers game, but small tweaks matter — be specific, make the ask easy, and follow up once. You’re probably closer than you think. If you want, I’m happy to look at one of your actual messages — usually a few small changes make a noticeable difference.   Best, Soheil
View Q&A
Cover Letter
2 hrs
< 100
10
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
Hi, happy to share a few tips that work well for RB specifically. 1. Lead with the "why RB" in the first line, not the last Most candidates open with "I am a X year student at Y university applying for Z." Skip it. Open with the specific reason you want Roland Berger over MBB or Big 4. RB readers screen for genuine interest because they lose too many candidates to MBB late in the process. One sharp sentence on what attracts you to their European heritage, their industrial/automotive depth, or a specific recent study they published goes a long way 2. Structure the body in 3 paragraphs, each with one proof point Paragraph 1: why consulting (one experience that proves you have tested it, not just read about it) Paragraph 2: why RB specifically (a project, a partner you met at an event, a sector focus) Paragraph 3: why you (one quantified achievement that shows analytical rigor or leadership, not a list) One proof per paragraph. No CV repetition. The reader already has your CV next to the letter 3. Quantify everything you can "Led a team" is weak. "Led a team of 5 to deliver a market entry analysis for a EUR 2M client in 6 weeks" is strong. RB screeners are ex-consultants, they read for numbers and outcomes 4. Cut every adjective "Highly motivated", "passionate", "dynamic" add zero signal. Replace with a fact that proves the trait. If you cannot prove it, drop it 5. One page, 4 paragraphs max, no walls of text Aim for 250 to 300 words total. Recruiters spend 30 seconds on a cover letter. Make every line earn its place Happy to review a draft if you want a second pair of eyes  
View Q&A
How to effectively structure a case?
2 hrs
< 100
9
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
Good question, and your diagnosis is already half the answer. The fix is a discipline to anchor the tree to the actual question asked. Three things that helped my candidates the most: 1. Start from the objective equation, not from drivers Before writing any branch, restate the objective as a math equation. "Grow revenue from existing customers" = # customers retained × ARPU. That single line forces you to stay inside the revenue engine and rules out competitor/product branches that do not map to the equation. If the branch does not multiply or add into the objective, it does not belong in the first level 2. Use 2 trees, not 1, and pick consciously Profitability tree when the question is quantitative and the equation is clean (revenue, cost, margin) Root-cause tree when the question is diagnostic ("why is X happening") and you need market, competitor, internal lenses The low-cost entrant case is a root-cause case dressed as a margin case. Structure: why is margin dropping (price vs cost vs mix) → then why is price dropping (competitor move, customer switching, channel pressure). Profitability first, root-cause second, nested 3. Drill: 20 prompts, 3 minutes each, structure only Take 20 prompt one-liners from Casebook or PrepLounge. For each, write only the equation and first-level branches in 3 minutes. No second level, no analysis. Do 5 per day for a week. You will stop reaching for templates because you will have built the muscle of deriving level 1 from the objective itself The second level comes naturally once level 1 is tight. Most weak trees are weak at the top, not the bottom. Happy to review a few of your trees if useful
View Q&A
First-Gen Student Prepping for Bain/McKinsey Assessments on a Budget
2 hrs
< 100
8
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
2 hrs
< 100
6
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
Startup to consulting
5 hrs
< 100
7
Profile picture of Tommaso
Best answer by
Tommaso
Hello there! Let me share my two cents: I do think that and underappreciated pre-MBB experience is working in a startup. Especially in countries with lower level of tech expertise and young entrepreneurship (like Saudi, but also Italy - my home country), startup employees, co-founders, etc. are seen as much needed disruptive innovators However, the question is still how to pass the first step (i.e., the Recruiter selecting your resume from the pile of resumes on their desk) -- and that is something which is honestly hard to optimize for Since you are mentioning it, I still think that the easiest/surest way for you to get into Saudi MBB is doing an MBA (I know that the government might sponsor a part of it) in a European/US school, and then applying to Saudi offices -- I know that MENA Recruiters particularly appreciate local profiles with international education/experience Therefore: polish your resume (get help from an MBB friend, or from a coach!) try to apply to a few consulting roles (you'll have a chance, the question is how much of a chance!), and worst case plan for an MBA -- especially if the government sponsors it Best, Tom
View Q&A
How to deal with long working hours?
6 hrs
100+
10
Profile picture of Ian
Best answer by
Ian
BCG was the best experience I never want to have again. If I went back in time, I would 100% do it again. But I will never do it again in this lifetime. It's the marines. You become your best professional self there. The training, the learning, the network, the brand, the experience, the people. It's up to you to decide if it's worth it.   I highly recommend you read my consulting survival guide Here are a couple of snippets from that guide, based on what you've said: 1) This job is inherently stressful, and you are not going to be the first person to struggle with stress. Consulting firms have mechanisms in place to try to keep consultants from burning out. If you are struggling, reach out early. 2) You need comrades - your people for the really good and the really garbage days. Find them and stick to them. 3) There will always be pressure, but not every task will make or break the bank. If the success or failure of the project relies solely on the one slide you're making, there are bigger issues going on. 4) Keep a one-page version of the case story up-to-date every couple of days. 5) Always bring solutions, not problems. 6)You learn so much more when you are fully transparent about what you don't understand. 7) You will do your best work once you are okay with being fired. 8) Your Project Lead/Principal is not inside your head. Learn how to communicate and guide their attention to what they need to know. Work to their style and your life will be easier. 9) You have to stand up for yourself. And people will respect you for it (98% of the time). 10) People's perception of your performance is just as important as your performance. 11) Communication is as important as content. Communication isn't what you say, it's what they hear. 12) Being good at the qualitative aspects of consulting (presentation, communication etc.) is significantly more important than being good at the analysis/excel/quantitative side of consulting. 13) Consulting is a confidence game. Always have a strong opinion, lightly held.
View Q&A
Guidance on Improving my Case Structuring.
6 hrs
< 100
10
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
Daily Rate vs Season Pass pricing
8 hrs
< 100
5
Profile picture of Tommaso
Best answer by
Tommaso
Hey, Your doubt is logically correct, and you actually spotted something that sounds weird: if the average visits are 10 a year, why are customers spending 1200$ for unlimited visits rather than just 800$ (i.e., 10 times the $80 single entry ticket)? However, the reality is that it is not uncommon in this type of businesses to see these situations. People often overestimate how often they will use a season pass. Let's use these assumptions:  A few season ticket holders might do only 1-2 visits a year (e.g., they move to another country, they get hurt early in the season, they get too busy with work). Let's say 15-20% A few others might get close to the 8 "threshold" (say 6-7 visits): when you buy the season pass, you definitely expect you'll ski much more than you actually can (even without injuries or work issues). Let's say 40-45% Lastly, a few others will get their full worth of 15-20 visits. Let's say roughly the top 40% If you compute the numbers above, you'll see that (0.18 × 1.5) + (0.42 × 6.5) + (0.40 × 17.5) = 10.0 average visits. We can discuss of whether my percentage assumptions are correct or not: I picked on purpose some numbers that would yield a 10.0 average to be consistent with the case (and I agree with you: the true average might be slightly higher than 10). However, you can see how we are not too far from a real-case scenario! Hope this helps! Tom  
View Q&A

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