When preparing for a case interview, especially under time constraints, working with an experienced coach can significantly enhance your chances of success.
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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.
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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:
Filtering: Begin by filtering the coaches based on your most important criteria, such as price per coaching session, or employer.
Selection: Choose up to 10 coaches whose profiles, ratings, Q&A contributions, and PrepLounge awards you wish to explore further.
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.
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Good coaches are characterized by the following features:
Customization: they tailor the coaching to your specific needs.
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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.
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
1
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.
Hi there, This is more common than it feels, especially in umbrella firms, and starting the conversation early is reasonable. The key is to frame this as exploration, not a request to move now. When you reach out to HR: Say you’re settling in well and are early in your role Explain that you’ve learned about an adjacent group that aligns closely with your long-term interests Ask about the process and timing for internal mobility rather than approval Keep the tone neutral and forward-looking. HR conversations are usually confidential by default, and it’s fine to say you’d like to keep this discussion confidential while you understand how things work. What to avoid for now: Don’t involve your current manager yet Don’t criticize your current team Don’t ask for an immediate transfer HR will guide you on typical tenure, performance expectations, and when your current team would need to be involved. If you’d like, I can help you draft a short message to HR that strikes the right tone.Best, Evelina
1 month to prep for McKinsey Interview Private Capital
4 hrs
100+
6
Best answer by
Evelina
Hi there, With one month and no prior casing experience, the key is to keep your prep focused and structured, not to try to cover everything. Here’s a practical way to approach it for a McKinsey Private Capital BA interview: Week 1: Foundations Learn the McKinsey interviewer-led case format (how cases flow, what interviewers expect) Understand basic case structures (profitability, market entry, investment decision) Start light mental math and exhibit reading drills Watch 1–2 example McKinsey-style cases to understand pacing Week 2: Core case skills Start doing live cases (at least 3–4 this week) Focus on structuring clearly, explaining logic out loud, and synthesizing Don’t worry about speed yet — clarity matters more Begin adapting your REPE mindset to cases (returns, value creation, risks) Week 3: Private Capital focus Practice PE-style cases: commercial due diligence, market attractiveness, growth levers, cost/value creation Get comfortable discussing investment logic, risks, and feasibility Improve exhibit interpretation and quick math Refine your PEI stories (leadership, conflict, drive) Week 4: Polish Fewer cases, higher quality (mock interviews if possible) Focus on synthesis, top-down recommendations, and confidence Practice handling ambiguity calmly Your REPE background is a real advantage for Private Capital — you already think in terms of value, risk, and returns. The main thing you need to build is case interview mechanics and communication, not business intuition. If useful, I can help you map this into a week-by-week plan or do a fast-track mock to get you oriented quickly. Best,Evelina
Revolut's problem solving interviews are different from traditional consulting. They are very execution focused. They care less about polished frameworks and more about whether you can actually break down a messy problem and fix it fast. The interview usually gives you a real operational scenario. Something like, customer complaints spiked 40 percent in two weeks, what do you do? Or, we are launching in a new market and need to build a KYC process from scratch, walk me through it. These are day to day operations problems, not abstract strategy. What they really want to see is how you think when things are messy. Can you figure out what is going on, find the root cause, and come up with a practical fix? They want someone who can jump into chaos and bring order. Not with a fancy presentation, but with clear thinking and action. A few things that help you stand out. Start by clarifying the problem. Don't rush to solutions. Ask what data you have, what changed recently, what the impact is. Think in terms of process. Show that you naturally think about how things flow, where bottlenecks happen, what can be automated, and how to measure if something is working. Be specific. Don't say "I would improve the process." Say "I would map out the steps, find where the delay happens, test a small fix, then roll it out." Revolut values speed and ownership. Don't be the person who says "I would escalate this" or "I would set up a committee." Be the person who says "here is what I would do in the first 48 hours." They want operators, not managers who just delegate. If you have experience with data, lean into it. Revolut is very data driven. Saying "I would pull this data, look at this metric, and decide based on that" will land well.
Milan Consulting Hiring Trends - Post-MBA Recruitment
4 hrs
< 100
6
Best answer by
Alessandro
While the usual advice about "networking and speaking Italian" still stands, the 2026 landscape has a specific shift you should definitely lean into.Right now, Milan is in the middle of a massive "implementation peak" because of the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). Since there’s a hard deadline to spend those billions by the end of the year, firms aren't just looking for high-level "strategy" generalists anymore. They are desperate for Transformation and Execution profiles. If you have any background in digital, infrastructure, or energy, you’re a "plug-and-play" asset for the massive project backlogs at places like McKinsey and Strategy&, who are currently hiring pretty aggressively to keep up.On the language front, don't let the "must speak Italian" thing completely scare you off if your skills are just okay. Milan has evolved into a major EMEA Hub. A lot of Milan-based teams are actually staffing English-speaking projects in the Middle East or Northern Europe. When you're networking, pitch yourself as a "Milan-based Global Nomad." It solves a huge staffing headache for Partners who have plenty of local-only consultants but need someone they can ship off to an international account.Milan is definitely active, but they can smell from a mile away if you're treating it as a backup to London. If you show up with a specific "Execution" angle and a "Global Nomad" flexibility, you'll have a much easier time standing out
BCG Re-application Strategy: Referral Link vs. Direct Recruiter Email? (2 previous rejections)
4 hrs
< 100
5
Best answer by
Ashwin
Two rejections is something you need to take seriously. Before worrying about how to apply, ask yourself honestly, what has actually changed since last time? If the answer is "not much," be careful. Firms track your history. A third rejection makes it almost impossible to get back in. Don't waste this shot. To your question. Yes, a direct referral from a BCG consultant to a recruiter is much stronger than a referral link through the portal. The portal link just puts a small flag on your application. It still goes through normal screening where your past rejections will show up. A personal email from a consultant to a recruiter is different. It starts a real conversation and gets someone to actually look at your profile fresh. But the referral only works if the person really knows you. If someone barely knows you and forwards your resume with a generic note, that is almost the same as the portal. What you need is someone who can say "I know this person, I have talked to them, and here is why they are worth another look for Platinion." That is the kind of referral that actually moves things. Here is what I would do. Before applying, have a real conversation with someone at BCG Platinion. Not a "can you refer me" chat. Tell them you have applied twice before. Ask them what they think the gap might be. Listen carefully. If after that conversation they still want to recommend you, that is a genuine referral. If they hesitate, that tells you something too. Your ERP and data analytics background fits Platinion on paper. So the real question is, why did they say no before? Was it the case interview? The behavioral? The resume screen? If you don't know, figure that out before you reapply. Otherwise you are just doing the same thing and hoping for a different result. Platinion Boston is a small team. They will look up your history. That is good if you can show real growth. Not so good if your profile looks the same as last time.
why times NWC secured to build up the initial stocks $1,600 MM by 20%?
4 hrs
< 100
2
Best answer by
Margot
Hi there, You are mixing up levels and percentages. The 20% rule means: NWC each year = 20% of that year’s sales. So the 1,600 MM is not the NWC itself. It is most likely the sales level used to compute NWC. If sales are 1,600 MM, then NWC = 20% × 1,600 = 320 MM. Then, if sales in 2030 are 2,000 MM, NWC in 2030 = 20% × 2,000 = 400 MM. The change in NWC is calculated as:Previous year NWC minus current year NWC = 320 minus 400 = minus 80 MM. That minus 80 MM reflects additional working capital needed because sales increased. You should not subtract 1,600 minus 400, because 1,600 is sales, not NWC. The 20% rule must be applied first to convert sales into NWC.
How much time usually goes by between R2 results and the final partner interview round at BCG?
4 hrs
< 100
6
Best answer by
Evelina
Hi there, At BCG, the time between R2 results and the final Partner round usually ranges from a few days to about 1–2 weeks, depending on the office and scheduling availability. In many cases: You hear back within a few days if you’re progressing. The final round is then scheduled within the next week or two. Delays are often due to partner calendars rather than your performance. If more than 10–14 days pass without an update, a short, polite follow-up to the recruiter is reasonable. In short, a short gap is normal, and even a slight delay isn’t necessarily a negative signal. Best,Evelina
Are consulting exit opportunities driven more by firm prestige or industry expertise?
4 hrs
< 100
7
Best answer by
Alessandro
People will tell you “it depends” because that’s the polite answer and it lets everyone defend their own path. If you strip it down to outcomes, MBB is just a better asset for exits. First, brand is a filter. A lot of hiring isn’t a deep evaluation of your true skill, it’s speed + risk management. MBB reduces perceived risk, so you get more first-round calls, faster processes, and more forgiveness when your profile isn’t a perfect match. That matters whether you’re going into tech, corp strategy, growth, PE, or even something random where the hiring manager just wants “someone sharp.” Second, MBB gives you range. The “universal pass” thing is exaggerated, but the direction is right: you can pivot across industries and functions more easily because your story is “I can learn fast and drive results,” not “I know this one niche.” With boutiques, the story is tighter - and tight stories travel less. Third, the signal lasts. Two years after a boutique, you still have to explain what the firm is. Two years after MBB, you don’t. Ten years later, people still recognize it and it still buys you trust, especially with senior stakeholders who don’t have time to decode your background. Where boutiques win is very specific: when the job is basically “we need someone who already speaks this industry language on day one” and the hiring manager values domain pattern-recognition over general problem-solving. That’s real, but it’s narrow. And even there, MBB + a clear industry narrative often competes fine. So if your goal is maximum choice, maximum upside, and minimum friction, MBB is the best bet. Boutique is great if you’re intentionally trading breadth for depth because you’re locked on one lane and want to compound there.
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.
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.
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.