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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
1,449 Coachings
41,645 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
1,426 Coachings
40,192 Q&A Upvotes
195 Awards
USD 399 / hour
Cristian
Cristian
369 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
1,043 Coachings
55,712 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
1,104 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
7,208 Q&A Upvotes
141 Awards
USD 329 / hour
Alessandro
Alessandro
7 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
8 Coachings
1,677 Q&A Upvotes
2 Awards
USD 159 / hour
Jimmy
Jimmy
1 Review
English
United Arab Emirates (UTC +4)
Jimmy
Consulting
Premium + Coaching
McKinsey Associate Partner (2018-2025), conducted hundreds of recruiting interviews at McKinsey & Company
McKinsey Associate Partner (2018-2025), conducted hundreds of recruiting interviews at McKinsey & Company
English
United Arab Emirates (UTC +4)
USD 149 / hour
6 Coachings
249 Q&A Upvotes
0 Awards
USD 149 / hour
Robert
Robert
3 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
Thabang
Thabang
175 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
391 Coachings
6,808 Q&A Upvotes
19 Awards
USD 199 / 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

What types of case frameworks, data interpretation approaches, or practice resources would best prepare me for operational, implementation‑focused consulting
1 hr
< 100
5
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
Drop strategy-first frameworks like Porter's Five Forces or market entry. This firm wants delivery-side thinking.  you could use Process flow decomposition - map the product development lifecycle step by step, find where delays, rework, or quality issues happen Root cause analysis (5 Whys / fishbone) - trace a symptom (e.g. bad data, missed deadlines) back to its real cause across people, process, tools, and data Input-process-output (IPO) - ask: what goes in, what happens to it, and what comes out? Useful for diagnosing any engineering or product workflow always MECE issue trees - structure problems around four buckets: speed, quality, cost, capability The test is about reading messy information and telling a story from it, not calculating. Focus on: Spot what is wrong and why it matters - is the data incomplete? Inconsistent? Out of date? Then link it to a real business consequence Lead with the insight, not the observation - say "the handoff between teams is causing rework" before you say "I noticed the error rate rises at stage 3" Contribution style matters as much as content: Suggest a shared structure before the group dives in Signal when you are building on someone or challenging an assumption If the group gets stuck, step in to summarise and reframe - that is process leadership, and assessors value it
View Q&A
Charles River Associate Life Science consultant
2 hrs
< 100
4
Profile picture of Kevin
Best answer by
Kevin
It's great you've landed that CRA interview – transitioning from research is a path many take, and firms like CRA truly value that deep scientific expertise. For your first round, especially coming from a research background, they're not necessarily expecting you to be a case interview master right out of the gate. What they are looking for is your ability to structure ambiguous problems, think logically under pressure, and apply your scientific intuition to business challenges. While general guides like Case in Point are solid for understanding core frameworks, your critical next step is finding life science-specific cases. Focus on common industry scenarios: market sizing for a new therapeutic, competitive landscape analysis, R&amp;D portfolio prioritization, or commercial strategy for a medical device. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, translating complex scientific concepts into actionable business insights. The best way to get up to speed quickly is to practice cases out loud with others. Look for practice partners who understand the life sciences context – often you can find them through university career centers, LinkedIn groups, or even former colleagues who've made similar transitions. Their feedback on how you frame problems and communicate your solutions will be invaluable. Good luck with the prep and the interview!
View Q&A
BCG ASPIRE 2026 – Assessment Invite but CV Wasn’t Uploaded
3 hrs
< 100
4
Profile picture of Cristian
Best answer by
Cristian
Hard to tell.  It sounds like the invite was sent to all the applicants automatically.  If you haven't already done so, follow-up with the recruiter for a second time. I'm sure that once they become aware of it, they'll want you to correct/complete the application, so it's just a logistical thing to clarify (though I can imagine it's stressful).  Hope you hear good news from them!Best,Cristian
View Q&A
Bain asked if I am still interested a year later?
3 hrs
< 100
5
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
Yep, say yes. And yep, shoot for Consultant level. Bain reaching out a year later is genuinely rare. Firms get thousands of applications and recruiters don't set calendar reminders for candidates they forgot about. You left a real impression. Accept the compliment, then prepare harder than last time. On the level question: 4.5 years of experience puts you squarely in Consultant territory. Going back as an Associate would be underselling yourself. U also got a year of extra polish since the first round, which you should weaponize in your narrative. One honest flag: Proactive outreach sometimes signals a specific role or timeline need. Worth asking the recruiter directly what level and practice they have in mind before you anchor yourself. Practical moves: Confirm the level with the recruiter and frame it around your updated experience Re-prep cases from scratch. A near-miss last year doesn't mean you're close enough now Turn "a year of growth" into a concrete story, not just elapsed time. What did you actually build, lead, or deliver? As for the "not many applicants" theory, possible, but the boring explanation is someone on the team remembered you and flagged it. That's the signal worth focusing on. if you need help to ensure this time you meet the bar - happy to jump on an intro call
View Q&A
Best preparation strategy & resources for MBB interviews Italy - looking for real experiences
10 hrs
< 100
7
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
Ciao Susanna, Your profile is stronger than most people who apply to MBB Italy. Engineering-to-management, top grades, Big Four consulting experience. The hard part isn't getting noticed, it's converting that into an offer. Get the foundation right before anything else Before you dive into volume, get a coach or experienced mentor to set the foundation with you. A few sessions early on will save you weeks of practicing bad habits. Unlearning is harder than learning. This applies to both cases and PEI, don't treat them separately. PEI deserves as much preparation as the case Most people treat fit prep as an afterthought. It isn't. McKinsey's PEI is a structured deep-dive where a single story gets drilled for 10+ minutes. You need 3-4 experiences that are genuinely rich, with real complexity, real stakes, and a clear personal role. If the story is thin, they'll find out fast. Start building these in parallel with cases from day one. On cases: learn to think, not to recognize patterns The goal of doing many cases isn't pattern recognition, it's building the muscle of structuring under pressure. The candidates who fail aren't the ones who got the math wrong. They're the ones who froze, went circular, or couldn't hold a clear thread. Do a lot of cases, but with real intention behind each one. Communication beats correct answers Interviewers aren't grading your spreadsheet. They're asking: can I put this person in front of a client? Lead with your conclusion, structure your reasoning out loud, flag your assumptions early. A clear, confident wrong answer lands better than a correct one buried in hesitation. Build a practice system, not just a practice habit Mix expert coaching with peer mocks. Peers are great for volume and live pressure, but they make the same mistakes you do. Without expert feedback, small errors compound and nobody catches them. Set recurring check-ins with a coach throughout prep, not just at the start. It's easy to drift and convince yourself you're better than you are. Do math drills everywhere, commuting, in the shower, before bed. Fumbling a simple calculation mid-case kills your flow even if you recover. Use your background as a differentiator Aerospace engineering stands out, especially for infrastructure and energy work, where all three firms are active in Italy. But translate it. Not "I worked on TPRM." Instead: "I helped clients reduce exposure across complex vendor ecosystems and made risk recommendations with incomplete data."
View Q&A
Advanced-degree candidate: timing, geography, and internship
11 hrs
< 100
3
Profile picture of Kevin
Best answer by
Kevin
These are all really thoughtful questions, especially as you navigate the unique Advanced Degree recruiting timeline from Singapore. It's a slightly different machine, but with some clear principles. On timing, being 'between roles' isn't ideal, but it's often an expected part of the transition for ADs. Firms understand you're leaving academia. What's more important than the gap itself is how you frame it and what you're doing during that time. If you're actively interviewing, networking, or upskilling, it's generally fine for a few months. The key is to demonstrate sustained drive, not just a holding pattern. Regarding geography, Singapore and other Asia/ME offices are highly competitive, just perhaps in different ways than, say, the US or UK. They often have smaller AD cohorts, meaning fewer spots, but also a specific local market fit they're looking for. Applying broadly can improve your odds simply by increasing the total number of applications, but each office is a distinct entity with its own headcount and cultural needs. You'll need to tailor your story for each region. Finally, a 6-month internship at a small boutique after your postdoc will likely still see you evaluated as an AD, but one with some nascent business experience. It generally won't put you into the experienced hire pipeline. This can help if you can genuinely articulate how it enhances your business acumen, client-facing skills, or industry knowledge relevant to consulting. However, if it appears simply as a placeholder without a strong narrative, it might not move the needle much. The most crucial thing is to leverage that time to build your story for why consulting, and why now. Hope this helps you strategize!
View Q&A
Attire for MBB summer internship final round interview (London)
1 day
< 100
5
Profile picture of Udayan
Best answer by
Udayan
Congratulations on making it to the final round! I would say err on the formal side - so maybe a suit or a suit with no tie. Avoid being too casual - mainly so you don't worry about how you appear during the interview and can focus on your performance instead.   All the best, Udayan
View Q&A
Would I be considered an experienced hire?
1 day
< 100
7
Profile picture of Alessandro
Best answer by
Alessandro
dont wait. your current window is ideal. apply through grad recruiting in October By October 2026, you'll have roughly 19 months of total experience. MBB experienced hire thresholds generally sit at 2-4 years minimum, with the post-MBA Associate level requiring either an advanced degree or 6-7 years of experience. You don't clear either bar yet, and you don't need to. On the "experienced hire at Analyst level" confusion: Yes, McKinsey and BCG do have an experienced undergraduate / experienced pre-MBA track, but that's still grad-level recruiting, just a separate pipeline for candidates 1-3 years out who missed campus cycles. You'd enter through that same band, not as a specialist hire. On waiting for the healthcare/life science angle: Don't. Your background is already a differentiator at the BA/Analyst/AC level right now. MBB healthcare practices do recruit generalists from grad cycles; deep domain expertise is a nice-to-have, not a requirement at entry level. Waiting another 2-3 years to become a "true" experienced hire means more years in a boutique when you could be building the brand now. What I would do: Apply October through grad/experienced undergrad track at all three Lead with your healthcare market research + boutique consultancy combo as a tight narrative Signal interest in the healthcare practice in cover letters, not just in interviews
View Q&A
Quitting Masters, Gap Year
1 day
< 100
5
Profile picture of Kevin
Best answer by
Kevin
It sounds like you're in a tough spot, and it's completely understandable to question a path that isn't making you happy, especially when you're already demonstrating strong potential in recruiting. This isn't just about career choices; it's about making a decision that aligns with your well-being and long-term goals. From a consulting perspective, firms care about a compelling narrative and tangible experience. While a Master's degree is often a tick-box, which Master's and what you do with it matters significantly more. Simply pushing through a program you dislike, staying in a city you don't enjoy, and accumulating a degree without enthusiasm can actually weaken your story. Your current strong GPA (1.5 is excellent in Europe, by the way) and interview success at boutiques and even OW without specific prep are strong signals that you have the raw talent. Taking a strategic gap year to pursue a meaningful internship abroad, especially in a sector or function that aligns with your consulting aspirations, could be a much stronger move for your career profile than enduring an unhappy Master's. It demonstrates initiative, resourcefulness, and a clear sense of direction – qualities highly valued in consulting. If you use that year to build a fantastic internship experience and then pivot to a more targeted Master's (abroad, if that's what you want), you'll present a much more coherent and impressive profile. Don't underestimate the power of a proactive, well-narrated career move. Hope this helps you think it through! All the best.
View Q&A

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