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Calculator allowed?

TKMC Case: Premiumstahl AG and the global procurement market
New answer on Aug 23, 2021
2 Answers
1.6 k Views
Van asked on Aug 23, 2021

Hi everyone, 

I wonder if using calculator will be allowed to calculate which supplier offers the greatest savings compared to the current supplier. It is a table full of numbers and will take a lot of time to calculate manually. Thanks

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Best answer
Sofia
Expert
replied on Aug 23, 2021
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 6+ years of coaching

Hello Van,

Unfortunately you are not allowed to use a calculator. Generally, if you ever find yourself in a situation where you are being presented with a lot of numbers in a case, it is worth it to take a second and think of how you could solve the question most efficiently. Quite often you will be able to find methods that avoid the most work-intensive calculations. This is an important skill to have for solving cases.

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Van on Aug 24, 2021

Hi Sofia. Thanks for your response. I appreciate it very much.

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 23, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi Van,

Unfortunately not.

In casing you are not allowed to use calculators. This is why it's so important to practice fast math! And, to figure out what needs to be calculated…and do so in the most efficient manner possible.

PrepLounge has a great math tool to help you! https://www.preplounge.com/en/mental-math

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Van on Aug 23, 2021

Hi Ian, Thanks very much for your response. It is very helpful.

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