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Case Interview for Mastercard Data & Services (formerly Applied Predictive Technologies)

case interview preparation data driven
New answer on Oct 09, 2020
3 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Oct 08, 2020

Hello,

I am applying for Mastercard's Associate Consultant role for its Data & Services team. Formerly Applied Predictive Technologies (APT) before being acquired by Mastercard, they state in their job description that they "combine traditional management consulting with rich data assets and in-house technology".

Does anyone know if their case interview format is similar to MBB's and other strategy consulting firms'? If not, how should I adapt my preparation for their case interview?

Thank you in advance!

I want to be notified about updates regarding this question via email

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
 replied on Oct 08, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Based on both the sound of this role as well as interviews I have done for other data-based companies, the answer is yes and no.

Here is what is likely and you should prepare for:

The same

  • You will still have an objective / target
  • You will still need to structure your thoughts and have a framework/approach
  • You will still get a lot of information you need to parse through
  • You will still need to be able to brainstorm
  • You will still need to have sound business acumend and judgement
  • You will still have limited time

Different

You need to be able to analyze data. Most of the interviews I have had like this (and coached candidates on) involved a dataset that I either had to pull from a SQL database or that was existing in 1-2 excel files.

Then, based on the prompt, I/they had to be ruthlessly effective in figuring out what quick data analysis was needed (key word here: needed), and did that and only that.

Then, I/they had to turn it into a consultant-like presentation with the key points and charts/graphs I/they had created support those insights.

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Mehdi
Expert
 replied on Oct 09, 2020
BCG | Received offers from all MBB & Tier 1Firms | Supporting you secure your top tier consulting offer

Hi there,

Applications for internal management consulting roles follow, in general, the same process as the one of MBBs. Two minor differences that you should take into account:

  1. Cases will most probably be related to technology, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the activity of this firm and the type of services they might be offering Mastercard
  2. By experience, those cases are not as structured as the ones given at MBBs, so if you prepare real Management Consulting cases, you should do well in those interviews

All the best,

Mehdi

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
 replied on Oct 09, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

All consulting interviews whenver management consulting is involved are super similar.

What will change this time is that you will have to prove that you are data-driven person, and most likely will have some specific tasks for it, like a special case or exercise.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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