Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Do prompts often give specified steps for solving the case?

I found it a bit confusing that this case was labeled as candidate-led, but had 3 very specific questions in the prompt and didn't seem to need a candidate structure to solve. Would a real consulting case give such specific steps in the prompt? If something like this does happen, then should we just roll with the prompt instead of proposing our own sturcture?

3
2.0k
18
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Ian
Coach
on Mar 06, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi Lingzi,

First, the 3 very specific questions aren't in the prompt! They're in the "Comments" section. This section is not for the interviewee to see!

Now, for a "real consulting case" you should expect anything. Plenty of people don't even get a case! Or they get a set of random brainstorming questions. Or, they get a very very narow/explicit thing to solve for. Please don't get fooled into thinking only a narrow set of things will happen during your interview!

If these things do happen, you need to "roll" with the flow. Whatever it seems the interviewer is looking for, you need to do!

Clara
Coach
on Mar 07, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello Lingzi!

Careful with the different parts there, since the questions are not part of hte promp -and hence, not for the interviewee to read before hand-. 

This is I would recommend you to always practice with someone else - these things arise as issues when you do it by yourself. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Raj
Coach
on Mar 21, 2021
FREE 15MIN CONSULTATION | #1 Strategy& / OW coach | >70 5* reviews |90% offers ⇨ prep-success.super.site | MENA, DE, UK

This is actually my case that is based on a real consulting interview case!

The prompts were for the interviewer to propose rather than the interviewee

Similar Questions
Consulting
Just did the Mckinsey Solve Game (January 2025) - got some questions/insights
on Apr 24, 2025
Global
5
4.3k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
43
5 Answers
4.3k Views
+2
Consulting
Guidance for prep for McKinsey interview in 1 week
on May 15, 2025
Europe
9
3.4k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
77
9 Answers
3.4k Views
+6
Consulting
Strategy& salaries starting in the middle east
on May 21, 2024
Global
8
2.5k
Top answer by
40
8 Answers
2.5k Views
+5
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
Thanks for your feedback! Your opinion helps us make PrepLounge even better.