How can I train my analytical analysis? (Which cases?)

analytics case math quantitative quants
New answer on Nov 28, 2020
4 Answers
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Math asked on Sep 28, 2018

Dear all,

I find myself having some issues with the analytics of cases. I usually do quite well when it comes to the non-analytics cases where the business sense is tested, but I really have troubles when it comes to the analytics (working with growth percentages, making decisions based on data) - What cases would you recommend me to do (here on Preplounge) to work on this?

Best regards,
Mathieu

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Best answer
Guennael
Expert
replied on Sep 28, 2018
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

Not a direct answer to your question, but make sure you are very comfortable with the math. 10-15 minutes/day on caseinterviewmath.com for example, will go a long way; this website will rank you per accurracy and speet against all other applicants - and the good news is you improve very quickly, just a few days typically.

PrepLoung also has solid math material btw. Make sure also to differentiate well between "percent" and "percentage point"; mixing the two up will show you as lacking rigor and may cause you to get mixed up quickly.

As to the case piece itself, don't forget to quantify: why? when? how much? + trends of course.

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Anonymous replied on Sep 29, 2018

Hey,

A short answer: Kellogg 2011 casebook has a lot of good, analytical cases.

You can download this easily online. Otherwise private message me and I can send it to you as well.

Hope this helps!

Alessandro

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 28, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

For getting better at analytic cases, on top of lots of practice, I would recommend you GMAT exercises.

There are free exams in the internet that you can use for practice (the one of LBS MBA page, Verits prep, as well as some free trials for courses such as the one of The Economist (https://gmat.economist.com/)

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Sep 28, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Something that helped my candidates - download ALL casebooks available online and go through the math problems in the cases. They will give a good sense of required business terminology. Then you can google what you don't know.

P.S. don't follow the books solutions to solving the cases since they are not that good. Just practice the math problems

Here is a set of things you need to know:

1) Math and formulas:

  • Interest rates calculations
  • Compound margin
  • NPV using the Rule of 72, Perpetuity
  • CAGR using the Rule of 72
  • Currencies exchange calculations
  • Speed, time, distance calculations
  • Equations, systems of equations
  • Ratio & Proportions
  • Little's Law
  • Solving the problems by calculating the area of the triangle
  • Profit / breakeven formula
  • Correlations, outliers (being able to spot on the graphs, tables)

2) Fast math skills

  • Rounding up and down
  • Learn how to multiply double digit numbers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ndkkPZYJHo)
  • Learn the division table up to 1/11 (i.e. 5/6 = 83.3)
  • Learn how to work with zeros using powers (e.g.: 4000000 = 4*10ˆ6)

Use math tools (Mimir math for iOS), Math tool on Viktor Cheng website to practice

3) Working with tables and graphs and deriving conclusions

  • Study "Say it with Charts" book
  • Check all available MBB presentations and publications. Practice to derive conclusions and check yourself with the actual ones from the article / presentation
  • GMAT IR part (Official guide and Manhattan prep)
  • Learn basic statistics (Any GMAT or MBA prep guides)

Good luck!

Best

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Guennael gave the best answer

Guennael

Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews
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