Hi there,

This is not an elimination.

I'm not saying you have passed, but I don't view this as being enough to put you out of the running.

Sounds like (albeit by your own analysis) you did well and came across well. If this is indeed true, they are likely (not gaurenteed) to give you another shot. Math is often something they're open to seeing you prove yourself in if needed.

Get prepping already for round 2 (and other interviews!)

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case

https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/pitfalls-case-interview-preparation

Hi there,

Q: Idk why I got such bad anxiety and screwed up at the last minute. How bad is the damage?

It seems the issue was just the math mistake with the extra zero. It is unclear from what you shared if you noticed it right after or if the interviewer pointed it out.

Unfortunately, it is not possible for anyone other than the interviewer to evaluate your particular case now.

Although I understand your desire to get a clear answer on your performance, the only thing you can do now is to act on what is in your control, that is (i) prepare for other interviews/ apply to other companies and/or (ii) wait for the results.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hello,

Try not to worry about it. It's inevitable that some parts of your interview are going to go less well than others, and plenty of candidates aren't perfect on the math. Understanding the logic of the problem is more important than getting the zeros right, and you will be assessed on all of your performance, so a couple of mistakes alone won't doom your candidacy. In any case, it's over now, and there's nothing more you can do. I know it's easier said than done, but try to get your mind off it - you'll know the result soon enough. Fingers crossed for you!

Hi there, 

It's not that bad. Don't worry. 

I had issues in my final interview as well and I still passed. 

They don't expect you to provide a flawless performance. They are rather more interested in how you think through the problem, how you communicate it and how you work with the interviewer when you get stuck. 

As long as you forged ahead and you integrated the feedback from the interviewer, you should be fine. 

Hope you hear from them soon!

Just in case things don't work according to your expectations, make sure that you keep on applying. Here's a guide on how to set up a winning application strategy:

• Maximising your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn

Best,
Cristian

Getting the number wrong is not eliminatory. 

Getting the number wrong and not uderstanding your not in the right order of magnitude… that's worse.

We don't hire consultants to be human calculators, we have excel for that. But we need consultants to be able to check if the excel output makes sense.

You have a math major, should not be an eliminatory factor to get a zero wrong: that happens the whole time. The real issue is when it should be very easy for you to pick up that the order of magnitude didn't make sense. In some cases a zero wrong is not enough for that. In other cases it is quite obvious.

Hi there, 

this is a common question and I can assure you there is still hope. While never ideal, the impact of maths errors really depends on the interviewer, as how much they weigh is really subjective - from my own experience as a candidate and interviewer, some may let you get away with it, for others it's an absolute deal breaker. 

If your maths was rock-solid across the other interviews, there is a chance that the firm gives you the benefit of the doubt. Also, if your performance was not conclusive enough, what can occasionally happen is that they ask for a “3rd Look”, which is an extra interview firms use as a tie breaker.

In any case, it's no longer in your control, nothing you can do - so would not bother too much and just wait for the feedback. 

Wish you all the best and hoped it worked out!

Cheers, Andi