I had my final round in the last couple of days; I was as prepared as I could be and felt good about the first of two interviews where I got to know the partner and got through a case that the partner created on the spot. It was very unusual as he didn't ask me to do any numbers but got me to go through structures repeatedly (apparently a weakness from my first interview) I did well and got to the answer with confidence and poise.

That said the second interview was way harder. An M&A case prompt that somehow mutated into a high-level profitability case. I was fine with the pivot until the first exhibit was given- at that point, I ran through my various hypotheses but struck out; went back to my structure- but struck out again.

I essentially had to ask for a hint by discussing the apparent contradiction in the direction of the case and how each hypothesis was "for later" and he said- "okay let me give you a hint- xxx" at which point I saw the light and solved the case in 8 minutes.

I have never gotten stuck in a case before this and to be honest, it's got me rattled when I think about it after the fact.

Anyways- any opinions? What are my chances given the above? How could I have improved upon the situation?

(edited)