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Anonymous A
on Jun 21, 2023
Global
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

Mental math competition

Hello guys,

do you know any similar websites where you can exercise your mental math, also with a ranking or something like that? I know that there is mental math at preplounge but i kinda feel like that there are coming always the same numbers, so it's getting kind of boring. But i also really enjoy it, i could improve my mental math a lot!

Thanks!

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Top answer
Cristian
Coach
on Jun 21, 2023
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

Yes, you can use this: https://arithmetic.zetamac.com/

It's basic and straight to the point. 

However - without knowing where you are in the process - most candidates need to work on their technique for approaching calculations, not on their speed. Speed actually matters little, but candidates surprisingly over-index for it. 

The most important thing is to make sure that you break down the problem into steps rather than doing it all at once. Building in buffers of thinking time in between the steps to minimize the probability of making mistakes and increase the chances of you correctly finding the most elegant approach. Happy to share a complementary guide on this - reach out. 

Best,
Cristian

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Pedro
Coach
on Jun 21, 2023
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

Honestly… you don't get very difficult calculations in cases. No one asks you to calculate 132*38. And if you get those numbers, doing 130*40 (=5200) is just fine.

You have to be able to do 2 digit calculations relatively fast and accurately, but if you practice for a while in the preplounge tool you should be able to do it.

What you then need to do is not other tools. Is applying in practice, in quantitative problem solving.

Interviewers are NOT looking for people that can do complex math - they have excel for that - they are looking for people that can solve complex problems, quickly do an estimate or validate results delivered by an excel model.

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Andi
Coach
on Jun 28, 2023
BCG 1st & Final Round interviewer | Personalized prep with >95% success rate | 7yrs coaching | Experienced Hires

Hi there,

adding one more classic source to the mix: https://caseinterview.com/math/mathtest.php

Simple and effective.

Regards, Andi

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Ian
Coach
on Jun 21, 2023
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

My two favorite sites are:

1) Math-drills.com

2) Rocketblocks.me

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Clara
Coach
on Aug 31, 2023
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Precisely for the high amount of questions (1) asked by my coachees and students and (2) present in this Q&A, I created the “Economic and Financial concepts for MBB interviews”, recently published in PrepLounge’s shop (https://www.preplounge.com/en/shop/prep-guide/economic_and_financial_concepts_for_mbb_interviews).

After +5 years of candidate coaching and university teaching, and after having seen hundreds of cases, I realized that the economic-related knowledge needed to master case interviews is not much, and not complex. However, you need to know where to focus! Hence, I created the guide that I wish I could have had, summarizing the most important economic and financial concepts needed to solve consulting cases, combining key concepts theorical reviews and a hands-on methodology with examples and ad-hoc practice cases.

It focuses on 4 core topics, divided in chapters (each of them ranked in scale of importance, to help you maximize your time in short preparations):

·        Economic concepts: Profitability equation, Break even, Valuation methods (economic, market and asset), Payback period, NPV and IRR, + 3 practice cases to put it all together in a practical way.

·        Financial concepts: Balance sheet, Income statement/P&L and Performance ratios (based on sales and based on investment), +1 practice case

·        Market structure & pricing: Market types, Perfect competition markets (demand and supply), Willingness to pay, Pricing approaches, Market segmentation and Price elasticity of demand, +1 practice case

·        Marketing and Customer Acquisition: Sales funnel, Key marketing metrics (CAC and CLV) and Churn, +1 practice case

Feel free to PM me for disccount codes for the guide, and I hope it helps you rock your interviews!

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Fast Math
Math plays a big role in case interviews because it helps you solve business problems logically and in a structured way. It’s not about applying complex formulas; it’s about working quickly with numbers and finding practical solutions. Since you won’t have a calculator and can only use pen and paper, knowing effective calculation methods is key. These skills show off your analytical mindset and can make you stand out from other candidates. Why Mental Math is a Big PlusIn case interviews, being able to handle basic calculations in your head is a huge advantage. It saves time and makes you appear more flexible and confident. It’s not about avoiding writing things down entirely, it’s rather about quickly grasping the results. The goal is to get a fast overview and deliver precise answers. Imagine calculating revenue and profit for multiple products – if you can confidently do these calculations in your head, you’re already a step ahead. Working with Rounded NumbersIn case interviews, you’ll often see “rounded” numbers like 300,000 or 4,000,000. Working with large numbers can feel intimidating, but a few simple tricks can make it much easier.💡 Quick Trick: Cutting ZerosLet’s say you’re calculating the revenue for a product that a company sells at $32 per unit, with 25,000 units sold annually. The calculation is 32 × 25,000. Instead of writing all those zeros, break it into simpler steps:Calculate 32 × 25 first, which is easier than 32 × 25,000.Then, just add the three zeros from “25,000” to the result.To quickly solve 32 × 25, you can think of 25 as ¼ × 100:32 × ¼ = 88 × 100 = 800So, 32 × 25 is 800, making 32 × 25,000 equal to 800,000. This method saves time and reduces the chance of misplacing zeros. Adding and Subtracting with UnitsLarge numbers, like 250 million or 300 million, might seem challenging at first glance. A useful technique is to work with units like thousands (K), millions (M), billions (B), and trillions (T). This simplifies addition or subtraction because you don’t have to write out or imagine all the zeros.💡 Quick Trick: Adding Large NumbersSuppose you need to add 250 million, 300 million, and 150 million. Instead of writing each number fully, just add the leading numbers and keep the unit:250 + 300 + 150 = 700, then add the “million” unit."The result is 700 million. This approach is quicker and reduces errors since you’re focusing only on the main numbers, not all the extra zeros. Multiplication and “Clean Numbers”Multiplication is common in case interviews, and many numbers used are “clean numbers”, meaning they have helpful properties that make calculations easier. For example, 25 is a “clean” number because it’s ¼ × 100, which simplifies large multiplications.💡 Quick Trick #1: Fast-Math Multiplication:The Fast-Math Method is a technique for simplifying complex multiplications by breaking them into easier steps. It’s based on the idea that you can halve one number and double the other without changing the result, thanks to the commutative property of multiplication. This keeps the final product the same but often makes the math easier. Here’s an example:Original calculation: 160 × 350Halve 160: 160 ÷ 2 = 80Double 350: 350 × 2 = 700Multiply the results: 80 × 700 = 56,000The result is the same as 160 × 350 but without lengthy calculations. This method is especially handy in case interviews, allowing for quick, error-free calculations.💡 Quick Trick #2: Reordering Multiplication Factors:Another helpful technique is rearranging terms to make the multiplication easier. Imagine you need to calculate 125 × 2.5 × 4. You can rearrange like this:Start with 125 × 4 = 500.Then, 500 × 2.5 = 1,250.The answer is 1,250. Reordering simplifies the calculation. You could also do 2.5 × 4 = 10, then 125 × 10 = 1,250. This flexibility lets you choose the easiest order for each case. Quick Calculations for Percentage GrowthLet’s say a company grows 4% per year. Calculating this over multiple years can often be simplified by ignoring compound interest and estimating growth. This is especially helpful for shorter time periods and moderate growth rates.Example: Estimating Percentage GrowthIf a company’s revenue is $400 million and it grows at 4% annually for six years, you can estimate the growth like this: 4% × 6 = 24%, which is roughly one-quarter. So the revenue grows by about 25%, or around $100 million, bringing it to about $500 million after six years. This method gives a quick estimate for growth impact over several years. The Net Present Value (NPV) MethodThe Net Present Value (NPV) method is a common approach to calculate the current value of a future investment. It helps determine today’s value of expected cash flows by discounting future payments. A positive NPV indicates a worthwhile investment, as future returns exceed the initial cost.💡 Quick Trick: Rule of 72The “Rule of 72” is a tool for estimating the doubling time of an investment—how long it’ll take to double in value. The Rule of 72 uses the exponential growth formula and can be applied when a rate of return (or growth rate) is known.Simply divide 72 by the annual interest rate (in percent) to estimate the doubling time. For example, if the growth rate is 6% annually, the investment doubles in about 12 years (72 ÷ 6 = 12).This quick estimation helps estimate the future value of an investment without needing to apply the exact NPV formula. Since it’s an approximation, it’s great for quick decisions or rough estimates but less suited for precise calculations.Example: NPV of a Real Estate ProjectA real estate company is considering a project that will sell apartments for $250 million in six years. What’s the current value of this investment if they expect a 12% return annually? Using the Rule of 72, an investment with a 12% growth rate doubles in about six years (72 ÷ 12 = 6). So, today’s value is roughly half the future value, or $125 million. This means the company should invest no more than $125 million to achieve a 12% return. ConclusionMath and quick calculations are essential in case interviews to help you stand out from other candidates. The methods and examples here allow you to tackle common calculations efficiently and accurately. From working with rounded numbers to using the Fast-Math Method, these techniques make you faster and more confident with numbers. Practice these methods before your interview to be flexible and confident, showcasing your math skills effectively.Elevate your math skills to the next level by practicing with our Mental Math Tool!
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