Numerical reasoning case interview resources

practice quantitative Quantitative skills
New answer on Jul 17, 2020
6 Answers
3.3 k Views
CV asked on Mar 27, 2019

Hi there,

Non-traditional background here. I need to improve my quantitative reasoning my qualitative part is alright. I was wondering if there are any resources other than usual aptitude test practice. My biggest problem is dealing with lots of data without forgetting one of the components.

Ex: I get 20 sets of different quantitative data and then at the end I forget to take the 20% off or I do not take into consideration that one metric needs to be multiplied by 2 because the car drives back and forth. The problem is not the math itself, but keeping an overview of necessary calculations while I am going through the case.

Any resources that bombard me with data so I can practice keeping an overview and strengthening quantitative logic?

Thx to anyone who will answer

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Best answer
Serhat
Expert
replied on Apr 26, 2019
BCG | Kellogg MBA |82% Success rate| 450+ case interview| 5+ year consulting | 30+ projects in ~10 countries

Hi there,

I do not see any other better solution than practicing more quant heavy cases.

Cheers

Serhat

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Alexander replied on Mar 27, 2019

In addition to the resources already mentioned in the text, I've had good success with ressources for the Integrated Reasoning section of the GMAT.

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Jorit
Expert
replied on Mar 27, 2019
First session -50%| Former BCG | Kellogg MBA | 200+ coaching session| Flexible scheduling

I agree with Vlad on the case books. In addition to that you can also use McKinsey PST, BCG potential test etc. materials to practice your quantitative reasoning.

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Mar 27, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

The best way is to download all casebooks available online and go specifically through the math part.

Best

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Anonymous replied on Jul 17, 2020

Dear A,

Consulting math is a very different than academic math. That is why it's very important to be alway concentrated and be available to work and make right calculations under the time pressure. Results are what matter and answers are required simply to be good enough to guide business decisions, rather than being absolutely correct.

• For practicing and improving your mental math you can find also some apps and tools, besides Victor Cheng’s math tool (Magoosh's mental maths app, Mental math cards challenge app etc). But there are some facts that will help in overall improvements:

• The time pressure in case interviews is severe and you cannot afford to waste time. But to make your calculations right you shouldn’t be in a rush. So, I would recommend you here to work on both - practice with time limitations and learn how to keep your mind peaceful and concentrated(it might be not so popular advice here, but mediations really make their job here).

•The next important thing is that rather make it on the paper to structure the notes and then to communicate the results clearly rather than make your calculations fast

• Be comfortable and confident to state your answers not as a questions. Interviewers notice this, and this will not give a credit.

If you need any further help or career advice, feel free to reach me out.

Best,

André

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 16, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I would practice leveraging GMAT.

GMAT unfortunately only gets better with practicing. Good news is that there are many ways of doing so!

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,

Clara

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