Prep Books

Hi John, I also prepared for BCG interviews in about three months (four years ago, I am feeling old ahah), and like you, I started with the same books. After reading them, I was in a bit of a dilemma, not sure which one was better and how to effectively apply what I had learned. 

What I would suggest is to leverage the cases mentioned earlier and, most importantly, practice, practice, practice! You'll answer your own questions about frameworks, whether they're too complex or too structured, by practicing with other folks who are preparing for interviews at various levels of readiness. 

Just the other day, a girl told me that she unfortunately didn't make it past the first round at BCG because she went into the interview with a strong foundation from books like "Case in Point," but she was told that she couldn't make the case her own and it came across as too academic. 

Good luck with your preparation; I'm sure you'll do great! :)

Hi,

I have read Case in Point (a long time ago), but not the other. I would say that ‘simplification’ vs ‘complex’ is not actually the right angle. 

What you want is something that is logical and that encourages you to think on the spot. In this regard, it sounds like Hacking the Case Interview is a better book. 

The reality is that there aren't many great prep materials out there that are publicly available, and there is quite abit of sub-optimal recommendations and approaches too.

All the best!

All of them and none of them.

What matters most is your caser. Most cases are somewhat unrealistic and no case perfectly matches what will happen in the interview.

Rather, you need to get wide exposure to all types of case (both standard and nonstandard ones) and all types of interviewers.

Now, that said, these are ones that I particularly like

1. Columbia
   1. Cases by Firm
   2. Cases ranked by difficulty of Math, Structure, AND Creativity
2. Stern
   1. Cases by interviewer vs interviewee-led
   2. Ranked by difficulty
3. Haas
   1. Cases by interviewer vs interviewee-led
   2. Ranked by difficulty
4. Darden
   1. Cases by Firm
   2. Cases ranked by difficulty across quantitative, qualitative, and overall

Now, remember, much more important than just reading a "hard" McKinsey case or having a friend case you in it, is actually how you're cased. I can make the easiest case be your worst nightmare (as can any other coach). Make sure that, if you're really trying to get pushed hard and get prepared for the toughest cases, you're looking at hiring a coach...delivery is truly key here!

Hi John.

Trying to learn to solve cases by reading a book is like trying to learn to go on a bike by reading instructions on WikiHow. 

Having been in your place several times, I would suggest you look for videos of people solving cases. Try to understand what makes a bad/average/good performance. But then jump onto practicing with good partners or a coach asap. It's important that you get it right sooner rather than later, else you're at risk of practicing many cases in a sub-optimal way and reinforce/cement weak aspects of your performance. 

It's better to have a coach or good partner at the beginning of the prep, and then practice many times in the right way, than hiring a coach when only a few weeks are left and you have practiced many cases in a not so good way. 

Unfortunately books are very confusing, especially for first-timers, and often do more harm than good (e.g. scaring candidates away).

Hi there!

Both these books are good starting points. 

My recommendation would be to move away from them though as soon as you have a basic understanding of how cases work. 

Casing is like a sport because it involves mastering multiple skills. You can only get better at these skills through practice, less so by reading about them. 

So once you got the gift of how they work, start practicing with peers, friends, coaches, etc. Then see what you struggle with. Then continue studying different resources. Then go back to practice. And so on. 

Best,
Cristian

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Hey John!
 

“and most importantly, which book offers better approach to constructing frameworks at this level?”

Reading books is passive learning which is the least efficient method to learn anything. To progress quickly, I suggest you take an active learning approach (in the following order):

1. Getting coaching when you are a complete beginner to learn the basics;

2. After you've learned the basics, practice cases with peers to polish your case solving process and acquire understanding of a wide range of industries and problem types;

3. Before the interview, ask a few acting consultants to give you cases in a mock-interview format to assess your readiness.

Good luck with your preparation,
Nick

Hi John,

If you want to be efficient, I strongly suggest that you move away from books and start learning by doing with coaching / peer interview as soon as possible. Several reasons for this:

• You get outside feedback on your performance. How good you solve a case is not only based on structure or math, it is also determined by your communication, conclusions, connection of insights with the case. A coach would help you to master the basics and to avoid getting bad habits.
• You tailor the process based on your strengths. There is a high bar you need to pass across several dimensions in cases but building over your personal strengths would be easier and faster.
• You simulate the interview environment. You don’t feel the same pressure when you’re solving a case just for you than in front of someone. Live practicing helps you build confidence.
• You learn how to crack interviews, not cases. When you simulate an interview, you have different sensations than when you just solve book cases for yourself.
• You learn by doing. Little to add here 

Good luck in your preparation!

Alberto

Hi John, thank you for reaching out! It's great to hear that you're taking the initiative to prepare for your consulting interviews. Both "Hacking the Case Interview" and "Case in Point" are popular resources that can be helpful in your preparation. Here's my perspective on your questions:

"Hacking the Case Interview": This book is known for its simplicity in constructing frameworks and emphasis on logic. It provides a solid foundation for understanding case interview structures and problem-solving approaches. It is a good resource for developing your critical thinking skills.

"Case in Point": This book, on the other hand, can be more comprehensive and detailed in its approach. It covers a wide range of case interview techniques, including the Ivy system you mentioned. While it may require more memorization, it also offers a deeper understanding of different frameworks and strategies.

Considering your time constraints and the need for effectiveness, I would recommend the following:

• Stick with "Hacking the Case Interview" for now, as it provides a simpler approach to constructing frameworks and emphasizes logic.
• Supplement your reading with other resources like online case libraries, practice cases with peers, or mock interviews to gain practical experience and refine your skills.
• Explore additional books such as "Case Interview Secrets" by Victor Cheng or "The McKinsey Way" by Ethan Rasiel for different perspectives and insights.

Remember, while books are valuable resources, practical application and feedback are crucial in honing your case interview skills. Consider booking coaching sessions or seeking guidance from experienced consultants to fine-tune your abilities and receive personalized feedback. Best of luck with your preparation!