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Should I focus on drills or continuing to do cases?

Practice cases
New answer on Feb 21, 2023
7 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Feb 16, 2023

I’ve done about 15 live cases, and am really good at structuring, but I am struggling on exhibits and quant (not computing the numbers, but rather getting the approach right).

Should I stop doing live cases and focus on exhibit/quant drills?

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Ian
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replied on Feb 16, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
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Dennis
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replied on Feb 16, 2023
Ex-Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Hi there,

dedicate some time to do drills in the areas in which you want to improve specifically. Stay targeted and focused for a limited period of time (you can always do more if needed). Then revert back to full cases to test how your skill set has improved and how you now manage to incorporate the quant stuff into your structures.

You will ultimately have to solve holistic cases so you should always approach your preparation in this context. Hence, it would not be wise to “stop” doing live cases.

Best of luck

 

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Benjamin
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replied on Feb 16, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

From what you described, I would suggest that you focus on improving quant through targeted drills. 

It does not necessarily mean that you totally stop live cases (as you can still use live cases to test your skills holistically), but sometimes by repeatedly doing full live cases, there are alot of other things you have to think about and work through during that session, that may not necessarily be quant related.

If practice makes perfect, then you definitely achieve more volume more efficiently by doing drills rather than live cases (this assuming that you are doing effective drills correctly).

All the best!

 

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Cristian
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replied on Feb 17, 2023
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

I wouldn't stop practicing cases altogether, but I do think it's common sense to focus on skills that you need to improve. 

However, more practice might not solve the problem. It might rather make more sense to get some coaching help to get an understanding from an expert whether your technique of approaching these questions is right. 

What I've found with most candidates is that they don't have a methodology of approaching exhibits (for instance) and as a consequence their response is often not structured or insightful enough. 

Best,

Cristian

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Rushabh
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replied on Feb 21, 2023
Limited Availability | BCG Expert | Middle East Expert | 100+ Mocks Delivered | IESE & NYU MBA | Ex-KPMG Dxb Consultant

Hello,

You should focus a bit on doing drills, however, then you have to go back to doing cases too, to be able to apply what you have learn during drills.

This is an iterative process and until you are able to easily APPLY in live cases what you have learnt through drills - you must keep going.

All the best!

Rushabh

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Hagen
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replied on Feb 17, 2023
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

  • I would highly advise you to continue practicing with peers since it is the most realistic way to prepare for your upcoming interviews.
  • While it is certainly meaningful to work on your weak spots separately as well, you may as well use case practice with peers for this. For instance, you could tell them in advance that you'd want to focus specifically on getting the exhibit analysis and calculations right, and that they should be a bit lenient if you take a little longer for them.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

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Florian
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replied on Feb 17, 2023
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hi there,

Definitely, work on your weaknesses to get them to an acceptable level. If in your case this is math, then go for it and use focused drills and courses to improve.

However, do not neglect your strengths as you need to polish them to be "offer-worthy." Also for your strengths, you could go through structured drills.

Cheers,

Florian

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Ian gave the best answer

Ian

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