Consulting Q&A – Ask Questions about Your Career

In this overview, you will find all the questions asked so far by the PrepLounge community. Anyone can ask questions and write answers. Our coaches are also happy to share their expertise. If you like an answer, give it an upvote so that it rises to the top. Here you can also find our guidelines and FAQs for the Consulting Q&A.

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case books

Books casebook Cases
Most recent answer on Nov 19, 2023
The best answer (on Nov 15, 2023) is from:
Nikita
Expert
MBB & Tier2 preparation | 85+ offers | 7 years coaching | 2000+ sessions | PDF reviews attached
Nikita
Expert
gave the best answer on Nov 15, 2023
MBB & Tier2 preparation | 85+ offers | 7 years coaching | 2000+ sessions | PDF reviews attached
Hey Gaia,I think I already wrote this in a previous thread, but still: doing cases from case books on your own is a bad preparation strategy. It lacks the essential component: quality feedback.To progress quickly, I sug ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
321
Views
21
Total Upvotes
on Nov 19, 2023 on Nov 19, 2023
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consulting books

Books Casebooks
Most recent answer on Oct 25, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 24, 2023) is from:
Alberto
Expert
Ex-McKinsey Associate Partner | +15 years in consulting | +200 McKinsey 1st & 2nd round interviews
Alberto
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 24, 2023
Ex-McKinsey Associate Partner | +15 years in consulting | +200 McKinsey 1st & 2nd round interviews
Hi Gaia, To be as efficient as possible, I suggest you a more active preparation approach, including, Reading PrepLounge basic guides and articles on how consulting interviews work Learn the basics with a coach Practice ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
353
Views
25
Total Upvotes
on Oct 25, 2023 on Oct 25, 2023
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Prep Books

Books coaching Framework preparation
Most recent answer on Oct 08, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 01, 2023) is from:
Irene
Expert
BCG consultant & MIT MBA | Supported 20+ students for MBBs or MBA
Irene
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 01, 2023
BCG consultant & MIT MBA | Supported 20+ students for MBBs or MBA
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 ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
286
Views
4
Total Upvotes
on Oct 08, 2023 on Oct 08, 2023
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Consulting interview books

Books case interview preparation
Most recent answer on Sep 27, 2023
The best answer (on Sep 26, 2023) is from:
Lorenzo
Expert
University of St.Gallen graduate | Learn to think like a Consultant | Personalized prep | CV review
Lorenzo
Expert
gave the best answer on Sep 26, 2023
University of St.Gallen graduate | Learn to think like a Consultant | Personalized prep | CV review
Case Interview Books Like Victor Cheng: Case interview books like those authored by Victor Cheng, such as "Case Interview Secrets," can be valuable resources for preparing for consulting interviews, especially if you're ... (read entire answer)
9
Answers
691
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103
Total Upvotes
on Sep 27, 2023 on Sep 27, 2023
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Book recommendation for "upward management"?

Books
Most recent answer on Nov 01, 2022
The best answer (on May 19, 2022) is from:
Ian
Expert
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Ian
Expert
gave the best answer on May 19, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi there, I have a consulting guide which includes a bit of this. I also have a write-up I received long ago about “getting monkeys off your shoulder” so to speak. I would personally say, Upward Management is something ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
783
Views
12
Total Upvotes
on Nov 01, 2022 on Nov 01, 2022
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Recommended book

Books business concepts economics interpersonal skills leadership and development
Most recent answer on Apr 15, 2021
The best answer (on Apr 15, 2021) is from:
Ian
Expert
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Ian
Expert
gave the best answer on Apr 15, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi Helena, I'll let the others recommend books, but I personally prefer articles. I think they're most interesting and help you learn more :) I recommend the following: https://www.spencertom.com/category/manage ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
1.5 k
Views
48
Total Upvotes
on Apr 15, 2021 on Apr 15, 2021
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Good books for preparing cases?

BCG Books Case Case Interview case interview preparation Case Material Case Prep casebook preparation
Most recent answer on Aug 14, 2020
The best answer (on Apr 29, 2017) is from:
Norah
Expert
I am here to get you an offer! | Ex MBB interviewer Expert in MBB and Tier 2, Deep knowledge of EU & Middle East regions
Norah
Expert
gave the best answer on Apr 29, 2017
I am here to get you an offer! | Ex MBB interviewer Expert in MBB and Tier 2, Deep knowledge of EU & Middle East regions
Hi Anonymous :) I would personally suggest Kellogg 2011, Wharton 2010, Stern 2016. I would strongly recommand you to start by reading and understanding the sectors trends in Stern 2016. That would be very helpful to tac ... (read entire answer)
13
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41.7 k
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58
Total Upvotes
on Aug 14, 2020 on Aug 14, 2020
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Books related to management consulting

Books MBB
Most recent answer on Jun 12, 2020
The best answer (on Oct 26, 2019) is from:
Antonello
Expert
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching
Antonello
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 26, 2019
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching
Hi, as stated by Annette, to technically prepare the interviews you should read Cosentino's and Cheng's. But if you have time I really appreciate your list and in general I always advise candidates to read business a ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
2.8 k
Views
9
Total Upvotes
on Jun 12, 2020 on Jun 12, 2020
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Pyramid Principle Book

Books Case Pyramid Principle
Most recent answer on Jun 12, 2020
Anonymous gave the best answer on Jun 12, 2020
Dear A, Of course you can read it to get an idea on how to structure the information at all. But as for cases sepcifically I would recommend you to read cases (at least here on the platform) and practice it. Thus you ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
2.5 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Jun 12, 2020 on Jun 12, 2020
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Book suggestions

Books reading
Most recent answer on Jun 12, 2020
Anonymous A gave the best answer on Jun 15, 2018
The following have all helped me - THE FIRM: McKinseys secret influence on American business Talk like Ted Algorithms to live by Annual reports of your favourite companies Secrets of mental maths
3
Answers
3.0 k
Views
5
Total Upvotes
on Jun 12, 2020 on Jun 12, 2020
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What books/online materials would you recommend regarding these areas?

Books
Most recent answer on Jun 06, 2020
The best answer (on Jun 02, 2020) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Jun 02, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, 1. Hypothesis thinking is not that widely used in real projects. You get the hypotheses either during the scope negotiation before the project or during diagnostics. Real hypothesis thinking is widely used in p ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
1.2 k
Views
28
Total Upvotes
on Jun 06, 2020 on Jun 06, 2020
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industry knowledge for case studies

articles Bain BCG Books Case Interview competence extra knowledge McKinsey reading reports
Recent activity on Jun 04, 2019
Anonymous gave the best answer on May 14, 2017
You are doing a lot of what I say "looking at the leaves" while you need to rise above and look at the whole forest. You cannot, ever, know about all the industries you may be questions on at a case interview. Your job ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
18.4 k
Views
35
Total Upvotes
on Jun 04, 2019 on Jun 04, 2019
Last Activity

Most important Business Fundamentals

accounting Books business case harvard management consulting marketing MBA sales startup
Recent activity on Oct 29, 2018
Anonymous gave the best answer on Oct 29, 2018
Hi Anonymous, I agree with all the other commentators. There are however a few good reads that I can highly recommend: Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder High Output Management by Andy Grove ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
3.3 k
Views
8
Total Upvotes
on Oct 29, 2018 on Oct 29, 2018
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What are the best recommendation books for business foundation in order to improve fast my business concept knowdledges?

B School Case Books Books business concepts
Recent activity on Sep 11, 2018
The best answer (on Sep 11, 2018) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Sep 11, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, I recommend selecting the top industries and downloading the annual company reports of the biggest public companies in each industry. Start going trhough the reports and googling all the concepts that you do not u ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
2.3 k
Views
5
Total Upvotes
on Sep 11, 2018 on Sep 11, 2018
Last Activity

Any reviews on " The consulting interview bible " book? Is it worth buying? And can you mention any recent and up to date book that is worth buying?

Books consulting interview bible
Recent activity on Aug 15, 2018
Anonymous B gave the best answer on Aug 15, 2018
You mean from management consulted? I didn't read the book but bought it in a bundle with the "case bank", which I was after. And I must say that I was highly disappointed. Almost all cases in "their" case bank have bee ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
2.7 k
Views
5
Total Upvotes
on Aug 15, 2018 on Aug 15, 2018
Last Activity
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