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Which strategy do you think is best regarding the prompt and clarifying questions?

Clarifying questions Framework Notes
Most recent answer on Nov 26, 2023
The best answer (on Nov 25, 2023) is from:
Francesco
Expert
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Francesco
Expert
gave the best answer on Nov 25, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Yuxi, Q: I would like to know your opinions, which one do you agree more with? I would actually not recommend either of the two. What I would recommend is to: Repeat the prompt Ask clarifying questions useful for you ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
419
Views
65
Total Upvotes
on Nov 26, 2023 on Nov 26, 2023
Last Activity

Clarifying questions

asking questions BCG BCG Case Interview Case Interview case questions case structure Clarifying questions Open question questions Structure
Most recent answer on Nov 10, 2023
Anonymous gave the best answer on Jun 05, 2018
Hey there, It could be helpful if you clarified with whoever provided your feedback on why you should have asked clarifying questions. In the absence of more detail, I'll share 2 cents from some common pitfalls that ... (read entire answer)
16
Answers
43.1 k
Views
88
Total Upvotes
on Nov 10, 2023 on Nov 10, 2023
Last Activity

Is there such a thing as asking too many clarifying questions?

Bain BCG Clarifying questions MBB McKinsey Strategy case solving
Most recent answer on Nov 01, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 30, 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 Oct 30, 2023
MBB & Tier2 preparation | 85+ offers | 7 years coaching | 2000+ sessions | PDF reviews attached
Hi there,Is there such a thing as asking too many questions? Yes, there is such a point. I would say that a candidate shouldn't spend more than 2-3 minutes at that stage. 5 or 10 minutes is definitely excessive. At what ... (read entire answer)
10
Answers
670
Views
85
Total Upvotes
on Nov 01, 2023 on Nov 01, 2023
Last Activity

Are there any useful frameworks/checklists for asking Clarifying Questions?

Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Oct 08, 2023
The best answer (on Jan 04, 2019) is from:
Sidi
Expert
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers
Sidi
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 04, 2019
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers
Hi Anonymous, the questions you ask at the beginning have the following objectives: Completely understanding the context/situation (including, unclear terminology, but also, for example, the business model of the ... (read entire answer)
5
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4.6 k
Views
24
Total Upvotes
on Oct 08, 2023 on Oct 08, 2023
Last Activity

Definitive guide for clarification question

Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Oct 06, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 05, 2023) is from:
Sidi
Expert
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers
Sidi
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 05, 2023
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers
Hi! You touch on an important point here. Many candidates don't understand what distinguishes the clarifying questions at the start from later analysis-related questions (asking for market data. financials, etc.) In gen ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
811
Views
82
Total Upvotes
on Oct 06, 2023 on Oct 06, 2023
Last Activity

Clarifying questions

Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Jun 27, 2023
The best answer (on Jun 24, 2019) 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 Jun 24, 2019
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
There is always more that you can understand. If you understand the goal as improving profits, there's so much more you can ask - do they have a % change target in mind, how long do we have to turn this around, do they ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
10.4 k
Views
77
Total Upvotes
on Jun 27, 2023 on Jun 27, 2023
Last Activity

When to ask which questions: Which questions do you ask before you come up with a structure and which do you ask after?

asking questions brainstorming brainstorming questions Case Interview case study Clarifying questions Interview issue tree MBB order of operations preparation rule of thumb Structure
Most recent answer on Aug 30, 2022
The best answer (on Mar 07, 2017) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 07, 2017
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Pre-structure questions 1) Clarify the business model. Even if you think you understand it, try to repeat it to make sure that you understand in correctly. 2) Clarify the objective. Here make sure that your goal is: ... (read entire answer)
15
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17.4 k
Views
86
Total Upvotes
on Aug 30, 2022 on Aug 30, 2022
Last Activity

Clarifying questions

Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Apr 01, 2022
The best answer (on Mar 30, 2022) is from:
Pedro
Expert
30% off in March 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA
Pedro
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 30, 2022
30% off in March 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA
No, definitely not. What you are expected to do is to actually really understand the exact goal that you want to achieve - quantitatively and qualitatively - and any existing constraints on how to achieve it. In other w ... (read entire answer)
10
Answers
1.0 k
Views
83
Total Upvotes
on Apr 01, 2022 on Apr 01, 2022
Last Activity

Should I try to turn % to absolute number at the clarifying question stage?

Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Jan 20, 2022
The best answer (on Jan 20, 2022) is from:
Pedro
Expert
30% off in March 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA
Pedro
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 20, 2022
30% off in March 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA
Yes, it is appropriate and can give you more context. Just don't forget that the objective is that 5%. If we are talking about improving profit margin by 5%, you have to realize that what is critical is getting from say ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
1.1 k
Views
37
Total Upvotes
on Jan 20, 2022 on Jan 20, 2022
Last Activity

Clarifying questions: timeline

Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Jun 27, 2021
The best answer (on Jun 18, 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 Jun 18, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
This is indeed true. There is not single question you "must" ask. Rather, every case is different. You need to ask questions that help you better understand the situation (objective, business model, etc). AND help you ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
1.9 k
Views
43
Total Upvotes
on Jun 27, 2021 on Jun 27, 2021
Last Activity

Is it fair to ask about the value chain as a clarifying question in the beginning of the case?

Clarifying questions Value Chain
Most recent answer on Dec 31, 2020
The best answer (on Oct 15, 2018) is from:
Francesco
Expert
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Francesco
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 15, 2018
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Anonymous, in general you can ask three type of questions at the beginning of the case: Those to understand how the business model of the client works Clarification of all the elements that were not clear to ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
3.3 k
Views
6
Total Upvotes
on Dec 31, 2020 on Dec 31, 2020
Last Activity

Clarifying Questions

Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Dec 31, 2020
The best answer (on Oct 08, 2018) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 08, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, You should ask the following questions: 1) Clarify the business model. Ask how the company actually makes the money. For several reasons: Even if you think you understand the business model, you need to make ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
3.4 k
Views
41
Total Upvotes
on Dec 31, 2020 on Dec 31, 2020
Last Activity

Application

Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Nov 03, 2020
The best answer (on Jul 30, 2020) is from:
Clara
Expert
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Clara
Expert
gave the best answer on Jul 30, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Hello! Given the fact that you were not rejected in the interview loop, you should not be blacklisted. However, if you did not pass the cut then, you should take some time to "enrich" the CV and improve your chance ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
1.2 k
Views
25
Total Upvotes
on Nov 03, 2020 on Nov 03, 2020
Last Activity

Is ok to systematically ask question to clarify the business model? Especially for Profitability cases

asking questions Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Aug 13, 2020
Anonymous gave the best answer on Feb 28, 2018
Yes, as highlighted, not asking this might be an hindrance to the development of a customized framework and hence resolution of the case. The way I would phrase such a question would be (let's take credit card as an exa ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
3.1 k
Views
7
Total Upvotes
on Aug 13, 2020 on Aug 13, 2020
Last Activity

Going back to a clarifying question

brainstorming questions Clarifying questions
Most recent answer on Aug 13, 2020
The best answer (on Mar 28, 2019) is from:
Francesco
Expert
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Francesco
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 28, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Anonymous, if you understand you forgot to clarify a point when presenting the structure, I would recommend to ask the question at that stage, ideally connecting with some parts of the structure itself, in order to ... (read entire answer)
2
Answers
1.8 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Aug 13, 2020 on Aug 13, 2020
Last Activity

How many clarifying questions are appropriate and when should they be asked?

Actively preparing for interviews at McKinsey and BCG asking questions BCG BCG Case Interview brainstorming brainstorming questions Candidate-led interviews Case Interview case question case questions case structure case study Clarifying questions Interview interviewer led issue tree MBB McKinsey Open question order of operations preparation questions rule of thumb Structure timing
Most recent answer on Aug 06, 2020
The best answer (on Aug 09, 2020) is from:
Sidi
Expert
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers
Sidi
Expert
gave the best answer on Aug 09, 2020
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers
Hi Anonymous! You touch on an important point here. Many candidates don't understand what distinguishes the clarifying questions at the start from later analysis-related questions (asking for market data. financials, ... (read entire answer)
12
Answers
9.7 k
Views
102
Total Upvotes
on Aug 06, 2020 on Aug 06, 2020
Last Activity

Case approach when no specific numerical target is provided

case structure Clarifying questions objectives
Most recent answer on Jan 14, 2020
The best answer (on Jan 13, 2020) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 13, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, First of all, you can still ask the interviewer: "What are the criteria for success?" In general, you make a structure based on 3 things: Objective Context Type of the case If you have no measurable o ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
1.5 k
Views
1
Total Upvotes
on Jan 14, 2020 on Jan 14, 2020
Last Activity

Online Application Forms: The "Other" field

Application Clarifying questions internship knowledge motivation Online Application Online Form Other Roland Berger
Recent activity on Aug 01, 2018
Anonymous gave the best answer on Aug 01, 2018
Hey there, Interesting question. Most consultancies won't ask this information, but if you are, I can see a couple ways you could fill it out: Any specific information about scheduling interviews: For example, if ... (read entire answer)
2
Answers
3.4 k
Views
7
Total Upvotes
on Aug 01, 2018 on Aug 01, 2018
Last Activity
18 results

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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