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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Seeking Guidance to Strengthen Understanding of Accounting Concepts

accounting Math problem qualitative analysis
Most recent answer on Mar 26, 2024
The best answer (on Mar 25, 2024) is from:
Cristian
Expert
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Cristian
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 25, 2024
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
You don't need a granular understanding of accounting concepts to pass consulting interviews (assuming that's your target).  Actually, I put together all the terms you need to know in this article (based on all the inte ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
47
Views
38
Total Upvotes
on Mar 26, 2024 on Mar 26, 2024
Last Activity

Timing for math portion of case

case math case structure Case Timing Math problem quant problems Quantitative skills Structure timing
Most recent answer on Jan 31, 2024
The best answer (on Jan 29, 2024) is from:
Cristian
Expert
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Cristian
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 29, 2024
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
You're not going to like the answer :) There is no set time.  The interview is a conversation. What matters is not going at a certain speed through it. There is nothing that needs to be ‘finished’. You don't need to ‘cr ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
211
Views
54
Total Upvotes
on Jan 31, 2024 on Jan 31, 2024
Last Activity

Stuck at Math/Quantitative and What to Calculate in Consulting Cases

BCG McKinsey and Bain consulting Framework frameworks mckinsey Math problem Math Skills Required in Case Interviews quantitative Quantitative skills
Most recent answer on Jan 15, 2024
The best answer (on Jan 12, 2024) is from:
LK
Expert
50% off
LK
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 12, 2024
50% off
Hi Anonymous, From what you described, it seems like you are having issues to determine the central question you are solving for.  If you agree, a best practice is to clarify the question / issue with the interviewer ea ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
213
Views
67
Total Upvotes
on Jan 15, 2024 on Jan 15, 2024
Last Activity

BahnCard 25 / 50 / 100 Question

Math problem Real interview question
Most recent answer on Dec 06, 2023
The best answer (on Nov 13, 2023) 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 Nov 13, 2023
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Hello! Precisely for the high amount of questions (1) asked by my coachees and students and (2) present in this Q&A, I created the “Math & Formulas - Economic and Financial concepts for MBB interviews”, recently ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
4.5 k
Views
14
Total Upvotes
on Dec 06, 2023 on Dec 06, 2023
Last Activity

Break Even Questions

Math problem
Most recent answer on Nov 11, 2023
The best answer (on Sep 16, 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 Sep 16, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi there, Q: How much price we would need to put to break even, and/or how many years we would need. Any general guidelines to solving these? I believe that with the number of years you mean the payback period, that is, ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
528
Views
56
Total Upvotes
on Nov 11, 2023 on Nov 11, 2023
Last Activity

contribution margin math question

Math problem
Most recent answer on Sep 01, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 08, 2021) 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 Oct 08, 2021
30% off in March 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA
You are having trouble because this prompt is confusing.You don't need to know the original price (in the initial situation you were already capturing that contribution margin). What you need is the additional contribut ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
634
Views
31
Total Upvotes
on Sep 01, 2023 on Sep 01, 2023
Last Activity

McKinsey Sample Case - Logic Question...

case math Math problem McKinsey Value Chain
Most recent answer on Sep 01, 2023
Anonymous gave the best answer on Apr 11, 2017
Hi there, Let me chime in here. First, try to think of this problem in terms of the expected value of the candidate drug: Expected Value = Likelihood of success * Present Value (in case of success) Second, with ... (read entire answer)
2
Answers
8.6 k
Views
16
Total Upvotes
on Sep 01, 2023 on Sep 01, 2023
Last Activity

Resources / approaches to improve "case math"?

Math problem
Most recent answer on Aug 31, 2023
The best answer (on Jul 26, 2023) is from:
Sofia
Expert
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 6+ years of coaching
Sofia
Expert
gave the best answer on Jul 26, 2023
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 6+ years of coaching
Hello, Looks like you've gotten some great advice on systems and breakdowns on how to improve case math, so here's my additional two cents: First, remember that practice makes perfect! If you are at the initial stages o ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
495
Views
38
Total Upvotes
on Aug 31, 2023 on Aug 31, 2023
Last Activity

Casebook with the best Math Part

case math casebook Casebooks Math problem PrepPlan quantitative
Most recent answer on Aug 31, 2023
Hassan asked on Aug 17, 2023
Medical Doctor interested in Strategy Consulting
Which consulting casebook has the best math/quantitative section in your opinion? I wanna do some focused math prepping by only doing the math part in a casebook. 
4
Answers
267
Views
0
Total Upvotes
on Aug 31, 2023 on Aug 31, 2023
Last Activity

I tanked some math, how bad is the damage?

case math Final Round Math problem
Most recent answer on Jul 22, 2023
The best answer (on Jul 20, 2023) is from:
Benjamin
Expert
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
Benjamin
Expert
gave the best answer on Jul 20, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
Hi there, I've been there before on both sides of the table. Nerves and stress affect us in complex ways and this can happen.  I passed interviews I thought I had failed because of math reasons, and I failed interviews ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
437
Views
66
Total Upvotes
on Jul 22, 2023 on Jul 22, 2023
Last Activity

Estimate number of suit tailor shops (NYC)- Market Sizing

BCG Case Interview BCG McKinsey and Bain Framework Market sizing Math problem McKinsey & Company numerical
Most recent answer on Jul 20, 2023
The best answer (on Jul 15, 2023) 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 Jul 15, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi there, You'll learn a lot more from this by trying it out yourself first! Why don't you post your approach here and we can provide commentary? How to approach market sizing It's very simple: Do the approach the is th ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
387
Views
41
Total Upvotes
on Jul 20, 2023 on Jul 20, 2023
Last Activity

Any source for math problems cases

BCG case math GMAT MathSkills IB I'm preparing to McK coming next week Math problem
Most recent answer on Jun 30, 2023
The best answer (on May 10, 2023) 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 10, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi there, How to structure math in a case Have a seperate "math" scrap sheet of paper Grab a new sheet of paper every time you're entering a new phase of the case...number and title it Use tables to organize numbers Wri ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
516
Views
56
Total Upvotes
on Jun 30, 2023 on Jun 30, 2023
Last Activity

Need help with a math question

Math problem
Most recent answer on Apr 28, 2023
The best answer (on Apr 06, 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 Apr 06, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi there, Q: A software company gets 40 new customers per month, and also loses 40 old customers. On average each customer stays for 3 years. How many customers does this software company have? You can check what would ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
356
Views
50
Total Upvotes
on Apr 28, 2023 on Apr 28, 2023
Last Activity

Help with a mental math question

case math Math problem
Most recent answer on Mar 21, 2023
The best answer (on Mar 20, 2023) is from:
Cristian
Expert
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Cristian
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 20, 2023
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Hi there,  The trick is to break down each number into common denominators: 80 / 9,040  = 8 * 10 / 904 * 10 = 8 / 904 = 2 * 4 / 2 * 452 = 4 / 452 = 2 * 2 / 2 * 226 = 2 / 226 Then you have to make the actual division = 0 ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
417
Views
73
Total Upvotes
on Mar 21, 2023 on Mar 21, 2023
Last Activity

Easy way to solve 7M/1.9K

Math problem
Most recent answer on Mar 14, 2023
The best answer (on Mar 13, 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 Mar 13, 2023
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi there, Q: If you were asked to solve 7M/1.9K, what tricks/shortcuts would you use to find a roughly accurate answer? If you need a “roughly” accurate, you should be able to approximate. I would clarify with the inter ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
469
Views
40
Total Upvotes
on Mar 14, 2023 on Mar 14, 2023
Last Activity

Bombed two cases (case math), any tips on how to improve?

case math First Round Math problem second round
Most recent answer on Feb 28, 2023
The best answer (on Feb 22, 2023) is from:
Hagen
Expert
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hagen
Expert
gave the best answer on Feb 22, 2023
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hi there, First of all, it’s great to see your level of motivation despite the two rejections! 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 ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
694
Views
58
Total Upvotes
on Feb 28, 2023 on Feb 28, 2023
Last Activity

Help with a simple business math question

Math problem
Most recent answer on Feb 28, 2023
The best answer (on Feb 21, 2023) is from:
Hagen
Expert
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hagen
Expert
gave the best answer on Feb 21, 2023
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hi Joël, I would be happy to share my thoughts on it: This is indeed a rather simple math question. Given profit margin is the ratio of profit to sales, if profit increases by 15% and sales decrease by 25%, the future p ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
460
Views
72
Total Upvotes
on Feb 28, 2023 on Feb 28, 2023
Last Activity

a math question!

Math problem
Most recent answer on Feb 14, 2023
The best answer (on Feb 14, 2023) is from:
Hagen
Expert
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hagen
Expert
gave the best answer on Feb 14, 2023
#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years
Hi there, I would be happy to share my thoughts on it: Based on the information provided, the math in this case study seems to be wrong. If all the percentages are related to revenues, profits would be $20 and $30, resp ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
371
Views
23
Total Upvotes
on Feb 14, 2023 on Feb 14, 2023
Last Activity

How do I simultaneously show my thinking while also calculating during the math section?

case math Math problem
Most recent answer on Feb 02, 2023
The best answer (on Feb 01, 2023) is from:
Moritz
Expert
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos
Moritz
Expert
gave the best answer on Feb 01, 2023
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos
Hi there, Don't make your life harder than it needs to be. Everybody has a different style and that's OK - there's no uniform expectations.  Whatever works best for you should be your starting point! From there, you can ... (read entire answer)
9
Answers
499
Views
52
Total Upvotes
on Feb 02, 2023 on Feb 02, 2023
Last Activity

Key insights from Graphs

Exhibit Final Round Math problem strategy&
Most recent answer on Jan 31, 2023
The best answer (on Jan 30, 2023) is from:
Moritz
Expert
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos
Moritz
Expert
gave the best answer on Jan 30, 2023
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos
Hi there, This is a very common challenge. The 'trick' is to proactively look for opportunities to show specific skills, i.e. quant and conceptual skills. For graphs, I generally recommend the following: 1st step: You s ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
470
Views
49
Total Upvotes
on Jan 31, 2023 on Jan 31, 2023
Last Activity
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