Consulting Q&A – Ask Questions about Your Career

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Chart Reading Resources

Charts reading interpreting charts
Most recent answer on Jan 31, 2024
The best answer (on Dec 15, 2023) is from:
David
Expert
Case Coach | Bain & Company | PwC M&A Deals Advisory | INSEAD MBA | SG & SEA
David
Expert
gave the best answer on Dec 15, 2023
Case Coach | Bain & Company | PwC M&A Deals Advisory | INSEAD MBA | SG & SEA
Hi there, The most useful materials to be honest are those research papers and articles published by MBBs. The reason is that they are typically prepared by consultants themselves and these charts resemble the charts yo ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
247
Views
77
Total Upvotes
on Jan 31, 2024 on Jan 31, 2024
Last Activity

Ask for time for brainstorm and chart reading

brainstorming interpreting charts
Most recent answer on Apr 08, 2022
The best answer (on Apr 08, 2022) 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 Apr 08, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos
From my perspective, taking time to think and organize a response is essential in many situations. This applies to charts and other situations you'll encounter throughout case interviews. However, you can't always expec ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
689
Views
50
Total Upvotes
on Apr 08, 2022 on Apr 08, 2022
Last Activity

Charts / Exhibit Communications

Charts Charts reading How to Read Charts and Data in Case Interviews interpreting charts
Most recent answer on Apr 01, 2022
The best answer (on Mar 29, 2022) is from:
Paul Matthew
Expert
Ex-BCG Interviewer | Stanford MBA | 1st Consultant Hired in BCG Philippines | 100+ students coached
Paul Matthew
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 29, 2022
Ex-BCG Interviewer | Stanford MBA | 1st Consultant Hired in BCG Philippines | 100+ students coached
Hi,  My advise is: First, understand the axis and elements of the chart - Before you jump into communicating initial observations about the chart, make sure you are reading it right (e.g. is axis sales or profit? does i ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
658
Views
66
Total Upvotes
on Apr 01, 2022 on Apr 01, 2022
Last Activity

Chart & data interpretation - start with presenting the "facts"?

interpreting charts
Recent activity on Feb 06, 2022
The best answer (on Feb 06, 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 Feb 06, 2022
30% off in March 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA
Both are wrong! You start by presenting the impact in terms of the recommendation. Then you share the insights. And then point out the facts that inform those insights.This how you should approach exhibit reading: Read ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
673
Views
38
Total Upvotes
on Feb 06, 2022 on Feb 06, 2022
Last Activity

Recommendations for mastering graphs and charts quick interpretation?

graphs interpreting charts reading
Most recent answer on Sep 30, 2021
The best answer (on Oct 11, 2019) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 11, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, You can use the following approach: Take a minute to look at the graph Read the graph title Look at the graph type and define the type (pie chart, line chart, etc) Look at the legend (ask for clarifying ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
2.8 k
Views
3
Total Upvotes
on Sep 30, 2021 on Sep 30, 2021
Last Activity

How to interpret Waterfall charts?

Charts Charts reading How to Read Charts and Data in Case Interviews interpreting charts
Most recent answer on Apr 15, 2021
The best answer (on Apr 15, 2021) is from:
Henning
Expert
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate
Henning
Expert
gave the best answer on Apr 15, 2021
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate
Not quite. The waterfall chart breaks down the difference between the left total bar and right total bar into it's drivers. Meaning: Margin deterioration decreased ROE by 1.8% between 2014 and 2015 Higher risk cos ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
1.3 k
Views
45
Total Upvotes
on Apr 15, 2021 on Apr 15, 2021
Last Activity

Can anyone suggest me how to learn reading and interpreting difficult graphs?

graphs interpreting charts reading
Most recent answer on Jul 17, 2020
The best answer (on Apr 26, 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 Apr 26, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Anonymous, as generally practice I would reccomend the following three-steps approach to properly read graphs: 1. Read the graph Ask for one minute of time to understand the graph. Summarize what the graph ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
1.8 k
Views
6
Total Upvotes
on Jul 17, 2020 on Jul 17, 2020
Last Activity

Reading / interpreting charts/graphs

graphs interpreting charts reading
Most recent answer on Jul 16, 2020
Anonymous gave the best answer on Apr 22, 2019
In addition to all those great points from the experts, I would add GMAT Integrated Reasoning books as a great source to practice
7
Answers
2.1 k
Views
14
Total Upvotes
on Jul 16, 2020 on Jul 16, 2020
Last Activity
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