Taking a while to even understand what's going on (in casing + in an MBB), is it normal?

Question

Hello,

I am currently interning at an MBB firm. I realize that whenever my coworker sends me a task to do, I take at least 15-20 minutes to fully understand what's going on. And only after completing the task do I realize that it wasn't hard to do at all

This also applies to casing, where it sometimes takes me a while to absorb the variables given for maths, and to also sometimes make errors here and there because I didn't fully think the variable . For example, if our client created an AI machine for Quality Assurance, cost savings will be reduced labor, but I will take the original cost of labor instead.

Is this normal?

Answer 1

Hello there!

If you are an intern, it means you don’t have a lot of work experience so it is not only normal, but expected that you learn things on the job - meaning you’re not supposed to get everything right and clear in the first minute. For you to speed up your ramping up process, make sure to leverage your colleagues’ knowledge, tips and tricks. Also, look for a mentor that can support you, it doesnt have to be a senior leader, but someone you admire that can contribute to your development.
Regarding case, it is a matter of experience as well. Do drills on your own so you don’t have time constraints to perform the math part and devote this time to understand the problem throughly, to write down the data in an understandable manner, structure your equation/table/etc and tackle the calculation. Only after being accurate, you should aim for speed. Also, do cases with experienced partners that can advise you on how to overcome these barriers.

If you would like professional guidance, I’d be happy to support you to speed up your learning process so you can deliver a strong performance in all parts of the case. DM me if you would like to learn more, I offer a free 20min call 😊

Best,

Mari

Answer 2

Yes, it’s completely normal, especially early on in consulting or casing.

It takes time to get faster at absorbing information, framing problems, and spotting key variables under pressure.
Most new joiners at MBB experience this, even if they don’t always show it; it’s part of the learning curve.

You’re doing fine, and you’ll get faster with practice. Happy to share tips if you want help speeding up your thinking!

Answer 3

You are new on this:

1. You are new on the job.

2. You are new on the client's industry.

3. You are new on the type of project.

The reason why it takes you long is because you are new to the task and you are missing the context. Let me underline this again: you NEED to understand the CONTEXT to understand why you are being asked something and what is the OUTPUT you are expected to produce and WHY.

How to solve this? You need to pay extra attention to everything else that is happening other than your own tasks. All of that matters. You need an OWNERSHIP MENTALITY. Right now you won't be solving the case, but you must understand as much as possible about what is going on.

In practice, what you can do is 1) ask for help in better understanding the whole project and your specific (and co-workers') "work modules"; 2) spend more time discussing with your peers what is happening; 3) ask for more clarification on WHY they are asking something, WHAT is the expected output, and HOW do they think the work can be done.

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Regarding cases, keep practicing. It will come together.

Answer 4

Hey! Yes, it's completely normal, especially early on in a consulting internship. MBB firms have high expectations and fast-paced environments, and it often takes time to get comfortable with their processes and the complexity of the work. Here’s why:

Learning Curve: It’s natural to take time to grasp the scope of tasks, especially in a high-pressure environment like MBB, where the speed and depth of work can be overwhelming initially.
Task Complexity: Consulting often involves new industries, business problems, and data, so it's common to need some time to understand all the variables, even if the task seems straightforward later.
Casing: In case interviews and real-life cases, the ability to quickly identify and assess variables can be tough in the beginning. Mistakes are common—especially with math or understanding variables—because you’re processing a lot of information at once.

What to do:

Practice active listening: For both tasks and cases, take extra care in breaking down the problem into clear components. This will help you organize your thoughts.
Time management: Gradually work on improving your ability to absorb information more quickly. Start practicing under time pressure with smaller tasks.
Ask for clarity: It's always a good idea to ask questions upfront to make sure you fully understand the task before jumping in.

You'll likely get faster as you gain more experience and become more familiar with the firm’s expectations. Keep practicing, and don't be too hard on yourself!

Answer 5

Hey there!

To quote one of my b-school professors: "If you are not overwhelmed you are missing the point!"

So, YES, this is perfectly normal.

With additional repetition you will get quicker (a) understanding the ask, (b) absorbing information, (c) creating a first draft, (d) finalizing it

It will take time so you need to have patience. But it will come together.

Regarding cases: Broadly the same applies. With additional practice you will get there.

Feel free to reach out, if I can help.

Lastly and importantly: ENJOY YOUR INTERNSHIP!!!

Cheers,

Andreas