Time vs accuracy

interviewer led
New answer on Sep 26, 2019
2 Answers
1.7 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Sep 26, 2019

My questions concerns mainly interviewer led style.

Both in quantitative and qualitative parts I can come up with more detailed/accurate solution if I take more time to communicate my approach and findings. However, when doing so I also tend to rush myself as I feel that I wont have enough time to finish the question.

What is the good balance between time and accuracy. Are consultuncies looking for people that can solve the problem very quickly, or is it more about the process of getting to the anwer (explaining each step, forming structured followable arguments etc).

thanks!

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Aws
Expert
replied on Sep 26, 2019
Senior Consultant @ Google | McKinsey, BCG, Bain exp. as Client | 100+ REAL MBB cases

Hi A,

It depends on the interviewer and the question asked. In my experience, most interviewers would would be ok with an estimation upfront and then would allow you more time to come to the actual number, if that is what they want.

If things are simple multiplication/addition/etc, and you know you can calculate it within 15-30 sec, just take your time and then walk the interviewer through your calculation.

If you think you will need longer, do an estimation up front and then ask the interviewer if they want a more precise number.

Does this help?

Best, Aws

Was this answer helpful?
Sara A on Sep 26, 2019

Thank you! This is very helpful.

Anonymous replied on Sep 26, 2019

In my experience, more often than not, interviewer is looking at your approach rather than getting the right answer. This stems from the fact that In consulting, the problems are often vague and there is no one correct answer. so what matters more is how you think about problem in a structured way and prepare a convincing reasoning

So coming back to your question, i would prioritize reasoning over speed. To convey to the interviewer that you can think fast, during the interview, jot down all the drivers in your hypothesis tree on paper so that even if you can't talk about it, interviewer can see that you thought of several possibilites.

Was this answer helpful?
1
Aws gave the best answer

Aws

Senior Consultant @ Google | McKinsey, BCG, Bain exp. as Client | 100+ REAL MBB cases
3
Meetings
54
Q&A Upvotes
0
Awards
5.0
3 Reviews
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely