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What's the difference between real cases from company and and "fake" cases?

real cases
Recent activity on Apr 29, 2019
4 Answers
1.4 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Apr 29, 2019

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 29, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

as mentioned, it is not clear what you mean by “fake case”. If you refer to a case not directly provided by a company I agree with Guennael, the difference is simply that the case may not be related to a real project. It is still useful to exercise on those type of cases anyway to strengthen your case solving skills, assuming the case provides a good simulation of the actual interview process.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

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Guennael
Expert
replied on Apr 29, 2019
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

What is a "fake case"? Most cases you will be asked to work on are derived from actual consulting projects, with a few facts modified or simplified. Some rare cases are just created from scratch (is this what you mean by "fake case"?). It really will make no difference to you, and I bet you won't be able to find the difference anyway.

Remember, the objective of a case is to see how you think and drive to an answer. "true" or "fake" really makes no difference then

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Sidi
Expert
replied on Apr 29, 2019
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Can you please elaborate? Your question is absolutely unclear.

Thanks.

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Astrid
Admin
replied on Apr 29, 2019
PrepLounge Head of Product & Marketing

Hi there,

I'm assuming you are referring to the option "Real cases" in the Case Library?

"Real cases" refer to cases that consulting firms have provided us with. On the top right you will see the logo of the consultancy that has given a case they have used in the past to PrepLounge (e.g. Bain Case: Old Winery, Oliver Wyman Case: On the right track, Roland Berger Case: OnlineStar etc.). We at PrepLounge work closely together with top consulting firms to make the interview process more transparent for you and give you the best practice material you will find.

The other cases are PrepLounge cases. They are not inferior in quality, they just don't directly/officially come from companies.

As the other experts stated, for your practice it does not really matter which case you use. If you prepare for the specific company, it makes sense to go through their company case, but even more important is that you get HOW to solve cases in general.

Hope this helps!

Astrid

PrepLounge Community Management

PrepLounge Consulting Q&A Forum

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