Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 448,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

How does the Consulting Q&A work?

Anyone can ask a question
Anyone can write an answer
Upvotes let answers rise to the top
What would you like to ask or discuss?

Required Excel Skills for a Consulting Internship

Excel Excel case study
Most recent answer on Oct 15, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 15, 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 Oct 15, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
Hi Sharing a few functions that were really helpful for me: Pivot tables Lookups: Index Match, Index Match Match, V/H Lookup, or X lookup (in the newer versions of excel) Sums: Sumproduct, Sumif Goalseek Conditional for ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
4.3 k
Views
15
Total Upvotes
on Oct 15, 2023 on Oct 15, 2023
Last Activity

Free online resources to learn Excel basics

Excel free resources
Question edited on Jun 08, 2020
Anonymous gave the best answer on Jun 08, 2020
Dear A, Congratulations to your offer! It would be helpful for you to learn the business-focused Excel features. In business, about 80% of your work will come from 20% of the functionality of the Microsoft Excel. ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
2.9 k
Views
14
Total Upvotes
on Jun 08, 2020 on Jun 08, 2020
Last Activity

Excel Skills

Excel
Most recent answer on Jun 08, 2020
The best answer (on Feb 12, 2019) is from:
Norah
Expert
I am here to get you an offer! | Ex MBB interviewer Expert in MBB and Tier 2, Deep knowledge of EU & Middle East regions
Norah
Expert
gave the best answer on Feb 12, 2019
I am here to get you an offer! | Ex MBB interviewer Expert in MBB and Tier 2, Deep knowledge of EU & Middle East regions
Hello Bele, Thanks for the reach out on the platform! Not absolutely recommended to fresh up excel skills for strategy consulting interviews, as you won't be tested on those. However, if you do have strong excel ski ... (read entire answer)
6
Answers
2.5 k
Views
4
Total Upvotes
on Jun 08, 2020 on Jun 08, 2020
Last Activity

How do I master excel within a few weeks?

Excel
Most recent answer on Jun 08, 2020
The best answer (on May 01, 2019) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on May 01, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, You need to learn the following: Basics Fast excel - throw away your mouse and put some tape on your touchpad. Do everything with your keyboard! The main formulas (especially vlookup, column, etc) Pivot ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
2.0 k
Views
4
Total Upvotes
on Jun 08, 2020 on Jun 08, 2020
Last Activity

Resources to refresh Excel skills

Excel
Most recent answer on May 22, 2020
The best answer (on Apr 08, 2020) 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 Apr 08, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
Hello! Congrats of that offer! Excel skills are part of the core skill-set of consultants, and it´s great that you want to practice them. PFB a list of the most popular commands: Basic operations: SUM, SUMPR ... (read entire answer)
8
Answers
1.8 k
Views
37
Total Upvotes
on May 22, 2020 on May 22, 2020
Last Activity

What Excel Prep course do you recommend?

bestcourse courses Excel
Most recent answer on Apr 04, 2021
The best answer (on Mar 31, 2021) is from:
Adi
Expert
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience
Adi
Expert
gave the best answer on Mar 31, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience
Have a look at this thread: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/excel-skills-9465
5
Answers
1.4 k
Views
36
Total Upvotes
on Apr 04, 2021 on Apr 04, 2021
Last Activity

Excel skills

Excel
Most recent answer on Apr 22, 2022
The best answer (on Apr 21, 2022) is from:
Florian
Expert
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Florian
Expert
gave the best answer on Apr 21, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets
Hey there,If you are interested in preparing for your new role, I'd suggest the following: 95% of your work in Excel will be covered by vlookups index match pivot tables Unless you are specifically hired as a financial ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
1.3 k
Views
27
Total Upvotes
on Apr 22, 2022 on Apr 22, 2022
Last Activity

Efficio - Excel Exercise

Excel case study
Most recent answer on Feb 07, 2023
The best answer (on Feb 07, 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 Feb 07, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi there, Unfortunately I don't know much about Efficio (imagine that, a coach confessing ignorance!), but a quick google led me to understand the following from their interviews: An online numeracy and problem-solving ... (read entire answer)
2
Answers
1.2 k
Views
19
Total Upvotes
on Feb 07, 2023 on Feb 07, 2023
Last Activity

How can I improve my excel modeling skills as a consultant?

Excel
Most recent answer on Oct 15, 2023
The best answer (on Jan 27, 2022) 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 Jan 27, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi there, You have a few options here: Learn on the job Ask your colleagues Do the online/internal trainings Find online tutorials/trainings (there are a million) “Create” you own training by playing around with a big d ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
1.1 k
Views
53
Total Upvotes
on Oct 15, 2023 on Oct 15, 2023
Last Activity

How to enhance excel & modeling skills (for consultants)?

Excel
Most recent answer on Oct 15, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 15, 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 Oct 15, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
Hi, Sharing my perspective having started consulting with zero excel skills, and having also done numerous models across my time in consulting. You'll pick up whatever you need to learn on the job Sure you can take basi ... (read entire answer)
3
Answers
908
Views
19
Total Upvotes
on Oct 15, 2023 on Oct 15, 2023
Last Activity

Excel / financial modeling skills required (experienced hire) and how to develop?

Excel financial modeling
Most recent answer on Oct 15, 2023
The best answer (on Jun 12, 2021) 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 Jun 12, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi there, I wouldn't worry too much about this until you join -you should get trained extensively at the company through orientation, intranet portal resources, and on-the-job learning. Of course, it shouldn't be a ... (read entire answer)
2
Answers
873
Views
23
Total Upvotes
on Oct 15, 2023 on Oct 15, 2023
Last Activity

Best training datasets for learning Excel

Excel
Most recent answer on Oct 28, 2022
The best answer (on Oct 27, 2022) is from:
Cristian
Expert
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Cristian
Expert
gave the best answer on Oct 27, 2022
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach
Hi there,  Congrats on the offer and starting soon! You might find the lessons here useful: https://www.guru99.com/excel-tutorials.html They're structured along the main sort of operations you'd need to use in consultin ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
736
Views
26
Total Upvotes
on Oct 28, 2022 on Oct 28, 2022
Last Activity

How to get quicker at Excel and PowerPoint for Consulting

Analytical Skills Data Analysis Excel McKinsey PowerPoint
Most recent answer on Jun 08, 2020
The best answer (on Feb 07, 2018) is from:
Vlad
Expert
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Vlad
Expert
gave the best answer on Feb 07, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi, 1) Excel and Financial modeling - the best course I know is Training The Street. Take Financial Modeling, Valuation, Maybe LBO. They have the amazing templates that you have to repsoduce to be able to do that fast ... (read entire answer)
9
Answers
14.2 k
Views
30
Total Upvotes
on Jun 08, 2020 on Jun 08, 2020
Last Activity

Can I use excel in McKinsey Imbellus game or only scratch paper is allowed?

Digital McKinsey McKinsey PST
Most recent answer on Aug 18, 2021
The best answer (on Aug 18, 2021) is from:
Agrim
Expert
BCG Dubai Project Leader | Learn to think like a Consultant | Free personalised prep plan | 6+ years in Consulting
Agrim
Expert
gave the best answer on Aug 18, 2021
BCG Dubai Project Leader | Learn to think like a Consultant | Free personalised prep plan | 6+ years in Consulting
Although Francesco is the best authority on this - what I have seen in the game is that Excel will hold you back. There is a large amount of data entry in order to set-it-up. It would be better to make calculated 80:20 ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
8.3 k
Views
17
Total Upvotes
on Aug 18, 2021 on Aug 18, 2021
Last Activity

Best Excel Preparation Courses for Consulting

Excel MBB preparation software
Most recent answer on Jun 08, 2020
The best answer (on Sep 29, 2019) is from:
Nirmit
Expert
I will get you an offer|McKinsey Senior EM|Offers from MBB|100+ interviews at McKinsey|Recruiting Lead|Experienced hire
Nirmit
Expert
gave the best answer on Sep 29, 2019
I will get you an offer|McKinsey Senior EM|Offers from MBB|100+ interviews at McKinsey|Recruiting Lead|Experienced hire
See if you can get your hands on matrial for Train the Street. Pretty impactful Cheers, Nirmit
4
Answers
6.9 k
Views
4
Total Upvotes
on Jun 08, 2020 on Jun 08, 2020
Last Activity

Specialist - Oil & Gas - Petroleum Asset eXcellence (PAX) Interview

Case interview process McKinsey oil & gas oil and gas PAX
Recent activity on Feb 11, 2018
Anonymous gave the best answer on Feb 11, 2018
Since I've never heard of this, I reached out to a friend of mine who works in Houston for McKinsey, which I believe is your target consulting company. Contrary to what indicated in other answers here, he said that th ... (read entire answer)
5
Answers
7.8 k
Views
17
Total Upvotes
on Feb 11, 2018 on Feb 11, 2018
Last Activity

I am sitting the McKinsey SHL test in a few days - can we have Excel open for the test?

McKinsey shl numerical reasoning
Recent activity on Sep 03, 2018
The best answer (on Sep 02, 2018) is from:
Sarah
Sarah gave the best answer on Sep 02, 2018
I just took it. You can use whatever you have around (calculator is fine, for instance). I don't recommend using Excel, as the biggest pressure here was time.
3
Answers
5.4 k
Views
8
Total Upvotes
on Sep 03, 2018 on Sep 03, 2018
Last Activity

Efficio - excel-based case study

Excel case study Procurement supply chain
Most recent answer on Aug 02, 2022
The best answer (on Nov 22, 2021) 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 Nov 22, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
Hi there, The answer for any interview in regards to “should I prepare” is yes :) Unfortunately I don't know much about Efficio (imagine that, a coach confessing ignorance!), but a quick google led me to understand the ... (read entire answer)
7
Answers
4.8 k
Views
17
Total Upvotes
on Aug 02, 2022 on Aug 02, 2022
Last Activity

what excel skills do i need to start my consulting internship

Excel
Most recent answer on Oct 15, 2023
The best answer (on Oct 15, 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 Oct 15, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
Hi, Sharing a few common functions that were the most useful for me: Pivot tables Lookups: Index Match, Index Match Match, V/H Lookup, or X lookup (in the newer versions of excel) Sums: Sumproduct, Sumif Goalseek Condit ... (read entire answer)
4
Answers
4.4 k
Views
19
Total Upvotes
on Oct 15, 2023 on Oct 15, 2023
Last Activity

Starting at an MBB. Training the Street or Management Consulted's Excel & PPT course?

Excel MBB New Joiner
Most recent answer on Jun 02, 2021
The best answer (on Jun 02, 2021) is from:
Ken
Expert
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach
Ken
Expert
gave the best answer on Jun 02, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach
I really would just wait until you get access to the internal training. I know McKinsey does this before you join as part of pre-work for the induction week. I'm sure the others do as well.
8
Answers
3.4 k
Views
39
Total Upvotes
on Jun 02, 2021 on Jun 02, 2021
Last Activity
1 - 20 of 1374 results

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.

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