AI/ ChatGPT for Case Practice

AI and ChatGPT are definitely game-changers for consulting prep! They’re great for structuring case frameworks, generating potential interview questions, and even simulating case partner interactions. One hack that works well is using AI to challenge your assumptions—have it play the role of an interviewer pushing back on your reasoning to refine your problem-solving skills. Also, breaking down market sizing or profitability cases step by step with AI can help sharpen your approach.

Hi there!

I have tried to use AI tools to craft cases and to solve others and the result was poor, specially for structuring (superficial) and math (it would give a long winded answer). So I definitely wouldn’t recommend you to use it as if it was a case buddy. However, it works well for brainstorm exercise, specially if you provide the structure, and to collect general knowledge from different industries - in this case, always ask for the reference, or it may hallucinate/make up information.

If your goal with AI is to have more flexibility when studying, I would recommend for you to do drills from good case books instead and to watch good videos of case resolution that you can pause, come up with yours and compare the answers. Be mindful and use only good material such as those from people who used to be consultants, or became consultants.

Best,

Mari

Links: 
- https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/ai-study
- https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/assigning-ai-seven-ways-of-using
- https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4391243
 

Hi, using AI tools like ChatGPT can definitely be a helpful addition to your consulting prep; you can simulate case interviews by asking it to generate frameworks, practice questions, or even to role-play as an interviewer, but remember that while it’s a great resource for ideas and structure, it shouldn't replace real interactive practice with peers or mentors who can provide nuanced feedback on your communication and problem-solving approach—it's a tool to complement your practice and help you explore different angles, so feel free to experiment and see what methods work best for you. Best, Alessa

Hi there,

The problem with the most common AI models is that their output is based on a big average. In the case of case prep, they rely on the standard case prep materials (which are mostly wrong - there is a reason why 99% of consulting applicants fail) to generate insights.

Having tried and tested the common models on the different case elements, I found that they fall short, mainly on framework creation and brainstorming. They are good for case math problems and okay for chart interpretation. Since top consulting firms hire only around 1% of applicants overall or 10% who make it to the interview, creating average insights is not enough.

More advanced reasoning models are better at creating frameworks and brainstorming but they are still not up to par with an excellent candidate, who would get an offer.

I have no reason to believe, however, that this will not change over the next 1-2 years, in line with completely new hiring requirements for consulting firms and overall fewer entry-level positions due to the impact of AI.

The whole consulting recruiting and way of working will change significantly and very few people have this on their radar yet...

Cheers,

Florian

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, although I haven't tried it, I don't think that as long as interviews are still conducted by humans, it's better to prepare with an AI than with another person.
• Moreover, however, if you find yourself in a situation where you don't (always) have another person to prepare with, it could be a useful substitute.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming applications, pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

You can use AI for several things:

1. Generating ideas
2. Summarizing information or concepts (i.e. industry summary)
3. Sharpening communication skills (tell you how to make a phrasing more concise)

For all of the above, you should be careful on the accuracy of the data. AI uses whatever is public, but to be honest there are few materials that are really great out in public and most of the knowledge is kept within the consulting firms. 

The more important bottom line is that AI still cannot replace human thinking. Thats what the link to the oxford website literally says

• "AI tools cannot replace human critical thinking or the development of scholarly evidence-based arguments and subject knowledge that forms the basis of your university education."

Human based critical thinking / developing evidence based arguments -> this is literally what you are tested in the interview though...

So, use it as a supporting tool, but it cannot replace actual in-person practice and quality feedback and coaching. If that were the case, then all firms will be firing a lot more of their managers and trainers because thats how juniors learn - by apprenticeship from project leadership. 

Hey there, 

From my experience, AI tools are not yet at the level to be nuanced enough to give the right quality of assistance for case practice. I'd stick with live peer practice and coaches for the moment until a time when the tools have been enhanced to a much more competent level

I've coached candidates that started with (and / or used) AI tools for case practice. They often lack the required depth, exhaustive thinking, (also creative thinking), and case leadership to be successful in interviews. 

Let me know if you'd like to chat more on this!

All the best