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A case interview is a 30-minute simulation of a typical business project that consultants may have worked on. Cases provide a real example of an on-job experience and the assumption is that if a candidate is successfully able to tackle a case interview, they are more likely to be a successful management consultant. Unfortunately, several outstanding candidates with top grades and co-curriculars fail case interviews in the recruiting process.Why is that? One reason is that several candidates memorize standard frameworks, hoping to recall each framework during case interviews. Frameworks, though useful for a rudimentary layout of case problems, must be tweaked and customized for different cases. You can become proficient in case structuring but only with the necessary practice.While good candidates use standard frameworks to systematically solve the problems in consulting case interviews, outstanding candidates also see the big picture and adapt the frameworks specific to the business case. To become an outstanding candidate:Learn different types of business casesLearn to differentiate the various case typesUnderstand the process of breaking down complex cases into simpler componentsLearn to apply problem-solving skills in appropriate frameworks (issue trees)Practice, practice, practice!*article-lock-trigger*This BootCamp will provide you with the basic tools you need for an effective case solving process and familiarize you with most different types of cases. Once you’ve got the hang of it, solve as many cases as you can and remember:NOT to memorize the cases you solve during your preparation!NOT to blindly apply standard frameworks, especially where they do not fit!For a more detailed look at how to ‘crack’ cases, please visit our best practice approach.These case studies are the main and usually the longest part of consulting interviews. During the 20 to 40-minute case interview, you will be confronted with a business problem that is often drawn from one of the interviewer’s real-life engagements. Below is a schematic showing a typical process for a consulting interview after a resume screening. Many companies peer-review and standardize their consulting business cases prior to a real case interview to ensure that the case is neither too hard nor too easy. The companies also ensure to test a variety of skills during case interviews.Unlike the case books you may know from your university or case reports in business journals, the initial information you will get is very limited. You won’t be able to solve the case using only this initial information, also known as the opening of the case. Typical openings are:“Company ABC is a watch manufacturer who is recently experiencing profit problems and a decline in market share, what should they do?”“Company XY is an automotive company who is thinking about entering the Chinese market in 2014, should they go east?”“Company Z is a private equity company that contemplates merging with company A. Does it make sense?”After the opening of a case, you should take a couple of minutes to structure your thoughts and come up with a customized framework (more on this later). Visit our employer profiles or homepages of the companies that you would like to work with for further information about consulting casesHave a look at many prestigious employers in our career section. You will find priceless insights about their respective application process. If you are interested in applying to MBB consulting firms: below you can also find links to their respective descriptions of consulting case studies.While acing case interviews is indispensable, the "personal fit interview" is equally important. Visit the personal fit part of the Case Interview Basics for more information on this part of the recruiting process.

You've taken the first step by deciding to prepare thoroughly for your case interview –great choice! 🎉 Before you dive into intense prep, it’s important to have a clear plan. A structured approach will help you stay on track and use your time effectively. This "Preparation Plan" gives you a general roadmap for how to best prepare for your case interview. 1. Set Realistic GoalsThe first step in your preparation is to set clear and achievable goals. 🏁 Consider:What do I want to achieve? Do you want to improve your analytical skills, become better organized, or feel more confident with interview questions? Define your goals clearly to stay focused.How much time do I have? Create a realistic schedule that lets you study continuously without feeling overwhelmed. Make sure to consider your other commitments. 2. Develop a Customized Learning StrategyWith clear goals in mind, it is now time to develop an individual learning strategy. Think about how you want to structure your preparation:Identify basics and concepts: Determine which fundamental skills, frameworks, and concepts you need to know. These should be the foundation of your plan and should come first.Plan practice sessions: Decide how to split your time between theory and practice. Schedule specific practice sessions where you work on cases—first alone, then in simulated interviews.Track your progress: Set regular check-ins in your plan to review your progress. This helps ensure you’re on the right track and allows for adjustments if needed.💡 Pro tip: Check out all the skills, frameworks, and business concepts you’ll need for your case interview prep! 3. Create a Schedule⏰ A schedule helps you to keep track of your progress and ensure that you cover all the important areas:Weekly planning: Break your preparation into weekly chunks and decide which topics to cover when. Allow enough time for deep dives and practice.Build flexibility: Include buffer times in your schedule to handle unexpected challenges. This lets you adjust your strategy without stress. Also, make sure to schedule breaks. 4. Consider Motivation and FlexibilityA long-term plan only works if you always stay motivated and react flexibly to changes:Motivation strategies: Think about how to stay motivated throughout your preparation. Small rewards and regular breaks can help keep you engaged.Adjust your strategy: Be ready to tweak your plan if certain methods aren’t working as expected. Flexibility is key to maximizing progress and reaching your goals. 5. Get to Know PrepLounge ResourcesBefore you start practicing, get familiar with PrepLounge’s extensive resources. Choose the tools and materials that best fit your personal goals. Here’s an overview of some popular resources:👉 Case Interview Basics: Learn all the theoretical foundations👉 Case Library: Practice with over 200 cases on various topics👉 AI Casebot: Simulate your case interview with Preppie👉 Consulting Q&A: Discuss with the community and ask questions about case interviews, jobs, and the consulting industry.With this plan, you’re well-equipped to start your case interview preparation successfully. Good luck—you’ve got this! 🚀 Next StepsOnce you’ve crafted your plan and tailored it to your goals, check out the following articles. They focus on the three essential steps for a successful case interview preparation:👉 Self-Study: Learn fundamental concepts and develop your own structures.👉 Practice with Peers: Apply what you’ve learned and get valuable feedback.👉 Practice with Coaches: Use professional expertise to target and improve your weaknesses.