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I'm in the process of preparing my application for several consulting firms in the Middle East. One area I'm particularly focused on is market sizing, given its importance in consulting interviews. If anyone has firsthand experience or insights into the types of market sizing questions that are commonly posed during such interviews, especially in MENA area .I would greatly appreciate sharing them.
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | High impact sessions + FREE materials & exercises
Hi there,
More than the Region, you should focus on the firm. Especially if your interview is with McKinsey, who don't typically do market sizing questions the way that most people conceptualize them.
An exception to the above are final round interviews, where Partners sometimes go off-script and ask pretty random questions that don't conform to the intended format. However, this is an exception and not the rule for interviews with senior McKinsey interviewers.
While specific questions can vary, here are some common types of market sizing questions you might encounter:
Market estimation: You may be asked to estimate the size of a specific market or industry. For example, "How many smartphones are sold in the MENA region each year?"
Market share calculation: You might be asked to calculate the market share of a particular company or product. For instance, "What percentage of the ride-hailing market does Company X currently hold in Dubai?"
Market growth projection: You could be asked to project the future growth rate of a market or industry. For example, "What is the expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the e-commerce market in the MENA region over the next five years?"
Market segmentation: You may be asked to analyze and segment a market based on certain criteria. For instance, "How would you segment the market for luxury cars in Saudi Arabia?"
When tackling market sizing questions, it's important to demonstrate your ability to think logically and approach the problem using a structured framework. This typically involves breaking down the problem into smaller, more manageable components, making reasonable assumptions, and using relevant data or information to arrive at an estimate or conclusion.
Remember, practice is key when it comes to market sizing questions. I would recommend practicing with a variety of scenarios and using mental math techniques to quickly calculate estimates. Good luck with your application preparation, and I hope this information helps you in your journey towards becoming a strategy consultant in the Middle East!
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi there,
Q: If anyone has firsthand experience or insights into the types of market sizing questions that are commonly posed during such interviews, especially in MENA area, I would greatly appreciate sharing them
Most market sizing questions in consulting are demand-based (eg What’s the number of XYZ sold in Dubai?). To get more specific answers, I would recommend indicating a specific company as the answer might depend on that.
If you need more help, please feel free to PM me. I know 150+ real questions asked in the Middle East at MBB and Tier 2 that were asked to my candidates.
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer
Hi,
Happy to share some sample questions - but more importantly what you should focus on is really having proper fundamentals in dealing with market sizing questions.
Trying to anticipate the kind of questions often never ends well - and it is more effective to build the right skills and thinking that will give you the confidence to answer any type of market sizing question.
ex Jr. Partner McKinsey |Senior Interviewer| Real Feedback & Free Homework between sessions|Harvard Coach|10+ Experience
Hi there,
Market sizing questions are indeed common in consulting interviews, including those in the MENA region. While specific questions can vary, here are some common types of market sizing questions you might encounter:
1. Sizing a Market: You may be asked to estimate the size of a specific market, such as "How many smartphones are sold in the UAE each year?" To answer, you'd typically break down the problem into segments, like the number of people, the adoption rate, and the average spending.
2. Growth Rate: Questions about market growth are also frequent. For instance, "What is the annual growth rate of the luxury car market in Saudi Arabia?" You'd need to think about factors like population growth, economic conditions, and industry trends.
3. Market Share: You might be asked to determine a company's market share in a particular segment. "What percentage of the frozen food market does Company X hold in Qatar?" To solve this, you'd need data on total market size and the company's revenue in that segment.
4. Pricing and Revenue: Some questions may involve estimating a company's revenue in a specific market. For example, "How much revenue does Company Y generate from its mobile app in the MENA region?" You'd consider factors like the number of users, pricing, and usage patterns.
5. Market Entry: In some cases, you could be asked to assess the potential of entering a new market. "Should Company Z expand its e-commerce business into Oman?" You'd need to consider market size, competition, and barriers to entry.
6. Segmentation: Questions might require you to segment a market. "What are the different customer segments in the fitness industry in the UAE?" You'd identify and estimate the size of various customer groups.
Remember to use a structured approach, such as the top-down or bottom-up method, to break down the problem into manageable parts. Ask clarifying questions when needed, make reasonable assumptions, and communicate your thought process clearly. Practice is key to mastering market sizing questions, so work through examples to build your skills.
Best of luck with your consulting applications in the Middle East!
I've had plenty of candidates in MENA but there's no pattern to the type of market sizing questions that they get asked.
If anything, market sizing questions are in themselves a type of pattern. So aim to understand how they work and once you unlock the logic and process of approaching it, you should be able to deal with any type of question.
If it's within your means, get a good coach and ask them to do a market sizing focused session with you. I run this with candidates sometimes focusing on 3-4 examples in one session. This way you get to understand how to approach different problems and what to optimise for.
Best,
Cristian
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Ex-McKinsey Partner | Most experienced coach (15 years exp, +2.000 real interviews) | 95% success rate
Hi there,
There is no specific list of market sizing questions itself. I suggest you solve (on your own, or even better, with a coach) several market sizing cases to understand the dynamics.
Don't forget to practice the rest of case types (e.g., market entry, profitability, growth strategy, M&A, competitive research, pricing, valuation) to be fully prepared for your interviews.
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