Playing with profit levers, part 3

Math is more than just a handy skill in consulting — it’s often a game-changer. Whether you're analyzing complex business challenges, building solid recommendations, or backing up your advice with hard data, strong math skills frequently set you apart in this field. Math in the Day-to-Day Life of a ConsultantMath is a cornerstone in daily life as a consultant. You’ll need to analyze complex issues, make quick estimations, and conduct precise calculations. Working with numbers and data is part of the job, and clients rely on you for recommendations that are both well-reasoned and reliable. Math becomes a crucial tool for making decisions and streamlining processes, helping you avoid getting lost in details or missing important insights.There are three key areas where math is indispensable in consulting:Problem-Solving EfficiencyConsulting often presents complex challenges. Math lets you approach problems systematically and efficiently, where even a rough estimate or quick calculation can reveal important insights early on. This can save time and avoid lengthy, unnecessary analyses.Math as a Trust BuilderYour math skills aren’t just about problem-solving — they’re also essential for building trust. Clients pay for expertise and expect solutions supported by rigorous analysis. When you can back up your arguments with clear numbers and accurate calculations, you strengthen your credibility.Estimation Skills: A Consultant's Must-HaveConsulting doesn’t always allow time for deep analyses. Often, you’re expected to make sound estimates quickly. Whether it’s sizing a market or estimating the cost of a business strategy, your ability to deliver prompt, well-founded answers is crucial. Strong estimation skills show you have a big-picture understanding and work efficiently. The Role of Math Skills in Case InterviewsMath skills are critical, even in the interview process for consulting roles. Case interviews test your ability to analyze business problems and perform quick calculations under pressure, with no tools like calculators or spreadsheets. Around 20-25% of the case interview assessment focuses on these “quant skills”, and in big consulting firms, like MBB and the big Four, they often make the difference between an offer and a rejection. Math abilities are more than a “nice-to-have”; they’re a core requirement for consulting success.Here are three things to keep in mind for your upcoming case interviews:Prepare for estimation questions: Questions like, “How many cars exist in Germany?” don’t need exact answers but rather a logical approach. This skill is crucial for market sizing cases, so it’s worth practicing.Be ready for mental math: While notes are allowed, simple calculations should be done mentally and quickly, demonstrating your flexibility with numbers.👉 Want to level up your math skills? Try out our mental math tool!Understand ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ errors: Calculation errors are “hard” mistakes because math demands accuracy — there’s no room for close-enough answers. “Soft” errors occur with less precise interpretations that, while not outright wrong, can lead to misunderstandings or inexact conclusions.

When preparing for a case interview in consulting, you will quickly realize that math is an essential component. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a math genius – it’s enough to handle numbers in a structured and confident manner.👉 Why does math matter in case interviews?Here is an overview of the types of calculations required and how you can best prepare for them. Typically, math is usually tested in the following ways:Important Calculations and Computations1. Basic Arithmetic OperationsThe foundation of any mathematical task is basic arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Quick and error-free calculation, either mentally or on paper, is crucial.2. Percentages and FractionsPercentage calculations and working with fractions are often part of case interviews. You should be confident in calculating percentages and converting fractions to decimals and vice versa. This is especially relevant for tasks such as capacity change or profitability analysis.3. Estimation QuestionsEstimation questions test your sense of magnitude and your ability to quickly provide plausible numbers. Practice making rough estimates for various scenarios, such as the size of a market or the number of customers in a store.4. Charts, Data, and TablesIn many interviews, you will be presented with data in the form of charts and tables. Your task is to quickly analyze this data and draw the correct conclusions. Practice recognizing data patterns and filtering out relevant information. Here, you can practice with Numerical Reasoning Drills!5. Word ProblemsWord problems test your ability to understand and solve mathematical problems from a written scenario. It’s important to handle these types of tasks confidently and quickly. In our Brainteaser Library, you will find many word problems that require mathematical skills. Solve them now!👉 Here you'll find all essential math skills in detail, along with useful tips and tricks! Preparation TipsInvolve your interviewer: During your calculations, engage with your interviewer. Ask for any missing data, read their reactions, and communicate your thought process as you calculate. This interaction demonstrates your analytical skills and can clarify uncertainties.Keep your work sorted and simple: Maintain a clear and organized approach to your calculations. This not only helps you avoid errors but also makes it easier for your interviewer to follow your reasoning.Follow a four-step process: To tackle math questions effectively, follow this structured approach:Explain your approach.Perform the calculations.Check your results clearly.State and interpret your findings.Practice with realistic cases: The best way to prepare for mathematical challenges in case interviews is through practice. Utilize our Case Library, featuring over 200 different cases on various topics like restructuring, market entry, or new product launches. Practice these cases with other candidates by scheduling peer-to-peer meetings through our Meeting Board. Ensure you cover different types of mathematical problems to gain a broad perspective.Get feedback: Finally, seek feedback. Work with case partners or a coach experienced in case interviews. Their insights can help you identify and improve upon your weaknesses. Our Pro Tip: Practice All Basic Arithmetic Operations With The Mental Math Tool! 🚀Are you planning to enter consulting and need to prepare for your upcoming case interview? Then you surely know that companies like McKinsey, Bain, and BCG have high standards. To excel in these interviews, solid math skills in all basic arithmetic operations (e.g. addition, multiplication, percentage) are essential. Quick and accurate mental math is often required.With our interactive Mental Math Tool, you can easily practice exactly that! Take your mental math skills to the next level and prepare optimally for case interviews. You can choose from 24 different tests, practice all arithmetic operations, select from various difficulty levels, monitor your own progress and compare your performance with other candidates in a ranking.Try out the Mental Math Tool now and get ready for your case interview! 💙💚