The case is the interview. Structure stated up front, arithmetic done out loud without stalling, and a recommendation delivered answer-first rather than built up to.
Consulting loops are dominated by the case. Structure first, arithmetic that holds up under scrutiny, and a recommendation stated crisply rather than hedged.
The interviewer will push back regardless of whether you are right. Holding a position with reasons, or updating it cleanly, both score — freezing does not.
Each round is run by the interviewer built for it, with its own scoring axes — not one generic interviewer asked to change subject.
Structured cases — framework, math, and a crisp recommendation.
Scored on Structure & communication · Analytical rigor · Business judgment & poise
Structured cases — framework, math, and a crisp recommendation.
Scored on Structure & communication · Analytical rigor · Business judgment & poise
Structured cases — framework, math, and a crisp recommendation.
Scored on Structure & communication · Analytical rigor · Business judgment & poise
Six you can expect, in the register interviewers actually use. Answer them out loud before you read the next section — reading a question and answering one are different skills, and only the second is marked.
The gap between these two is most of your score, and it is easier to see than to be told.
“Our client's profits fell 20% while revenue held. Why?”
Listing every possible cause. It sounds thorough and shows no structure, which is the thing being assessed.
State the structure out loud before exploring it — profit is revenue minus cost, revenue held, so this is a cost question; costs split fixed and variable — then pick a branch and say why. Structure announced first, arithmetic done aloud without stalling.
The post-mortem nobody sends you. These are specific to this loop rather than general interview advice.
For Management Consultant, a general round runs with Simone — structured cases — framework, math, and a crisp recommendation. It is the fastest way to find out which round you actually need to work on. The first session is free.
Practise a Management Consultant interview →Before you practise, it is worth reading how the common rounds are marked: tell me about yourself, behavioral questions and STAR, and system design.