Consulting Case Interview Practice Questions

Consultancies typically probe for qualitative skills in case interviews. This is because qualitative skills are crucial for consultants to analyze and interpret data, identify patterns and trends, make informed decisions, and provide strategic recommendations to clients. These skills involve critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and the ability to think holistically and strategically. Listening, reading, and writing skills are important, but they are often considered as foundational skills that support the development and application of qualitative skills in the consulting field.

Brain teasers often require an out-of-the-box approach because they involve unconventional or tricky problems that cannot be solved using traditional methods. These puzzles typically require creative and critical thinking, as well as the ability to think laterally and outside of the norm. This is why brain teasers are known for challenging individuals to think beyond the obvious and come up with innovative solutions.

Applicants are mostly expected to have speed in thinking. This means they should be able to process information quickly and make decisions or solve problems efficiently. This is an important skill in many fields, as it allows individuals to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines. Being able to think quickly also demonstrates adaptability and the ability to handle complex tasks.

The main reason for taking a case interview is to solve business problems. Case interviews are a common part of the hiring process for consulting and business roles, where candidates are presented with a hypothetical business problem and are expected to analyze it, think critically, and provide recommendations or solutions. This helps assess the candidate's problem-solving skills, ability to think logically, and their understanding of business concepts and strategies.

The market-sizing case is known as the estimation case because it requires the candidate to estimate the size of a particular market or segment. In this type of case, the candidate is typically given limited information and is expected to use logical reasoning and data analysis skills to arrive at a reasonable estimate. This case is commonly used in consulting interviews to assess the candidate's ability to think analytically, make assumptions, and provide a well-reasoned estimate.

The case question is the part of the case interview where the candidate engages in a dialogue with the interviewer. During this phase, the candidate is expected to ask clarifying questions, gather information, and discuss potential solutions or strategies with the interviewer. This interactive dialogue allows the candidate to showcase their problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and ability to communicate effectively. Therefore, the case question is the part of the case interview that involves the most dialogue.

Business cases are a type of case that involves solving real-world business problems. These cases typically require analysis, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to come up with effective solutions. Planning cases may involve creating strategies and plans, but they may not necessarily focus on solving business problems. Brain teasers are puzzles or riddles that are meant to challenge logical thinking but may not be directly related to business problem-solving. Estimating cases involve making predictions or estimations, which may not necessarily involve solving business problems. Therefore, the correct answer is business cases.

The dependence of the number of case interviews required by applicants is based on the aspiring position of the applicant. The higher the position they are applying for, the more case interviews they may be required to undergo. This is because higher-level positions often require more rigorous assessment of the candidate's problem-solving and analytical skills, which are evaluated through case interviews.

An applicant is required to have knowledge or proficiency in Math. This suggests that the position or opportunity being applied for requires mathematical skills or the ability to work with numbers.

Planning Cases is not among the types of cases interview. The other options, Brain Teasers, Estimating Cases, and Business Cases, are all types of cases that can be used in interviews. Planning Cases typically involve problem-solving and decision-making skills, while the other options involve different aspects of problem-solving and analytical thinking.