case study practice online

47 case interview examples (from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, etc.)

One of the best ways to prepare for   case interviews  at firms like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, is by studying case interview examples. 

There are a lot of free sample cases out there, but it's really hard to know where to start. So in this article, we have listed all the best free case examples available, in one place.

The below list of resources includes interactive case interview samples provided by consulting firms, video case interview demonstrations, case books, and materials developed by the team here at IGotAnOffer. Let's continue to the list.

• McKinsey examples
• BCG examples
• Bain examples
• Deloitte examples
• Other firms' examples
• Case books from consulting clubs
• Case interview preparation

Click here to practise 1-on-1 with MBB ex-interviewers

1. mckinsey case interview examples.

• Beautify case interview (McKinsey website)
• Diconsa case interview (McKinsey website)
• Electro-light case interview (McKinsey website)
• GlobaPharm case interview (McKinsey website)
• National Education case interview (McKinsey website)
• Talbot Trucks case interview (McKinsey website)
• Shops Corporation case interview (McKinsey website)
• Conservation Forever case interview (McKinsey website)
• McKinsey case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)
• McKinsey live case interview extract (by IGotAnOffer) - See below

2. BCG case interview examples

• Foods Inc and GenCo case samples  (BCG website)
• Chateau Boomerang written case interview  (BCG website)
• BCG case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)
• Written cases guide (by IGotAnOffer)
• BCG live case interview with notes (by IGotAnOffer)
• BCG mock case interview with ex-BCG associate director - Public sector case (by IGotAnOffer)
• BCG mock case interview: Revenue problem case (by IGotAnOffer) - See below

3. Bain case interview examples

• CoffeeCo practice case (Bain website)
• FashionCo practice case (Bain website)
• Associate Consultant mock interview video (Bain website)
• Consultant mock interview video (Bain website)
• Written case interview tips (Bain website)
• Bain case interview guide   (by IGotAnOffer)
• Digital transformation case with ex-Bain consultant
• Bain case mock interview with ex-Bain manager (below)

4. Deloitte case interview examples

• Engagement Strategy practice case (Deloitte website)
• Recreation Unlimited practice case (Deloitte website)
• Strategic Vision practice case (Deloitte website)
• Retail Strategy practice case  (Deloitte website)
• Finance Strategy practice case  (Deloitte website)
• Talent Management practice case (Deloitte website)
• Enterprise Resource Management practice case (Deloitte website)
• Footloose written case  (by Deloitte)
• Deloitte case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

5. Accenture case interview examples

• Case interview workbook (by Accenture)
• Accenture case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

6. OC&C case interview examples

• Leisure Club case example (by OC&C)
• Imported Spirits case example (by OC&C)

7. Oliver Wyman case interview examples

• Wumbleworld case sample (Oliver Wyman website)
• Aqualine case sample (Oliver Wyman website)
• Oliver Wyman case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

8. A.T. Kearney case interview examples

• Promotion planning case question (A.T. Kearney website)
• Consulting case book and examples (by A.T. Kearney)
• AT Kearney case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

9. Strategy& / PWC case interview examples

• Presentation overview with sample questions (by Strategy& / PWC)
• Strategy& / PWC case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

10. L.E.K. Consulting case interview examples

• Case interview example video walkthrough   (L.E.K. website)
• Market sizing case example video walkthrough  (L.E.K. website)

11. Roland Berger case interview examples

• Transit oriented development case webinar part 1  (Roland Berger website)
• Transit oriented development case webinar part 2   (Roland Berger website)
• 3D printed hip implants case webinar part 1   (Roland Berger website)
• 3D printed hip implants case webinar part 2   (Roland Berger website)
• Roland Berger case interview guide   (by IGotAnOffer)

12. Capital One case interview examples

• Case interview example video walkthrough  (Capital One website)
• Capital One case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

13. Consulting clubs case interview examples

• Berkeley case book (2006)
• Columbia case book (2006)
• Darden case book (2012)
• Darden case book (2018)
• Duke case book (2010)
• Duke case book (2014)
• ESADE case book (2011)
• Goizueta case book (2006)
• Illinois case book (2015)
• LBS case book (2006)
• MIT case book (2001)
• Notre Dame case book (2017)
• Ross case book (2010)
• Wharton case book (2010)

Practice with experts

Using case interview examples is a key part of your interview preparation, but it isn’t enough.

At some point you’ll want to practise with friends or family who can give some useful feedback. However, if you really want the best possible preparation for your case interview, you'll also want to work with ex-consultants who have experience running interviews at McKinsey, Bain, BCG, etc.

If you know anyone who fits that description, fantastic! But for most of us, it's tough to find the right connections to make this happen. And it might also be difficult to practice multiple hours with that person unless you know them really well.

Here's the good news. We've already made the connections for you. We’ve created a coaching service where you can do mock case interviews 1-on-1 with ex-interviewers from MBB firms . Start scheduling sessions today!

The IGotAnOffer team

Hacking the Case Interview

The best way to practice case interviews is to practice with a case partner. This is the best way to simulate a real case interview. However, this is not always possible. You may not always be able to find a great partner that you share a compatible schedule with.

In these situations, you have no other choice but to practice without a partner. Practicing case interviews by yourself can still be helpful if you practice the right way.

In this article, we’ll go through the exact steps you should take to maximize your practice and learning when practicing case interviews alone.

If you’re looking for a step-by-step shortcut to learn case interviews quickly, enroll in our case interview course . These insider strategies from a former Bain interviewer helped 30,000+ land consulting offers while saving hundreds of hours of prep time.

The Eight Steps to Practice Case Interviews by Yourself

There are 8 steps to practice case interviews by yourself. The goal of these steps is to simulate a real case interview as closely as you can so that you practice the same skills and techniques that you are going to use in a real case interview.

• Find cases that are suitable for practicing alone
• Synthesize the case background information out loud
• Ask clarifying questions out loud
• Structure a framework and present it out loud
• Propose an area to start the case
• Answer each case question out loud
• Deliver a recommendation out loud
• Review your answers and identify improvement areas

1. Find Cases That Are Suitable for Practicing Alone

Not all cases are suitable for practicing by yourself. Case interviews can be written in a number of different formats, but there are two formats you should use to practice case interviews without a partner.

The first format is the question and answer format. Many cases are written as a series of sequential questions and answers. This format is easy to practice alone because you can read the question, develop an answer, and then compare your answer to the model answer. This case format emulates an interviewer-led case .

The McKinsey case library has four cases written in this format. When you are finished with those, the Hacking the Case Interview course has twenty additional cases in this format. You can try the first three completely free.

The second format is the interactive online case format. In this format, you can submit your answers and the case will give you information based on the answers that you give. This case format emulates a candidate-led case interview.

BCG used to have an Interactive Case Library to practice case interviews by yourself. Unfortunately, they have since removed the two cases they had listed. The good news is that we recorded two videos going through these interactive cases.

You can follow along with BCG interactive case #1 and BCG interactive case #2 .

A case format you should not use is one that lays out all of the case information in an unstructured way . This format is more suited for practicing with a case partner. Your case partner reads all of the information so that they can run the mock case interview smoothly.

If you use these types of cases, you’ll likely read the answers to the case questions as you read the case background information. This makes practicing the case on your own ineffective. Therefore, only use the question and answer format and interactive online case format when practicing on your own.

For more practice, check out our article on 23 MBA consulting casebooks with 700+ free practice cases .

2. Synthesize the Case Background Information

Start the practice case interview by reading the case background information. Then, just as you would do in a live case interview, summarize the case background information out loud.

Even though you will not have a partner to confirm your understanding of the case, it is important to practice synthesizing the case out loud. This will help you improve your communication skills so that you can summarize information clearly and concisely.

3. Ask Clarifying Questions

Next, just as you would do in a live case interview, ask clarifying questions out loud. Although you do not have a case partner that can answer your questions, it is important to practice identifying the critical questions that need to be asked to fully understand the case.

Focus on asking questions that strengthen your understanding of the company, the business problem, or the objective. You’ll have an easier time solving the case if you ask the right clarifying questions.

4. Structure a Framework and Present it Out Loud

Afterwards, take a few minutes to gather your thoughts to structure a framework. Remember that you want to simulate exactly what you would say and do in a real live interview. So, talk to yourself out loud and ask for permission to have a few minutes of silence.

When you are creating a framework, it may be tempting to give yourself unlimited time since you are working through the case alone. Don’t do this.

Instead, pretend that you are in an actual interview in which you’ll only have a few minutes to put together a comprehensive and coherent framework. Replicate the stress that you will feel in an interview when you are practicing case interviews on your own by giving yourself time pressure.

When you have finished creating your framework, turn your paper around to face an imaginary interviewer and walk through the framework out loud. You will need to get good at presenting your framework concisely and in an easy to understand way.

For a complete guide on how to create tailored and unique frameworks for each case, check out our article on case interview frameworks .

5. Propose an Area to Start the Case

Next, propose an area of your framework to start the case. Make sure to say out loud the reasons why you want to start with that particular area. This is a great way to practice kicking off a case interview in candidate-led cases.

6. Answer Each Case Question Out Loud

Now that the case has started, start by reading the first question. After reading the question, don’t work on answering that question in silence. During a real interview, you’ll never work in silence. Instead, pretend that you are in a live interview and walk the interviewer through your thinking.

If the question is a quantitative problem, create a structure and walk the interviewer through how you would solve the problem. When doing math, do your calculations out loud and explain the steps that you are taking.

If the question is qualitative, structure your thinking and then brainstorm your ideas out loud. Walk the interviewer through your ideas and opinions.

For both quantitative and qualitative questions, try to anticipate objections the interviewer may raise or follow-up questions they may ask. You’ll have to make these questions up yourself since you are not practicing cases with a partner. Address these objections and answer these questions out loud.

Finally, take the time to connect your answer to the overall case objective. Synthesize the implications of your answer and how that shapes your hypothesis or working recommendation. You can also propose the next area of the case that you would like to explore or the next question you would like to answer.

Afterwards, move onto the next question and repeat this same process.

7. Deliver a Recommendation Out Loud

Once you have finished answering all of the case questions, it is time to deliver your recommendation. Just as you would do in a real case interview, ask for a brief moment to collect your thoughts and review your notes.

Once you have decided on a recommendation, present your recommendation to the interviewer. Again, it is important to do this out loud so that you can practice delivering your recommendation clearly and concisely.

8. Review Your Answers and Identify Improvement Areas

When the case is completed, review your framework and answers and compare them to the model answers that the case provides. Reflect on how you could have made your framework or answers stronger.

Also, take the time to reflect on what parts of the case you could have done better. Could your case synthesis be more concise? Was your framework mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive ? Could your math calculations be done more smoothly? Was your recommendation structured enough?

This is the most important part of practicing case interviews by yourself. Since you have no partner to provide you feedback, you will need to be introspective and identify your own improvement areas.

At the end of each practice case interview, you should have a list of new things that you have learned and a list of improvement areas to work on in future practice cases. You’ll continue to work on your improvement areas in future practice cases either by yourself or with a partner.

Other Tips For Practicing Case Interviews By Yourself

The most important thing to remember when practicing case interviews by yourself is that you want to emulate a live case interview as closely as possible. Therefore, follow these tips to make the most of your case practice:

• Don’t have notes or a calculator out when you are practicing since you won’t have these in your actual interview
• Don’t take breaks in the middle of a mock case interview
• Don’t read the case answer until you completely finish answering each question
• Talk through everything out loud as if there were an interviewer in the room
• Occasionally record yourself to understand what you look like and sound like when you speak
• Make sure to give yourself enough time to review the model answers and identify areas where you can improve
• Focus on improving one thing at a time in each practice case interview

The Best Ways to Practice Specific Parts of a Case Interview by Yourself

Besides practicing full-length case interviews, you can also practice particular parts of the case interview. In addition to 15 full-length practice cases that you can do by yourself,  The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook has over 65 practice problems covering all of the different parts of a case interview:  

• Market sizing
• Charts and graphs
• Brainstorming
• Business judgement

We recommend using this book to get high-quality case interview practice with step-by-step explanations. If you prefer to use other resources, we’ve also listed alternative methods to practice these types of questions below:

Practicing Frameworks by Yourself

• For the practice cases you are using, read only the case background information and create a framework
• Read about business problems that real companies face in the news (e.g., Wall Street Journal, The Economist, New York Times) and create a framework for them
• Read business school case studies and create a framework to solve them

Practicing Market Sizing by Yourself

• Practice with this list of market sizing and estimation questions
• Pick a particular market and estimate the market size
• Pick a particular metric and try to estimate it

Practicing Reading Graphs by Yourself

• For the practice cases you are using, go straight to the exhibits and practice reading and understanding them
• Find graphs and charts in the news to practice reading them and identifying the most important takeaways
• Practice interpreting graphs and charts found in standardized exams such as the SAT, GMAT, or GRE

Practicing Brainstorming by Yourself

• Pick a company and brainstorm ways they could increase revenues
• Pick a company and brainstorm ways they could decrease costs
• Read about business problems that real companies face in the news and brainstorm different ways to solve them

Practicing Business Judgment by Yourself

• Read about strategic decisions real companies have made in the news
• Read business school case studies
• Read through the practice cases in MBA casebooks
• Watch videos of people solving case interviews

All of these activities will help you to improve and refine your case interview skills. The most important thing is that you identify your case interview weaknesses and have consistent practice to meticulously and systematically improve.

Learn Case Interviews 10X Faster

Here are the resources we recommend to learn the most robust, effective case interview strategies in the least time-consuming way:

• Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.
• Hacking the Case Interview Book   (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.
• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.
• Case Interview Coaching : Personalized, one-on-one coaching with former consulting interviewers
• Behavioral & Fit Interview Course : Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer
• Resume Review & Editing : Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple interviews

Land Multiple Consulting Offers

Complete, step-by-step case interview course. 30,000+ happy customers.

Case Interview Preparation

Perform at your best during your case interview., bcgers share their case study interview tips., follow these dos and don ’ ts to ace your case prep:, test your case interview skills with these interactive quizzes., set out a climate strategy for a client., restore client satisfaction at a digital bank..

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The BCG Online Case & Chatbot Interview - How to Prepare

• Last Updated January, 2024

What Is the BCG Online Case?

What Skills Does It Assess?

What Does the Online Case Look Like?

6 Steps to Prepare for the Online Case

The BCG Chatbot Interview

Links to Preparation Resources

If you’ve applied to the Boston Consulting Group, you might get an invitation to interview that mentions not only live case interviews but an online case interview or chatbot interview as well. 

Are you wondering what BCG’s online case interview looks like and how you should prepare? 

Don’t worry! We’ve got all the details here to make sure you pass. 

If you’re applying to BCG New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, London, or an office in Southeast Asia , be sure to see our section about differences in those versions of the test. In fact, we suggest everyone take a look at this section because BCG is preparing to roll out the chatbot interview more broadly .

Let’s get started!

What is the BCG Online Case?

The BCG online case is a business problem you’re asked to solve on a computer rather than in a one-on-one discussion with an interviewer. 

Via the computer, BCG candidates are given an overview of a client, their business problem, and data relevant to the client’s business and the overall market (revenues, costs, business lines, market size, etc.) 

They’re asked questions with multiple-choice answers. Many of the questions in the online test are quantitative.

There are several different formats of the online case being used in different offices. We have specifics on several offices below.

What Skills Does the BCG Online Assessment Test?

BCG is using the online test to give candidates an in-depth example of the types of problems they help their clients to solve. 

This means you should consider whether you’d enjoy solving problems like this.

They’re also using the online case questions to assess the following skills:

• Business judgment; 
• Logical reasoning; and
• Quantitative aptitude.

What Does the BCG Online Case Look Like?

Above is a screenshot of a practice BCG online test question. While this format represents only one of several versions BCG uses, it is helpful for understanding the types of questions you’ll face.

If you have taken or prepared for the GMAT test, you might notice the similarities in appearance and also skills tested.

The screen is split into 2 windows. The left window has a question as well as multiple-choice answers. 

In the right window, there is data you can use to answer the question.

During the actual test, you’ll have more than 20 questions to answer and 45 minutes to complete the test.

During this time, you’ll be able to move forward and backward through the case to review data. You may also change your answers.

The online case is conducted as part of a round of interviews. 

In the round, you’ll interview one-on-one with 2 BCG interviewers as well.

What Types of Questions Are Being Asked in the BCG Online Test?

Many of the questions on the BCG online case are quantitative. The sample cases we’ve seen include:

• A gasoline pricing strategy for a fuel retailer in a country that has recently deregulated gas prices and
• A revenue growth study for a ferry line serving islands with a tourism-based economy.

Quantitative questions included:

• Gross margin calculation,
• Determining the price that would maximize sales (using a supply and demand graph),
• Determining the price that would maximize profit (using a supply and demand graph and other data), and
• GDP growth rate calculation.

In addition to the quantitative questions, there are also logical reasoning questions.

In these questions, you’ll be asked things like explain trends in the data based on the information provided.

During the test, you’re not allowed to use a spreadsheet program on the computer to calculate answers. 

You will be allowed to use a simple calculator. 

You can also use a pen and paper to take notes.

BCG’s Online Case Tests Similar Concepts to the GMAT

Our team of former McKinsey, Bain, and BCG consultants includes consultants who were also former GMAT tutors. 

We had our team evaluate the BCG online case and here is what we found…

Common types of questions include:

Mathematical reasoning questions:

• Percentages,
• Ratios, and 
• Weighted averages.

Verbal reasoning questions:

• Drawing inferences and
• Strengthening and weakening arguments.
• Supply and demand,
• Maximizing revenue, and
• Maximizing profit.

Nail the case & fit interview with strategies from former MBB Interviewers that have helped 89.6% of our clients pass the case interview.

Differences in the BCG Online Assessment Used in Various Offices

The BCG online case study simulation assessment and interviewing process are different for candidates in several US offices, London, and Southeast Asia. As we find out more about the formats other offices are using, we’ll provide that information here.

Here are the differences:

BCG Online Case Study (AKA the BCG chatbot interview)

• Offices using the chatbot interview: New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Mexico. We are hearing about the chatbot interview getting rolled out in more offices.
• The recruiting process is: In the first round of interviews, candidates have 1 interview with an interviewer and 1 chatbot interview.
• The chatbot case is conducted by “Casey” the chatbot. Where live BCG cases are interviewee-led, the chatbot case is interviewer-led.
• Candidates are given 25 minutes to answer 12 questions . There is a short introductory video in which Casey the chatbot introduces a business problem. The chatbot interview asks multiple-choice and short answer/fill-in questions. The last question is on structuring the problem, then there is a 1-minute video recording at the end in which you provide your recommendation for the client.
• People report that the chatbot interview is harder than a normal case. The questions heavily use exhibits and there is a good bit of math, though it’s pretty straighforward. All answers are final. You can not change previous answers later in the test. The time limit for your answers is tight. BCG’s instructions say each question is independent so that if you get one wrong, you still have a good shot on subsequent questions, but candidates who’ve taken the test report that’s not true. 
• You will have 1 minute to prepare and 1 minute to record your video at the end, your recommendation to the client. You will not be able to re-record your recommendation. (Be sure to complete the case on a laptop with a webcam.)
• K eep note of relevant case details as you would during a live interview because you will not be able to go back to review exhibits.

Sample Case Questions:

• Our client is a furniture manufacturer who could offer a promotion for a sports game. Should they do this?
• Our client is the 2nd largest player in its industry. The 3rd & 4th largest players plan to merge. How should our client respond?
• Our client wants to acquire a downstream player in their market and integrate vertically. What factors should they consider?
• Our client has 2 manufacturing plants, Plant A and Plant B. They face rising costs due to labor issues in plant A. How will you help our client?
• Our client is an insurance company. They want to assess whether they should offer a fitness watch to clients to help them to live healthier lives and reduce insurance premiums.

Examples of Quantitative Questions:

• Calculate post-merger profitability for 2 merging companies factoring in economies of scale gained from the merger. This calculation involves weighing the current margins of each company by its share of post-merger revenue and adding additional margins gained from economies of scale.
• Should our client vertically integrate?  Determine whether this makes financial sense by calculating current profitability and comparing that to the future profitability if the client acquires raw material at cost.

Examples of Qualitative Questions:

• For a business problem, choose the factors the client should consider from a list of options. There may be a free-response follow-up question asking why the candidate chose those factors.

BCG Online Behavioral Questions

• After the chatbot interview, there is a separate 25-minute video interview with fit questions.
• This includes 5 fit questions.
• You don’t need to take the entire time to answer each question. Short, structured answers will serve you better than long, rambling answers.
• See our article on Consulting Behavioral Interviews for tips on acing these questions.

BCG London Online Case Study Simulation Assessment

• The recruiting process is:  1) first round: the online case study simulation + one 45-minute video conference case interview, 2) second round: video conference interviews, 3) final round: video conference interviews.
• 1-hour interview preparation webinars are provided in advance of interviews,
• The online case study simulation will be sent to you. You’ll have 24 hours to complete it .

BCG Southeast Asia Online Case

• The recruiting process is:  1) the online case, 2) 2R (or 2nd round) – 2 in-person interviews assessing case and behavioral skills, and 3) DR (or decision round) – 2 in-person interviews with partners assessing case and behavioral skills. 
• The online case comes before any in-person interviews as a separate interview round,
• The test takes under 1 hour to complete,
• It includes 2 sections, one with questions and then one with a video recording ,
• In the recording, candidates will explain their analytic process and provide recommendations to the “client.”
• This online case is used for both experienced hire applicants and those graduating from degree programs.

Differences in the Online Case Format Between Offices

We wanted to highlight these differences in the recruiting process and online cases between different BCG offices because if you are planning on just answering questions on a computer and then are given a simulation or asked to record your answers on video, this would be a big surprise.

But don’t worry. Really, your task is not that different.

As we get more information on offices using the online case, we’ll update that information here.

6 Steps to Prepare for the BCG Online Assessment

Based on the similarity between the online case questions and the GMAT questions, here is how our team recommends preparing  before your interview:

1. Study the sample online case questions and answers provided by BCG and/or attend their interview prep webinar (for offices that offer it).

These cases are your best guide to what the online test will look like. Recent candidates have noted, however, that the practice case was easier than the actual online case.

The BCG interactive case library is also a good resource.

2. Study using practice questions for the GMAT test.

The online case does not cover exactly the same material as the GMAT so this isn’t a perfect study guide, but it’s quite good. 

Pay particular attention to questions in the quantitative and integrated reasoning sections (especially ratios, percentages, linear and simultaneous equation word problems.) See our resource section below for recommended test-prep guides.

3. Review your GMAT test practice questions for trends in the types of questions you missed.

If your mistakes were careless errors , ask yourself what habits you can develop to limit those types of mistakes in the future. 

If your mistakes were based on a gap in your understanding of a concept , spend more time studying that concept.

Most people simply do practice questions without reviewing their results for how they can study smarter. Don’t do this. 

Focus on the types of problems you struggle with until you can consistently get them right.

4. Reviewing Economics 101 principles could help your score if you’re weak in this area.

The online case expects you to have more in-depth knowledge of economics principles such as supply and demand and profit maximization than the GMAT does.

5. If you’re short on time before your test, focus effort on the types of questions most likely to come up on the BCG online case . 

Integrated reasoning, multi-source reasoning, table analysis, and graphic interpretation are the types of questions that come up most frequently. Focusing on these areas will improve your score the most.

6. Know the optimal strategy for maximizing your score on this test. 

BCG’s practice test is graded by giving 3 points for a question answered correctly, 0 points for a skipped question, and taking 1 point away for an incorrect answer. 

From this, we can infer that guessing is not a good idea unless you can narrow a question down to 2 potential choices. If you can’t eliminate at least 2 answers, then skip.

7. Manage your time during the test. 

Candidates who’ve taken the test report being pressed for time. Make sure you don’t get bogged down on one difficult question, taking no more than about 1.5 minutes/question.

Skipping a difficult question can ensure you have time to complete simpler questions you haven’t yet gotten to. If you have extra time at the end of the test, you can return to difficult questions.

Example of BCG’s Online Case

The screenshot above is an example of a practice question that requires the candidate to interpret text and graphical data.

Links to Resources for Prepping for the BCG Online Assessment

The best resources to practice with are the 2 BCG practice online cases. If you need more practice materials to feel confident with your preparation, we recommend the following:

• A GMAT test-prep book . The book we recommend using to practice for the online case is this book.  Do keep in mind that the BCG test is similar, but not the same .
• A GMAT test-prep book focused on quantitative questions. This is the best resource to use if you’re having problems with the quantitative questions. We recommend this book . 

In particular, look at chapters 4, 7, 13, 17, and 18. You’ll want to work on the word problems and problem-solving, but filter out for ONLY the questions related to business problems and not, for example, the geometry and symbolic algebra.

• If you haven’t taken an Economics 101 course, you’ll need to learn some basic principles. Khan Academy has a great series on microeconomics  here .
• If you’re running short on time, focus on integrated resource questions. Specifically, this will help with multi-source reasoning, table analysis, and graphics interpretation questions.

Want to study even more??

• If you’re having trouble with integrated reasoning questions,  use this . 
• If you’re struggling with the math questions, we recommend  this book .
• For another integrated reasoning test-prep book we like ,  click here .

Still have questions?

If you have more questions about BCG’s online case, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s case coaches will answer them.

Other people preparing for the BCG online case found the following pages helpful:

• The BCG Case Interview: Preparation Advice from a Former-BCG Consultant
• BCG One Way Interview
• BCG Pymetrics Test
• Case Interview Prep

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Practice a case

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Practice a case interview

Please note that cases may differ in format and level of detail depending on the duration of the interview, but remember in the actual interview, we will be looking at your ability to think through a problem versus any specific technical skill or subject matter knowledge.

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Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide

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Welcome to our preparation tips for case interviews!  Whether you are just curious about case interviews or are planning to apply for consulting internships or full-time jobs, these tips and resources will help you feel more prepared and confident.

A case interview is a role playing exercise in which an employer assesses how logically and persuasively you can present a case. Rather than seeing if you get the “correct” answer, the objective is to evaluate your thought process. ( Adapted with permission from Case In Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation by Marc Cosentino). 

Case interviews are very commonly used in the interview process for consulting firms and companies in similar industries. In the case interview, you will typically be given a business problem and then asked to solve it in a structured way. Learning this structure takes preparation and practice. You can learn more and practice using the resources listed below.  

Why are Case Interviews Used?

Case interviews allow employers to test and evaluate the following skills:

• Analytical skills and logical ability to solve problems
• Structure and thought process
• Ability to ask for relevant data/information
• Tolerance for ambiguity and data overload
• Poise and communication skills under pressure and in front of a client

How can I prepare for Case Interviews?

1.) Read Management Consulted’s “Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide (2024)”

Management Consulted is a FREE resource for Tufts students : case and consulting resources such as 500 sample cases, Case Interview Bootcamp,  Market Sizing Drills, Math Drills, case videos, consulting firm directory, and more

2.) Review additional resources:

• Case in Point – This book, by Marc Cosentino, is a comprehensive guide that walks you through the case interview process from beginning to end. This guide has helped many students over the years and can serve as an excellent foundation for how to approach business problems
• Casequestions.com – The companion website to Marc Cosentino’s book listed above offers preparation for case interviews, along with links to top 50 consulting firms
• Management Consulting Case Interviews: Cracking The Case – tips for case interviews from the other side of the table, from Argopoint, a Boston management consulting firm specializing in legal department consulting for Fortune 500 companies
• Preplounge.com – Free case preparation access for to up to 6 practice interviews with peers, selected cases, and video case solutions
• RocketBlocks – Features consulting preparation such as drills and coaching
• Practice sample online cases on consulting firm websites such as McKinsey , BCG , Bain , Deloitte and more!  

3.) Schedule a mock case interview appointment with  Karen Dankers or Kathy Spillane , our advisors for the Finance, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, and Business Career Community.

4.) PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE cases out loud on your own (yes, that can feel odd) or preferably, with another person. See #2 and #3 above for resources and ideas to find partners to practice live cases

5.) Enjoy and have fun solving business problems!

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What the Case Study Method Really Teaches

• Nitin Nohria

Seven meta-skills that stick even if the cases fade from memory.

It’s been 100 years since Harvard Business School began using the case study method. Beyond teaching specific subject matter, the case study method excels in instilling meta-skills in students. This article explains the importance of seven such skills: preparation, discernment, bias recognition, judgement, collaboration, curiosity, and self-confidence.

During my decade as dean of Harvard Business School, I spent hundreds of hours talking with our alumni. To enliven these conversations, I relied on a favorite question: “What was the most important thing you learned from your time in our MBA program?”

• Nitin Nohria is the George F. Baker Professor of Business Administration, Distinguished University Service Professor, and former dean of Harvard Business School.

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Case Interview Practice with Peers on PrepLounge

On PrepLounge, you will benefit from the largest community of aspiring management consultants you will find online! Practice case interviews with other top candidates – even on short notice – and select from our vast collection of 180+ cases.

The Benefits of Peer-to-Peer Case Practice on PrepLounge

Why is practicing with case partners so important.

Peer-to-peer practice should be the most important part of your case prep. Putting yourself into the interview situation multiple times, receiving and providing feedback to other candidates will make sure you ace your case interview on the real interview day!

Get Started With Your Peer-to-Peer Practice on PrepLounge

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• Case Study Exercise

Case Study Exercises are commonly used in assessment centres, and often are unique to each company.

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• What is a Case Study exercise

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How do case study exercises work.

Updated: 08 September 2022

Assessment Centre Exercises:

• Analysis Exercise
• Role Play Exercise
• Group Exercise
• Presentation Exercise

During an assessment day, it is common that you need to undertake a case study exercise . These exercises place candidates in real-life situations where they are tasked with solving problems faced by professionals in the real world. A case study typically involves being given various documents containing different information, either detailing a problem or situation that needs dealing with and requiring the candidate to resolve the issue at hand by formulating a plan. The problems or situation in the case study will be similar if not identical to problems encountered in the role itself. Candidates are also provided with background information to the elements of the case study, whether these be details of fictitious companies or sales figures, or other. The resolutions or solutions provided by the candidate regarding the problems are part of the assessment centre performance rating.

Why are case study exercises used?

Case study exercises are proficient predictors of role performance as they will resemble the work being done on the job. Therefore, case study exercises typically tilt highly on an assessment centre rating for candidates. Likewise, if a presentation exercise is required after the case study, based on details brought up during the case study, then your case study rating will likely impact your presentation exercise rating. Equally, this may manifest into the role play exercise which will do a similar thing to the presentation exercise – carrying on the case study situation. It is also entirely possible for the case study to be continued in a group exercise – which evaluate a candidate’s ability to work in a team. Given all this, you will need to perform well in the case study exercise to ensure a high rating.

What will the case study exercise be like?

As mentioned, the case study exercise you will be asked to perform will be similar to the type of work you will have to do in the role you are applying for.

The case study exercise may be purchased off the self from a test provider who specialize in the test style. This will mean that it won't be fully specific to the company you are applying to, but will be related to the role. Likewise, it can be designed bespoke if the organization requires specific role assessment. It's likely the larger and harder to get into the company is, the more tailored their exercises will be.

How can I prepare for the case study exercise?

Analysing technical documents and company reports may be helpful practice in preparation for a case study exercise. This will give a chance to familiarize yourself with the types of information typically found in these documents, and thus the case study exercise. Practicing case study exercises will also act as great preparation and they will provide a great insight into how they work and how they are to be handled. This will also prevent any unnecessary unknowns you could have before taking a case study exercise, as you will have already experienced how they work in practice.

We have an assessment centre pack which contains an example of the exercises you could face.

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Case Studies: Bringing Learning to Life and Making Knowledge Stick

Learning by doing is a highly effective and proven strategy for knowledge retention. But sometimes, learning about others who have “done”—using case studies, for example—can be an excellent addition to or replacement for hands-on learning. Case studies―a vital tool in the problem-based learning toolkit—can turbocharge lessons in any subject, but they are particularly useful teaching aids in subjects like Medicine, Law or Forensic Science , where hands-on experiences may not initially be possible.

Here’s a look at how this type of problem-based learning functions to make learning stick and how any faculty member can use them to facilitate deeper, richer learning experiences:

Case studies complement theoretical information 

Reading about scientific principles in a textbook challenges students to think deductively and use their imagination to apply what they’re learning to real-world scenarios. It’s an important skill set. Not all information can or should be packaged up and handed to students, pre-formed; we want students to become critical thinkers and smart decision-makers who are capable of forming their own insights and opinions. 

However, the strategic use of case studies, as a companion to required reading, can help students see theoretical information in a new light, and often for the first time. In short, a case study can bring to life what is often dry and difficult material, transforming it into something powerful, and inspiring students to keep learning. Furthermore, the ability to select or create case studies can give students greater agency in their learning experiences, helping them steer their educational experiences towards topics they find interesting and meaningful. 

What does the research show about using case studies in educational settings? For one, when used in group settings, the use of case studies is proven to promote collaboration while promoting the application of theory. Furthermore, case studies are proven to promote the consideration of diverse cultures, perspectives, and ideas. Beyond that? They help students to broaden their professional acumen —a vitally necessary part of the higher education experience. 

Case studies can be what you want them to be, but they should follow a formula  

Faculty may choose to use case studies in any number of ways, including asking students to read existing case studies, or even challenging them to build their own case studies based on real or hypothetical situations. This can be done individually or in a group. It may be done in the classroom, at home, or in a professional setting. Case studies can take on a wide variety of formats. They may be just a few paragraphs or 30 pages long. They may be prescriptive and challenge readers to create a takeaway or propose a different way of doing things. Or, they may simply ask readers to understand how things were done in a specific case. Beyond written case studies, videos or slide decks can be equally compelling formats. One faculty member even asks students to get theatrical and act out a solution in their sociology class.  

Regardless of format, a case study works best when it roughly follows an arc of problem, solution and results. All case studies must present a problem that doesn’t have an immediately clear solution or result. For example, a medical student may read a case study detailing the hospital admission of a 42-year-old woman who presents to the emergency room with persistent and severe calf pain, but has normal blood tests and ultrasound imaging. What should the physician consider next? A law student might read a case study about an elderly man involved in a car accident who denies any memory of the event. What legal angles should be considered?

Case studies – get started

Are you eager to use case studies with your students? Cengage higher education titles typically contain case studies and real-world examples that bring learning to life and help knowledge stick. Below are some learning materials, spanning a range of subjects, that can help your students reap the proven benefits of case study learning:

Accounting, 29e

Award-winning authors Carl Warren, Jefferson P. Jones and William B. Tayler offer students the opportunity to analyze real-world business decisions and show how accounting is used by real companies.

Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations, 7e

“Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations” by Bill Nelson, Amelia Phillips, Christopher Steuart and Robert S. Wilson includes case projects aimed at providing practical implementation experience, as well as practice in applying critical thinking skills.

Business Ethics: Case Studies and Selected Readings, 10e

Marianne M. Jennings’ best-selling “Business Ethics: Case Studies and Selected Readings, 10e” explores a proven process for analyzing ethical dilemmas and creating stronger values.

Anatomy & Physiology, 1e

Author Dr. Liz Co includes a chapter composed entirely of case studies to give students additional practice in critical thinking. The cases can be assigned at the end of the semester or at intervals as the instructor chooses.

Psychopathology and Life: A Dimensional Approach, 11e

Christopher Kearney offers a concise, contemporary and science-based view of psychopathology that emphasizes the individual first. Geared toward cases to which most college students can relate, helping them understand that symptoms of psychological problems occur in many people in different ways.

Understanding Psychological Disorders Enhanced, 12e

In “Understanding Psychological Disorders Enhanced” by David Sue, Derald Sue, Diane M. Sue and Stanley Sue, students can explore current events, real-world case studies and the latest developments from the field.

Policing in the US: Past, Present, and Future, 1e

This comprehensive and timely text by Lorenzo M. Boyd, Melissa S. Morabito and Larry J. Siegel examines the current state of American policing, offering a fresh and balanced look at contemporary issues in law enforcement. Each chapter opens with a real-life case or incident.

Public Speaking: The Evolving Art, 5e

With a student-centered approach, “Public Speaking: The Evolving Art” by Stephanie J. Coopman and James Lull includes innovative solutions to current issues, including critically assessing the credibility of information sources. A diverse collection of sample student and professional presentations encourage students to consider chapter concepts in the context of real speeches.

Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapies, 11e

Dr. Gerald Corey’s best-selling text helps readers compare and contrast the therapeutic models expressed in counseling theories.

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HTB forum: strategy management

The HTB forums are live online events designed for business decision makers. They are concise one-hour live case-study based sessions with optional one-hour meet-the-speakers sessions. The practical key messages are derived from a global panel of experts, adding the European, North American and Asian perspective. This forum focuses IP strategy and management.    IP strategy is an integral part of corporate business strategy and IP management decisions can have a substantial impact on business performance. Based on a case study the use business principles and strategies to create value through their IP is demonstrated. It focuses on the numerous business aspects and opportunities of IP management relevant to high-growth technology businesses.    Recordings of earlier events see epo.org/business-forum.

 Sign up for HTB forum: open innovation here . 

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