Guesstimates help!

Hey guys, so I have an interview coming up with the MBB and was wondering what everyone's opinions on guesstimate questions is. The trouble I'm having is choosing the right approach to solve them e.g choosing between the detailed drill down or very high level approaches-which ones do the interviewers really seek? This plea for help is especially directed at those who have had some experience with MBB interviews and can share their perspectives. Thanks!

2 Comments
 
Best Response

My technique :

1)be as detailed as possible 2)always pick easy numbers, and round the numbers 3)understand what you have to guess and what you have to calculate 4)if you are not sure of an assumption check with the interviewer 5)say all the steps out loud 6)use the paper to calculate if you need

To illustrate: There is this classic question about how many pingpong/golf ball you can put in Boeing 777.

You will have to guess the size of the ball or the length of the plane. But you can't just guess how many balls you can line in a plane.

If you are not sure about the length of a plane you can give a range and ask to the interviewer if it makes sense. For instance, if you are not comfortable in saying that the length is around 70 meters. Then you can say that you guess that a Boeing 777 should measure between 50-80 meters and ask if 70 is a good assumption.

Also there is a difference in checking an assumption and asking the answer...

Keep in mind that when you have to guess the interviewer will never correct you if you are more or less 20-30% right. So you can round your numbers.

 

Odio unde doloremque aut quam qui enim adipisci vero. Recusandae harum totam mollitia similique et. Maiores repellat quo voluptatem dicta. Cumque unde consequatur voluptatem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.5%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.0%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (111) $232
  • Manager (167) $172
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (115) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (634) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (162) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (575) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (175) $100
  • 1st Year Analyst (1151) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (205) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (625) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”