Is it over if you don't ace the case?

I was curious as to how heavily the case weighs in your evaluation at MBB such that if you don't get the right answer it's over for you. For example, if you approach cases with a solid framework and just run out of time and happen to be on the cusp of answering it, are you basically done? There is a fit portion and just overall impression you give off, but I'm thinking that doesn't count much in the first round.

I need to know the reality of it, so I can focus my energy on upcoming interviews rather than practicing more cases. Does anyone have an example of when you did badly but still moved on?

Thanks!

2 Comments
 

My MBB first round didn't even have a fit portion, there were only 30 minutes of interview time so we jumped right into the case. Had 15 minutes of fit, 30 of interview in 2nd round.

My inclination is that if you ran out of time before "answering", your approach and framework probably wasn't that great to begin with.

Bear in mind, however, that some cases don't necessarily have a final "answer" but rather a list of things to work though with the candidate and then ask for a summary/recommendation based on what you got through. Obviously, the farther down the list you make it, the better.

 
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