Which Case Prep is the best?
I'm just wondering if anyone can recommend a good case prep course. I've seen consulting 101 and the consulting case prep on WSO. Are these worth it or am I better off finding free resources online and sticking to books?
Thank you
Looking forward to hear from people about that topic too ! especially those who made it to MBB ... What books are you using?
I have heard LOMS by Victor Chen is good, I was planning to do LOMS + WSO course ... as for the course 101 (not sure if the posted answers can be trusted -_-)
The only thing you need is Case in Point. If you need more than that then you're probably going to struggle anyways IMO.
100% disagree - If you only use Case in point, you will not pass. And you can probably skip Case in point all together. I did not think it was very useful.
Ok. I’ve literally never not made it to the next round after a case interview...but listen to this guy if you must.
only 100% trust firms' offical sample cases. Casebooks are a good resource, but the answers you need to take with a grain of salt, they are not guaranteed to be correct per firms standards!
I got an MBB offer and here is what I found useful/not:
Extremely useful: LOMS & case interview secrets Full context math cases from mconsutlingprep Reading the WSJ business section everyday consulting101 free interview fast math drills 1-2 sessions with a case coach after you feel you are completely ready for the interview and can not improve anymore on your own/with peers
Just OK I Got an Offer McK training program Victor Cheng Mental Math Fast
Case In Point - ok for a very introductory level of understanding of what to expect, but not useful for learning to solve cases (can easily be skipped)
These are based on my personal experience, and I do not have experience with any other prep programs. I also used many casebooks from different schools.
Thank you so much for such an informative reply. Will definitely take this on board
I got an offer from MBB in the last month. The best case practice ins't found in any book or from any worksheet. The best case practice is contacting the Management Consulting club (or whatever you have) at your school, and setting up case practice times with the presidency. Work with the members. When you feel like you won't absolutely fail, network with some consultants at the firm and practice with them. Obviously, don't just ask that straight off, but make a friend and ask them to connect you. Then, practice with a consultant every week or so. They'll give you a better run down on how to do the case than anyone else, because they got there. I did over 60 cases with real, breathing people, and by the end I got final rounds with everywhere I interviewed with (turned them all down, except for my top choice), and they all loved my cases and frameworks.
Don't listen to the guy that says to just read Case and point, and don't just do LOMS (Victor Cheng's profitability framework is actually flawed, he switched a layer in his cost portion), but just get out there and try to practice with other people. If you really need a hand, reach out to me, and I'll see if I can find some time to do a case over the phone with you.
I agree - live case practice is the best thing you can do. But practicing with people that actually know what they are doing and can give valuable feedback is extremely important. That is why I found LOMS to be so helpful, at least in the beginning. It gives you concrete examples of what to do vs what not to do. It is not sufficient on its own, but gives you a great foundation. But you must improve far beyond that because, yes, his frameworks are too basic/generic.
I see what you mean. I found that listening to LOMS gave me a lot of cool "catchphrases" to say when doing my cases, so it's a pretty decent foundation, most of the time.
But that being said, I would rank practicing with people above just listening to LOMS, even if you're not practicing with the "top" people out there. I've seen people get caught in the canned LOMS frameworks (and get slammed), and there is no personalized in-the-moment coaching that you get in a case. As long as you go into a practice knowing that the very best advise you can follow is not to follow everyone's advice, you'll be fine. Plus, you don't have to spend the money :)
I received an offer from a Tier 2 firm, and final round interviews at two MBBs and another Tier 2 firm. I used ONLY the following materials:
I felt extremely prepared, and would especially recommend the Warfield book—I received praise for my frameworks in every single live interview, as well as my practice cases with MBB alumni. The Pidgeon book is fine, but a bit basic.
I have two Tier 2 offers right now (just finishing up recruiting) and 2 more final rounds to go.
My advice:
Read Victor Cheng and Case in Point, but also see if you can get a free copy of Looking Over My Shoulder. Cheng also has some lectures on YouTube. Also, sign up for rocket blocks and crank their mental math and exhibit portions.
You’ll also likely get some market sizing - out of 7 first round interviews (12 cases), I had to size markets 4 times. Practice that as well on rocket blocks, but know that rocket blocks market sizing is a bit over the top. I passed all the market sizing interviews, and really only segmented/cut the population 2-3 times max.
The only way to really learn though is live practice, and preferably with actual consultants or others going thru the process.
For every case you do/give, there should be 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses. Reflecting on these is huge, and keep practicing until they’re habit.
Start with other students/peers, get to a basic level of competence, and then see if you can find consultants to practice with and help you get to he next level.
Happy to answer any other questions you have as well.
"For every case you do/give, there should be 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses. Reflecting on these is huge, and keep practicing until they're habit."
Would you elaborate on this part? 3 strenghts and 3 weaknesses on your recommendation? On your overall case performance self-evaluation?
For the feedback you give you should give them three things they did well, and three areas in which they could improve.
Ideally, you’ll focus more on what you can improve since the feedback is specific, and just do maintenance on things you do well.
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