What is a Case Interview?
A case interview is a job interview format where candidates analyze and solve real business problems in real-time, demonstrating their analytical thinking, structured reasoning, and communication skills. Top consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain use case interviews as their primary evaluation method, typically accounting for 50-70% of the hiring decision.
| Also known as | Case study interview, consulting case, business case |
| Used by | McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture, and 100+ other consulting firms |
| Duration | 25-40 minutes per case |
| Typical prep time | 4-8 weeks (50-100 hours total) |
| Pass rate | ~10-15% of applicants receive offers at MBB firms |
Definition
A case interview simulates the work consultants do on client engagements. The interviewer presents a business scenario - for example, "Our client is a retail chain whose profits have dropped 20% over the past year. What should they do?" - and you work through it collaboratively.
Unlike traditional interviews that focus on past experiences, case interviews evaluate how you think in real-time. There's no single "right" answer. Interviewers care more about your approach: Do you ask clarifying questions? Do you structure your analysis logically? Can you do math under pressure? Can you synthesize findings into a clear recommendation?
Case interviews originated at McKinsey in the 1950s and have since become the industry standard. Today, virtually every strategy consulting firm uses them, along with many corporate strategy teams, private equity firms, and tech companies for PM roles.
How a Case Interview Works
- Problem presentation (1-2 min): The interviewer reads the case prompt - a brief description of a business situation and question.
- Clarifying questions (1-2 min): You ask questions to understand the client, objective, and any constraints.
- Structure (2-3 min): You present a framework - a logical breakdown of how you'll analyze the problem.
- Analysis (15-25 min): You work through the problem, analyze data provided by the interviewer, do calculations, and draw insights.
- Recommendation (2-3 min): You synthesize your findings into a clear, actionable recommendation for the client.
Important distinction: McKinsey uses an "interviewer-led" format where they control the pace and direct you to specific analyses. BCG and Bain use a "candidate-led" format where you drive the case yourself. The core skills are the same, but the feel is different.
Common Case Types
| Case Type | Example Prompt | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Profitability | "Our client's profits dropped 15%. Why?" | 30-40% |
| Market sizing | "How many EV charging stations are in Germany?" | 20-25% |
| Market entry | "Should our client enter the Brazilian market?" | 15-20% |
| M&A | "Should our client acquire this competitor?" | 10-15% |
| Pricing | "How should we price this new product?" | 5-10% |
Example: A Simple Profitability Case
Prompt: "Your client is a regional coffee chain with 50 locations. Over the past year, profits have declined by $2 million. The CEO wants to know why and what to do about it."
Your approach: You'd break profit into revenue and costs. Revenue = Price × Volume. Costs = Fixed + Variable. You'd ask questions to isolate where the problem is, analyze data the interviewer provides, and recommend actions based on your findings.
What they're evaluating: Can you structure the problem? Do mental math accurately? Draw insights from data? Communicate clearly? Arrive at a defensible recommendation?
Related Concepts
- MECE - The principle of Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive structuring
- PEI (Personal Experience Interview) - McKinsey's behavioral interview format
- Case Interview Frameworks - Common structures for analyzing business problems
- Market Sizing - A specific case type focused on estimation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a case interview in simple terms?
A case interview is a job interview where you solve a business problem out loud. The interviewer presents a scenario (like "profits are down 20%") and you work through it together, showing your analytical thinking in real-time.
Why do consulting firms use case interviews?
Consulting firms use case interviews because they simulate actual consulting work. They test problem-solving ability, structured thinking, quantitative skills, and communication - the core skills needed on client projects.
How long is a typical case interview?
A typical case interview lasts 25-40 minutes. McKinsey cases run about 25 minutes (plus 20 minutes for PEI behavioral questions). BCG and Bain cases typically run 30-40 minutes with fit questions woven in.
What types of cases are asked?
Common case types include: profitability cases (why are profits down?), market sizing (how big is the market for X?), market entry (should we enter this market?), M&A (should we acquire this company?), and pricing (how should we price this product?).
How do I prepare for a case interview?
Prepare by: (1) learning frameworks for common case types, (2) practicing mental math daily, (3) doing 20-30 practice cases with feedback, (4) developing structured thinking habits, and (5) practicing explaining your reasoning out loud with voice-based practice.
Practice Case Interviews
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Start PracticingLast updated: January 15, 2026