Roland Berger Interview Prep: 1-Week Intensive Prep
Updated January 2026-38 total hours
Duration
1 Week
Intensity
Intensive
Hours/Day
5-8
Risk Level
High
Short Timeline Warning
1 Week is a compressed timeframe. This plan is for candidates with prior experience who can dedicate significant hours. If possible, consider requesting more time for your interview.
Overview
This 1 week prep plan is designed for candidates with business background who can dedicate full-time hours. It covers everything you need to perform well in Roland Berger interviews, including their candidate-led case format and European Focus.
Prerequisites
- Business degree or work experience
- Basic mental math skills
- Understanding of P&L statements
Day-by-Day Prep Schedule
1
Day 1
Assessment & Planning
5h/day
- Take diagnostic case to identify gaps
- Research Roland Berger interview process
- Set daily practice schedule
- Review basic frameworks
2
Day 2
Framework Mastery
6h/day
- Deep dive on profitability framework
- Learn market sizing methodology
- Mental math drills (30 min)
- Do 1 guided case
3
Day 3
Quantitative Skills
6h/day
- Mental math intensive (1 hour)
- Practice chart interpretation
- Do 1 math-heavy case
- Review market sizing approach
4
Day 4
Case Practice Day 1
6h/day
- Complete 2-3 full cases
- Focus on structure and opening
- Mental math drills (30 min)
- Review and note patterns
5
Day 5
Case Practice Day 2
6h/day
- Complete 2-3 full cases
- Focus on synthesis and recommendations
- Practice under time pressure
- Drill Roland Berger-specific elements
6
Day 6
Behavioral Preparation
5h/day
- Prepare 4-5 strong STAR stories
- Learn firm-specific behavioral format
- Do 1 case with behavioral integration
- Mental math maintenance
7
Day 7
Final Polish
4h/day
- Do 1-2 final mock interviews
- Review all notes and common mistakes
- Light mental math review
- Rest and prepare mentally
Priority Guide
With limited time, focus on what matters most. Here's how to prioritize your 1 week of preparation:
Must Do
Non-negotiable for interview success
- Master core frameworks (profitability, market sizing)
- Complete 8-10 practice cases
- Practice candidate-led format specifically
- Daily mental math drills (20-30 min)
- Prepare 4-5 behavioral STAR stories
- Prepare for European Focus
Should Do
Strongly recommended if time permits
- Learn M&A and market entry frameworks
- Practice synthesis and recommendation delivery
- Do at least 2 mock interviews
- Review your practice cases for patterns
Nice to Do
Will give you an edge
- Study industry-specific case examples
- Read about firm culture and values
- Practice with different case partners
- Review firm thought leadership
Roland Berger-Specific Focus Areas
Roland Berger has unique interview elements. Make sure your prep covers these:
1Practice taking ownership of case direction
2Develop strong hypothesis-driven approach
3Prepare for European and industrial focus cases
4Practice restructuring scenarios
Warning Signs You Need More Time
If you experience any of these during your prep, consider requesting an interview delay:
- You struggle to structure a case within 2 minutes
- Mental math takes you more than 30 seconds per calculation
- You can't articulate a clear hypothesis early in cases
- Your recommendations lack specificity and actionability
- You haven't practiced any cases before
- Basic business concepts feel unfamiliar
- You freeze up when given new information mid-case
- Consider postponing if possible to reduce risk
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Start Practicing NowFrequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare for Roland Berger in 1 Week?
1 Week is a very short timeframe for Roland Berger interview preparation. While it's possible to succeed, you'll need prior case experience, excellent mental math, and the ability to dedicate significant daily hours. If you can postpone, we recommend at least 4-6 weeks.
What should I prioritize with only 1 Week to prepare for Roland Berger?
With 1 Week, focus on: (1) driving cases confidently in candidate-led format, (2) mental math fluency - this can't be faked, (3) preparing for European Focus, and (4) getting actual case practice rather than just reading about cases.
How many practice cases should I do in 1 Week?
For 1 Week of preparation, aim for 8-15 complete practice cases for Roland Berger. Quality matters more than quantity - focus on reviewing your performance and improving specific skills rather than rushing through cases. Include a mix of profitability, market sizing, and Roland Berger's common case types.
I only have 1 Week - what are the biggest mistakes to avoid?
In such a short timeframe, avoid: (1) Trying to learn everything - focus on core frameworks only, (2) Skipping mental math - it's the fastest skill to improve, (3) Only reading about cases instead of practicing them, (4) Neglecting behavioral prep - Roland Berger weighs this heavily, and (5) Cramming the night before - get proper sleep.
What makes Roland Berger interviews different from other firms?
Roland Berger is known for: European Focus, Industrial Expertise, Restructuring Cases. They use an candidate-led case format - Candidate-led cases with European and industrial focus. Cases often involve restructuring, operations, and corporate transformation scenarios.... The behavioral component focuses on Behavioral assessment focusing on entrepreneurial thinking, global mindset, and Roland Berger's cult... Tailor your 1 Week prep plan to these specific elements.