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How case interviews actually work
31 guides on the parts of a case interview that decide the outcome: how the scorecard is filled in, how to structure a problem you have never seen, the arithmetic that keeps coming up, each firm's online test, and the habits that cost points without anyone telling you. Written by the two of us, who used to run these interviews.
Start here · What the interview is, and what it is marked on
Case interview preparation: a complete 2026 guide
How do I prepare for a case interview?
12 min readThe consulting recruiting timeline for the 2026-27 cycle: MBB dates and when to start
What is the consulting recruiting timeline, and when should you start preparing?
17 min readHow case interviews are actually scored
How is a case interview actually scored?
11 min readThe case interview scoring rubric, published in full
What is the case interview scoring rubric, in full?
17 min readWhat useful case interview feedback actually looks like
What does useful case interview feedback actually look like?
14 min readStructure · Building a structure that fits the problem in front of you
Case types and the maths · The recurring case shapes, and the arithmetic behind them
Profitability cases: how to find where the profit went
How do you solve a profitability case interview?
12 min readMarket entry cases: how to structure them and reach a go or no-go
How do you solve a market entry case interview?
18 min readPricing cases: how to set, raise and defend a price
How do you solve a pricing case interview?
19 min readGrowth strategy cases: size the gap before you brainstorm
How do you solve a growth strategy case interview?
17 min readPrivate equity cases: how to decide whether to buy the company
How do you solve a private equity case interview?
19 min readMarket sizing questions: the method, and three worked examples
How do you answer a market sizing question?
11 min readCase interview maths: the calculations that actually come up
What maths do you need for a case interview?
12 min readCase interview examples: five prompts, and how to work them
Where can I find case interview examples, and how should I use them?
13 min readFormats and firms · Who drives the case, and what changes between firms
Interviewer-led vs candidate-led cases: what actually changes
What is the difference between an interviewer-led and a candidate-led case?
12 min readThe McKinsey case interview, and how it differs
What is the McKinsey case interview like, and how should I prepare?
11 min readThe McKinsey PEI, and how the questioning really goes
What is the McKinsey PEI, and how does the questioning actually go?
12 min readMcKinsey Solve in 2026: the games, the rules and a fair way to prepare
What is McKinsey Solve, and how do you prepare for it?
19 min readThe BCG case interview, and how it differs
What is the BCG case interview like, and how should I prepare?
13 min readThe BCG Online Case (Casey): format, rules and how to prepare in 2026
What is the BCG Online Case (Casey), how long does it take, and what are the rules?
19 min readThe Bain case interview, and how it differs
What is the Bain case interview like, and how should I prepare?
12 min readThe Bain online assessment: which test you get and how to prepare
Which online assessment does Bain use, and how do I prepare for it?
17 min readThe final round case interview, and what partners are listening for
What is different about the final round case interview?
19 min readPractice and pitfalls · Getting reps that count, and the habits that cost points
How to practise case interviews alone, without fooling yourself
Can you practise case interviews on your own, and how?
12 min readThe twelve mistakes that cost the most points
What are the most common case interview mistakes?
12 min readWhy consulting, and why McKinsey, BCG or Bain: how to answer
How do you answer “why consulting” and “why this firm” in an MBB interview?
19 min readChoosing how to prepare · What the tools actually do, and which one fits the gap you have
What AI case interview practice looks like in 2026
Does AI case interview practice work, and how do you use it well?
19 min readCase interview prep tools, compared honestly
Which case interview prep tool should you use?
15 min readRocketBlocks alternatives: what to use instead, and when to keep it
What are the best alternatives to RocketBlocks for case interview prep?
13 min readPrepLounge alternatives: what to use when peer practice isn't enough
What are the best alternatives to PrepLounge for case interview prep?
13 min read