- Stages
- 3
- Typical timeline
- 3 to 8 weeks
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Format
- Online assessment, case interviews, fit interviews
Management consulting interviews are built around case interviews and fit questions. In a case, you are given a business problem such as falling profits or a market entry decision and asked to structure it, analyse data, do quick maths and make a recommendation. Fit questions explore leadership, teamwork and impact through specific stories. Some firms add online assessments or written cases first. Interviewers look for clear structure, hypothesis-driven thinking, accurate maths, business sense and confident communication. Practising cases out loud with a partner is the most effective preparation.
The interview process, stage by stage
- Online assessmentProblem solving test, game-based assessment or online case at some firms.
- First roundTwo case interviews with fit questions.
- Final roundFurther cases and fit interviews with senior consultants or partners.
How you're scored
Breaks problems into clear, complete parts.
Accurate maths and sound interpretation of data.
Practical, insightful recommendations.
Clear, confident and collaborative, with strong stories.
Likely Management Consultant interview questions
Our client's profits have fallen 20% in two years. Why, and what should they do?
A strong answer includes: Structure into revenue and costs, drill into drivers with data, identify the main cause, and recommend actions with expected impact.
Should a coffee chain enter a new country?
A strong answer includes: Market attractiveness, competition, client capabilities, entry options and economics, then a clear recommendation with risks.
Estimate the number of electric car chargers needed in the UK.
A strong answer includes: A logical structure, stated assumptions, clean maths and a sanity check of the answer.
Every question for this interview, with what strong answers include. Free with an account for the first few; all of them with Pro.
Common mistakes
- Using a memorised framework that doesn't fit the case
- Maths errors from rushing
- Not synthesising a clear recommendation
- Generic fit stories without personal impact
Questions to ask them
- What kinds of projects do new consultants work on?
- How is staffing decided?
- How are consultants trained and developed?
- What do you enjoy most about the firm?
Candidate experiences
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Share your interviewFrequently asked questions
What is a case interview?
A business problem you solve live with the interviewer, such as why profits fell or whether to enter a new market. You structure the problem, ask for and analyse data, do mental maths, and make a recommendation. It tests how you think, not industry knowledge.
How do I prepare for consulting case interviews?
Practise 30 or more cases out loud with partners, learn to build custom structures rather than memorise frameworks, practise mental maths and chart reading, and prepare fit stories on leadership, teamwork and impact.
What is the difference between candidate-led and interviewer-led cases?
In candidate-led cases you drive the analysis and decide what to look at next. In interviewer-led cases the interviewer asks a series of specific questions. Different firms favour different styles, so practise both.
What fit questions do consulting firms ask?
Why consulting, why this firm, and stories about leading a team, handling conflict, persuading someone, a failure and an achievement you're proud of. Prepare detailed stories with your personal actions and results.
