At an MBA, have some MBB internship interviews in 2.5ish weeks. I’ve practiced 7 cases total and find case structuring to be difficult. How would you recommend I improve?

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Having a clear understanding of the case process, in outline form, and some best practices can help you feel more comfortable on where you are and what to do - think Open, Narrow, Close:

1. Case introduction - define question
2. Clarify high level overview, business, sector, history, goals, big picture
3. Develop and clearly state hypothesis
4. Establish framework 3CP, profitability or whatever
5. Walk down each branch asking for qualitative and quantitative information
6. Synthesize to validate hypothesis
7. Present recommendation supported by synthesis

Best practices:
1. Be organized - clear notes, break into 3 pages (inputs, calcs, outputs), structure
2. Be clear on the question/problem
3. Have a clear hypothesis
4. Ask for qualitative and quantitative info, and find things to compare to for reference
5. Mini-synthesis as you learn more (oh, that supports my hypothesis)
6. Use an outline format or tree format for organizing your recommendation, supported by ~3 findings
7. Better to have your math right and write it down, than do it in your head and be wrong.
8. Think of math in orders of magnitude and being directionally correct
9. Remember to be personable while working through the steps
10. Reps reps reps will make it more comfortable

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Thanks so much! Such great advice here.

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Practice

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Yes - how? I plan to do more mock cases, but want to have a targeted effort especially since the holidays are coming.

You don’t need to do the full case to practice structure. Just read the prompt and think about how you would breakdown the key drivers to the client/problem. Way more reps without doing the full case.

likehelpful

This!

lol, time to get to work. Most people start to feel a bit more comfortable after 15-20 live cases. If you’re struggling with structuring then make sure you’re solid on frameworks and practice case starts on rocket blocks

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You’re at an MBA program. I’m sure they can provide you with case studies and there are people there with consulting experience. Practice with the right person.

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Burn through case books to practice initial structuring and rocketblocks

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If you have problem with structure you need to start with the basics, read case in point and learn the basoc frameworks. When you have learned the basics you can start creating your own frameworks. Also recommend robert mellon - the case interview workbook, which has a lot of great cases that you can practice instead of the case in point ones.

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literally just do as many cases as possible. in preparation for my bain interview I was doing 3-4 a day for around 2 weeks (is it a bit overkill? yes. but it makes you feel mad comfortable during the interview and the interviewer will feel it)

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Practice until its easy

Rocketblocks is a good resource

Thanks for the suggestions on rocketblocks’ case starts! Will use.

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