Crack the Case: How to Prepare for Consulting Interviews
Case interviews may feel daunting at the beginning. First, we need to understand what the employers are looking for employers will use case interviews together with the behavioural or “PEI” (Personal Experience Interview) to help assess:
- Problem solving – can you break down a complex business problem?
- Communication – can you explain your ideas clearly and confidently?
- Composure – can you think on your feet whilst performing under pressure?
The good news? With the right preparation, you can walk into your interviews feeling calm, confident, and ready to shine.
Step 1: Get familiar with frameworks
Frameworks like SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, PESTLE, or the 3 Cs can give you a solid starting point. But here’s the secret: do not just memorise them. Interviewers want to see you can adapt your approach to the specific problem, industry or business. Think of frameworks as tools in your kit and not scripts to follow.
One of the most effective ways to start learning how frameworks are applied in practice is to explore CaseCoach, the case interview platform available to you at Imperial Business School. It guides you through examples and typical interview logic before you move on to live practice.
Recent graduate Ziyad Bakheet, MSc Management (24-25), found this especially useful in preparing for the consulting interview processes.
I think the case interviews are 80%... it's really important to make it easy using resources such as CaseCoach... it is really, really, really important.
Step 2: Sharpen your maths
Quick calculations are a big part of cases. Practise mental maths tricks and shortcuts so you can stay focused on the bigger picture. It’s less about perfect precision and more about showing logical and confident working. You can always run a ‘sense-check’ to ensure your numbers or estimations make sense and give yourself the chance to correct any mistakes during the process.
Step 3: Practise market sizing
Expect to be asked something like, “How many gym memberships are sold in the UK each year?” These questions test how you structure your thinking and give credible explanations. Break it down step by step, explain your assumptions, and keep your logic clear. You can draw from current or past business stories that relate to that problem or example to help illustrate or justify your thinking.
Step 4: Stay business-savvy
Reading up on current industry news can help you prepare for discussions and help you stand out. Being able to say, “This trend reminds me of what is happening in the airline industry right now,” can really impress interviewers. Pick one or two sectors you’re genuinely interested in and follow the latest developments and be ready to share opinions.
Step 5: Practise out loud — with people
Reading 40 cases on your own just won’t cut it. Ask a friend, classmate, or use online prep groups or CaseCoach’s built-in feedback tools, for example. Speaking your thoughts aloud builds confidence and makes your delivery sharper. In addition, you’ll get feedback on how clear (or confusing) you sound.
Yasmin Ryan, MSc Global Health Management (24-25) highlights the importance of starting early and learning from peers:
“I came in very much from Ground Zero. I had no experience... So, I started off very early, casing every week. Someone advised me to do around 40 hours of casing before the final round interview and that really stood to me. Whatever type of case was thrown at me, I was prepared to handle it.
One piece of advice is: don’t be embarrassed to case with your peers. Many times I practised with people at Imperial who were far better than me. Everyone has different experiences and strengths, and you can learn a lot more when you go into something unashamedly new.”
Bonus tips to keep in mind:
- Always ask clarifying questions before diving in — it shows you are thoughtful, not rushed.
- Don’t ignore the data you’re given. Use it to back up and support your points.
- When you make assumptions, justify them so the interviewer sees your reasoning.
Final word
There’s no shortcut: the key is practice. But don’t think of it as endless grind. Do drill parts of the case you find more difficult — each practice case gives you the opportunity to get more comfortable, more confident, and closer to landing your consulting offer.
So set yourself a simple goal: try one or two practice cases each week with a friend. By the time interviews come around, you’ll be walking in with an understanding of what to expect and the confidence to take on the challenge. You never know — you might even enjoy the process!
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