accenture case study interview examples

35 Case Interviews Examples from MBB / Big Four Firms

Studying case interview examples is one of the first steps in preparing for the  management consulting  recruitment process. If you don’t want to spend hours searching the web, this article presents a comprehensive and convenient list for you – with 35 example cases, 16 case books, along with a case video accompanied by detailed feedback on tips and techniques.

A clear understanding of “what is a case interview” is essential for effective use of these examples. I suggest reading our  Case Interview 101  guide, if you haven’t done so.

McKinsey case interview examples

Mckinsey practice cases.

• Diconsa Case
• Electro-Light Case
• GlobaPharm Case
• National Education Case

What should I know about McKinsey Case interviews?

At McKinsey, case interviews often follow the interviewer-led format , where the interviewer asks you multiple questions for you to answer with short pitches.

How do you nail these cases? Since the questions can be grouped into predictable types, an efficient approach is to master each question type. However, do that after you’ve mastered the case interview fundamentals!

For a detailed guide on interviewer-led cases, check out our article on McKinsey Case Interview .

BCG & Bain case interview examples

Bcg practice cases.

• BCG – Written Case – Chateau Boomerang

Bain practice cases

• Bain – Coffee Shop Co.
• Bain – Fashion Co.
• Bain – Mock Interview – Associate Consultant
• Bain – Mock Interview – Consultant

What should I know about BCG & Bain case interviews?

Unlike McKinsey, BCG and Bain case interviews typically follow the candidate-led format – which is the opposite of interviewer-led, with the candidate driving the case progress by actively breaking down problems in their own way.

The key to acing candidate-led cases is to master the case interview fundamental concepts as well as the frameworks.

Some BCG and Bain offices also utilize written case interviews – you have to go through a pile of data slides, select the most relevant ones to answer a set of interviewer questions, then deliver those answers in a presentation.

For a detailed guide on candidate-led cases, check out our article on BCG & Bain Case Interview .

Deloitte case interview examples

Deloitte practice cases.

Undergrad Cases

• Human Capital – Technology Institute
• Human Capital – Agency V
• Strategy – Federal Benefits Provider
• Strategy – Extreme Athletes
• Technology – Green Apron
• Technology – Big Bucks Bank
• Technology – Top Engine
• Technology – Finance Agency

Advanced Cases

• Human Capital – Civil Cargo Bureau
• Human Capital – Capital Airlines
• Strategy – Club Co
• Strategy – Health Agency
• Technology – Waste Management
• Technology – Bank of Zurich
• Technology – Galaxy Fitness

What should I know about Deloitte case interviews?

Case interviews at Deloitte also lean towards the candidate-led format like BCG and Bain.

The Deloitte consultant recruitment process also features group case interviews , which not only test analytical skills but also place a great deal on interpersonal handling.

Accenture case interview examples

Accenture divides its cases into three types with very cool-sounding names.

Sorted in descending order of popularity, they are:

These are similar to candidate-led cases at Bain and BCG. albeit shorter – the key is to develop a suitable framework and ask the right questions to extract data from the interviewer.

These are similar to the market-sizing and guesstimate questions asked in interviewer-led cases – demonstrate your calculations in structured, clear-cut, logical steps and you’ll nail the case.

These cases have you sort through a deluge of data to draw solutions; however, this type of case is rare.

Capital One case interview examples

Capital One is the odd one on this list – it is a bank-holding company. Nonetheless, this being one of the biggest banks in America, it’s interesting to see how its cases differ from the consulting ones.

Having gone through Capital One’s guide to its cases, I can’t help but notice the less-MECE structure of the sample answers. Additionally, there seems to be a greater focus on the numbers.

Nonetheless, having a solid knowledge of the basics of case interviews will not hurt you – if anything, your presentation will be much more in-depth, comprehensive, and understandable!

See Capital One Business Analyst Case Interview for an example case and answers.

Other firms case interview examples

Besides the leading ones, we have some examples from other major consulting firms as well.

• Oliver Wyman – Wumbleworld
• Oliver Wyman – Aqualine
• LEK – Cinema
• LEK – Market Sizing
• Kearney – Promotional Planning
• OC&C – Imported Spirits
• OC&C – Leisure Clubs

Consulting clubs case books

In addition to official cases, here are a few case books you can use as learning materials.

Do keep in mind: don’t base your study on frameworks and individual case types, but master the fundamentals so you can tackle any kind of case.

• Wharton Consulting Club Case Book
• Tuck Consulting Club Case Book
• MIT Sloan Consulting Club Case Book
• LBS Consulting Club Case Book
• Kellogg Consulting Club Case Book
• INSEAD Consulting Club Case Book
• Harvard Consulting Club Case Book
• ESADE Consulting Club Case Book
• Darden Consulting Club Case Book
• Berkeley Consulting Club Case Book
• Notre-Dame Consulting Club Case Book
• Illinois Consulting Club Case Book
• Columbia Consulting Club Case Book
• Duke Consulting Club Case Book
• Ross Consulting Club Case Book
• Kearney Case Book

Case interview example – Case video

The limitation of most official case interview examples is that they are either too short and vague, or in text format, or both.

To solve that problem for you, we’ve extracted a 30-minute-long, feedback-rich case sample from our Case Interview End-to-End Secrets Program .

This is a candidate-led, profitability case on an internet music broadcasting company called Pandora.

In 30 minutes, this candidate demonstrates the exact kind of shortcoming that most candidates suffer during real case interviews – they come in with sharp business senses, then hurt their own chances with inadequate techniques.

Here are seven notable areas where the candidate (and you) can improve:

Thanking Throughout the case, as especially in the opening, he should have shown more appreciation for the time the interviewer spent with him.

Structured opening The candidate’s opening of the case feels unstructured. He could have improved it by not mixing the playback and clarification parts. You can learn to nail the case in a 3-minute start through this video on How to Open Any Case Perfectly .

Explicitness A lot of the candidate’s thought process remains in his head; in a case interview, it’s better to be as explicit as possible – draw your issue tree out and point to it as you speak; state your hypothesis when you move into a branch; when you receive data, acknowledge it out loud.

Avoiding silence The silence in his case performance is too long, including his timeout and various gaps in his speech; either ask for timeout (and keep it as short as possible) or think out loud to fill those gaps.

Proactivity The candidate relies too much on the interviewer (e.g: asking for data when it can easily be calculated); you don’t want to appear lazy before your interviewer, so avoid this.

Avoiding repeating mistakes Making one mistake twice is a big no-no in consulting interviews; one key part of the consulting skill set is the ability to learn, and repeating your mistakes (especially if the interviewer has pointed it out) makes you look like someone who doesn’t learn.

Note-taking Given the mistakes this candidate makes, he’s probably not taking his notes well. I can show you how to get it right if you watch this video on Case Interview Note-Taking .

Nonetheless, there are three good points you can learn from the candidate:

The candidate sums up what he’s covered and announces his upcoming approach at the start and at key points in the case – this is a very good habit that gives you a sense of direction and shows that you’re an organized person.

The candidate performs a “reality check” on whether his actions match the issue tree; in a case interview it’s easy to lose track of what you’re doing, so remember to do this every once in a while.

The candidate prompts the interviewer to give out more data than he asked for; if anything, this actually matches a habit of real consultants, and if you’re lucky, your interviewer may actually give out important pieces you haven’t thought of.

These are only part of the “ninja tips” taught In our Case Interview E2E Secrets Program – besides the math and business intuition for long-term development, a key feature is the instant-result tips and techniques for case interviews.

Once you’ve mastered them, you can nail any case they throw at you!

For more “quality” practice, let’s have a mock case interview with former consultants from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Oliver Wyman, Strategy& and many other consulting firms. They will help you identify your problem areas and give you actionable feedback, making your preparation much easier and faster.

Hi! This is Kim and welcome to another performance in the Tips & Techniques part of our amazing End-to-end program. You are about to hear a really interesting performance.

There is a common Myth that Profitability cases are easier. Well, for beginners, that’s may make sense, but I would argue that Profitability cases can be really tricky and candidates without good foundation will make about the same level of mistakes regardless of type of cases given.

The profitability case we are about to watch will show that. It’s a very unconventional

Profitability. It started out like a typical one but getting more and more tricky toward the end.

The candidate is fairly good in term of business intuition, but the Tips & Techniques aspect needs a lot of fine tune! Now let’s go ahead and get started! 

It’s actually a little better to playback the case information and ask clarifications. The candidate does not distinguish between the two and do both at a same time. Also, the candidate was asking these clarifications in an unorganized and unstructured fashion. This is not something terrible, but could have been better, especially when this is the very first part of the case, where the crucial first impression is being formed.

My pitch would sound like this:

“That’s a very interesting problem and I am happy to get the chance to solve it. First of all let me tell you my understanding of the case context and key objectives. Then I would like to ask a few clarifying questions regarding a few terminology and concepts. Both of these are to make sure that I will be solving the right problem.

So here is my understanding of the case: The client is ABC. Here are some DEF facts about the situation we just talked about. And the key case question is XYZ.

Does that correctly and adequately summarize the case?”

Once the interviewer confirms, I would move to the clarification part as follows: “Now I would like to ask a few clarification questions. There are three of them: No 1, … No 2, … and No 3, …”

You may see above pitch as obvious but that’s a perfect example of how you should open any cases. Every details matters. We will point out those details in just a second. But before we do that, it’s actually very helpful if you can go back, listen carefully to the above pitch, and try to point out the great components yourselves. Only after that, go back to this point and learn it all together.

Alright, let’s break down the perfect opening.

First of all, you hear me say: “That’s a very interesting problem and I am happy to get a chance to solve it”. This seems trivial but very beneficial in multiple ways:

1. I bought myself a couple of seconds to calm down and get focused. 2. By nature, we as human unconsciously like those who give us compliments. Nothing better than opening the case with a modest compliment to the interviewer.

And (c) I showed my great attitude towards the case, which the interviewer would assume is the same for real future consulting business problems.

You should do that in your interviews too. Say it and accompany it with the best smile you can give. It shows that you are not afraid of any problems. In fact, you love them and you are always ready for them.

Secondly, I did what I refer to as the “map habit”, which is to always say what you are about to do and then do it. Just like somebody in the car showing the drivers the route before cruising on the road. The driver would love it. This is where I said: “Let me tell you my understanding of the case context and key objectives. Then ABC…”.

Third, right at the beginning of the case, I try to be crystal clear and easy to follow. I don’t let the interviewer confused between playing the case vs. asking clarification questions. I distinguish between the two really carefully. This habit probably doesn’t change the outcome of how the case goes that much, but it certainly significantly changes the impression the interviewer has of me.

Fourth, in playing back the case, each person would have a different way to re-phrase. But there are three buckets to always include:

1. Who is the client 2. The facts regarding the client and the situation and (c) The key question and the objective of the case.

Fifth, after playing the case context and objectives, I pause for a second and ALIGN with the interviewer: “Does it correctly and adequately summarize the case?”. This is a habit that every consulting manager loves for young consultants to do. Nobody wants first-year folks to spend weeks of passion and hard-work building an excel model that the team can’t use. This habit is extensively taught at McKinsey, Bain and BCG, so therefore interviewers would love somebody that exhibits this habit often in case interview.

Lastly, when asking clarification questions, you hear me number them very carefully to create the strong impression that I am very organized and structured. I said I have three clarifying questions. Then I number them as I go through each. No.1, No.2, and No.3.

Sometimes, during interviews it’s hard to know exactly how many items you are going to get. One way is to take timeout often to carefully plan your pitch. If this is not possible in certain situations, you may skip telling how many items you have; but you should definitely still number your question: No.1, No.2; and so on. 

Just a moment ago, the candidate actually exhibited a good habit. After going through his clarification questions, the candidate ended by asking the “is there anything else” question. In this case, I actually give out an important piece of data.

Though this is not very common as not every interviewer is that generous in giving out data. But this is a habit management consultants have to have every day when talking to experts, clients, or key stakeholders. The key is to get the most data and insights out of every interview and this is the type of open-ended question every consultant asks several times a day.

To show of this habit in a case interview is very good!

There are three things I would like you to pay attention to:

First, it took the candidate up to 72 seconds to “gather his thoughts”. This is a little too long in a case interview. I intentionally leave the 72 seconds of silence in the recording so you get an idea of how long that is in real situations. But it’s worth-noting here is not only that. While in some very complicated and weird cases, it’s ok to take that long to really think and gather ideas. In this case, the approach as proposed by the candidate is very simple. For this very approach, I think no more than 15 to 20 seconds should be used.

No.2, with that said, I have told I really like the fact that this candidate exhibits the “map” habit. Before going straight to the approach he draws the overall approach first.

No.3. You also see here that the candidate tried to align the approach with me by asking my thoughts on it. As I just said on the previous comment, this is a great habit to have. Not only does it help reduce chance of going into the wrong direction in case interviews, but it also creates a good impression. Consulting interviewers love people doing it often!

Here we see a not-really-bad response that for sure could be much better. The candidate was going into the first branch of the analysis which is Revenue. I would fix this in 3 aspects:

First, even though we just talked about the overall approach, it’s still better to briefly set up the issue tree first then clearly note that you are going into one branch.

Second, this is not a must, but I always try to make my hypothesis as explicitly clear as possible. Here the candidate just implicitly made a hypothesis that the problem is on the revenue side. The best way to show our hypothesis-driven mindset is to explicitly say it.

Third, you hear this a ton of times in our End-to-End program but I am going to repeat it again and again. It is better to show the habit of aligning here too. Don’t just go into revenue, before doing that, give the interviewer a chance to agree or to actually guide you to Cost.

So, summarizing the above insights, my pitch would sound something like this:

“So as we just discussed, a profit problem is either caused by revenue or by cost. Unless you would like to go into cost first, let’s hypothesize that the problem is on revenue side. I would like to look deeper into Revenue. Do we have any data on the revenue?”

And while saying this, you should literally draw an issue tree and point to each as you speak.

There is an interesting case interview tip I want to point out here. Notice how the candidate responds after receiving two data points from me. He went straight into the next question without at least acknowledging the data received and also without briefly analyzing it.

I am glad that the candidate makes this mistakes… well, not glad for him but for the greater audience of this program. I would like to introduce to you the perfect habit of what you should react and do every time you have any piece of data during case interviews. So three things you need to do:

Step 1: Say … that’s an interesting piece of data. This helps the interviewer acknowledge that you have received and understand the data. This also buys you a little time. And furthermore, it’s always a good thing to give out modest compliments to the interviewer.

Step 2: Describe the data, how it looks, is there any special noteworthy trend? In this case, we should point out that revenue actually grew by more than 50%.

Also notice here that I immediately quantified the difference in specific quantitative measurement (in this case, percentage). Saying revenue went up is good, but it’s great to be able to say revenue went up by more than 50%.

Step 3: Link the trend identified back to the original case question and the hypothesis you have. Does it prove, disprove, or open up new investigation to really test the hypothesis? In this case, this data piece actually opened up new investigating areas to test the hypothesis that the bottleneck is within revenue.

My sample pitch for this step 3 would sound like this: “It’s interesting that revenue went up quite a bit. However, to be able to fully reject our hypothesis on the revenue, I would like to compare our revenue to that of the competitors as well.”

Then only at this point, after going through 3 steps above, I ask for the competitors’ revenue like the candidate did.

Notice here that I ended up asking the same question the candidate did. This shows that the candidate does have a good intuition and thought process. It’s just that he did all of these implicitly on his head.

In consulting case interview, it’s always good to do everything as explicitly as possible. Not only is it easier to follow but it helps show your great thought process.

… the rest of the transcript is available in our End To End Case Interview

Learn the Secrets to Case Interview!

Join countless other successful candidates around the world with our Case Interview End-to-End Secrets Program ! 10 example cases with 100+ real-time feedbacks on tips and techniques, 50+ exercises on business intuition and 1300+ questions for math practice!

Scoring in the McKinsey PSG/Digital Assessment

The scoring mechanism in the McKinsey Digital Assessment

Related product

Case Interview End-to-End Secrets Program

Elevate your case interview skills with a well-rounded preparation package

Preparing for case interviews is a hard task when you only have 1 week, so the first part you need to learn during this time is fundamentals of case interview

Case interview in consulting is difficult with the passing rate is around 10%. This is because big consulting firms keep an extremely high recruitment standard

A case interview is where candidates is asked to solve a business problem. They are used by consulting firms to evaluate problem-solving skill & soft skills

The Accenture Case Interview: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

• Last Updated January, 2024

Former Accenture

Accenture Consulting’s Recruitment Process

Mco’s 5 tips on how to ace the accenture case interview, the accenture potentia interview.

Fit / Behavioral Interview

Case Interview: A Step-by-Step Guide

Consulting’s Recruitment Process

Does it feel like there’s so much to try to understand about tackling Accenture case interviews? Are you unsure where to even start?

Don’t worry, we’ve been there. No, seriously, we actually have been there . And we made it through to the other side, job offer in hand.

Which makes us perfectly placed to walk you through it, step-by-step, in our comprehensive guide.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• What the Accenture recruitment process looks like,
• The Accenture Potentia interview,
• The Accenture case interview – a step-by-step guide,
• MCO’s 5 tips on acing the Accenture case interview, and
• The Accenture Consulting fit/behavioral interview.

Let’s get started!

The Accenture recruitment process is similar to that of other consulting firms. Since 2021, more and more of the process is being conducted virtually. There are 4 main elements which we’ll cover here:

• The Online Application
• The Digital Assessment
• The Phone Interview
• Assessment Day

Nail the case & fit interview with strategies from former MBB Interviewers that have helped 89.6% of our clients pass the case interview.

Accenture’s Online Application

The first stage is to submit an online application form. Make sure this is tailored to the service and location you’re interested in applying to. You can use Accenture’s job descriptions to make sure you cover the main elements recruiters are looking for.

Need more help? Read our comprehensive guide to preparing your consulting resume .

The Accenture Digital Assessment

Depending on the role, the next stage after your application’s been accepted is an online assessment. This is an opportunity for the recruiting team to test your numeracy, logic, and decision-making skills and to identify areas of natural strength.

You can find out all you need to know about the Accenture Digital Assessment in our article.

Phone Interview

The phone interview is your first chance to really connect with the recruiting team. They’ll be looking to understand your motivation for joining Accenture Consulting and how your skills match what they’re looking for.

This is your opportunity to show how enthusiastic you are about Accenture, so referencing something unique to the company that’s sparked your interest — how its values align with yours, how it supports advances in technology, or your interest in the company’s corporate social responsibility work — is a smart move.

Accenture Assessment Day

For graduate hires, the final stage is an assessment day. This may be in-person, though many offices now hold virtual assessment days.

During the assessment day, there will be both group and individual elements including leadership activities, case study discussions, and 1:1 interviews. The 1:1 interviews will include both a behavioral/fit interview and a case interview.

Experienced hires won’t have an assessment day. Instead, they’ll have either a virtual or face-to-face case and fit interview.

Worried about how to tackle a virtual case interview ? We’ve got 7 top tips to help you ace them.

Accenture is a big firm. As well as management consultancy, they also provide IT consultancy and outsourcing services for business support operations.

The management consultancy part of the business is divided into 3 parts: Accenture Strategy, Digital, and Operations. Accenture Strategy is the arm of the company that competes against top consulting firms such as Bain, BCG, and McKinsey.

If you’re applying for a role within Accenture Strategy, you’ll complete a unique interview called the Potentia interview.

How Is the Accenture Potentia Interview Different from a Regular Case Interview?

Don’t be thrown by the name. At its heart, the Potentia interview is a case interview. The main difference is that it focuses more on assessing the creative thinking of Accenture Strategy candidates.

We’ll be taking you through the nuts and bolts of a case interview below so, for now, here are a few tips to approach this unique Accenture interview.

Our Top Tips For the Potentia Interview

The Potentia interview is a 1-hour long interview about a broad business topic. You’ll be given a short piece of text providing some context to the topic and a problem statement.

Topics are diverse, such as the mining of blood diamonds in Africa or who owns the intellectual property of the internet.

You have 5 minutes to read through the information and prepare your thoughts. After that, there’s a 45-60 minute conversation with the interviewer where you present your thoughts and answer their follow-up questions. There’s no math required during the Potentia interview.

Here are our top tips:

• Use a framework to organize your thoughts . While the interviewer is assessing your creativity, how you present your thoughts should be logical and structured. Outline your core ideas and then expand on the key strengths and weaknesses of each.
• Don’t try and ‘solve’ the problem . These are complex real-life topics that don’t have an easy solution. Focus on presenting innovative ideas that could create real benefit. But, don’t forget good business sense. Evaluate your ideas for practicality, risk, and ease of implementation.
• Adapt your experience . If you have previous work experience that gives you insight into how to approach the problem, use it! Adapting something that’s worked in one context for use in another shows flexibility and a creative mindset.

The Accenture Case Interview: A Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s now look at the Accenture case interview in detail – what types of case you might face, how to approach them, and a real-life work example.

Types of Cases

There are 3 types of cases you might face during your Accenture case interviews. These are called:

• The “Great Unknown”
• The “Parade of Facts”
• The “Back of an Envelope”

Each of the types has different attributes, as shown below. Of the 3 types, the “Great Unknown” and the “Back of the Envelope” are more common than the “Parade of Facts”.

Whichever case you face, make sure you fully understand all the facts and what you are being asked to do before trying to “solve” it.

How to Approach the Case Interview

1) make sure you understand the question.

Fully understanding the question asked is the 1st step in our tried-and-tested method of approaching case interviews.

You don’t want to spend 45 minutes crafting a great answer to the wrong question. Take a moment to consider the problem statement and then repeat it back to the interviewer in your own words to make sure you’ve got it nailed down.

2) Take Time to Think Things Through

Once you understand the problem, it’s helpful to break it down into smaller parts to help you uncover the issues that might be driving it. An issue tree is a helpful tool to identify the root cause of problems.

Once you’re clear on what the problem is, take a moment to figure out what approach you’re going to take to “solve” it and what clarification questions you want to ask the interviewer. 

At this stage, you might want to think about familiar frameworks you’ve studied during your case study preparation and how they can help frame your thoughts. 

For more information on some classic business frameworks, see Case Interview Frameworks .

3) Ask Insightful Questions

At this point, you should be clear on the problem and have figured out your approach to “solving” it. Share this with the interviewer so they can follow your thought process and ask any clarification questions that you need.

Asking pertinent questions and probing for more information should then allow you to form one or more hypotheses of what could solve the problem.

Testing your hypotheses against what you know about the client and by using a relevant business framework will allow you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each, until you finalize your preferred recommendation.

4) Summarize Your Findings

In this final stage, you’ll summarize your findings and present recommendations to the client.

Make sure you provide a clear and direct answer to the problem statement and outline any next steps you recommend the client takes. 

Highlight any risks associated with your recommendations and options for mitigating them.

The Accenture Case Interview: A Worked Example

Let’s go through an example “Great Unknown” case to see how this all fits together.

As is typical in a “Great Unknown” case, there’s not much information given so asking great questions is key to cracking this case.

Issue Tree 

After considering the problem statement, remember to reflect back to the interviewer what you understand to be the problem, in your own words.

Next, create an issue tree to break the problem down and into component parts.

Using an issue tree helps you to quickly identify several things the client needs to consider when evaluating how to distribute the vaccine including the following issues: infrastructure, staffing, procedures and training, communications and technology, funding, and procurement.

This is also the time to ask clarification questions and probe for more information where there are gaps in your current understanding of the problem.

Building A Hypothesis for How to Quickly and Efficiently Vaccinate the Philadelphia Population 

Depending on the information given, now is the time to narrow the focus and create a hypothesis.

Once you have a strong hypothesis of where the vaccine should be distributed, you still need to address the other infrastructure needs for the vaccination center as well as the other components of your framework. Go through them one-by-one.

Presenting Your Recommendation

Now you’ve considered all the facts, built, and tested your hypothesis. At this stage you should summarize your findings, noting any assumptions you’ve made. 

Conclude your presentation by offering clear recommendations to the client directly addressing the problem statement. Note any risks associated with your recommendation.

Here are our top 5 tips to help you feel confident tackling the case interview:

Tip 1: Think before you dive into the case

Depending on the type of case, there can be a lot of information to manage. Make sure you’ve got it all clear in your head before you begin to tackle the case.

Equally, don’t be thrown if there’s not a lot of information. Take a moment to think through how you’ll approach the problem from beginning to end.

Tip 2: Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to probe for more information where you’ve identified there are gaps. And do clarify anything you don’t understand, such as acronyms or terms you’re not familiar with.

Tip 3: Share your thoughts

It’s no good to listen to the problem statement, scribble frantically on some paper for 45 minutes and then present the “answer.” Interviewers want to understand your thought process, how you handle information, and what assumptions you’ve made. Share your framework for approaching the case with your interviewer and walk them through each step as you address it.

Tip 4: Pay attention to cues

Sharing your thoughts gives the interviewer an opportunity to guide the conversation. Make sure you follow any feedback they offer on your approach and listen closely for any hints about where to go next.

Be aware, however, that some partners like to stress-test final round candidates to ensure they can defend their answers. If you think you’re right, stick to your recommendation.

Tip 5: Be yourself

No one else shares your story. The case interview is an opportunity to show creative thinking and offer insights based on your individual experiences. Your unique perspective is important and helps separate you from other candidates.

For even more tips on acing case interviews, check out 7 Tips To Help You Land A Consulting Offer .

Accenture Fit / Behavioral Interview

This Accenture interview concentrates on 2 types of questions: fit questions and personal experience questions.

Top 3 Fit Questions and How To Ace Them

1) why do you want to work for accenture.

Or the fact they have both strategy and implementation functions so you can see the tangible difference your client recommendations make. Or how the great people you’ve met so far have reinforced that this is the company for you.

The best answers are personal stories. Don’t share generic reasons for joining the firm. Instead show why the reasons you present matter to you. For more on this, see our article “ Why Accenture? ”

2) Why Do You Want to Work in Consulting?

3) tell me something about you that’s not on your resume., typical personal experience questions and how to approach them.

• Tell me about a time you disagreed with someone and how you managed that.
• Tell me about a time when you led a team through a challenging situation.
• Tell me about a time when you persuaded someone to change their mind.
• Tell me about a time when you overcome something you personally found difficult.

Using the A STAR(E) Framework

The A STAR(E) framework covers the following points:

• Answer. Give a clear 1-sentence answer to the question.
• Situation. When and where did the story happen? Who was involved?
• Tension. What was the problem, conflict, or challenge you faced?
• Action. What did you do to solve the problem?
• Result. What happened as a result of the action you took?
• Effect. What effect did this have on you? What did you learn?

The (E) is in parentheses because this won’t be relevant to every story.

For a detailed guide to tackling the Fit/Behavioral Interview, see our article on Consulting Behavioral Interviews .

In this article, we’ve covered:

• What makes up the Accenture recruitment process,
• What the Accenture Potentia interview is,
• Our step-by-step approach to tackling an Accenture case interview,
• Our top tips for success in your Accenture case interviews, and
• What’s covered during the Accenture behavioral interview.

Still have questions?

If you have more questions about Accenture case interviews, leave them in the comments below. One of My Consulting Offer’s case coaches will answer them.

Other people prepping for the Accenture case interview found the following pages helpful:

• Our Ultimate Guide to Case Interview Prep ,
• How to answer the “Why Accenture?” question ,
• How to answer Market Sizing questions

Help with Consulting Interview Prep

Thanks for turning to My Consulting Offer for advice on consulting interview prep. My Consulting Offer has helped almost 85% of the people we’ve worked with to get a job in management consulting . We want you to be successful in your consulting interviews too. For example, here is how Ruhani was able to get her offer from Accenture.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

© My CONSULTING Offer

3 Top Strategies to Master the Case Interview in Under a Week

We are sharing our powerful strategies to pass the case interview even if you have no business background, zero casing experience, or only have a week to prepare.

No thanks, I don't want free strategies to get into consulting.

We are excited to invite you to the online event., where should we send you the calendar invite and login information.

Unraveling Accenture's Scenarios Interview: A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking to ace your Accenture Scenarios Interview? Look no further than our comprehensive step-by-step guide.

Posted May 18, 2023

Table of Contents

If you're preparing for an interview with Accenture, you may be wondering what to expect from the Scenarios Interview. This type of interview is designed to evaluate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations. In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at the Accenture Scenarios Interview and provide a step-by-step guide for preparing and succeeding in this important interview process.

What is the Accenture Scenarios Interview?

The Accenture Scenarios Interview is a behavioral and situational interview that evaluates a candidate's problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to think strategically. The interview typically lasts between 45 minutes to 1 hour and consists of a series of hypothetical scenarios that the candidate must respond to.

During the interview, the interviewer may ask follow-up questions to better understand the candidate's thought process and decision-making skills. The scenarios presented may be related to the candidate's field of expertise or may be more general in nature.

It is important for candidates to prepare for the Accenture Scenarios Interview by researching the company and its values, practicing problem-solving techniques, and reviewing common behavioral interview questions. Candidates should also be prepared to provide specific examples from their past experiences to demonstrate their skills and abilities.

Why is the Scenarios Interview important?

The Scenarios Interview is an important part of the recruitment process at Accenture because it helps the company assess a candidate's ability to handle complex situations and think on their feet. These are critical skills for consultants and other professionals at Accenture, who are often called upon to solve complex problems for clients in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Additionally, the Scenarios Interview also allows the candidate to showcase their creativity and innovation in finding solutions to problems. This is important because Accenture values employees who can think outside the box and come up with unique solutions to challenges. The interview also provides an opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate their communication skills, as they will need to effectively explain their thought process and solutions to the interviewer.

Free trial!

From 109 top coaches

Access a library of videos, templates, and examples curated by Leland’s top coaches.

Example resumes.

Example Cases

Casing Drills

Mock Interviews

Preparing for the Scenarios Interview

Preparing for the Scenarios Interview requires a combination of research, practice, and self-reflection. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Research Accenture's values, culture, and mission to get a better understanding of what the company is looking for in candidates.
• Review common interview questions and prepare answers using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses.
• Practice answering scenarios questions with a friend or family member, and ask for feedback on your responses.
• Reflect on your own experiences and think about how you have handled challenging situations in the past.

It's also important to dress appropriately for the interview. Make sure your outfit is professional and reflects the company's culture. Additionally, arrive early to the interview to allow time for unexpected delays, and bring extra copies of your resume and any other relevant documents. Finally, remember to stay calm and confident during the interview, and don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for clarification if needed.

Common types of Scenarios questions

Scenarios questions can take many forms, but here are some common types you may encounter in an Accenture interview:

• Client-facing scenarios: These questions relate to how you would handle a difficult client situation, such as a client who is unhappy with their project outcome.
• Teamwork scenarios: These questions assess your ability to work collaboratively with others, such as how you would resolve a conflict with a teammate or manage a team member who isn't meeting expectations.
• Adaptability scenarios: These questions evaluate how well you can adapt to changing circumstances, such as how you would handle a project that is suddenly changed or delayed.

Another common type of scenario question is problem-solving scenarios. These questions test your ability to analyze a problem and come up with a solution. For example, you may be asked how you would approach a situation where a project is behind schedule and over budget.

Communication scenarios are also frequently asked in Accenture interviews. These questions assess your ability to communicate effectively with clients, team members, and other stakeholders. You may be asked how you would handle a situation where there is a miscommunication between team members or how you would communicate a complex technical issue to a non-technical client.

Tips for answering Behavioral and Situational questions

When answering Scenarios questions, it is helpful to keep the following tips in mind:

• Be specific: Use concrete examples from your own experiences to illustrate your responses.
• Focus on results: Emphasize the outcomes of your actions and the impact you had on the situation.
• Stay calm and focused: This is a high-pressure situation, so take a deep breath and take your time crafting your response.

Additionally, it is important to listen carefully to the question being asked and make sure you understand it fully before answering. Take a moment to gather your thoughts and organize your response in a clear and concise manner. It is also helpful to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when answering behavioral and situational questions, as it provides a structured approach to your response and ensures that you cover all necessary information.

The STAR method for answering Scenarios questions

The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method is a useful framework for answering Scenarios questions in a structured and concise way. Here's how to use it:

Using the STAR method can help you provide a clear and concise answer to Scenarios questions, which is especially important in job interviews. By following this framework, you can ensure that you cover all the necessary information and demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to take action. Remember to use specific examples and quantify your results whenever possible to make your answer even more impactful.

Practice Questions for the Accenture Scenarios Interview

Here are some sample questions you may encounter in an Accenture Scenarios Interview:

• Can you describe a time when you had to navigate a difficult client situation?
• How have you handled a situation where you had a disagreement with a team member?
• Can you describe a time when you had to adapt to a change in a project's scope or requirements?

It's important to note that in an Accenture Scenarios Interview, the interviewer is not only looking for your ability to answer the questions, but also your thought process and problem-solving skills. They may ask follow-up questions to understand how you arrived at your answer and how you would approach similar situations in the future. It's important to be clear and concise in your responses, while also demonstrating your ability to think critically and creatively.

Acing the Scenarios Interview: Do's and Don'ts

Here are some do's and don'ts to keep in mind as you prepare for and participate in your Scenarios Interview:

It's also important to remember that the Scenarios Interview is designed to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet. Be sure to listen carefully to the scenario presented and ask clarifying questions if needed. Take your time to think through your response and consider all possible solutions before answering. Remember, it's not just about getting the "right" answer, but also about demonstrating your thought process and approach to problem-solving.

What to expect after the Scenarios Interview

After your Scenarios Interview, you may be contacted for additional interviews or asked to provide references. It's important to follow up promptly and professionally with any requests made by Accenture.

If you are selected to move forward in the hiring process, you will be invited to participate in a series of interviews with different members of the Accenture team. These interviews may be conducted in person or virtually, depending on the location of the team members and your availability.

Additionally, you may be asked to complete assessments or tests to evaluate your skills and abilities. These assessments may include cognitive tests, personality assessments, or technical skills evaluations. It's important to prepare for these assessments by reviewing the job requirements and practicing relevant skills.

Frequently asked questions about Accenture's Scenarios Interview

Here are some commonly asked questions about the Accenture Scenarios Interview:

How to follow up after your Accenture interview

After your interview, it's a good idea to follow up with your interviewer to thank them for their time and express your continued interest in the position. You can do this by sending a brief email within 24-48 hours of your interview.

Preparing for other types of Accenture interviews

In addition to the Scenarios Interview, Accenture may also conduct other types of interviews, such as case interviews, technical interviews, or behavioral interviews. Be sure to research and prepare for these types of interviews as well, if they are part of the recruitment process for the position you are applying for.

Insights from successful candidates who have completed the Scenarios interview

If you know someone who has successfully completed the Scenarios Interview at Accenture, consider reaching out to them for tips and insights about the interview process. Additionally, you can search online for forums, blogs, and other resources that offer advice and guidance on preparing for Accenture interviews.

How the Accenture Scenarios Interview reflects company culture and values

The Scenarios Interview is an important part of Accenture's recruitment process because it reflects the company's culture and values. Accenture places a high value on problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability, and the Scenarios Interview is designed to assess these skills in candidates. By preparing thoroughly and demonstrating your ability to handle complex situations, you'll be well on your way to succeeding in the Accenture interview process.

Browse hundreds of expert coaches

Leland coaches have helped thousands of people achieve their goals. A dedicated mentor can make all the difference.

Browse Related Articles

January 2, 2024

The Ultimate Guide to the EY Parthenon Case Interview Process

Are you preparing for the EY Parthenon case interview process? Look no further than our ultimate guide, packed with insider tips and strategies to help you ace the interview and land your dream job.

May 11, 2023

How to Prepare for the Booz Allen Hamilton Consulting Case Interviews

Are you preparing for a Booz Allen Hamilton management consulting case interview? This article provides valuable tips and strategies to help you ace the interview and impress your potential employer.

How to Prepare for Capgemini Management Consulting Case Interviews?

Are you preparing for a management consulting case interview with Capgemini? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide provides tips and strategies to help you ace the interview and land your dream job.

How to Prepare for ZS Associates Management Consulting Case Interviews?

Are you looking to ace your ZS Associates management consulting case interview? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide provides tips, strategies, and practice resources to help you prepare and succeed in your interview.

Slalom Interview Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking to ace your Slalom interview? Our step-by-step guide breaks down the entire process, from application to offer, to help you prepare and stand out from the competition.

August 17, 2023

How to Prepare for Boston Consulting Group Management Consulting Case Interviews?

If you're preparing for a Boston Consulting Group management consulting case interview, this article is a must-read.

How to Prepare for Accenture Management Consulting Case Interviews?

Learn how to ace your Accenture management consulting case interviews with our comprehensive guide.

How to Prepare for KPMG Management Consulting Case Interviews?

Are you preparing for a KPMG management consulting case interview? Our comprehensive guide will provide you with the tips and strategies you need to succeed.

How to Prepare for the A.T. Kearney Consulting Case Interviews

Master your A.T. Kearney consulting case interviews with our comprehensive guide. Uncover effective strategies, practice questions, expert tips, and insider knowledge to ace your interview.

How to Prepare for Mercer Management Consulting Case Interviews?

If you're looking to ace your Mercer management consulting case interviews, this article is a must-read.

How to Prepare for IBM Management Consulting Case Interviews?

Learn how to ace your IBM management consulting case interviews with our comprehensive guide.

How to Prepare for L.E.K. Consulting Management Consulting Case Interviews?

Looking to ace your L.E.K.

Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 454,000 Peers!

Accenture strategy final round case interview.

I have my Accenture final round case interview day next week and have been preparing a broad range of cases and setting up frameworks (MBB Style Case interviews). Since I am applying at Accenture strategy I heard there will be a potentia Interview but I can‘t find any resources to really prepare for it. Is anybody familiar with the process and could share some insights?

Much appreciated,

Overview of answers

• Date ascending
• Date descending

I helped someone interview and ultimately join the Accenture Strategy team. Last I recall it also involved a combination of case and fit questions, very similar to MBB.  I would prepare as you would for any other consultancy.  I wish you the best of luck!

I am myself in the recruiting process for two positions at Accenture Strategy (DACH Region). I was told by HR that each team is very flexible in the way that they organize their interviews. For one position, I was told that there are 3-4 interviews with 2-3 case studies in total. For the other position, there are only 2 interviews with no full case study, but rather a few technical questions during the interview. So my best advice to you is to reach out the the HR person in charge and ask them directly.

Thanks a lot for the helpful insights, I was informed that there will be two case interviews, and they informed me that I will get further details one day before the interview. Are you maybe interested in exchanging a bit more on case preparations?

By the sound of it, you've focused mostly on the case part of the interview for now. I'd reach out to the recruiter if I were you to understand whether the next round will also contain a personal fit part. Then I suggest you test out your answers to potential personal fit questions with other candidates and then do a session with an expert to polish your answers. 

First of all, I am very concerned . If you have not heard of a case before (and don't even know what to ask) then you are nowhere close to being ready! You need to get a coach . You also should try to delay this final round. It's very hard to go from 0 to ready in casing in just 1 week!

Now, in terms of general advice for 2nd round:

#1 Fix your weaknesses

#2 Be prepared for anything (build your fleibility/adaptability)

Some reading for the case: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-shift-your-mindset-to-ace-the-case

Some reading for fit: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question

Fit/Behavioral

You should be more prepared for a pretty in-depth fit interview. I highly recommend you expect "loose" or "random" questions and practice this scenario with a coach. They are less likely to just ask you 20 "tell me about a time" questions. They may have a bit more of a chat, ask you to brainstorm, ask things like "How would you setup x type of project", etc. etc. You need to prepare to be flexible here!

Broader topics/case variability

In terms of being MECE, try out a wide range of "unique" questions to test your MECE structure!

For example, if you were a farmer and had to pick between buying a cow, chicken, or pig, how would you think about which to buy?

Or, if you were a thief, which store between a, b, c would you rob?

Practice breaking these down into MECE structures so that the concept really hits home.

I don't actually understand the question. Are you asking whether you should expect a difference between 1st and 2nd round? In general, the answer is no - in theory... 

Because it's with more senior people (APs, Partners, or even Senior Partners), they often take liberty to divert from the script. To the average candidate, this may feel a bit erratic.

Bottom line, expect same as 1st round but be prepared for anything!

Hope this helps a bit. Best of luck!

Hi Moritz, Thanks for the answer, Accenture strategy has a type of case interview called Potentia Interview, which is somewhat different from the traditional case interview. Unfortunately, I am unable to find Potentia practise cases. Best, Jacob

Related Articles

Accenture application process, management consulting firms in singapore, ki revolutioniert die beratung mckinsey, bcg, bain und ey gestalten d, related cases.

BCG 1st Round Case – Water Flows [NEW]

Bain 1st round case – airservice [new], mbb 1st round case - hazella light, mckinsey 1st round case - party burger, bcg final round case - sugar to indonesia, similar questions, accenture vs big 4, final round accenture interview (dublin) tips, what are the consulting packages for an accenture strategy consultant in the middle east (dubai/riyadh).

• Select category
• General Feedback
• Case Interview Preparation
• Technical Problems

Hacking the Case Interview

We’ve compiled 50 case interview examples and organized them by industry, function, and consulting firm to give you the best, free case interview practice. Use these case interview examples for practice as you prepare for your consulting interviews.

If you’re looking for a step-by-step shortcut to learn case interviews quickly, enroll in our case interview course . These insider strategies from a former Bain interviewer helped 30,000+ land consulting offers while saving hundreds of hours of prep time.

Case Interview Examples Organized by Industry

Below, we’ve linked all of the case interview examples we could find from consulting firm websites and YouTube videos and organized them by industry. This will be helpful for your case interview practice if there is a specific consulting industry role that you are interviewing for that you need more practice in.

Aerospace, Defense, & Government Case Interview Examples

• Agency V (Deloitte)
• The Agency (Deloitte)
• Federal Finance Agency (Deloitte)
• Federal Civil Cargo Protection Bureau (Deloitte)

Consumer Products & Retail Case Interview Examples

• Electro-light (McKinsey)
• Beautify (McKinsey)
• Shops Corporation (McKinsey)
• Climate Case (BCG)
• Foods Inc. (BCG) *scroll to bottom of page
• Chateau Boomerang (BCG) *written case interview
• PrintCo (Bain)
• Coffee Co. (Bain)
• Fashion Co. (Bain)
• Recreation Unlimited (Deloitte)
• Footlose (Deloitte)
• National Grocery and Drug Store (Kearney)
• Whisky Co. (OC&C)
• Dry Cleaners (Accenture) *scroll to page 15
• UK Grocery Retail (Strategy&) *scroll to page 24
• Ice Cream Co. (Capital One)

Healthcare & Life Sciences Case Interview Examples

• GlobaPharm (McKinsey)
• GenCo (BCG) *scroll to middle of page
• PrevenT (BCG)
• MedX (Deloitte)
• Medical Consumables (LEK)
• Medicine Company (HackingTheCaseInterview)
• Pharma Company (Indian Institute of Management)

Manufacturing & Production Case Interview Examples

• Aqualine (Oliver Wyman)
• 3D Printed Hip Implants (Roland Berger)
• Talbot Trucks (McKinsey)
• Playworks (Yale School of Management)

Social & Non-Profit Case Interview Examples

• Diconsa (McKinsey)
• National Education (McKinsey)
• Conservation Forever (McKinsey)
• Federal Health Agency (Deloitte)
• Robinson Philanthropy (Bridgespan)
• Home Nurses for New Families (Bridgespan)
• Reach for the Stars (Bridgespan)
• Venture Philanthropy (Bridgespan)

Technology, Media, & Telecom Case Interview Examples

• NextGen Tech (Bain)
• Smart Phone Introduction (Simon-Kucher)
• MicroTechnos (HackingTheCaseInterview)

Transportation Case Interview Examples

• Low Cost Carrier Airline (BCG)
• Transit Oriented Development (Roland Berger)
• Northeast Airlines (HackingTheCaseInterview)
• A+ Airline Co. (Yale School of Management)
• Ryder (HackingTheCaseInterview)

Travel & Entertainment Case Interview Examples

• Wumbleworld (Oliver Wyman)
• Theater Co. (LEK)
• Hotel and Casino Co. (OC&C)

Case Interview Examples Organized by Function

Below, we’ve taken the same cases listed in the “Case Interview Examples Organized by Industry” section and organized them by function instead. This will be helpful for your case interview practice if there is a specific type of case interview that you need more practice with.

Profitability Case Interview Examples

To learn how to solve profitability case interviews, check out our video below:

Market Entry Case Interview Examples

Merger & acquisition case interview examples.

Growth Strategy Case Interview Examples

Pricing case interview examples.

New Product Launch Case Interview Examples

Market sizing case interview examples.

To learn how to solve market sizing case interviews, check out our video below:

Operations Case Interview Examples

Other case interview examples.

These are cases that don’t quite fit into any of the above categories. These cases are the more unusual, atypical, and nontraditional cases out there.

Case Interview Examples Organized by Consulting Firm

Below, we’ve taken the same cases listed previously and organized them by company instead. This will be helpful for your case interview practice if there is a specific company that you are interviewing with.

McKinsey Case Interview Examples

BCG Case Interview Examples

Bain Case Interview Examples

Deloitte Case Interview Examples

Lek case interview examples, kearney case interview examples, oliver wyman case interview examples, roland berger case interview examples, oc&c case interview  examples, bridgespan case interview examples, strategy& case interview examples, accenture case interview examples, simon kutcher case interview examples, capital one case interview examples, case interview examples from mba casebooks.

For more case interview examples, check out our article on 23 MBA consulting casebooks with 700+ free practice cases . There additional cases created by MBA consulting clubs that make for great case interview practice. For your convenience, we’ve listed some of the best MBA consulting casebooks below:

• Australian Graduate School of Management (2002)
• Booth (2005)
• Columbia (2007)
• Darden (2019)
• ESADE (2011)
• Fuqua (2018)
• Goizueta (2006)
• Haas (2019)
• Harvard Business School (2012)
• Illinois (2015)
• INSEAD (2011)
• Johnson (2003)
• Kellogg (2012)
• London Business School (2013)
• McCombs (2018)
• Notre Dame (2017)
• Queens (2019)
• Ross (2010)
• Sloan (2015)
• Stern (2018)
• Tuck (2009)
• Wharton (2017)
• Yale (2013)

Consulting casebooks are documents that MBA consulting clubs put together to help their members prepare for consulting case interviews. Consulting casebooks provide some case interview strategies and tips, but they mostly contain case interview practice cases.

While consulting casebooks contain tons of practice cases, there is quite a bit of variety in the sources and formats of these cases.

Some practice cases are taken from actual consulting interviews given by consulting firms. These are the best types of cases to practice with because they closely simulate the length and difficulty of an actual case interview. Other practice cases may be written by the consulting club’s officers. These cases are less realistic, but can still offer great practice.

The formats of the practice cases in consulting casebooks also vary significantly.

Some practice cases are written in a question and answer format. This type of format makes it easy to practice the case by yourself, without a case partner. Other practices cases are written in a dialogue format. These cases are better for practicing with a case interview partner.

MBA consulting casebooks can be a great resource because they are free and provide tons of practice cases to hone your case interview skills. However, there are several caveats that you should be aware of.

• Similarity to real case interviews : Some cases in MBA consulting casebooks are not representative of actual case interviews because they are written by consulting club officers instead of interviewers from consulting firms
• Quality of sample answers : While consulting casebooks provide sample solutions, these answers are often not the best or highest quality answers
• Ease of use : Consulting casebooks are all written in different formats and by different people. Therefore, it can be challenging to find cases that you can consistently use to practice cases by yourself or with a partner

Therefore, we recommend that you first use the case interview examples listed in this article and wait until you’ve exhausted all of them before using MBA consulting casebooks.

Case Interview Examples from HackingTheCaseInterview

Below, we've pulled together several of our very own case interview examples. You can use these case interview examples for your case interview practice.

1. Tech retailer profitability case interview

2. Airline profitability case interview

3. Ride sharing app market entry

4. Increasing Drug Adoption

How to Use Case Interview Examples to Practice Case Interviews

To get the most out of these case interview examples and maximize your time spent on case interview practice, follow these three steps.

1. Understand the case interview structure beforehand

If case interviews are something new to you, we recommend watching the following video to learn the basics of case interviews in under 30 minutes.

Know that there are seven major steps of a case interview.

• Understanding the case background : Take note while the interviewer gives you the case background information. Afterwards, provide a concise synthesis to confirm your understanding of the situation and objective
• Asking clarifying questions : Ask questions to better understand the case background and objective
• Structuring a framework : Lay out a framework of what areas you want to look into in order to answer or solve the case
• Kicking off the case : Propose an area of your framework that you would like to dive deeper into 
• Solving quantitative problems : Solve a variety of different quantitative problems, such as market sizing questions and profitability questions. You may also be given charts and graphs to analyze or interpret
• Answering qualitative questions : You may be asked to brainstorm ideas or be asked to give your business opinion on a particular issue or topic
• Delivering a recommendation : Summarize the key takeaways from the case to deliver a firm and concise recommendation

2. Learn how to practice case interviews by yourself 

There are 6 steps to practice case interviews by yourself. The goal of these steps is to simulate a real case interview as closely as you can so that you practice the same skills and techniques that you are going to use in a real case interview.

• Synthesize the case background information out loud : Start the practice case interview by reading the case background information. Then, just as you would do in a live case interview, summarize the case background information out loud
• Ask clarifying questions out loud : Just as you would do in a live case interview, ask clarifying questions out loud. Although you do not have a case partner that can answer your questions, it is important to practice identifying the critical questions that need to be asked to fully understand the case
• Structure a framework and present it out loud : Pretend that you are in an actual interview in which you’ll only have a few minutes to put together a comprehensive and coherent framework. Replicate the stress that you will feel in an interview when you are practicing case interviews on your own by giving yourself time pressure.

When you have finished creating your framework, turn your paper around to face an imaginary interviewer and walk through the framework out loud. You will need to get good at presenting your framework concisely and in an easy to understand way.

• Propose an area to start the case : Propose an area of your framework to start the case. Make sure to say out loud the reasons why you want to start with that particular area
• Answer each case question out loud : If the question is a quantitative problem, create a structure and walk the interviewer through how you would solve the problem. When doing math, do your calculations out loud and explain the steps that you are taking.

If the question is qualitative, structure your thinking and then brainstorm your ideas out loud. Walk the interviewer through your ideas and opinions.

• Deliver a recommendation out loud : Just as you would do in a real case interview, ask for a brief moment to collect your thoughts and review your notes. Once you have decided on a recommendation, present your recommendation to the interviewer.

3. Follow best practices while practicing case interviews :    

You’ll most likely be watching, reading, or working through these case interview examples by yourself. To get the most practice and learnings out of each case interview example, follow these tips: 

• Don’t have notes or a calculator out when you are practicing since you won’t have these in your actual interview
• Don’t take breaks in the middle of a mock case interview
• Don’t read the case answer until you completely finish answering each question
• Talk through everything out loud as if there were an interviewer in the room
• Occasionally record yourself to understand what you look like and sound like when you speak

4. Identify improvement areas to work on

When the case is completed, review your framework and answers and compare them to the model answers that the case provides. Reflect on how you could have made your framework or answers stronger.

Also, take the time to reflect on what parts of the case you could have done better. Could your case synthesis be more concise? Was your framework mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive? Could your math calculations be done more smoothly? Was your recommendation structured enough?

This is the most important part of practicing case interviews by yourself. Since you have no partner to provide you feedback, you will need to be introspective and identify your own improvement areas.

At the end of each practice case interview, you should have a list of new things that you have learned and a list of improvement areas to work on in future practice cases. You’ll continue to work on your improvement areas in future practice cases either by yourself or with a partner.

5. Eventually find a case partner to practice with

You can only do so many practice case interviews by yourself before your learning will start to plateau. Eventually, you should be practicing case interviews with a case partner.

Practicing with a case partner is the best way to simulate a real case interview. There are many aspects of case interviews that you won’t be able to improve on unless you practice live with a partner:

• Driving the direction of the case
• Asking for more information
• Collaborating to get the right approach or structure
• Answering follow-up questions

If you are practicing with a case partner, decide who is going to be giving the case and who is going to be receiving the case.

If you are giving the case, read the entire case information carefully. It may be helpful to read through everything twice so that you are familiar with all of the information and can answer any question that your partner asks you to clarify.

As the person giving the case, you need to be the case expert.

You should become familiar with the overall direction of the case. In other words, you should know what the major questions of the case are and what the major areas of investigation are. This will help you run the mock case interview more smoothly.  

Depending on whether you want the case interview to be interviewer-led or candidate-led, you will need to decide how much you want to steer the direction of the case.

If your partner gets stuck and is taking a long time, you may need to step in and provide suggestions or hints. If your partner is proceeding down a wrong direction, you will need to direct them towards the right direction.

Where to Find More Case Interview Examples

To find more case interview examples, you can use a variety of different case interview prep books, online courses, and coaching. We'll cover each of these different categories of resources for more case interview practice in more detail.

Case Interview Prep Books

Case interview prep books are great resources to use because they are fairly inexpensive, only costing $20 to $30. They contain a tremendous amount of information that you can read, digest, and re-read at your own pace.

Based on our comprehensive review of the 12 popular case interview prep books , we ranked nearly all of the case prep books in the market.

The three case interview prep books we recommend using are:

• Hacking the Case Interview : In this book, learn exactly what to do and what to say in every step of the case interview. This is the perfect book for beginners that are looking to learn the basics of case interviews quickly.
• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook : In this book, hone your case interview skills through 65+ problems tailored towards each type of question asked in case interviews and 15 full-length practice cases. This book is great for intermediates looking to get quality practice.
• Case Interview Secrets : This book provides great explanations of essential case interview concepts and fundamentals. The stories and anecdotes that the author provides are entertaining and help paint a clear picture of what to expect in a case interview, what interviewers are looking for, and how to solve a case interview.

Case Interview Courses

Case interview courses are more expensive to use than case interview prep books, but offer more efficient and effective learning. You’ll learn much more quickly from watching someone teach you the material, provide examples, and then walk through practice problems than from reading a book by yourself.

Courses typically cost anywhere between $200 to $400.

If you are looking for a single resource to learn the best case interview strategies in the most efficient way possible, enroll in our comprehensive case interview course .

Through 70+ concise video lessons and 20 full-length practice cases based on real interviews from top-tier consulting firms, you’ll learn step-by-step how to crush your case interview.

We’ve had students pass their consulting first round interview with just a week of preparation, but know that your success depends on the amount of effort you put in and your starting capabilities.

Case Interview Coaching

With case interview coaching, you’ll pay anywhere between $100 to $300 for a 40- to 60-minute mock case interview session with a case coach. Typically, case coaches are former consultants or interviewers that have worked at top-tier consulting firms.

Although very expensive, case interview coaching can provide you with high quality feedback that can significantly improve your case interview performance. By working with a case coach, you will be practicing high quality cases with an expert. You’ll get detailed feedback that ordinary case interview partners are not able to provide.

Know that you do not need to purchase case interview coaching to receive a consulting job offer. The vast majority of candidates that receive offers from top firms did not purchase case interview coaching. By purchasing case interview coaching, you are essentially purchasing convenience and learning efficiency.

Case interview coaching is best for those that have already learned as much as they can about case interviews on their own and feel that they have reached a plateau in their learning. For case interview beginners and intermediates, it may be a better use of their money to first purchase a case interview course or case interview prep book before purchasing expensive coaching sessions.

If you do decide to eventually use a case interview coach, consider using our case coaching service .

There is a wide range of quality among coaches, so ensure that you are working with someone that is invested in your development and success. If possible, ask for reviews from previous candidates that your coach has worked with.

Summary of the Best Case Interview Resources

To prepare for consulting case interviews, we recommend the following resources to find more case interview examples and practice:

• Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.
• Hacking the Case Interview Book   (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.
• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.
• Case Interview Coaching : Personalized, one-on-one coaching with former consulting interviewers
• Behavioral & Fit Interview Course : Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer
• Resume Review & Editing : Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple interviews

Land Multiple Consulting Offers

Complete, step-by-step case interview course. 30,000+ happy customers.

Browser does not support script.

• Autumn Term events schedule
• Student Voice
• You've got this
• LSE Volunteer Centre
• Key information
• School Voice
• My Skills and Opportunities
• Student Wellbeing Service
• PhD Academy
• LSE Careers
• Student Services Centre
• Timetable publication information
• Students living in halls
• Faith Centre

Case interviews

A case interview or case study interview involves a business or organisational problem the company may have faced, and is a chance to demonstrate your analytical, reasoning and communication skills. They are designed to assess your ability to do the work of a consultant, i.e. work with a client to identify key problems or challenges facing their business or organisation and to develop effective solutions and actions to address these. 

You might be invited for a case study interview if you are applying for consulting positions and will generally be invited in the second round of interviews. It will be a one-to-one interview with a consultant, followed by  competency based questions .

Case interviews usually work best if they develop into a discussion between the interviewer and you. Ask questions and try out ideas with the interviewer.

What is the company looking for?

Case interviews are not intended to test your business or sector knowledge but it is important to be able to demonstrate your commercial awareness. You will find it helpful to have a basic understanding of key business concepts e.g. revenue, fixed and variable costs, profit, market share, customers, competitors and stakeholders.

As well as this, recruiters will be looking for a genuine curiosity about, and enthusiasm for, business issues and problems.

Try to demonstrate how you can:

• Work with a client to identify key problems facing their company
• Develop effective solutions to these
• Listen actively
• Ask relevant and probing questions
• Problem solve, show you can thinking in a structured manner
• Confidently work within a time limit
• Apply your commercial awareness
• Analyse quantitative data
• Think creatively and on your feet
• Translate analysis into actionable recommendations
• Communication conclusions in a concise and persuasive manner
• Interact well with clients
• Show enthusiasm, motivation and maturity

Having a knowledge of some common frameworks that can be used to structure the analysis of a problem or issue, such as SWOT analysis, Boston Matrix, Porter’s 5 Forces, may help, but do not slavishly apply one of these; your knowledge of frameworks is not important, your ability to think in a structured, creative way is.

How should I respond to a case study?

It is important to understand your primary objective is not to find ‘the’ solution to the case but rather to demonstrate your analytical, reasoning and communication skills.

Do not jump to conclusions or rush towards an answer. It is the process by which you get to your conclusions that interests the interviewer.

• Identify the critical issue from the written case study
• Listen carefully to verbal information or responses to your questions or comments
• Break the problem into parts, describe this out loud. Do not be tempted to follow a common framework (such as SWOT analysis or Boston Matrix) although knowledge of these may help you structure your answer
• Ask relevant questions to gain a fuller understanding of the problem
• Make notes of important facts, figures or thoughts and make calculations if you think this would help – avoiding calculations when they are necessary could look as though you are not confident using numbers
• Describe your overall approach out loud so the interviewer understands your thought processes and can point you in the right direction if you are heading the wrong way – always use this advice if it is given
• Similarly, if you get stuck say so and ask for extra input
• Show that you are enjoying the process – do not show frustration or lack of confidence
• Identify a range of options for consideration
• Conclude by recommending one or two ideas for action

How should I prepare for a case study interview?

• Brush up on your maths (formulae, percentages etc.)
• Practise using sample case studies
• Practise with a friend
• Attend a case study careers seminar
• Book a case study  practice interview  at LSE Careers
• Come to the careers service and use the paper resources and books
• Read business news
• Look at firms' websites

Practice case study appointment

LSE Careers offers one-to-one practice case studies designed for students with interviews at management consultancy firms coming up.  We can offer feedback on the structure, content and presentation of a case study. We have a small bank of practice case studies for management consultancy covering areas like profitability and strategy. 

A practice case study can also help if you are preparing for case interview with a Big Four firm but would not be appropriate for an economic consultancy role in a Big Four firm or specialist economic consultancy.

Please see our  practice interview  information for details of how to book.

Resources from LSE Careers

• Vault: Career insider  Free for LSE students and alumni, this popular careers portal has lots of company profiles for consulting firms as well as general application and interview advice.   They produce two e-guides to case interviews contains advice and practice cases - both free to download for LSE students -  Vault guide to the case interview  and  Vault guide to the case interview practice guide 2
• CaseCoach   Free to students and alumni (up to five years post graduation). CaseCoach is a comprehensive online preparation course for consulting interviews, developed by former McKinsey consultants. The course covers both the case and the fit interviews. It includes a library of 25+ cases with solutions, practice exercises, 12 bite-sized video lectures covering the skills assessed by the top firms and 14 interview videos featuring successful candidates.

More case interview tests and tips

This list below contains links to sample case study interviews and advice articles.

Case interviews question and answers

Useful information about case interviews and three examples to practice

Case interview tutorials and advice on what consultancy firms are looking for in an applicant. Free registration is required.

Gives sample case questions, including 'back of the envelope' questions and business problems

Dartmouth's resources on careers in management services and consulting.  Includes powerpoint presentations on case study interviews from Accenture, Bain, BCG, Parthenon and Investor Group. Resources on careers in management services and consulting. Includes presentations on case study interviews from Accenture, Bain, BCG, Parthenon and Investor Group.

This guidebook is designed to help aspiring consultants understand, prepare for and succeed in consulting interviews

Excellent UK-based graduate careers website containing lots of advice articles, information about graduate entry to consulting careers and up to date listings for graduate and internship recruitment schemes and insight events.

Contains case study information and resources including the updated sections of their 'Crack the Case' publication

Learn about the types of interviews at McKinsey.

An online bootcamp to help you prepare for case study interviews.

Advice and resources for succeeding in psychometric tests, assessment centres, e-tray exercises and case studies

Site that offers articles on case study interviews

Further reading

Applications and interviews for students with disabilities, legal case studies and written exercises, please ensure all the details have been entered correctly in the twitter control..

47 case interview examples (from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, etc.)

One of the best ways to prepare for   case interviews  at firms like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain, is by studying case interview examples. 

There are a lot of free sample cases out there, but it's really hard to know where to start. So in this article, we have listed all the best free case examples available, in one place.

The below list of resources includes interactive case interview samples provided by consulting firms, video case interview demonstrations, case books, and materials developed by the team here at IGotAnOffer. Let's continue to the list.

• McKinsey examples
• BCG examples
• Bain examples
• Deloitte examples
• Other firms' examples
• Case books from consulting clubs
• Case interview preparation

Click here to practise 1-on-1 with MBB ex-interviewers

1. mckinsey case interview examples.

• Beautify case interview (McKinsey website)
• Diconsa case interview (McKinsey website)
• Electro-light case interview (McKinsey website)
• GlobaPharm case interview (McKinsey website)
• National Education case interview (McKinsey website)
• Talbot Trucks case interview (McKinsey website)
• Shops Corporation case interview (McKinsey website)
• Conservation Forever case interview (McKinsey website)
• McKinsey case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)
• McKinsey live case interview extract (by IGotAnOffer) - See below

2. BCG case interview examples

• Foods Inc and GenCo case samples  (BCG website)
• Chateau Boomerang written case interview  (BCG website)
• BCG case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)
• Written cases guide (by IGotAnOffer)
• BCG live case interview with notes (by IGotAnOffer)
• BCG mock case interview with ex-BCG associate director - Public sector case (by IGotAnOffer)
• BCG mock case interview: Revenue problem case (by IGotAnOffer) - See below

3. Bain case interview examples

• CoffeeCo practice case (Bain website)
• FashionCo practice case (Bain website)
• Associate Consultant mock interview video (Bain website)
• Consultant mock interview video (Bain website)
• Written case interview tips (Bain website)
• Bain case interview guide   (by IGotAnOffer)
• Digital transformation case with ex-Bain consultant
• Bain case mock interview with ex-Bain manager (below)

4. Deloitte case interview examples

• Engagement Strategy practice case (Deloitte website)
• Recreation Unlimited practice case (Deloitte website)
• Strategic Vision practice case (Deloitte website)
• Retail Strategy practice case  (Deloitte website)
• Finance Strategy practice case  (Deloitte website)
• Talent Management practice case (Deloitte website)
• Enterprise Resource Management practice case (Deloitte website)
• Footloose written case  (by Deloitte)
• Deloitte case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

5. Accenture case interview examples

• Case interview workbook (by Accenture)
• Accenture case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

6. OC&C case interview examples

• Leisure Club case example (by OC&C)
• Imported Spirits case example (by OC&C)

7. Oliver Wyman case interview examples

• Wumbleworld case sample (Oliver Wyman website)
• Aqualine case sample (Oliver Wyman website)
• Oliver Wyman case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

8. A.T. Kearney case interview examples

• Promotion planning case question (A.T. Kearney website)
• Consulting case book and examples (by A.T. Kearney)
• AT Kearney case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

9. Strategy& / PWC case interview examples

• Presentation overview with sample questions (by Strategy& / PWC)
• Strategy& / PWC case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

10. L.E.K. Consulting case interview examples

• Case interview example video walkthrough   (L.E.K. website)
• Market sizing case example video walkthrough  (L.E.K. website)

11. Roland Berger case interview examples

• Transit oriented development case webinar part 1  (Roland Berger website)
• Transit oriented development case webinar part 2   (Roland Berger website)
• 3D printed hip implants case webinar part 1   (Roland Berger website)
• 3D printed hip implants case webinar part 2   (Roland Berger website)
• Roland Berger case interview guide   (by IGotAnOffer)

12. Capital One case interview examples

• Case interview example video walkthrough  (Capital One website)
• Capital One case interview guide (by IGotAnOffer)

13. Consulting clubs case interview examples

• Berkeley case book (2006)
• Columbia case book (2006)
• Darden case book (2012)
• Darden case book (2018)
• Duke case book (2010)
• Duke case book (2014)
• ESADE case book (2011)
• Goizueta case book (2006)
• Illinois case book (2015)
• LBS case book (2006)
• MIT case book (2001)
• Notre Dame case book (2017)
• Ross case book (2010)
• Wharton case book (2010)

Practice with experts

Using case interview examples is a key part of your interview preparation, but it isn’t enough.

At some point you’ll want to practise with friends or family who can give some useful feedback. However, if you really want the best possible preparation for your case interview, you'll also want to work with ex-consultants who have experience running interviews at McKinsey, Bain, BCG, etc.

If you know anyone who fits that description, fantastic! But for most of us, it's tough to find the right connections to make this happen. And it might also be difficult to practice multiple hours with that person unless you know them really well.

Here's the good news. We've already made the connections for you. We’ve created a coaching service where you can do mock case interviews 1-on-1 with ex-interviewers from MBB firms . Start scheduling sessions today!

The IGotAnOffer team

• Guidelines to Write Experiences
• Write Interview Experience
• Write Work Experience
• Write Admission Experience
• Write Campus Experience
• Write Engineering Experience
• Write Coaching Experience
• Write Professional Degree Experience
• Write Govt. Exam Experiences

Accenture Interview Experience for ASE

• Accenture Interview Experience For ASE 1
• Accenture Interview Experience for ASE 2023
• Accenture Interview Experience For ASE & AASE
• Accenture Interview Experience for ASE 2024
• Accenture Interview Experience for ASE Intern
• Accenture Interview Experience for ASE (On-Campus)
• Accenture Interview Experience

Drawing from my five-year tenure in the IT sector, I’d like to share insights into the Accenture recruitment journey for 2023, which may prove beneficial to peers in our network.

• Initial Phase (Online Assessment): The process commences with an online evaluation tailored to gauge your core competencies. Comprising 30 questions, achieving a score above 50% presumably paves the way to the subsequent technical interview. While opinions vary on whether this stage is eliminatory, aiming for at least a 50% mark is advisable for caution. The questions posed are of moderate difficulty, centered around your primary skill set. Surpassing this test with a score exceeding 70% could potentially yield financial advantages upon joining Accenture, though I lack personal confirmation as my career path has not intersected with Accenture’s.
• Subsequent Stage (Technical Interview): Accenture’s protocol dictates that absent a preliminary online skills assessment, candidates face two technical interviews via video conference. Conversely, completion of the online test reduces this to a single technical round before progression to the HR interview. In my case, the second round doubled as both the concluding and sole technical assessment conducted over video. A senior interviewer posed questions for roughly half an hour. Successfully navigating this phase led to an HR video conference scheduled by my HR contact within two hours post-technical discussion.
• Penultimate Phase (HR Discussion): During this video call, an HR representative will inquire about your compensation expectations and current earnings before indicating a follow-up.
• Final Step: This phase isn’t an interview but is crucial nonetheless. You’ll be tasked with uploading an extensive array of documents to Accenture’s portal, which involves navigating a complex form. It’s important to note that even at this juncture, an offer letter isn’t guaranteed. There’s a common sentiment echoed online about candidates not receiving an offer despite submitting all required documents.

Advice and Insights: Exercise caution with document submission. Only proceed if the HR confirms that your salary expectations are within their hiring budget, even after some negotiation. The document upload process can be tedious, often involving multiple calls to rectify minor details on the portal.

From the outset, be transparent with HR about your salary requirements. Clarify whether their budget aligns with your expectations. There have been instances where candidates are led through the documentation process, only to be informed later that the offered salary matches their current one, leading to feelings of frustration and time wasted.

Please Login to comment...

Similar reads.

• Write It Up 2024
• Experiences
• Interview Experiences

Improve your Coding Skills with Practice

What kind of Experience do you want to share?

Seeing. Solving. Simplifying.

Success today depends on how relevant you can be to your customers and employees at any given moment. The following case studies demonstrate how we’re creating growth through relevance at the speed of life.

Reimagining a global icon

A new era for automotive

PruittHealth

Growing access to care for seniors

Customizing a cult classic

Climate change gets real in the metaverse

VFX brings imagination to life

UN Global Goals

The World's To-Do List

Fighting COVID with data

Music makes speech therapy a hit

Australian Institute of Marine Science

A second chance for coral

Japan's first digital bank

Telkom Yep!

One-stop digital marketplace

Salling Group

A new retail business on express delivery

GERANDO FALCÕES

Launching social change in the metaverse

Revel Moments

Bridging the gap between fans and players

Signet Jewelers

Making a jewelry retailer shine

IHG Hotels & Resorts

A future-ready app for world-class travel

Awards & Recognition

Emmy Award Wins: Leading the Way in VFX Innovation

Explore how our award-winning VFX work has set new standards and continue to inspire the industry.

Accenture Song Wins Six Red Dot Awards

Bringing brands to life through creativity and technology.

Accenture Song at Cannes Lions 2023

Song takes home the Dan Wieden Titanium Grand Prix for Tuvalu “The First Digital Nation”

Connect with us