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Case in Point 5: Complete Case Interview Preparation
Cosentino demystifies the consulting case interview. He takes you inside a typical interview by exploring the various types of case questions and he shares with you a system that will help you answer today's most sophisticated case questions.
186 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2001
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2184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 22, 2012
Great book for people who have never encountered a case interview before. This is the book for all the basics that you can build on. However, be wary of forcing all cases into the 12 frameworks they provided. Most cases don't fit nicely into these packages and the book does not cover Private Equity cases.
If you are prepping for a case interview, I recommend that you pull some examples from the companies website, ask if you can do mock cases with people from their office, and practice, practice, practice. Additionally, you don't need to do 30+ cases to do well in an interview. Instead, you need to spend just as much time reviewing the practice cases you do as you did prepping for and participating in the mock interview. If you want a consulting job in this competitive environment, you'll need to be the top 5% of candidates and can't afford to have a "tough case" during the interview. You'll have to be prepared for anything.
If you are prepping for a case interview, I recommend that you pull some examples from the companies website, ask if you can do mock cases with people from their office, and practice, practice, practice. Additionally, you don't need to do 30+ cases to do well in an interview. Instead, you need to spend just as much time reviewing the practice cases you do as you did prepping for and participating in the mock interview. If you want a consulting job in this competitive environment, you'll need to be the top 5% of candidates and can't afford to have a "tough case" during the interview. You'll have to be prepared for anything.
July 24, 2011
Almost useless. I am stunned by the incredible lack of clarity for a book whose sole purpose is to prepare you to lay out your thinking in the most clear way during a case interview.
The Ivy Case System is pointless. There is no learning involved, it is only memorization of 12 case types and the follow up questions for each. Once you have done that, it is admitted that cases almost NEVER fall into only one type so you are back to just thinking through each situation logically as if you had never read the Ivy system.
Strong emphasis is placed on being able to read and create your own charts, graphs, and tables yet there is no instruction at all on how to make a good version of any. In fact, the charts and graphs in the book are often nearly indecipherable because of a complete lack of labeling. My favorite is the "Number Table" with which I am supposed to learn to multiply factors of ten. However, there are no labels (only the title "Number Table") and only one axis of the chart is made obvious by a gray coloring. The only way the reader could possibly figure out what the chart is telling them is to all ready know how to fill it in in its entirety.
The only reason this book does not get the lowest possible rating is the long set of example cases at the back of the book. For those of us in technical fields rather than business, it is good to see the types of problems that are to be expected. Even this section is flawed. The comments at the end of each case are too short and too vague. It would be helpful to hear a break down of what the most direct and appropriate answer would have been rather than “the student did a good job analyzing the chart and came up with a number of good possible solutions for the client.”
Overall, the only reason to buy this book is to see example case questions before an interview. Don't expect much help beyond that.
The Ivy Case System is pointless. There is no learning involved, it is only memorization of 12 case types and the follow up questions for each. Once you have done that, it is admitted that cases almost NEVER fall into only one type so you are back to just thinking through each situation logically as if you had never read the Ivy system.
Strong emphasis is placed on being able to read and create your own charts, graphs, and tables yet there is no instruction at all on how to make a good version of any. In fact, the charts and graphs in the book are often nearly indecipherable because of a complete lack of labeling. My favorite is the "Number Table" with which I am supposed to learn to multiply factors of ten. However, there are no labels (only the title "Number Table") and only one axis of the chart is made obvious by a gray coloring. The only way the reader could possibly figure out what the chart is telling them is to all ready know how to fill it in in its entirety.
The only reason this book does not get the lowest possible rating is the long set of example cases at the back of the book. For those of us in technical fields rather than business, it is good to see the types of problems that are to be expected. Even this section is flawed. The comments at the end of each case are too short and too vague. It would be helpful to hear a break down of what the most direct and appropriate answer would have been rather than “the student did a good job analyzing the chart and came up with a number of good possible solutions for the client.”
Overall, the only reason to buy this book is to see example case questions before an interview. Don't expect much help beyond that.
February 14, 2018
For being one of the most popular case books, I found this book less useful than expected. The one thing that I will say it does have going for it is that it’s a quick read. If you are completely unfamiliar with what a case interview is, it may be a good introduction and overview to general approaches that can be taken to address cases. That being said, if you’re looking for true case preparation, I’d recommend “Case Interview Secrets” by Victor Cheng as I think it gives a structure that is easier to apply to multiple scenarios (rather than trying to memorize 12 different frameworks).
The reason this book still got 3-stars is because I found it a decent point of reference and something that I used to prompt my memory through the preparation process. I’d still recommend the book, but only if you’re going to also read other books. If you’re only going to take the time to read one case book – give this one a skip.
Who should read it? Folks completely unfamiliar with case interviews and are looking for an introduction to the concept.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
The reason this book still got 3-stars is because I found it a decent point of reference and something that I used to prompt my memory through the preparation process. I’d still recommend the book, but only if you’re going to also read other books. If you’re only going to take the time to read one case book – give this one a skip.
Who should read it? Folks completely unfamiliar with case interviews and are looking for an introduction to the concept.
See all my reviews and more at www.ReadingToDistraction.com or @Read2Distract
August 19, 2018
This is all I read for McK interview prep.
Read
November 14, 2024oh god
Read
August 29, 2020Great introduction to case interviews. However, the author claims to have made a perfect formula for any case. That is not true. Read this with an understanding of the diversity of cases and make your own frameworks.
July 27, 2012
Good introduction and beginning guide for aspiring consultants. Provides a good baseline and proper advice for developing true case study skills.
Currently reading
October 5, 2019# types of case questions: p.49
- market-sizing questions: population-based question, a household question, an individual question>>數字感
- factor questions
- business case questions: (1) number cases and (2) business strategy and operations cases
case journal p.64>>子彈思考術?網格筆記本?
decision tree p.71 練習越多，越知道分析架構
Aristotle’s book The Rhetoric and the Poetics of Aristotle was interview prep book. Aristotle lays out a tripod (a framework) and argues that persuasion relies on the relationship between logos, ethos and pathos. p.100
ALIGN: consider the company’s strategic needs and to think about the long-term consequences
# THE TWELVE CASE SCENARIOS
1. Entering a new market
2. Industry analysis
產業架構（value chain）與目前生命週期階段、成長性、供需情況、產值變化、市佔狀況（占比、有無整併情勢）、近期變化（新競爭者、法規、科技...）、產業驅動因子（產品競爭力、品牌知名度、規模經濟、科技...）、獲利性
個人習慣先從弄清楚產業全貌（有哪些上中下游公司、製成原理、各種專有名詞）開始，再進入近期發展（產業週期、供需、市佔狀況......），整個過程大多是自己在網路上找資料，也會在資料庫裡撈撈看產業報告，直接參考別人怎麼看怎麼寫會能很快上手
3. Mergers and acquisitions
4. Developing a new product
5. Pricing strategies >>price-driven costing 成管會
6. Growth strategies
7. Starting a new business
8. Competitive response
9. Increasing sales
10. Reducing costs p.101
11. Improving the bottom line p.86 p.107 P.108哈雷案例
12. Turnarounds
- market-sizing questions: population-based question, a household question, an individual question>>數字感
- factor questions
- business case questions: (1) number cases and (2) business strategy and operations cases
case journal p.64>>子彈思考術?網格筆記本?
decision tree p.71 練習越多，越知道分析架構
Aristotle’s book The Rhetoric and the Poetics of Aristotle was interview prep book. Aristotle lays out a tripod (a framework) and argues that persuasion relies on the relationship between logos, ethos and pathos. p.100
ALIGN: consider the company’s strategic needs and to think about the long-term consequences
# THE TWELVE CASE SCENARIOS
1. Entering a new market
2. Industry analysis
產業架構（value chain）與目前生命週期階段、成長性、供需情況、產值變化、市佔狀況（占比、有無整併情勢）、近期變化（新競爭者、法規、科技...）、產業驅動因子（產品競爭力、品牌知名度、規模經濟、科技...）、獲利性
個人習慣先從弄清楚產業全貌（有哪些上中下游公司、製成原理、各種專有名詞）開始，再進入近期發展（產業週期、供需、市佔狀況......），整個過程大多是自己在網路上找資料，也會在資料庫裡撈撈看產業報告，直接參考別人怎麼看怎麼寫會能很快上手
3. Mergers and acquisitions
4. Developing a new product
5. Pricing strategies >>price-driven costing 成管會
6. Growth strategies
7. Starting a new business
8. Competitive response
9. Increasing sales
10. Reducing costs p.101
11. Improving the bottom line p.86 p.107 P.108哈雷案例
12. Turnarounds
January 8, 2018
The book presents a good starting point to practice case interviews useful to land a consulting job.
The reason for the 4 stars rating is that, from my point of view, the cases are not challenging and complex enough.
Note: to maximize the potential of this book, you should have a partner that is able to be the interviewer.
The reason for the 4 stars rating is that, from my point of view, the cases are not challenging and complex enough.
Note: to maximize the potential of this book, you should have a partner that is able to be the interviewer.
February 24, 2019
Another nice introductory book for case interview preparation. Just like Cheng's Case interview secret minus the constant reminder to buy the course. I really love the chapter about estimation, I could grasp it better than from Cheng's. Also contain various examples of interview. This book is great, it would be even better to practice this with a partner for more realistic experience.
June 3, 2019
Great starter for those, who would like to find out more about case interviews and the mental tools that could help to solve puzzles related to diversified business situations. What could be improved is the consistency between 20 cases to read at the end and the methodology presented at the beginning of the book.
July 15, 2017
Read Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng instead. This books multiple frameworks make it incredibly difficult to prepare for a real interview. Definitely take good notes on the multiple questions that you are encouraged to ask within - these are definitely useful.
January 28, 2020
A complete introductory and beginners guide to the world of consulting. Also a very good book to take notes on different consulting case scenarios and how to approach them. The reading is simple, engaging and interactive. Lots of sample cases and brainteasers to help yourself.
December 19, 2021
Came across this one when helping a friend apply to Bain, a consultancy firm.
We used to simulate case solving and build the mindset to tackle this problems.
Thought we didn’t go through all cases, we had lots of fun and he’d got the job!
Totally worth skimming.
We used to simulate case solving and build the mindset to tackle this problems.
Thought we didn’t go through all cases, we had lots of fun and he’d got the job!
Totally worth skimming.
May 10, 2017
If you want to do Consulting, it certainly has a lot of good techniques to use for casing.
September 19, 2017
Great framework and interview help for consulting.
November 6, 2017
A good start for fresh graduates who wants to start a career in Management Consulting.
April 22, 2018
i got a job out of it
May 9, 2018
This is a nice refresher if you’ve been out of grad school for a decade.
June 20, 2018
While the book is written for case interview prep, it’s a great resource for anyone thinking through business strategy generally.
November 19, 2018
A good starter book for casing. Got my feet in the water.
June 14, 2019
Highly recommended if you are preparing for cases, as a cheap but solid all in one soltution.
September 2, 2019
Very overrated.
October 16, 2019
Practical and insightful guide to consultancy-type interviews. Plenty of examples and a roadmap to interview planning.
Read
February 13, 2020I feel like a sizable portion of the Stanford population went through this book to prepare for their McKinsey Bain bcp interviews, and I certainly did
March 13, 2020
Important book in consulting, especially the real-life cases and their solutions that are presented in a structured way. Much recommended 😉
April 14, 2020
Indeed, an insightful and helpful book!
May 28, 2020
Start with mckinsey.com and other consulting websites. This book isn't terrible, but a few of these cases are downright ridiculous. Not the best review material, but it's review material.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews