Start here 6 min readLast reviewed 23 October 2026Sample
What is a case interview?
The format, what the interviewer looks for, and interviewer-led versus candidate-led cases.
A case interview is a 30 to 45-minute conversation in which the interviewer presents a real or simplified business problem and asks you to think it through out loud until you reach a recommendation.
How does it run?
- 1The promptThe interviewer explains the client's situation and question. Restate it in your own words and confirm the goal.
- 2The structureTake a minute or two to build an analysis plan, then walk through it briefly.
- 3The analysisYou ask for data, calculate, read charts, and tie every number back to the question.
- 4The recommendationLead with the answer, then the reasons, then risks and next steps.
Who leads the case?
In an interviewer-led case, the interviewer asks specific questions one after another. In a candidate-led case, you decide where to start and which data to ask for. Practise both.
Key takeaways
- It's a conversation: think out loud.
- Four stages: prompt, structure, analysis, recommendation.
- Practise interviewer-led and candidate-led cases.
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