Amazon bestseller · Paperback and Kindle
The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview
The case and fit interview book that teaches you to build your own frameworks instead of memorizing someone else’s.
The 1% is a 346-page guide by Dr. Florian Smeritschnig, a former McKinsey Senior Consultant who evaluated candidates for the firm. It covers the whole consulting interview: the process at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, frameworks built from first principles, exhibits, case math, recommendations, communication, written and McKinsey-style cases, and fit interviews including the McKinsey PEI.
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What Readers Say
“The best book I could find”
“Florian teaches us how to solve the case in an orderly manner (even offering alternative approaches) and to communicate like a consultant along the way. The book offers more content than I expected (such as the fit interview) while still being concise and pleasant to read.”
“A must-read”
“Most existing prep materials do not offer such a granular step-by-step guide to preparation, and this book perfectly fills that gap.”
“Better than the rest”
“I have read many consulting case books in the past, but this one stood out to me because of Florian’s focus on the latest industry trends and developments.”
The approach
Why The 1% Is Different
Build case interview skills, don’t memorize them
Most case books hand you templates. The 1% shows you how to build the right skills, so an unfamiliar case doesn’t stall you.
Parts 4 and 5The whole process, firm by firm
How interviews differ across McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and roles, first rounds versus partner rounds, and how cases are scored.
Chapters 3, 5, and 6Fit interviews get real depth
Four parts on fit, the SCORE storytelling framework, and a full part on the McKinsey PEI.
Parts 9 to 12A plan you can follow
Preparation plans, how to practice alone, with peers, or with a coach, and how to track your progress.
Chapters 4 and 19Table of contents
What’s Inside: 14 Parts, 38 Chapters
Open any part to see its chapters and the questions they answer.
Part 1 · p. 1Introduction: maximize the value of this book
- [1] Is this book for you?My mission and goal for you · What this book covers (and what it doesn’t cover) · Who is this book for?
- [2] Extract the most valueHow to work with this book · How the book is structured
Part 2 · p. 9Introduction to consulting interviews: figure out what you are up against
- [3] Learn about the process and differencesHow is the consulting interview process structured? · How has interviewing changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? · What are the differences across firms? · What are the differences across roles?
- [4] Set up a preparation planHow to think about structuring your preparation · What is the best interview preparation plan?
Part 3 · p. 33Introduction to case interviews: what’s this specific interview format all about?
- [5] Get the basics on the setup, the skills, and the scoringWhat is a case interview? · What skills are assessed in a case interview? · How is a case interview scored? · What is the role of professional interviewers and how do they behave?
- [6] Learn about the different formats of case interviewsWhat types of case interviews are there? · Who drives the case interview (candidate or interviewer)? · What is the difference between a first and final round (partner) case interview?
Part 4 · p. 57The parts of a case interview: develop your basic case interview skills
- [7] Learn how to deal with the case brief
- [8] Draft the perfect frameworks, issue trees, and brainstorming answersWhat is a framework in a case interview? · Why do you need to structure your approach? · Are there different types of frameworks? · What characterizes a strong case interview framework? · Should you learn case interview frameworks by heart? · How can a first principles approach help you create frameworks and not get stuck? · How to create a strong framework: example · How to create a strong brainstorming answer: example · What is the best step-by-step approach for structuring and brainstorming? · How can you train your structuring skills?
- [9] Interpret exhibits the right wayWhat is the role of charts and data tables in consulting case interviews? · What types of charts are common in case interviews? · What are data tables and how are they used in case interviews? · How do you interpret exhibits in case interviews with a step-by-step approach? · What are the typical insights in an exhibit? · How to solve a typical exhibit interpretation: example · How can you avoid common pitfalls in exhibit interpretations? · How can you train exhibit interpretation?
- [10] Ace all case interview math problemsWhy do candidates struggle with consulting math? · What is the purpose of case interview math? · How should you approach case math questions with a tested step-by-step approach? · What should you do when you get stuck on the approach? · How to solve a typical case math problem: example · What are typical math problems and key formulas? · What are the important math concepts and the most common shortcuts? · What comprises a winning case math mindset? · How can you train your case math skills?
- [11] Deliver the perfect recommendationsWhy do you need to think about a recommendation? · How can you set up the perfect top-down recommendation?
Part 5 · p. 149Bringing it all together: become an effective problem solver
- [12] Develop a hypothesis-driven mindset to move through the caseHow can hypotheses and synthesizing help you move through a case? · What should you do if you get stuck and don’t know how to move forward?
- [13] Communicate like a management consultantWhat features characterize the perfect case communication? · Why and how should you overcommunicate? · What are the key communication phrases for each part of the case?
- [14] Develop the right meta habitsHow much time should you take to think and solve the case? · How should you write your case interview notes? · How can you avoid and recover from mistakes?
Part 6 · p. 179Unique case formats: how to ace interviewer-led and written case interviews
- [15] Ace written case interviewsWhat is a written case interview? · How do you approach a written case interview?
- [16] Ace the McKinsey Problem Solving InterviewWhat is the McKinsey Problem Solving Interview? · What skills are assessed by McKinsey? · What is the format of the McKinsey case? · What are the standardized McKinsey case interview questions? · How should you prepare for a McKinsey case interview?
Part 7 · p. 195Real case examples: work on your first full cases
- [17] Candidate-led case: Public Sector Education
- [18] Interviewer-led (McKinsey) case: Public Sector Education
Part 8 · p. 221Killer preparation strategies: maximize the impact of your efforts
- [19] Employ the most effective preparation strategiesWhy should you stay away from memorizing case interview frameworks? · How can you practice alone? · How can you practice with peers? · Should you hire a case coach and how can you work with a coach? · How should you measure your progress with case preparation notes?
- [20] Learn these business and problem-solving conceptsWhat are simple business definitions that you need to know? · What are more advanced business concepts and analytical tools?
Part 9 · p. 253Introduction to fit interviews: become a well-rounded candidate
- [21] Understand the importance of the personal fit
- [22] Understand what you need to demonstrate in a personal fit interviewWhat is the airport test? · What is the skills and development potential test? · What is the client-readiness check?
Part 10 · p. 259Types of fit interview questions: prepare the most impactful answers
- [23] Do not fumble the introduction (icebreakers)
- [24] Know your resumeHow can you introduce yourself and your resume? · What are some more specific resume questions and how can you answer them?
- [25] Make sure that you “fit”How can you demonstrate your cultural fit? · How should you answer more specific fit questions?
- [26] Demonstrate your skills, industry, or functional expertiseWhat are general consulting skills questions? · What are IT-related questions? · What are industry and functional knowledge questions? · What are technical questions? · What is the McKinsey Technical Experience Interview?
- [27] Tell personal storiesWhat are personal stories that matter? · What are the characteristics of a good story?
- [28] Ask the interviewer the right questions at the endWhy should you make the most of this opportunity? · What questions could you ask the interviewer?
Part 11 · p. 291Storytelling with the SCORE framework: give your most impactful answers
- [29] Tease your story with a brief summary
- [30] Dive into your story using the SCORE framework
Part 12 · p. 299The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview: prepare deep and impactful stories
- [31] Understand how McKinsey employs the PEI
- [32] Tell the perfect storiesWhat are the right stories for the PEI? · What makes a PEI story stand out? · How should you select your own personal stories? · How detailed should your stories be? · Should you create stories that can be used for every dimension?
- [33] Set up and communicate your stories the right wayHow should you introduce your PEI story? · How should you discuss your story in the most impactful way? · How should you practice your answers?
- [34] What is the McKinsey values and purpose interview?
Part 13 · p. 319Habits, mindset, and appearance: win the game before you get there
- [35] Work on the right mindsetWhat are the character traits of successful applicants? · How can you connect with the interviewer? · How can you deal with a stress interview?
- [36] Dress to impressHow should you dress for your interviews? · What else is important for your appearance? · What else should you bring for the interviews?
Part 14 · p. 329Further resources and final words: practice what you have learned
- [37] Further preparation materialsStrategyCase.com and personal coaching offering · Free practice case interview resources
- [38] Final words and contact details
346 pages, paperback and Kindle. Published January 2023.
Editorial reviews
What Others Say About the Book
“The way he approaches and teaches case interviews is unique and so effective that I am sure that his new book will set a new standard in this industry.”
“He is also able to explain complex things in simple terms and break down problem-solving into small, manageable chunks. This book is a must-have if you are applying to get into one of the big consulting firms.”
“Florian does not waste the reader’s time and cuts to the chase to provide pragmatic advice, always grounded in his solid coaching experience.”
From the book’s editorial reviews on Amazon.
Amazon ratings
4.7 Out of 5 From 114 Amazon Ratings
“It begins with a thorough overview of the whole hiring process and highlights the differences between the firms, as well as the differences between the hiring tracks (interns vs graduates vs experienced hires).”
Honest fit check
Is This Book Right for You?
Built for
- First-time applicants to McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and tier-2 firms
- Career changers and candidates without a business background
- Anyone preparing on their own or with peers
- Candidates who want case and fit preparation, including the McKinsey PEI, in one place
Not the right fit if
- You mainly want more practice cases. The 1%: Case Interview Workbook has 25.
- You want video lessons and drills. That’s the Case Interview Academy.
- You want feedback on your own cases. That’s coaching with Florian.
Every copy comes with a free gift: the 27 Industry Cheat Sheets (normally $24). One-page overviews of 27 industries for your cases. The link to claim them is inside the book. See what’s in the cheat sheets
The series
Book 1 of 3: Consulting Case Interviews and Careers
Book 1 · This book
The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview
The method: case and fit interviews, from the first application to the final round.
Book 2
The 1%: Case Interview Workbook
25 practice cases to apply the method from this book.
Book 3
Consulting Career Secrets
For after the offer: your first days, your first projects, and building a career in consulting.
About the author
Dr. Florian Smeritschnig
Dr. Florian Smeritschnig is the founder of StrategyCase.com and a former McKinsey Senior Consultant who evaluated candidates for the firm. Since 2020 he has delivered 2,200+ mock interviews and coaching sessions, and his clients have secured 700+ consulting offers, 340 of them at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. He is the author of three books on consulting interviews and careers, including The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The 1% about?
It’s a guide to the whole consulting interview: how the process works at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, how to build case frameworks from first principles, exhibits, case math, recommendations, written and McKinsey-style cases, and fit interviews including the McKinsey PEI.
Who wrote it?
Dr. Florian Smeritschnig, a former McKinsey Senior Consultant who evaluated candidates for the firm and the founder of StrategyCase.com.
Is The 1% available as a PDF?
The book comes as a paperback and on Kindle. The Kindle edition reads on any phone, tablet, or computer with the free Kindle app.
Does it cover the McKinsey PEI?
Yes. Part 12 is about the Personal Experience Interview: how McKinsey uses it, which stories to pick, and how to tell them. Parts 9 to 11 cover the rest of the fit interview, including the SCORE storytelling framework.
Does it include practice cases?
Two full cases on the same topic, one candidate-led and one interviewer-led in the McKinsey style, so you can see both formats side by side. For more practice, the workbook has 25 cases.
Is it for McKinsey, BCG, and Bain?
Yes. It explains how the interviews differ across firms and roles, and it has McKinsey-specific chapters on the Problem Solving Interview, the PEI, the Technical Experience Interview, and the values and purpose interview.
Book, workbook, or course?
Start with the book to learn the method. Use the workbook to apply it to 25 cases. If you prefer video lessons and timed drills, the Case Interview Academy covers structuring, charts, and math.
How do I get the free gift?
The link is inside the book. Enter your email there, and you’ll receive a code for the 27 Industry Cheat Sheets.
Read It Before Your First Case
The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview. Paperback and Kindle, with the 27 Industry Cheat Sheets as a free gift.
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