Consulting offers steep learning curves, diverse projects, and excellent compensation. Here's how to break in.
MBB (McKinsey, Bain, BCG)
Top-tier strategy consulting. Highly competitive, highest pay.
Tier 2 Strategy
Kearney, Oliver Wyman, Strategy&. Similar work, slightly less brand.
Big 4 Consulting
Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC. More accessible, broad offerings.
Boutique Firms
Specialized in specific industries or functions.
McKinsey, Bain, BCG (very competitive, mostly from IIMs/top B-schools)
Kearney, Oliver Wyman, LEK, Strategy&
Deloitte Consulting, EY-Parthenon, PwC Strategy&, KPMG
Can undergrads get into MBB?
Rare but possible. Most MBB hires in India are from IIMs. Big 4 is more accessible for undergrads.
How many cases should I practice?
50+ quality cases with feedback is a good benchmark. Quality over quantity.
The pinnacle of consulting. Work on the most strategic problems for CEOs and boards. Intense but unparalleled learning.
Similar strategic work to MBB. Kearney, Oliver Wyman, Strategy&, LEK. Often better work-life balance.
Broader range of projects from strategy to implementation. More accessible entry point. Can lateral to MBB later.
Frameworks give you a starting point, but don't apply them rigidly. Adapt based on the specific problem.
Ask: Is this all stores or specific locations? When did decline start? Are competitors seeing similar trends? What products?
"I'll look at Revenue (price × volume) and Costs (fixed, variable). Can you share which side saw the bigger change?"
"Revenue is down 15%. Let me break down: Did prices drop or did we lose customers? Data shows customer count is flat but basket size dropped. Why might customers buy fewer items per visit?"
"Key finding: Basket size dropped due to stockouts in popular categories. Inventory management issues are the root cause. Recommend: Fix supply chain, monitor stockout rates."
Morning Check-in
Review overnight emails, prep for day's meetings. Consulting is client-facing, so days are unpredictable.
Team Standup
Quick sync with project team. Discuss blockers, priorities, and what's needed from each person today.
Analysis Work
Build Excel models, analyze data, develop insights. This is where you'll spend most of your time as an intern.
Client Meeting Prep
Prepare slides, refine messaging. Consultants spend a lot of time making complex ideas simple and visual.
Client Workshop
Present findings, facilitate discussion. As an intern, you may present one slide or just observe and learn.
Wrap Up & Debrief
Capture action items, plan for tomorrow. Consulting days often run long, especially during key deliverables.
Demanding. Expect 60-80 hour weeks during busy periods, with travel. But many consultants find the learning and exposure worth it, especially early career.
Yes! Big 4 actively recruits undergrads. MBB occasionally recruits from top IITs for specific practices. An MBA from a top school is the most common path to MBB.
Excellent. Strategy roles at corporates, private equity, startups (often as founders or CXOs), and business development. Consulting is a great career accelerator.
Practice games that test ecosystem thinking and pattern recognition. There's no guaranteed prep, but being comfortable with complex simulations helps. Take practice tests online.
Not initially. Consulting values structured thinking and learning ability. Domain expertise develops as you work on projects. Generalist skills are more important early on.
College peers preparing for consulting, PrepLounge platform, LinkedIn groups, and WhatsApp communities. Having 3-5 regular partners who give honest feedback is ideal.
"200 cases later, I got into McKinsey..."
"I practiced 200+ cases over 6 months. Found partners on PrepLounge and our IIM WhatsApp group. The structured practice made all the difference. Now at McKinsey Mumbai." — Rahul, IIM Ahmedabad
"From Big 4 to BCG in 3 years..."
"Started at Deloitte Consulting after undergrad. Got great project experience, did my MBA, and then recruited into BCG. Big 4 is a valid stepping stone." — Priya, BCG Delhi
"Engineering to Kearney..."
"I'm a mechanical engineer from IIT Kharagpur. Realized I loved problem-solving more than core engineering. Prepared intensively for 4 months and got into Kearney's undergrad program." — Vikram
Jumping to conclusions
Take time to structure. Rushing to answers without analysis is a red flag.
Memorizing frameworks rigidly
Frameworks should be adapted, not applied mechanically. Interviewers can tell when you're just reciting.
Not asking clarifying questions
Consultants clarify scope. Asking smart questions shows client-readiness and structured thinking.
Forgetting to synthesize
Always end with a clear recommendation. Don't just list findings—state what the client should DO.
Weeks 1-2: Learn Frameworks
Read Case in Point. Watch Victor Cheng videos. Understand profitability, market entry, and M&A frameworks.
Weeks 3-4: Solo Practice
Practice structuring cases alone. Write out frameworks for different scenarios. Build mental math speed.
Weeks 5-6: Partner Practice
Find 3-5 practice partners. Do 2-3 cases per day. Give and receive detailed feedback after each case.
Weeks 7-8: Simulate Interviews
Full mock interviews with fit + case. Practice with people who've worked in consulting if possible.
Quick, accurate math is essential in case interviews. Here are tips:
Break down complex calculations
450 × 80 = 450 × 8 × 10 = 3,600 × 10 = 36,000
Use percentages cleverly
15% of 240 = 10% (24) + 5% (12) = 36
Know common fractions
1/8 = 12.5%, 1/6 = 16.7%, 3/8 = 37.5%, 5/8 = 62.5%
Round wisely
It's okay to round ₹487,000 to ₹500,000 for estimation. State your rounding assumption clearly.
Consulting rewards structured thinking and clear communication. Start practicing cases, read business news, and build your analytical muscles.
The consulting interview is demanding but learnable. With dedicated practice and the right approach, you can break into this rewarding career path.
The consulting interview is a learnable skill. Start practicing today. 📊
Written by Sproutern Career Team
Based on insights from consultants at MBB and Big 4.
Regularly updated
