Overview
If you’ve ever wondered why case interviews feel so unique, it’s because they’re designed to mirror real consulting work. And the best way to learn this style of thinking is by practicing case studies, the structured business problems that replicate exactly how consultants diagnose issues, identify root causes, and recommend solutions. Case studies are not exams or puzzles. They are training tools that teach you to think like a consultant: structured, logical, and insight-driven.
What Exactly Are Case Studies?
A case study is a business problem that requires you to analyse a situation, identify what’s going wrong, explore possible causes, and propose practical solutions.
Examples include:
- “A retail chain is losing market share, why?”
- “An e-commerce company wants to expand into Tier-2 cities. Should they?”
- “A food delivery app’s order volume has declined: diagnose the issue.”
A case study forces you to:
- break the problem down using frameworks
- ask clarifying questions
- analyse data logically
- form hypotheses
- prioritise what matters
- recommend clear actions
This is the core of consulting work.
Case Studies vs. Real Consulting Projects
It’s important to note that the term case study means different things depending on who’s using it.
| Context | What “Case Study” Means | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Aspiring Consultants | Simulated business problems (used in interviews and prep) | To test problem-solving, structure, and communication |
| Professional Consultants | Real project summaries published by firms | To showcase impact and expertise to clients |
So when you’re solving a case as an aspirant, you’re practicing the same skills real consultants use, just in a structured, time-bound format.
Why Case Studies Are Essential for Consulting Preparation
Case studies matter because they simulate real-life consulting problems. They help you build the exact skills interviewers look for:
1. Structured Thinking
You learn to apply frameworks practically, not theoretically.
2. Analytical Reasoning
Most cases contain charts, numbers, or trends to interpret.
3. Business Judgement
You practice choosing the most sensible and feasible solution.
4. Communication
You explain your thought process clearly and confidently, a key interview skill.
5. Comfort Under Pressure
Case interviews are live, and case studies prepare you for that “on the spot” thinking.
Case Studies vs Case Interviews: What’s the Difference?
They look similar, but they serve different purposes.
Case Studies (Learning Tool)
Used for: practice, understanding business logic, and building fundamentals.
You can take your time, revisit steps, and try multiple approaches.
Case Interviews (Assessment Tool)
Used for: evaluating candidates.
You solve a case on the spot while the interviewer judges:
- structure
- prioritisation
- logic
- math
- communication
- presence
Case studies train you; case interviews test you.
Types of Case Studies You Should Practice
Below are the most common case types. Each links back to a detailed guide in your Case Library.
1. Profitability Cases
Diagnose why profits are falling.
👉 Read detailed Profitability Case Breakdown → Zomato’s Profitability Challenge: Structuring the Path to Sustainable Growth
2. Market Entry Cases
Should a company enter a new market?
👉 Read Market Entry Case Breakdown → Netflix India: Cracking the Code to Market Entry and Localization
3. Growth Strategy Cases
How can the company grow revenue, users, or share?
👉 Read Growth Strategy Case Breakdown → Unacademy’s Profitability Dilemma: Sustaining Growth in EdTech
4. Pricing Cases
How to set the right price?
👉 Read Pricing Case Breakdown → Starbucks India: Crafting the Perfect Pricing Strategy
5. Operational / Process Improvement Cases
Identify bottlenecks and efficiency issues.
👉 Read Ops Case Breakdown → Nykaa’s Omnichannel Play: Balancing Online and Offline Growth
7. Guesstimate / Market Sizing Cases
Estimate market sizes logically.
👉 Guesstimate Library → Guesstimates
Each of these case types connects back to the frameworks explained in the previous article.
How Case Studies Make You “Consulting-Ready”
Practicing case studies does two things:
1. Sharpens the Frameworks You Already Know
You learn how to use frameworks dynamically:
- tailoring
- merging
- discarding irrelevant parts
- adjusting for industry
This is the real consulting skill.
2. Builds the Intuition That Interviewers Look For
You start becoming comfortable with:
- interpreting data
- forming hypotheses
- identifying what matters
- giving structured recommendations
This is what separates strong candidates from average ones.
A Simple Realistic Example (Short Walkthrough)
Problem:
An online grocery startup is losing repeat customers.
Your case thinking:
- Clarify the problem → Only repeat customers falling
- Apply a basic framework → Customer Journey
- Identify drop point → Usage & Retention stage
- Analyse root cause → Delivery delays + product unavailability
- Recommend actions →
- improve inventory accuracy
- reduce delivery slots
- offer loyalty discounts
- fix app issues causing cart-drop
This is exactly how a real case works: structure → diagnosis → solution.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
❌ Treating cases like theory
✔ Treat them like live business problems
❌ Memorising frameworks
✔ Practice applying them flexibly
❌ Solving randomly
✔ Build a clear structure first, always
❌ Rushing to conclusions
✔ Analyse then prioritise
Final Thoughts
Case studies are the bridge between knowing frameworks and cracking case interviews. They build the mindset, discipline, and intuition that consulting demands.
Your next step is learning HOW to solve a case from start to finish, the exact approach consultants use.
👉 Read Next: How to Approach a Case: A Step-by-Step Guide to Consulting Problem Solving