When to conduct interview preparation sessions with case experts

Practicing with a case interview expert is the final step in thorough preparation. These sessions simulate a real interview with a former consultant from firms like McKinsey, Bain, or BCG, and offer you direct, unfiltered feedback. This isn't about repeating exercises; it's about facing real pressure, assessing your level, and receiving actionable feedback to make the leap from 'prepared' to 'ready'.

1. Why practice with an expert?

Practicing with an expert allows you to view your interviews from an interviewer's real perspective. Coaches with experience in consulting firms know exactly what companies evaluate: the clarity of your communication, the structure of your issue tree, and the precision of your quantitative reasoning.

The value of these sessions lies in the feedback. Unlike practicing with peers, the observations you receive are specific and tactical. A good expert can quickly identify areas where your logic falters, you make calculation errors, or you deviate from the objective, and they offer practical guidance to correct them.

Furthermore, these sessions help to break repetitive habits that often go unnoticed, such as speaking without focus, relying on memorized frameworks, or dwelling too long on conclusions. A former consultant quickly detects these patterns and trains you to respond with clarity and control.

Finally, working with experts provides a key confidence boost. Facing a realistic simulation, with the demands and pace of an authentic interview, allows you to measure your level of preparation and validate that you are ready to perform at your best on interview day.

2. When is it advisable to test yourself with experts?

It's not necessary to consult an expert from the beginning. These sessions are much more effective when you have already established a solid foundation: you understand the frameworks, know how to build issue trees, and have practiced at least 15 to 20 cases on your own or with colleagues. At that point, every minute with an expert becomes a real investment, because you can leverage their feedback strategically.

It's also important not to wait until the last minute. Many candidates book their first session when interviews are just around the corner, without enough time to apply what they've learned. Ideally, you should schedule a mock interview 2 or 3 weeks in advance, to incorporate improvements and adjust your preparation before facing the real process.

A good indicator to know if it's the right time is feeling comfortable opening, structuring, and closing a case within the standard time, with confidence and precision in your mental calculations. If you meet these conditions, you are at the ideal point to face an expert and validate your performance under pressure. Another good indicator is when you feel that the feedback you receive when practicing with colleagues is very limited or does not add value.

3. What to look for in a real interview session?

Not all sessions with experts are created equal. It is essential to seek professionals with real experience in selection processes, preferably former MBB consultants or those from other recognized firms. Their experience as interviewers allows them to detect errors and evaluate your performance using the same criteria applied by top consulting firms.

An effective session should accurately replicate the format of a real interview: a brief introduction, the Fit or PEI section, case resolution, closure with recommendations, and a final block of detailed feedback. This structure trains you not only in analysis and communication, but also in time management and self-control.

The real value lies in receiving concrete and actionable feedback. An expert doesn't just assess what you did right or wrong, but teaches you how to improve your approach, your hypotheses, and your clarity when presenting conclusions. The more specific the feedback, the greater the impact on your progress.

Finally, if you have the option to record the session or receive a written summary, take advantage of it. Reviewing your performance with some distance will allow you to identify patterns, measure your progress, and reinforce the changes that truly bring you closer to the level sought by top firms.

4. How to prepare for your session and what to do afterwards?

• Before the session: choose a case of medium difficulty, review frameworks and your recent notes. Get enough rest and define concrete objectives.
• During the session: treat the session as if it were a real interview. Be professional, manage your time effectively, and think out loud.
• After the session: review the feedback, prioritize two key areas, and adjust your plan. Practice alone and with peers before investing in another session.
• Avoid obsessing over sessions: It is not necessary to overuse sessions with experts. Between one and three well-utilized sessions should be sufficient.

5. Recommended resources

• NextEp MBB Interview Guide: Download PDF – Explains what interviewers evaluate at each stage and how to prepare your answers.
• Book your mock interview with a former consultant: Schedule session.
• Practice with peers in our WhatsApp groups:
  • English – Join the group (EN)
  • Spanish – Join the group (ES)
• Downloadable resources: templates and guides at nextepmbb.com/recursos-descargables.
• Comprehensive resource section: nextepmbb.com/recursos.

Mini FAQ

When is the best time to practice with an expert?
When you have already mastered the structure, development, and conclusion of cases (after practicing around 15–20 cases).

What is the difference between practicing with peers?
The expert replicates the pressure and evaluates you with real criteria, without providing immediate feedback or allowing retries.

How far ahead of the interviews should I do it?
Ideally, 2–3 weeks before, allow time to implement the feedback.

How many sessions do I need?
One or two well-utilized sessions are typically sufficient, provided that the feedback is implemented effectively.

What should I do with the feedback I received?
Transform each observation into concrete actions: structure, pace, clarity, math. Integrate the changes into your next practice sessions.

Follow our guide to continue your preparation for consulting interviews: