How to create your consulting interview preparation plan

A well-structured preparation plan for consulting interviews allows you to organize your time, balance your efforts between theory and practice, and measure your progress. Without a clear structure, it's easy to lose focus or become overwhelmed. This article guides you step-by-step to create your own plan, based on the 7 pillars of preparation from NextEp MBB.

Does organizing your preparation for consulting interviews seem overwhelming? A well-structured training plan allows you to distribute your efforts, monitor progress, and ensure you cover all the aspects that top firms will evaluate. Here, we explain how to create one based on our experience and 7-step guide.

1. Why do you need a plan?

Preparation for consulting is not something to be improvised. A disorganized approach leads to stress and inefficiencies. In contrast, having a clear plan prevents wasting time and helps you measure your progress. Starting several months in advance—ideally 3 to 6 months—and planning your practice weeks increases your chances of success. If you have less time, organize an intensive 1–3 month schedule and be consistent.

A solid plan helps you focus on what you can control: your preparation. Don't waste energy questioning whether you are 'smart enough'; concentrate on improving your interview skills: case practice, Fit/PEI interview preparation, and mental math training. Remember that the competition is fierce, and those who start early arrive better prepared.

2. How to create your training plan

a) Define the key activities: your plan should be based on the 7 essential steps:

1. Apply correctly: refine your resume, cover letter, and networking skills.
2. Understand the process: Learn how the selection processes work and the specific characteristics of each firm.
3. Learn the basics: frameworks, issue trees, case types, industries, and business fundamentals.
4. Prepare for the tests: practice reasoning and analysis to pass the entry tests.
5. Practice cases: start alone, then with peers, and finally with experienced individuals.
6. Work on the Fit part (and PEI): prepare stories that demonstrate the key skills that firms are looking for.
7. Improve your math and calculation skills: practice mental math and paper exercises to increase your speed and accuracy.

b) Define the sources: Identify one or two sources of information that you will use for each of the steps. If these sources are helpful and you feel comfortable with them, move on to the next step. If you feel that something is missing in any of them, then explore other options. What is important is not to be constantly jumping from source to source, because it becomes a very inefficient process, which also confuses you instead of improving your performance.

c) Customize according to your availability: A typical preparation requires between 50 and 100 hours spread over several months. If you work or study, opt for blocking small but regular slots. If you can dedicate yourself full-time, a 1-2 week sprint might be enough, although it must be done well to avoid saturation.

d) Prioritize essential tasks: Not all activities have the same impact. Dedicate more time to practicing full cases, building frameworks, training case closures, reinforcing mental calculation, and working on the Fit part. Reserve ample time for theoretical review and practice. Avoid excessive mental fatigue: balance learning, practice, and rest, trying to enjoy the process.

e) Be realistic and adjust: A good plan is flexible. Record each session, measure progress, and reinforce weak areas. If your structure falters, practice more frameworks; if your Fit stories are unclear, dedicate additional time to refining them.

3. Important tips

• Start early: ideally, 3 to 6 months before applying. However, a 1–2 week sprint with very intensive preparation is also possible.
• Use the 80/20 rule: choose a few high-quality resources and get the most out of them.
• Manage your plan proactively: order reduces anxiety and gives you control. If you are unsure, identify what specific action can help you.
• Practice consistently: first with solo cases, then with peers, and finally with experts to solidify your skills.
• Find practice partners: Practicing with peers and mentors accelerates your progress. Our NextEp community continues to grow and can be a good starting point.
• Practice your math skills: do it regularly, both mental calculation and on paper.

4. Our preparation plan template

To save you from starting from scratch, we have created a Preparation Plan Template in Excel format that already includes the 7 steps from the NextEp MBB Guide. All you have to do is map out your schedule on it and start recording your progress.

This template is part of our FlashTips: a few days after joining, you will be able to access it, with instructions to customize it and get the most out of it. You can access it here:

5. Mini FAQ

How many hours should I dedicate to preparation?
Between 50 and 100 hours, combining theory, exercises, and full cases.

How early should I start preparing?
Ideally, you should begin 3 to 6 months in advance. However, it's also possible to prepare in 1–2 months with an intensive plan.

How many cases should I practice?
Aim for 3–5 cases per week and focus on learning from each one.

Do I need a coach?
It's not essential, but it can help you progress faster.

Should I follow the plan to the letter?
No. It's a guide. The important thing is to cover the 7 steps and adjust according to your progress.

6. Access resources and keep progressing

In the resources section, you will find the guide Crack the Interview Process, where we delve into each stage with examples and additional advice. You can access our resources section here. You will also discover more materials on firms, processes, case interviews, mental math, and networking.