How to create your consulting interview preparation plan

A good consulting interview preparation plan allows you to organize your time, balance the effort between theory and practice, and measure your progress. Without a clear structure, it is easy to lose focus or become saturated. This article guides you step-by-step to create your own plan, based on NextEp MBB's 7 pillars of preparation.

Does organizing your preparation for consulting interviews seem excessive? A well-structured training plan allows you to spread out your efforts, monitor progress and make sure you cover all the aspects that will be evaluated by the big firms. Here's how to create one based on our experience and 7-step guide.

Why do you need a plan?

Preparing for consulting is not improvised. A messy study generates stress and many inefficiencies. On the other hand, having a clear plan avoids wasting time and helps you measure your progress. Starting several months in advance - ideally 3 to 6 months - and planning your practice weeks multiplies your chances of success. If you have less time, organize an intensive 1-3 month schedule and be consistent.

A good plan helps you focus on what you can control: your preparation. Don't waste energy questioning whether you are "smart enough"; focus on improving your interview skills: case practice, Fit/PEI interview preparation, and mental calculation training. Remember that competition is high and those who start early come in 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: work on your CV, cover letter and networking.
2. Understand the process: know how selection processes work and the particularities 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 entrance exams.
5. Practice the cases: start alone, then with colleagues and finally with experienced people.
6. Work the Fit (and PEI) part: prepare stories that demonstrate the key skills firms are looking for.
7. Improve your math and calculus: train mental math and paper exercises to gain speed and accuracy.

b) Define the sources: Define one or two sources of information that you will use for each of the steps. If these sources work for you and you feel comfortable, move on to another step. If you feel you are lacking in any of them, then explore other options. What is important is not to be jumping from source to source constantly, 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 off small but regular slots. If you can dedicate full time, a 1-2 week sprint may be enough, but do it well to avoid saturation.

d) Prioritize essential tasks: not all activities have the same impact. Dedicate more time to practice complete cases, build frameworks, train case closures, reinforce mental arithmetic and work on the Fit part. Reserve a good amount of time for theory 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 is loose, practice more frameworks; if your Fit stories are unclear, spend extra time fine-tuning them.

3. Important tips

• Start early: ideally 3 to 6 months before application. However, a 1-2 week sprint is possible with very intensive preparation.
• Use the 80/20 rule: choose a few quality sources and squeeze the most out of them.
• Manage your plan proactively: order reduces nerves and gives you control. If you are unsure, identify what concrete action can help you.
• Practice constantly: first solo cases, then with partners and finally with experts to consolidate your skills.
• Find practice partners: practicing with peers and mentors accelerates your progress. Our NextEp community continues to grow and can be a good place to start.
• Train your math skills: do it on a regular basis, both mental arithmetic and on paper.

4. Our preparation plan template

So you don't have to start from scratch, we have created a Preparation Plan Template in Excel format that already includes the 7 steps of the NextEp MBB Guide. Just draw your calendar on top of 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 on how 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 the preparation?
Between 50 and 100 hours, combining theory, exercises and complete cases.

How far in advance should I start?
Ideally 3 to 6 months. It is also possible with 1-2 months if you do 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 move forward faster.

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

6. Access resources and keep moving forward

In the resources section you will find the guide Crack the Interview Processwhere we go through each stage in depth with additional examples and tips. You can access our resources section here. You will also discover more materials on firms, processes, case interviews, mental arithmetic and networking.