I've seen hundreds of candidates blow their consulting interviews. The pattern is almost always the same.

Mistake #1: Copy-pasting a framework.

Interviewers at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain can spot a memorized "profitability framework" from a mile away. They want to see you think, not recite. A tailored structure that's 80% right beats a generic framework that's 100% irrelevant.

Mistake #2: Doing math in your head instead of out loud.

Silence is death in a case interview. Your interviewer can't give you credit for work they can't see. Narrate every step — even the easy ones. "I'm going to multiply 500 units by $20 average price to get $10,000 in revenue." That's how you build trust.

Mistake #3: Jumping to a recommendation without a structure.

When it's time to synthesize, most candidates ramble. Top candidates use the Pyramid Principle: lead with your recommendation, back it with 2-3 data-driven reasons, then flag risks and next steps. 30 seconds. Clean.

The candidates who land MBB offers aren't smarter — they're more disciplined in their preparation.

If you want structured practice with real feedback, The Case Lab is where serious candidates come to train.