Introduction
You’re about to work through a realistic consulting-style case, similar to what you may encounter during an actual interview at firms like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain.
This case is divided into three key questions, each testing different core skills:
- Q1: Structuring – your ability to break down a vague problem using a MECE framework
- Q2: Quantitative Analysis – your comfort with numbers and logical problem solving
- Q3: Brainstorming & Recommendations – your creativity and practicality in suggesting solutions
Your goal is to attempt each question step-by-step:
- Read the prompt carefully.
- Write down your own answer first (ideally within a timed environment).
- Then, compare your response to the suggested model answer.
- Identify where you differ — and why.
❗If you’re stuck or unsure how to improve your structure or calculation — book a coaching session with one of our expert mentors. We’re here to help you master each step of the case process.
Now let’s dive in
Q1 Structuring
A public school system in Northland has 130,000 students in total. The average score of the students in a state-wide exam is much lower than the scores of the students from the rest of the US. The key question is:
“What could have influenced the lower performance of students?”
Remember that you need to follow 3 basic steps when working with your structure:
1) Carefully read the case prompt and ask clarifying questions. Your questions should be context related, no data request allowed). You can check our suggested clarifying questions:
Clarifying questions help ensure alignment and prevent misdiagnosis. They are essential for scoping the case correctly and identifying hidden variables.
What is the public school system like, and does it differ across states?
Which subjects are covered by the statewide exam?
Do we have a particular quantitative metric related to lower performance?
2) Choose proper type of structure
3) Leverage key structuring principles when creating your structure:
– MECE: make sure that the elements in your structure do not overlap and cover all areas of the case
– Relevance: your structure should be very case specific. Avoid generic structures
– Solvability: make sure you can really solve the case with this structure
Reveal answer
Structure of the Problem
We divide our analysis across the following three pillars:
- Admission
- Learning
- Exams
Helpful Hint: A clear structure helps break down a complex problem into manageable components and ensures a thorough and balanced evaluation.
Admission
Key Questions:
- Do we attract the best applicants from all backgrounds?
- Are school entry requirements adequate?
Insights & Recommendations:
- The state should digitalize the school admission process to improve accessibility, especially for candidates from remote locations.
Learning
Key Questions:
- Have we prepared the most broad and deep educational programs across subjects?
- Do we provide the best supply of study materials (books and digital)?
- Do we have enough qualified and efficient teachers?
- Do we provide the best educational environment (facilities, motivation, attendance)?
Recommendations:
- Implement digital tools with gamification to help students set goals and track progress.
- Launch social network-based study groups for peer support.
- Involve psychologists to help students overcome mental blocks.
- Add engaging subjects to increase motivation.
Exams
Key Questions:
- Are exam papers consistent across states and do they effectively test knowledge?
- Do we provide adequate exam conditions?
- Is the exam evaluation process fair and accurate?
Recommendations:
- Provide access to mock exams and past papers.
- Improve exam conditions (e.g., water, snacks, climate control).
- Ensure fairness and accuracy of grading by standardizing evaluation criteria
Q2 Quantitative Question
How many additional math books should Junior High school get on-time with the improved efficiency in the system?
- There are totally 130,000 students
- There are in total 13 grades in the public school system
- Elementary: KG to 6th grade
- Junior high: 7th and 8th
- High School: 9th to 12th
- There are the same number of students in each class. There are also an equal number of students in each grade
- Each student orders 2 math books
- 75% arrive on time. The inefficiency is contributed 75% due to warehousing and 25% due to online orders
- Due to improvements suggested by consultants, new warehouse model would improve the efficiency by 50% and online orders would improve by 80%
Reveal answer
Calculation:
- Total students in Junior High = 2 grades × (130,000 / 13) = 20,000 students
- Total math books = 20,000 students × 2 books = 40,000 books
- Currently, 75% arrive on time → 25% delayed = 10,000 books
- 7,500 delayed due to warehouse issues (75%)
- 2,500 delayed due to online orders (25%)
- Improvements:
- 50% of warehouse issue resolved → 3,750 books
- 80% of online issue resolved → 2,000 books
Answer: With improved efficiency, Junior High schools will receive 5,750 additional math books on time.
Helpful Hint: Always break down quantitative problems into logical steps: define total scope, apply assumptions, isolate inefficiencies, and layer improvements.
Q3 Brainstorming and Recommendations
Which initiatives might improve the academic performance of the students in the city?
Reveal answer
Admission to school
- Digitalize the school admission process so that more candidates from remote locations could apply
Learning
- Implement a digital app with gamification that would allow students to set educational goals and track progress
- Implement study groups in social networks so students can ask for help and exchange materials
- Hire psychologists to help students with mental blocks that prevent exam preparation
- Add new and engaging subjects to increase motivation
Exams
- Provide mock exams and access to old exam papers
- Improve conditions during exams (e.g., water, snacks, temperature)
Helpful Hint: Combine behavioral and systemic interventions for sustainable academic improvement. Address both student experience and structural factors.
Quantitative KPIs
| KPI | Baseline | Target |
|---|---|---|
|
Students with on-time materials |
75%
|
95% |
|
Access to digital study tools |
<10% |
50%+ |
|
Average test performance vs. national |
-20% |
-5% |
Helpful Hint: KPIs should be actionable, measurable, and tied directly to your recommendations.
Implementation Roadmap
- Digitalize the school admission process
- Redesign logistics for study material distribution
- Roll out digital learning platforms and support systems
- Improve exam experience and structure
Helpful Hint: A phased implementation helps to minimize risks and allows time for iteration. Pilot programs are a great way to test impact before full rollout.
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Conclusion
Northland can improve its educational performance through a three-pronged approach: enabling wider and easier access to schools, enriching the learning environment with proper tools and support systems, and creating better conditions for exams and evaluations. If executed properly, these interventions can close the performance gap and make the system more equitable and efficient.
Helpful Hint: A strong conclusion ties your recommendations back to the client’s original concern and shows the path to measurable impact.
