Ultimate guide to preparing for a Roland Berger case interview
Roland Berger, that prestigious European consulting firm, accepts just 3-5% of applicants. Tough odds, yes—but not impossible. Their demanding process rewards those who prepare with purpose.
This guide walks you through Roland Berger’s interview journey with all the latest 2025 updates. From interview structure to preparation tactics, we’ve mapped the path to help you navigate each step with confidence.
Structure of the guide
- How is the selection process at Roland Berger structured?
- What are the components of a Roland Berger interview?
- How do Roland Berger interviews differ from other consulting firms?
- What types of cases can you expect at Roland Berger?
- What can you expect in the FIT portion of a Roland Berger interview?
- How do you approach preparing for a Roland Berger case interview?
Why this guide is different
Most advice about consulting interviews blends together in a generic blur. Not here. We’ve tailored every tip specifically to Roland Berger’s unique approach and expectations. Whether you’re just beginning your preparation journey or putting final touches on your approach, this guide provides the focused insights you need to stand out. This article is the result of 2000+ coaching hours, 400+ MbB interview reviews by our students, 1000+ case studies analysed.
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How is the selection process at Roland Berger structured?
Understanding how Roland Berger differs from other firms helps you prepare more effectively. Here’s a clear comparison:
| Criteria | Roland Berger | Tier 1 firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) | Other Tier 2 firms (Strategy&, Oliver Wyman, etc.) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Interview format |
Mixed approach: elements of both candidate-led and interviewer-guided |
McKinsey: Interviewer-led; BCG/Bain: Candidate-led |
Typically candidate-led but varies by firm |
|
Interviewer role |
Balanced approach: provides guidance while allowing candidate initiative |
McKinsey: Actively guides; BCG/Bain: Acts as client |
Varies by firm but generally less structured |
|
Evaluation process |
Emphasis on analytical rigor and cultural fit |
McKinsey: Collaborative checklists; BCG/Bain: Individual judgment with standardized criteria |
Usually less standardized than Tier 1 firms |
|
Number of rounds |
Two to three rounds depending on office |
Typically two rounds |
Varies widely, two to four rounds |
|
Interviews per round |
Usually two interviews per round |
Two to three interviews per round |
Varies by firm and office |
|
Common industries |
Strong focus on industrial goods, automotive, energy, and restructuring |
Broader coverage across industries |
Often more specialized by sector (e.g., financial services for Oliver Wyman) |
What are the components of a Roland Berger interview?
Roland Berger interviews unfold in three distinct parts, each examining different aspects of your potential fit with the firm.
Personal fit interview
Through targeted questions about your experience, Roland Berger explores four essential qualities:
- Analytical excellence: How do you tackle complex problems? They’ll assess your ability to break challenges into manageable pieces and build solutions based on facts rather than hunches. Think clarity, structure, and logical progression.
- Entrepreneurial mindset: Do you spot opportunities where others see only problems? Roland Berger values candidates who take smart initiative when facing uncertain situations—a quality that separates consultants from mere analysts.
- Practical implementation: Are your solutions actionable in the real world? While theory has its place, Roland Berger prizes consultants who bridge the gap between analysis and action—people who deliver results, not just recommendations.
This evaluation reveals how well you’ll fit their culture, where sharp analysis meets pragmatic business sense.
Case interview
For 35-40 minutes—the interview’s core—you’ll tackle a business problem that reflects Roland Berger’s distinctive approach:
- You’ll encounter a business scenario
- You must create your own problem-solving structure without excessive guidance
- At key moments, the interviewer might steer you toward important areas
- Comfort with numbers—especially in restructuring and cost scenarios—is essential
- They place unusual emphasis on implementation challenges and practical next steps
This hybrid format tests your analytical skills alongside your business judgment.
Your questions for the interviewer
As the case concludes, the tables turn. Now you ask the questions—a moment more important than many candidates realize. Smart, thoughtful questions here can sometimes redeem an otherwise shaky performance.
While digital interviews have become common, Roland Berger maintains a stronger preference for face-to-face meetings than many competitors, particularly in their European offices. This preference reflects their emphasis on relationships and cultural alignment—qualities they believe screen interviews don’t fully capture.
How do Roland Berger interviews differ from other consulting firms?
Many candidates stumble before they even begin. Why? They prepare for consulting interviews in general, not Roland Berger interviews specifically. This mistake often leads straight to rejection.
Unlike other firms that follow clear patterns—McKinsey guiding you through the case or BCG expecting you to lead—Roland Berger takes a middle path. They blend both approaches in a way that reflects their position in the consulting world.
In Roland Berger’s hybrid model, you’ll start by driving the case yourself. You’ll need to create your own structure and approach. But here’s the difference: the interviewer will step in at key moments to guide you. This creates a back-and-forth that tests both your independent thinking and how well you can adapt to feedback. It’s a dance, not a solo performance.
In order to better understand the difference between interviewer led and candidate led cases please watch our YouTube video
https://youtu.be/unwy5t3A1Ss?si=Wq7iDV1QSOB7E-5P
Roland Berger stands out in several key ways:
- Industry specialization: They emphasize industrial goods, automotive, and energy sectors
- Restructuring expertise: You’ll see more turnaround cases than at McKinsey, BCG, or Bain
- Practical solutions: They care more about real-world implementation than theoretical frameworks
Understanding these differences matters. Roland Berger wants candidates who can think for themselves but also adapt quickly.
What types of cases can you expect at Roland Berger?
Success in Roland Berger cases requires mastering fundamental frameworks and implementation skills. Here’s how their case process typically works:
Key steps in solving a case
Clarifying the objective
Start by clearly stating the business problem. Roland Berger values candidates who identify both analytical and practical aspects of the challenge. Don’t just define the problem—show you understand what solving it means in the real world.
Developing a structured approach
Choose a relevant framework, then adapt it to the specific situation. Roland Berger looks for approaches that address European market dynamics and cross-border considerations. Generic frameworks won’t impress them.
Requesting relevant data
Ask for specific information to test your thinking. Roland Berger evaluates how efficiently you gather information and whether you consider both numbers and qualitative factors. Be targeted in what you ask for.
Analyzing qualitative and quantitative information
Pull everything together to identify patterns and insights. Roland Berger wants practical, action-oriented insights rather than purely theoretical analysis. They ask: “So what does this mean for the client?”
Performing calculations
Work through numbers accurately while explaining your approach. Roland Berger often includes financial viability and cost restructuring elements that require solid math skills. Show your work and thinking.
Developing recommendations
Provide specific, actionable recommendations with a strong emphasis on how they could actually be implemented. Roland Berger prizes practical next steps over grand strategies that lack execution details.
Common types of business problems tested
Quantitative structures
- Market sizing: “Estimate the market for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Germany.”
Here is an example of a marketsizing exercises that you can encounter
Market sizing framework walkthrough – Case interview example from LEK and Oliver Wyman
Advanced market sizing case interview example & framework | Oliver Wyman & L.E.K. case interview
- Profit and Loss (P&L): “How can a mid-sized European manufacturer improve declining profitability?”
Qualitative structures
- Growth strategy: “How should a German industrial company expand into Eastern Europe?”
- Market entry: “Should an automotive supplier enter the electric vehicle component market?”
- Pricing: “How would you price a new industrial automation solution across different European markets?”
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): Should our client pursue a strategic partnership with an electric vehicle manufacturer in emerging markets?
- Capacity expansion: Should our manufacturing client build a new semiconductor facility in Eastern Europe?
- Public sector strategies: Design a comprehensive waste management strategy for a rapidly growing metropolitan area.
Process-oriented structures
- Operational cases: “Production efficiency has declined at a German automotive plant. Why?”
- Customer journey cases: Customer retention for a premium banking service has fallen by 30% in two quarters. Why?
- Unique public sector processes: Vaccination rates have stalled at 65% in a major urban area. What interventions would be most effective?
Industry knowledge
Beyond case types, familiarize yourself with Roland Berger’s core industries: automotive, industrial goods, energy, and transportation. Cases often feature these sectors, reflecting their expertise areas.
Roland Berger frequently incorporates their specialties in restructuring, operational efficiency, and European market dynamics into cases. Understanding these elements gives you an edge.
By mastering this structured approach and these business scenarios, you’ll be well-prepared for Roland Berger’s diverse case challenges.
What can you expect in the FIT portion of a Roland Berger interview?
The FIT portion carries equal weight to the case interview. It assesses your values, motivation, and experiences to determine cultural fit. This section typically covers three question types:
“Tell me about yourself and your professional journey”
Provide a clear, structured overview of your background, highlighting experiences relevant to consulting and Roland Berger’s values. They particularly value candidates who can connect their experiences to the firm’s European heritage and practical approach.
Motivation questions
Be ready to explain why consulting appeals to you and why Roland Berger specifically. Demonstrate understanding of their culture, values, and market position. Roland Berger emphasizes their global ambitions, and their focus on entrepreneurial thinking.
Behavioral questions
This crucial part asks you to share stories demonstrating specific skills and values:
- Analytical excellence: “Tell me about a time you tackled a complex problem with a structured approach.”
- Entrepreneurial mindset: “Describe when you identified an opportunity and took initiative.”
- Cross-cultural collaboration: “How have you worked effectively across different cultural contexts?”
- Implementation focus: “Share an example of translating strategy into practical action.”
- Resilience: “Tell me about overcoming a significant challenge in your work.”
Preparing your stories
Start crafting these stories 2-3 weeks before your interview. Each should run 3-4 minutes and follow the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result), with about 70% focusing on your actions and the impact you created.
Roland Berger interviewers particularly value examples showing your ability to work in diverse European contexts or handle cross-border business challenges. The more specific and relevant to their interests, the better.
How do you approach preparing for a Roland Berger case Interview?
Preparing for a Roland Berger interview requires a structured approach. Here are the key preparation stages:
1. Setting a clear goal
Start with a well-defined goal. Without one, you’ll likely lose focus and motivation. Your aim—securing a Roland Berger offer—should energize your preparation. For Roland Berger specifically, understand that you need to develop both structured thinking skills and practical implementation abilities.
2. Creating a study schedule
Consistency beats cramming. Plan your daily study time based on your available preparation window:
- 3 months: 45 minutes per day
- 1.5 months: 1.5 hours per day
- 1 month: 2 hours per day
For Roland Berger, dedicate extra time to understanding industry knowledge in their core sectors (automotive, industrial goods, energy). This focus will set you apart.
3. Mastering case interview theory
Build a strong foundation before practicing cases. Cover all aspects of case-solving:
- Key steps for navigating their hybrid interview format
- Various case types (quantitative, qualitative, process-oriented)
- Industry-specific knowledge (automotive, industrial goods, energy)
- European business dynamics and cross-border considerations
Study each area separately to avoid overwhelm. Pay special attention to restructuring frameworks and cost optimization techniques that frequently appear in Roland Berger cases.
4. Practicing case interviews
Practice isn’t optional—it’s essential. Aim to solve 50-80 cases, focusing on feedback and improvement. For Roland Berger specifically:
- Practice both leading cases and responding to interviewer guidance
- Get comfortable with restructuring and turnaround scenarios
- Build skills in identifying practical implementation steps
- Focus on market entry and cross-border cases
- Work on cost optimization and operational efficiency problems
Find experienced practice partners who can simulate Roland Berger’s hybrid style and European business context. Quality feedback helps you improve faster than solo practice.
5. Preparing the FIT portion
Craft compelling stories using the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Keep them 3-4 minutes long and address Roland Berger’s core values:
- Analytical excellence
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Cross-cultural collaboration
- Implementation focus
- Resilience
Prepare examples showing your understanding of their business culture or cross-border challenges—these particularly impress Roland Berger interviewers.
By following this tailored approach, you’ll develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in Roland Berger’s distinctive interview process. The preparation may seem demanding, but the structured path makes it manageable—even for those new to consulting interviews.