best books for case study preparation

Popular case interview books reviewed

A LOT of books offer guidance on how to navigate the case interview process. But here's the thing: time is precious when it comes to preparing for consulting interviews. You simply won't have time to read that many books.

So which ones should you go through to maximise your chances of getting a job at a top consulting firm ? Before we go into more detail, here is a quick overview of the best case interview books we would recommend:

• Cracking Case Interviews (By Max Serrano & Jonathon Yarde)
• Case Interview Secrets (By Victor Cheng)
• Interview Math (By Lewis C. Lin)

And 3 popular case interview books we would NOT recommend:

• Case in Point (by Marc Cosentino)
• 20 Days to Ace the Case (by Destin Whitehurst)
• Crack the Case System (by David Orhvall)

Keep reading to find out why we have (or have not) recommended the books listed above. 

Click here to practise 1-on-1 with MBB ex-interviewers

1. cracking case interviews, by max serrano and jonathon yarde  – recommended.

This is a little bit cheeky, but we are going to start by recommending our own case interview book. Some of the other books on this list are helpful, but none of them succinctly summarise the full set of the information you need to get a job offer from a leading consulting firm. That's why we worked on Cracking Case Interviews for over a year, to make it the most comprehensive case interview book available.

Cracking Case Interviews was designed to be the only book you'll need to read to land a job at McKinsey, BCG, Bain, or other top consulting firms. The book includes resume and cover letter tips, a step-by-step method for solving cases, 5 practise cases with detailed solutions, strategies for answering behavioural questions, and more. 

The book was written by Max Serrano and Jonathon Yarde, who are former consultants and current members of the IGotAnOffer team. Input was also provided by some of the MBB  ex-interviewers who serve as coaches on IGotAnOffer.com (more about them here ).

2.  Case Interview Secrets, by Victor Cheng – Recommended

Our recommendation

Overall, we would recommend reading Case Interview Secrets as it’s a good introduction to the case interview process. It won’t be enough to get you an interview or a job, but it’s an interesting starting point.

The pros and cons

Cheng writes very authoritatively and personably. He manages to cover a lot of ground using a structure that’s easy to follow. Its main strength is that it gives good insights on how interviewers think, what criteria they use to assess candidates, etc. The information on the difference between McKinsey’s interviewer-led cases and BCG / Bain’s candidate led-cases  is also helpful.

That being said, there are a few shortcomings to the book. First, it feels repetitive in places and the content could have been more summarised. This is one of the reasons we developed our case interview guide . Second, as we will explain further in our review of Cosentino's book below, we strongly disagree with Cheng's advice to always re-use the same two frameworks. Interviewers will notice and penalise you if you do this. And third, the book does not include practise cases which would have been helpful to apply the concepts laid out.

Author and content

Victor Cheng is a former management consultant at McKinsey in the US. He is also an independent consultant for mid-size US companies.

The book is split across seven sections. It begins with an overview of the interview and how candidates are assessed. This is followed by a section on maths and a section on the basic tools that are needed when solving cases. Section four details Cheng's two basic frameworks for approaching case studies. The following two sections look at case study formats, and the book concludes on how to combine all of the above skills in order to succeed.

3.  Interview Math, by Lewis C. Lin - Recommended

As maths are an important part of case studies, we would recommend this guide. But don't read it on its own: pair it with other guides that focus on case interviews.

This is a great book for those looking to strengthen their quantitative skills before their interviews. It is clear, concise, well-structured, and authoritative. The style is less "businessy" than many of the other guides we mention here; the tone is a little more informal and friendly.  

That being said, this guide only focuses on getting you comfortable with the numbers. It does not aim to do anything else. For a wider perspective on case interviews, it's essential you look at other material too. Interview Math also suffers a little from being repetitive.

Lewis C. Lin is the former Director of Product Management at Microsoft. Besides being the CEO of the coaching firm Impact Interview, he also appears on news outlets such as Business Insider and The Atlantic.

In just ~150 pages, the book does a thorough job of defining different kinds of concepts, including market sizing, revenue estimates, profitability, breakeven, price elasticity, and lifetime value. For each topic, the book also provides problems that go from simple to complex, which are broken down in a way that makes them easy to understand.

4.  Case in Point, by Marc Cosentino – Not recommended

Our Recommendation

This will probably be controversial, but although it's been the best-selling case interview book on Amazon for a long time, we do NOT recommend reading Case in Point.  The main reason is that the whole book relies on learning and applying a series of 10+ frameworks to crack cases. As we have explained in the past, your interviewer will penalise you if you use a  pre-defined case framework  and you should avoid this at all costs. 

Cosentino's style is fun and conversational, and he brings many anecdotes to the table from the time he has spent helping students prepare for management consulting interviews. The book is well laid out and easy to follow. It also includes sample cases and a short section on how to behave in interviews which are helpful.

However, as hinted above, interviewers will immediately spot if you are trying to force-fit their case into a predefined framework from Case in Point. In our experience, instead of learning frameworks by heart, the best candidates invest time and energy into learning how to build custom frameworks  for every case. It's actually much easier than you might think!

Marc Cosentino is the former Associate Director of Career Services at Harvard. 

Cosentino's guide is ~250 pages long. It begins with a general section on the interview, tackles different case types next, then moves on to a description of Cosentino's "system". Finally, additional frameworks are detailed.

5.  20 Days to Ace the Case, by Destin Whitehurst - Not recommended

The concepts covered in this book are interesting, but we find the 20-day "boot-camp" structure to be somewhat gimmicky. If you want to purchase the book, we would recommend reading it to learn about the concepts it covers. But we would not recommend you follow its 20-day structure to prepare for your interviews, because we don't feel you will be prepared enough after following it.

The book introduces concepts such as the profitability framework and internal vs. external frameworks which you should know about for your consulting interviews. The writing is crisp and clear, and divided into short engaging chapters. Throughout the book there are brief anecdotes on interview experiences which make it entertaining.  

There are two main drawbacks to the book. First, it assumes that you have already done substantial research on consulting interviews. For instance, the behavioural part of consulting interviews is not addressed in depth. Second, 9 of the 20 days in the programme are dedicated to doing a mock interview. While doing mock cases is sound advice, in our experience, most candidates who are successful at case interviews have done 30+ cases. We therefore don't recommend following the 20-day structure to the letter.

Destin Whitehurst is a senior consultant at Deloitte.

The book is divided across twenty chapters that should be read in twenty days, as a lead up to the actual interview. Besides offering daily exercises, the book describes various consulting firms, nine mock interviews, advice on what questions to ask the interviewer, anecdotes from past candidates, and strategic insights from the author.

6.  Crack the Case System, by David Orhvall – Not recommended

We don't want you entering the interview with too much clutter in your mind. Interview guides should be thorough, but they should also be distilled. We find that Crack the Case System really overcomplicates case interviews. As a result, we recommend that you pass over this one.

The book does a good job of guiding the reader through every step of the process while providing a holistic approach to cases. It doesn't rely on strict frameworks either.

The main challenge we found with this book is that it tends to over complicate case interviews. One issue is the excessive use of mnemonics, through trademarked short forms like IMPACT and SPECIALT. The other issue is that the book is a companion piece to a very large amount of online material that includes test cases and a collection of videos. This is all very time-consuming and repetitive, rather than getting to the point.

David Orhvall was a management and operational consultant at Bain & Company.

The book is ~300 pages long and categorises 13 different case types or "roadmaps". It covers every aspect of the interview: how to think like a consultant and how to tackle quantitative problems, how to communicate effectively, how to engage in small-talk, and how to arrange notes.

Our overall recommendation is that you prepare with Cracking Case Interviews . If after this you still want more guidance and would like to read more books, then we would recommend picking up a copy of Case Interview Secrets and Interview Maths .

What case interview book are you considering reading?

We are keen to hear your thoughts on case interview books. Do you agree with our list? Which ones are you considering reading? If you have read any, which ones would you recommend? 

Mock interviews

Once you've read the books and prepared writing out answers, you'll need to start practising your communication skills. How you solve each case is important, but your interviewers will also be evaluating how you COMMUNICATE your answers. It's important to speak in a structured way that makes it easy to clearly understand your points.

The best way to hone your communication skills is to practise interviewing out loud, and you can do that in three main ways:

• Interview yourself (out loud)
• Practise interviewing with friends or family
• Practise interviewing with ex-interviewers

Practising by yourself is a great way to get started, and can help you get more comfortable with the flow of a case interview. However, this type of practice won’t prepare you for realistic interview conditions. 

After getting some practice on your own, you should find someone who can do a mock interview with you, like a friend or family member.

We’d also recommend that you practise 1-1 with ex-interviewers from top consulting firms . This is the best way to replicate the conditions of a real case interview, and to get feedback from someone who understands the process extremely well.

Click here to book your mock case interview.

​​4 Remarkable Case Interview Books Every Candidate Needs

In this article, I have synthesized a comprehensive list of all must read case interview books for every management-consultant-to-be . They are some of the most read, containing the most fundamental knowledge to be successful in case interview.

At the end of the article, I will also give away exclusive resources to help you on your course of training. Here is the case interview books list.

Table of Contents

Case interview book list

The following reads are my personal recommendations for anyone wishing to join one of the MBB firms – these books will guide you through the  case interview process , providing you with foundational principles as well as tips and tricks to make yourself stand out.

You may find these books online in various form, but since piracy is unethical and illegal, I strongly advise you to purchase the books for yourself.

Exclusive materials

Below are some exclusive material on case interviews written by former consultants from MConsulting Prep and more. They are all available for immediate download, without putting you through any medium site or requiring any email registrations.

Hopefully these case interview materials will be helpful to you!

All the books and materials mentioned in this articles are excellent resources, but take lots of time to digest! So if you want a quick, 30-minute crash course on all the important mechanisms and instant-result tips for case interviews, I have just the right resource for you, in the article below!

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Case Interview End-to-End Secrets Program

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"The McKinsey Way" book by Ethan Rasiel has 5 sections with 180 pages, providing insights into McKinsey's work, objectives, organization & culture.

A case interview is where candidates is asked to solve a business problem. They are used by consulting firms to evaluate problem-solving skill & soft skills

“Case Interview Secrets” by Victor Cheng is great material for case interview beginners that provide detailed instructions to deal with many case interviews

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Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide

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Welcome to our preparation tips for case interviews!  Whether you are just curious about case interviews or are planning to apply for consulting internships or full-time jobs, these tips and resources will help you feel more prepared and confident.

A case interview is a role playing exercise in which an employer assesses how logically and persuasively you can present a case. Rather than seeing if you get the “correct” answer, the objective is to evaluate your thought process. ( Adapted with permission from Case In Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation by Marc Cosentino). 

Case interviews are very commonly used in the interview process for consulting firms and companies in similar industries. In the case interview, you will typically be given a business problem and then asked to solve it in a structured way. Learning this structure takes preparation and practice. You can learn more and practice using the resources listed below.  

Why are Case Interviews Used?

Case interviews allow employers to test and evaluate the following skills:

• Analytical skills and logical ability to solve problems
• Structure and thought process
• Ability to ask for relevant data/information
• Tolerance for ambiguity and data overload
• Poise and communication skills under pressure and in front of a client

How can I prepare for Case Interviews?

1.) Read Management Consulted’s “Case Interview: Complete Prep Guide (2024)”

Management Consulted is a FREE resource for Tufts students : case and consulting resources such as 500 sample cases, Case Interview Bootcamp,  Market Sizing Drills, Math Drills, case videos, consulting firm directory, and more

2.) Review additional resources:

• Case in Point – This book, by Marc Cosentino, is a comprehensive guide that walks you through the case interview process from beginning to end. This guide has helped many students over the years and can serve as an excellent foundation for how to approach business problems
• Casequestions.com – The companion website to Marc Cosentino’s book listed above offers preparation for case interviews, along with links to top 50 consulting firms
• Management Consulting Case Interviews: Cracking The Case – tips for case interviews from the other side of the table, from Argopoint, a Boston management consulting firm specializing in legal department consulting for Fortune 500 companies
• Preplounge.com – Free case preparation access for to up to 6 practice interviews with peers, selected cases, and video case solutions
• RocketBlocks – Features consulting preparation such as drills and coaching
• Practice sample online cases on consulting firm websites such as McKinsey , BCG , Bain , Deloitte and more!  

3.) Schedule a mock case interview appointment with  Karen Dankers or Kathy Spillane , our advisors for the Finance, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, and Business Career Community.

4.) PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE cases out loud on your own (yes, that can feel odd) or preferably, with another person. See #2 and #3 above for resources and ideas to find partners to practice live cases

5.) Enjoy and have fun solving business problems!

The Best Case Interview Books to Ace Your Consulting Interview

‍ As someone who has gone through dozens of consulting interviews, I can tell you that it is not a walk in the park. Consulting firms use case interviews to test your problem-solving, your mental agility, and your communication, to name just a few. To ace your consulting interview, you need to be well-prepared – one of the best ways to get ramped up quickly in the early days of your case prep is by reading case interview books . In this article, I will share the best case interview books that will help you prepare for your consulting interview.

Introduction to Case Interviews

A case interview is a type of job interview in which the candidate is presented with a business problem or scenario and asked to solve it. The candidate is expected to ask questions, gather information, and provide solutions to the problem. Case interviews are commonly used by consulting firms to assess a candidate’s ability to think critically, analyze data, and communicate effectively.

Why You Need Case Interview Books

Case interview books are an essential part of your consulting interview preparation. These books provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to solve complex business problems. They help you understand the structure of case interviews, the types of questions you can expect, and the best way to approach each question. Case interview books also provide you with practice cases and sample solutions, which allow you to practice your problem-solving skills.

Top Qualities to Look for When Selecting Case Interview Books

There are several qualities you should look for when selecting your top case interview books . Here are what some of the best case interview prep books have in common:

• Comprehensive content: The best case interview prep books  cover a wide range of topics, including case interview frameworks, market sizing, business situations, and various industries. This will ensure that you are well-prepared for different types of cases you might encounter during your interviews.
• Clear and concise explanations: A good case interview book should provide clear and easy-to-understand explanations of complex concepts and frameworks, making it easier for you to grasp and apply them during your practice sessions and interviews.
• Real-life case examples: The best case interview books include a variety of real-life case examples with detailed solutions, allowing you to understand the thought process behind solving different types of cases and to practice applying the frameworks and concepts you’ve learned.
• Step-by-step approach: A well-structured book should guide you through a step-by-step approach to case interview preparation, starting from the basics and gradually progressing to more advanced topics and techniques.
• Tips and strategies: The best case interview prep books generablly provide valuable tips and strategies for tackling case interviews, such as how to structure your thoughts, ask the right questions, and present your findings effectively.
• Practice questions and exercises: case interview books that include numerous practice questions and exercises are always more helpful than those that do not. This enables you to apply the concepts and frameworks you’ve learned and to hone your skills through practice.
• Up-to-date information: The best case interview books are up-to-date with the latest trends and changes in the consulting industry, as this will make your preparation more relevant and effective. That said, don’t throw out a case book just because it’s old – some of my favorites are 5+ years old and still have some of the best cases I know!

The Best Case Interview Books For Your Prep

• Case In Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation by Marc P. Cosentino
• Case Interview Secrets: A Former McKinsey Interviewer Reveals How to Get Multiple Job Offers in Consulting by Victor Cheng
• The Harvard Business School Case Interview Workbook: With 65+ Cases and Other Interview Questions and Tips by Robert M. Case
• Crack the Case System: Complete Case Interview Prep by David Ohrvall
• Consulting Interview Case Preparation: A Complete Guide by Shaun Glassman

A Comprehensive Review of the Best Case Interview Prep Books

1. Case In Point: Complete Case Interview Preparation by Marc P. Cosentino

Case In Point is perhaps the most popular of the case interview book s on the market. It is a comprehensive guide to case interviews and provides a clear understanding of the structure of case interviews, the types of questions you can expect, and the best way to approach each question. The book also has a good selection of practice cases and sample solutions, which allow you to practice your problem-solving skills. That said, I personally find it to be too generic and focuses a bit too much on the what and less on the why of casing.

• Comprehensive guide to case interviews
• Great for beginners starting at 0
• Clear understanding of the structure of case interviews
• Good selection of practice cases and sample solutions
• Written by an expert in the field
• Outdated in approach
• Frameworks are often generic
• Can be too detailed for some readers
• Much less valuable after the candidate has even a basic understanding of cases

2. Case Interview Secrets: A Former McKinsey Interviewer Reveals How to Get Multiple Job Offers in Consulting by Victor Cheng

Case Interview Secrets is written by a former McKinsey interviewer and provides a unique perspective on case interviews. The book provides a clear understanding of the structure of case interviews, the types of questions you can expect, and the best way to approach each question. The book also has a good selection of practice cases and sample solutions, which allow you to practice your problem-solving skills. Like case in point I also do not love this casebook as it is quite outdated and uses an old-school approach to casing. It’s very much focused on classic case types, which are becoming ever-less common.

• Written by a former McKinsey interviewer
• Unique perspective on case interviews
• Some of the cases are too easy
• Outdated approach
• Generic frameworks
• Focuses more on classic case types/frameworks, rather than the thinking

3. The Harvard Business School Case Interview Workbook: With 65+ Cases and Other Interview Questions and Tips by Robert Mellon

The Harvard Business School Case Interview Workbook is a comprehensive guide to case interviews. The book provides a clear understanding of the structure of case interviews, the types of questions you can expect, and the best way to approach each question. The book also has a good selection of practice cases and sample solutions, which allow you to practice your problem-solving skills.

• Some readers may find the writing style too dry

4. Crack the Case System: Complete Case Interview Prep by David Ohrvall

Crack the Case System is a comprehensive guide to case interviews. The book provides a clear understanding of the structure of case interviews, the types of questions you can expect, and the best way to approach each question. The book also has a good selection of practice cases and sample solutions, which allow you to practice your problem-solving skills.

• Some readers may find the writing style too simplistic

5. Consulting Interview Case Preparation: A Complete Guide by Shaun Glassman

Consulting Interview Case Preparation is a comprehensive guide to case interviews. The book provides a clear understanding of the structure of case interviews, the types of questions you can expect, and the best way to approach each question. The book also has a good selection of practice cases and sample solutions, which allow you to practice your problem-solving skills.

Bonus: Breakdown of Some of My Favorite MBA Case Interview Books

Ross Casebook

The Ross casebook offers a comprehensive overview of firms, industries, and key concepts. Its cases also come with proposed frameworks, making it a valuable resource for case interview preparation. In my view it’s one of the best case interview prep books for those looking for more in-depth industry and company breakdowns.

Columbia Casebook

Ideal for candidates in the later stages of their preparation, the Columbia casebook categorizes cases by industry, case type, and firm (e.g., BCG, Bain). Additionally, it assesses the difficulty of each case across math, structure, and creativity, helping you focus on specific areas of improvement. This is one of best case interview books  if you’re looking to get a wide range of lots of different cases across case types, industry, and difficult level.

Stern Casebook

You might think I’m biased to say that the Stern casebook is one of the best case interview books out there, but it truly is! It provides an excellent industry overview and features clear, easy-to-follow cases. Cases are organized by interviewer-led and interviewee-led formats and ranked by difficulty, allowing for a tailored practice experience. Their cases are clear and easy to read (especially as an interviewer), and they provide a great range of scenarios and case flows.

Haas Casebook

Similar to the Stern casebook, the Haas casebook categorizes cases by interviewer-led and interviewee-led formats and ranks them by difficulty, making it another useful resource for honing your case interview skills. Haas goes quite in depth in the process of the case interview and how to prepare optimally, joining it with Ross in the category best case interview prep books for those just starting out.

Darden Casebook

The Darden casebook sorts cases by firm and industry and ranks them by difficulty across quantitative, qualitative, and overall aspects, offering a well-rounded collection of cases to practice with. While I find the cases a bit easier and more straightforward in terms of flow, when I’m trying to trip up a candidate in math Darden cases are my go-to. While most case interview books have math, Darden has a great range and difficulty of case math.

The Right Caser

However, the best case interview book you can have is…drumroll…a great case partner! Remember that simply reading a “hard” case from a particular company or having a friend case you is not enough. The way you are cased is crucial for your success. An experienced coach can make even the easiest case feel like a nightmare, so if you’re looking to be thoroughly prepared for the toughest cases, consider hiring a professional coach. The key lies in the delivery of the case!

How to Choose the Best Case Interview Book for You

Choosing out of all of our list  best case interview books depends on your personal preferences and needs. Consider the following factors when choosing a case interview book :

• Your level of experience: If you are a beginner, choose a case interview book that provides a clear understanding of the structure of case interviews and the types of questions you can expect. If you are more experienced, choose a book that provides more challenging cases and advanced techniques.
• Your learning style: Choose a case interview book that suits your learning style. If you prefer a more visual approach, choose a book with diagrams and charts. If you prefer a more interactive approach, choose a book with practice cases and sample solutions.

Your career goals: Choose a case interview book that is relevant to your career goals. If you are applying to a specific consulting firm, choose a book that focuses on that firm’s interview style.

Reminder: Your Caser Matters Just As Much (If Not More!) Than The Case Itself

Bear in mind that most cases can be somewhat unrealistic, and no case will perfectly match what you’ll face during an actual interview. Therefore, the key is to gain exposure to a wide variety of cases (both standard and nonstandard) and interviewers. If you’re truly looking to push yourself and prepare for the toughest cases, consider hiring a coach, as their expert delivery and guidance can be invaluable in ensuring your success. Please keep in mind the following to optimize your casing experience:

Find Good Case Partners: When preparing for case interviews, it’s essential to recognize the importance of having good case partners, not just good case interview books ; Even the best case interview books can’t overcome a bad caser. Working with skilled casers who push you during the process is crucial to helping you prepare for even the most challenging interviews.

Get a Diverse Set of Case Partners: It is important to collaborate with a diverse range of case partners, rather than solely relying on one or two friends. This diversity in partners exposes you to various case styles, perspectives, and techniques, thus broadening your understanding and skillset. 

Can Others in Cases That You Struggled In: Take the time to case others with the cases that you struggled with. You can learn as much by casing others as by being cased. Look at what they do well, and look to incorporate. Look at what they do poorly, and avoid. The more times you give a case you struggled in, the more you’ll learn about that case and start to understand it.

Consider Coaching: The way you are cased matters more than the specific case or casebook you use, so consider hiring a coach if you’re aiming to be prepared for the most demanding cases.

Other Resources for Case Interview Preparation

Apart from case interview books , there are other resources you can use to prepare for your consulting interview. These include:

• Consulting firm websites: Most consulting firms provide information on their interview process and the types of questions they ask. Use this information to prepare for your interview.
• Online forums: There are several online forums where candidates discuss their consulting interview experiences and share tips and advice.
• Consulting clubs: Join a consulting club at your school or university. These clubs often offer case interview workshops and practice sessions. Additionally, from there you can generally access a range of  case interview books

Preparing for McKinsey Imbellus?

If you’re preparing for the McKinsey Imbellus, casebooks won’t help. We highly recommend the  #1 Simulation in the market  

Conclusion: The Importance of Using the Best Case Interview Prep Books in Your Consulting Interview Prep

Case interview books are an essential part of your consulting interview preparation. They provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to solve complex business problems. The best case interview books are comprehensive, have a good selection of practice cases and sample solutions, include tips and strategies, and are well organized . Choose a book that suits your personal preferences and needs, and use other resources such as consulting firm websites, online forums, and consulting clubs to further prepare for your interview. With the right preparation, you can ace your consulting interview and land your dream job.

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Management Consulting Case Library

In our Case Library, you will find 200+ case studies for your case interview preparation. Solve challenging problems around market sizing, pricing, or sustainability.

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Almost all resources on PrepLounge (that includes the case studies) can be used with freemium access which means that you get to try it to a certain degree but have to upgrade to Premium to use it to the full extent. However, you have free and unlimited access to the cases included in the free Basic Membership.

What kind of cases can I access in the Case Library?

Our selection of case studies mirrors the wide variety of real case interviews . Thus, you can solve challenging problems around market sizing, market entry, pricing, or operations strategy. Moreover, all provided cases are marked with a level of difficulty and the respective case style. This will allow you to filter for interviewer-led (as used by McKinsey) and candidate-led cases. In addition, some of our corporate partners granted some great original cases that have been used in real interviews.

How many cases should I have practiced before I show up for my case interview?

There is no set number of cases you should solve before your interview. However, you will find that the more practice you get and the more different scenarios you tackle, the more confident you will become in dealing with case prompts. Also, in addition to self-study, we recommend that you act out real interview situations. Just choose from over 370,000 candidates and practice cases from the case library together.

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Next to each case you will find a button that allows you to post a question directly to the case in our Consulting Forum . Our experts will answer you as soon as possible and support you with your problem. You can also contact the experts directly. 

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Hacking the Case Interview: Your Shortcut Guide to Mastering Consulting Interviews (Hacking the Interview) Paperback – April 24, 2017

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To land a management consulting job at any of the top firms, including McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, L.E.K., Oliver Wyman and Accenture , you must get through several rounds of case interviews.

Whether your interview is in a few weeks or even tomorrow, this book is written to get you the maximum amount of knowledge in the least amount of time . I cut out all of the filler material that some other consulting books have, and tell you everything that you need to know in a clear and direct way .

With this shortcut guide, you will:

• Understand and become proficient at the nine different parts of a case interview, and know exactly what to say and do in each step
• Learn the only framework strategy that you need to memorize to craft unique and tailored frameworks for every possible case scenario
• Gain knowledge of basic business terms and principles so that you can develop an astute business intuition
• Acquire the skills to solve any market sizing or other quantitative problem
• Uncover how to differentiate yourself from the thousands of other candidates who are fighting to get the same job you are
• Practice your case interview skills with included practice cases and sample answers

Also visit HackingTheCaseInterview.com for a one-week online crash course to pass your upcoming interview.

• Part of series Hacking the Interview
• Print length 161 pages
• Language English
• Publication date April 24, 2017
• Dimensions 6 x 0.37 x 9 inches
• ISBN-10 1545261822
• ISBN-13 978-1545261828
• See all details

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Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (April 24, 2017)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 161 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1545261822
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1545261828
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.37 x 9 inches
• #5 in Consulting
• #9 in Job Interviewing (Books)
• #19 in Job Hunting (Books)

About the author

Taylor warfield.

Taylor Warfield is a former Bain consultant, case interviewer, and case workshop leader. He is the founder of HackingTheCaseInterview.com and author of two case interview prep books, Hacking the Case Interview and The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook. His book, online course, and coaching have helped 6,000+ students in 13+ countries land offers at top consulting firms, such as McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.

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Master MBA Interviews with Shweta Arora

Land your dream B-school with a complete guide to crack GD-PI-WAT for MBA admissions

Offer Valid Only Till 10 th Jan

Already enrolled

MBA, IIM Ahmedabad’20

Converted IIM A, C, L, K, I, S, CAP

What will you get?

Course content, interview process mastery.

Understand the complete interview process, interviewers' expectations, and the flow and goals of an interview

Group Discussion Excellence

Learn the dos and don'ts of group discussions and explore a variety of discussion topics to excel in this crucial selection stage

Written Ability Test Proficiency

Acquire the skills needed for successful Written Ability Tests, covering dos and don'ts and practicing on a range of topics

Statement of Purpose Crafting

Create a compelling Statement of Purpose by understanding the essential elements and exploring sample SOPs for guidance

Welcome to Course

Starting MBA Interview Preparation

The Desired Profile for MBA Colleges

CV Format & Profile Building

Interview Form Filling

Interview Day Process

Interviewers' Expectations

Dress Code for Interviews

Body Language for Interviews

Flow & Goals of an Interview

Handling Stress Interviews

Confidence & Communication

How to Say 'I don't know'

Types of Interview Questions

Academic Questions

Hometown Questions

Work-Experience Questions

HR Questions

Hobby-Based Questions

Current Awareness Topics

Introduce Yourself

Tell Me Something Not in Your CV

Strengths and Weaknesses

The Biggest Challenge You’ve Faced

Short-Term & Long-Term Goals

Why Should We Select You?

Why Should We NOT Select You?

Why this B-School & Not Any Other?

Do You Have Any Questions For Us?

Group Discussion DOs & DON'Ts

Group Discussion Topics

Written Ability Test DOs & DON'Ts

Written Ability Test Topics

Statement of Purpose DOs & DON'Ts

Sample Statement of Purpose

All the Best

What sets this course apart? In the price of a pizza get selected by your dream B-school

Still not convinced? Hear from your mentor

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About the Mentor

Shweta Arora is a content creator in the education & career space with a combined following of 1.4 million across her social media handles. She is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad & Delhi University and has worked at Mondelez & Unacademy.

After scoring 99.09 percentile in CAT 2017, she received calls from all the IIMs of the country and converted IIM Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, Shillong and the new IIMs.

Through her conversations with thousands of MBA aspirants and professors over the last 3 years, she has gained valuable insights about the interview process of MBA admissions and has curated them in a crisp and intense course that will help you ace your interviews.

Shweta Arora is a content creator in the education & career space with a combined following of 1.4 million viewers across her social media handles. She is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad & Kirori Mal College and has worked for 2 years at Mondelez International

After scoring 99.09 percentile in CAT 2017, she received calls from all the IIMs of the country and converted IIM Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, Shillong and all new and baby IIMs

Through her conversations with thousands of MBA aspirants and professors over the last 3 years, she has gained valuable insights about the interview process of MBA admissions and has curated them in a crisp and intense course that will help you ace your interviews

Frequently Asked Questions

No, this course offers preparatory videos, question repositories and sample answers to top interview questions that prepare you to face different interview situations.

All the classes are pre-recorded, you can watch them at your own pace.

The language used is Hindi but the text on the videos is in English.

The course will remain accessible till 365 days from the purchase date.

A pre-recorded course helps you cover the basics in time to be prepared for the interviews. The insights shared in the course have been sourced from IIM professors and students which offers an insider perspective of the panelists' expectations.

Yes, a dedicated discussion forum is included as a part of the course offering where prospective MBA interview aspirants can discuss their experiences.

[email protected]

Hacking the Case Interview

While last-minute case interview prep is not ideal, sometimes that is the only option that you have. Perhaps you decided to apply to consulting last minute. Or perhaps you simply didn’t have the time to start preparing for case interviews early.

It typically takes candidates 60 to 80 hours to prepare for case interviews, which is about 6 to 8 weeks of preparation. However, many candidates find themselves in situations where they only have one month, one week, or even one day to prepare.

What is the best way to prepare for consulting case interviews last minute?

In this article, we’ll outline the exact preparation steps you should take to maximize the likelihood of passing your first round interviews in the most efficient way.

We’ll look at three different timelines that you may have: 

• How to prepare for case interviews in a day
• How to prepare for case interviews in a week
• How to prepare for case interviews in a month

As a caveat, we will be recommending a lot of our own resources for you to use because they are specifically written to teach you case interviews as quickly and efficiently as possible. We will also list other case prep resources that people have found helpful, but know that these might not be as efficient to use given the limited amount of time you have.

If you’re looking for a quick summary of what to do: We've developed a comprehensive, step-by-step case interview course designed to teach the most effective case interview strategies and save you hundreds of hours of prep time. 

Some of our students have passed their first round consulting interviews with less than a week of prep. However, know that this will depend on your starting competency levels for communication, math, and business intuition.

If you're interested, enroll in our case interview course .

How to Prepare for Case Interviews in a Day

If you have only one day to prepare for case interviews, try to empty your schedule as much as possible because there will be a lot of material to cram.

We’ll assume that you have eight hours to dedicate to preparing for case interviews.

Hour 0 :  Try to schedule 1-2 live cases with a case partner for later in the day (optional)

The very first thing you should do is try to schedule a mock case with a case partner later that day. If you do not have a case partner to practice with, then you can skip this optional step.

It is always best to get at least one or two live practice cases to best simulate a real case interview. However, this is not always possible, especially if you only have one day to prepare.

Ideally, your case partner would be a current or former consultant since these people know exactly how to give case interviews. The next best option is practicing with someone who is also interviewing for consulting and has been practicing cases heavily.

Spend a few minutes sending a few emails or text messages to friends, classmates, or colleagues. The few minutes of effort is worth the potential upside.

Hour 0 – 2: Read Hacking the Case Interview

Begin your case interview prep by reading the first eleven chapters of Hacking the Case Interview . You can get the eBook on Amazon for instant access on your computer by using Amazon’s built-in browser eBook reader. There is also a paperback version, but could take 2-3 days for delivery.

This is the most concise and efficient case interview prep book in the market. These chapters will take you about two hours to read.

This book breaks the case interview down into its nine different steps or components. It then covers each of the steps in detail to teach you exactly what you need to do and say. The book focuses on teaching intuitive, robust strategies that require minimal memorization.

By the end of these two hours, you’ll understand:  

• How to kick off a case interview by asking the right clarifying questions, summarizing the case background information, and verifying the objective
• How to create structured and tailored frameworks for any case
• How to answer the three types of quantitative questions
• How to answer the two types of qualitative questions
• How to deliver a strong recommendation

Hour 2 – 4: Do 5 practice cases on your own

After reading the book, the next two hours will be spent working through the five practice cases included in the book. These cases are written in a way such that you can complete these on your own without a case partner.

These practice cases will also cover the most common types of cases you’ll see in consulting first round interviews.

Each case should take about 20 – 25 minutes to complete. You’ll also want to spend about 10 minutes after finishing the case to review your answers and compare them to the book’s answers.

The most important thing is that you do not complete these practice cases in silence as if you were taking an exam. Pretend that there is an interviewer in the room.

When you finish developing your framework, practice presenting it out loud. When doing case math , walk the imaginary interviewer through each step of your calculations. For qualitative questions, answer them out loud and anticipate potential objections or follow-up questions an interviewer may ask.

The better you can simulate a live interview, the more high-quality and effective your practice will be.

Hour 4 - 6: Identify areas of the case that you struggle with and focus on improving those weak points

Now that you have an understanding of what solving a case interview is like, reflect and look back on the 5 practice cases you previously did.

What parts of the case interview did you struggle the most with?

• Creating a framework
• Solving market sizing problems
• Solving profitability or breakeven questions
• Interpreting charts and graphs
• Answering brainstorming questions
• Answering business judgment questions
• Delivering a recommendation

You want to focus on practicing the specific components of the case that you struggle with. To do this, we recommend using The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook . It contains over 65+ practice problems for each type of question listed above. It also contains 15 more practice cases that you can do on your own.

You can get the eBook on Amazon for instant access on your computer. There is also a paperback version, but again it could take 2-3 days for delivery.

If you’d rather use free resources, use this  list of free practice cases by consulting firm . The ones we recommend are:

• McKinsey practice cases (4 cases)
• BCG practice cases (2 cases)
• Bain practice cases (2 cases)
• Deloitte practice cases (6 cases)

During these two hours, split your time between working on practice problems that focus on a specific type of case interview question and practicing full-length cases. How you use your time will depend on what you feel are your biggest weaknesses.

If you are doing practice cases, pick one area of the case interview you want to focus on. When doing the case, focus on nailing that particular part. Work on improving your biggest weaknesses first.

Hour 6 – 7: Practice one or two cases with a case partner. If you are not able to find a case partner, continue practicing cases on your own.

Remember in Hour 0 when you spent a few minutes emailing or texting people to schedule mock case interviews? Now is the time to do them.

Since you’ve done quite a few number of practice cases by now, you should be able to do well enough in live practice cases such that your partner can provide meaningful and actionable feedback.

When doing these live practice cases, make sure that your partner is spending at least 10 – 15 minutes after each case giving you feedback.

If you were not able to find a case partner to practice with, continue working on practice problems and practice cases from the previous step.

Hour 7 – 8: Prepare answers to other consulting interview questions

At this point, you will have significantly improved your case interview skills. There is much more that you can practice, but you should spend some time preparing for the other common interview questions you could be asked in your first round consulting interview.

These are:  

• The “why are you interested in consulting?” question
• The “why are you interested in this firm?” question
• Behavioral or fit interview questions

For the first type of question, read this “why consulting? ” article to learn how to develop a compelling and unique answer.

For the second type of question, research the firm that you are applying for and identify three reasons why you are interested in working at the firm. Use the same structure as the structure you used to answer the “why consulting?” interview question.

For the last type of question, read this complete consulting behavioral interview questions guide and prepare your 6 – 8 stories to answer these types of questions.

How to Prepare for Case Interviews in a Week

If you have one week to prepare for case interviews, try to free up as much time as possible on your calendar. We’ll assume that you have about four hours each day to dedicate to preparing for case interviews.

We recommend using the Hacking the Case Interview Course to expedite your learning process. It has 15 – 25 hours of content that you can complete over the course of the week. We will also recommend other resources to use if you choose not to use the course.

Day 1: Learn case interview strategies and schedule practice cases

Go through Module 1 – 4 in the Hacking the Case Interview Course, which covers an introduction to case interviews, understanding the case background and objective, and structuring a framework. These modules include practice problems which you should complete as well.

If you are not using the Hacking the Case Interview Course, read the first seven chapters of the Hacking the Case Interview book .

Once you finish, you should know exactly how to:  

• Synthesize case background information clearly and concisely
• Ask appropriate clarifying questions
• Create structured frameworks
• Kick off the case

On Day 1, you should also spend time scheduling practice cases with a case partner for Days 3 – 7. You should try to schedule 1 – 2 cases on each of these five days.

Day 2: Finish learning case interview strategies

Go through Module 5 – 10 in the Hacking the Case Interview Course, which covers solving quantitative problems, answering qualitative questions, delivering a recommendation, and key case interview principles. These modules include practice problems which you should complete as well.

If you are not using the Hacking the Case Interview Course, read chapters eight through eleven of the Hacking the Case Interview book.

Once you finish, you should know exactly how to:

• Solve market sizing questions
• Solve profitability or breakeven questions
• Interpret charts and graphs
• Answer brainstorming questions
• Answer business judgment questions
• Deliver a clear, concise recommendation

If you haven’t successfully scheduled practice cases with a case partner for Days 3 – 7, try to finalize the scheduling today.

Day 3: Begin practicing cases and identify your weaknesses

From Days 3 – 7, you will do a total of 4 practice cases each day, which includes cases that you do by yourself and cases that you do with a partner.

So, if you have one case scheduled with a partner, do another 3 practice cases by yourself that day. If you have two cases scheduled with a partner, do another two. If you have no cases scheduled with a partner, you will need to do all 4 cases by yourself.

By the end of the week, you will have done 20 practice cases.

The Hacking the Case Interview Course has 20 full-length practice cases that you can use. You will likely not need any more than these 20 cases given that you have one week to prepare for your interviews.

If you have not enrolled in the course, you can use this list of practice cases provided by consulting firms . However, know that not all of these practice cases will be high-quality. We recommend doing the practice cases from McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and Deloitte.

After completing your four practice cases for the day, reflect and look back on these cases. You need to pull together a comprehensive, detailed list of all of your improvement opportunities.

If you did practice cases with a partner, they should be able to provide you with feedback that helps you identify your improvement areas. Else, you will need to be introspective on your case interview performance.

Day 4: Continue practicing cases, focusing on improving your frameworks

On Day 4, you’ll do another 4 practice cases. For these cases, focus on improving your frameworks. Use the following rubric to assess your frameworks:

• Does your framework have at least 3 – 4 major elements?
• Are all of the elements of your framework relevant to the case?
• Does your framework cover all of the important areas needed to solve the case?
• Are your framework elements mutually exclusive from each other?

The goal for the day is to finish developing and refining your framework structuring skills. Check out our complete case interview rubric .

Day 5: Continue practicing cases, focusing on improving your case math

On Day 5, you’ll do another 4 practice cases. For these cases, focus on improving your case math. Use the following rubric to assess your case math:

• Are you structuring your approach before doing math calculations?
• Is your approach clear and efficient?
• Are you performing math calculations smoothly and efficiently?
• Are you correctly interpreting graphs, charts, and tables?
• Are you tying your answers to quantitative questions back to the case objective?

The goal for the day is to finish developing and refining your case math skills.

Day 6: Continue practicing cases, focusing on improving your answers to qualitative questions

On Day 6, you’ll do another 4 practice cases. For these cases, focus on improving your answers to qualitative questions. Use the following rubric to assess your qualitative skills:

• Are you structuring your answers to qualitative questions?
• Is your structure mutually exclusive and completely exhaustive?
• Are you brainstorming a sufficient number of ideas?
• Are you brainstorming ideas that are high-quality or creative?
• Are your answers reasonable from a business perspective?
• Are you tying your answers to qualitative questions back to the case objective?

The goal for the day is to finish developing and refining your qualitative case skills.

Day 7: Continue practicing cases, focusing on improving your case conclusion. Prepare for other consulting interview questions

On Day 7, you’ll do another 4 practice cases. For these cases, focus on improving your final case conclusion. Use the following rubric to assess your case conclusion:  

• Does your conclusion start with a firm recommendation?
• Is your conclusion structured and clear?
• Do you provide sufficient support for your recommendation?
• Do you include potential next steps?

The goal for the day is to finish developing and refining your case synthesis and recommendation skills.

Finally, you’ll spend time preparing answers to three other consulting interview questions you are likely to get asked:

How to Prepare for Case Interviews in a Month

With one month to prepare, you may be able to achieve the 60 to 80 hours of case interview prep needed to excel in case interviews. We’ll assume that you have about two hours each day to dedicate to preparing for case interviews.

Week 1: Learn the right case interview strategies

We’ve mentioned this several times in this article already, but we recommend learning your case interview strategies through the Hacking the Case Interview book or course . Since you have an entire month to prepare, it also may be worth reading and learning strategies from a different author.

The other book we recommend is Case Interview Secrets . It provides great explanations of essential case interview concepts, such as the hypothesis, issue true or framework, drill-down analysis, and synthesis.

Week 2: Begin practicing cases regularly, keeping a comprehensive, detailed list of improvement areas

In Week 2, you’ll be doing 2 practice cases a day, for a total of 14 practice cases.

You may want to do the first few cases by yourself to get comfortable with solving cases before practicing with a partner. However, it is best to practice cases with a partner to best simulate a real interview.

The goal of this week is to get comfortable and familiar with case interviews. In your 14 practice cases, you should be exposed to many different industries. You should also be exposed to many types of cases such as profitability, market entry, mergers and acquisitions, pricing, and operations cases.

While doing these cases, keep a comprehensive and detailed list of improvement areas. Your case partner should be providing sufficient feedback to you at the end of every case.

Week 3: Continue practicing cases and refining your weaknesses

In Week 3, you’ll be increasing your practice by doing 3 cases a day for a total of 21 cases this week.

For these 21 cases, you want to focus on improving your weaknesses. Whether that it is on structuring a framework, solving quantitative problems, answering qualitative questions, or delivering a recommendation, pick one area to work on in each case that you do.

Working on improving everything at once is difficult and inefficient. It is better to focus on improving one specific thing before moving onto the next improvement area.

If you feel that you are very weak in one particular area, it may be worth focusing on doing practice problems specific to that area in addition to doing full cases. Again, we recommend The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook for this.  

Week 4: Complete your case interview prep and prepare for the other consulting interview questions you will be asked

In Week 4, you’ll be practicing 2 cases a day for a total of 14 cases. By the end of your month of case prep, you will have done a total of 49 cases.

For this week, you should continue to focus on solving cases smoothly and efficiently, but you may also want to work on practicing demonstrating fit with the firm you are interviewing for.

Although most consulting firms look for a similar set of qualities among candidates, different firms place a heavier emphasis on some qualities than others

For example:

• Bain values collaboration and camaraderie
• BCG values creativity and intellect
• McKinsey values executive presence and leadership

During the case interview, there will be opportunities for you to demonstrate these qualities if you prepare yourself for this.

In addition, Week 4 should be spent preparing your answers to the other consulting interview questions you could be asked:

Recommended Last-Minute Case Interview Prep Resources

Here are the resources we recommend to learn the most robust, effective case interview strategies in the least time-consuming way:

• Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.
• Hacking the Case Interview Book   (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.
• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.
• Case Interview Coaching : Personalized, one-on-one coaching with former consulting interviewers
• Behavioral & Fit Interview Course : Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer
• Resume Review & Editing : Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple interviews

Land Multiple Consulting Offers

Complete, step-by-step case interview course. 30,000+ happy customers.

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List of Top TOEFL Books For Preparation | Best Books & Resources 2024

Best Books for TOEFL Exam Preparation : Among all the resources accessible, books play an important role in giving thorough preparation for this difficult exam. Books provide an organized approach to TOEFL study, covering all aspects of the exam in detail.

In this article, we’ll look at the importance of quality study materials in TOEFL preparation and the multiple advantages of including books in your study routine.

Best Books For TOEFL Exam Preparation

Table of Content

Best TOEFL Books 2024

Top 8 toefl prep books for 2024, kaplan toefl ibt premier, the official toefl ibt tests collection, practice test books for toefl 2024, vocabulary building resources for toefl 2024, toefl preparation tips 2024, toefl sample paper, toefl exam day tips.

To select the most appropriate books and guides, it’s crucial to identify your proficiency level (beginner, expert), specific focus areas (vocabulary, grammar), and study preferences. As the TOEFL exam involves simulated tasks such as listening to audio recordings and speaking with emphasis on accent and pronunciation, relying solely on books may not suffice. It’s essential to utilize software and applications to practice all exam sections comprehensively. Many print materials come with accompanying CDs, eliminating the need for separate software downloads.

1. The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test

Key Features : Developed by ETS, this guide offers authentic practice tests, detailed explanations of test sections, and effective strategies for tackling each question type. It provides comprehensive content coverage and insider tips from the makers of the TOEFL exam.

2. “TOEFL iBT Prep Plus 2024” by Kaplan Test Prep

Key Features : This study guide includes four full-length practice tests with answer explanations, an extensive review of all TOEFL sections, and online resources such as video lessons and practice quizzes. It offers effective strategies for time management and test-taking techniques.

3. “Barron’s TOEFL iBT with Online Tests” by Pamela J. Sharpe Ph.D.

Key Features: Known for its thorough content coverage, this guide includes practice tests with answer explanations, skill-building exercises for all sections, and online resources for additional practice. It provides effective strategies for improving reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills.

4. “Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test” by Jolene Gear and Robert Gear

Key Features : This study guide offers a systematic approach to TOEFL preparation with skill-building exercises, practice tests, and audio material for improving listening and speaking skills. It includes effective strategies for answering TOEFL questions and maximizing scores.

5. “Cracking the TOEFL iBT” by Princeton Review

Key Features : This guide provides comprehensive content review, practice drills, and full-length practice tests with detailed explanations. It offers effective strategies for approaching each section of the TOEFL exam and includes tips for improving language skills.

6. “The Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test: iBT Edition” by Bruce Rogers

Key Features : This comprehensive guide offers in-depth coverage of all TOEFL sections, including practice tests, skill-building exercises, and online resources. It provides effective strategies for improving test-taking skills and maximizing scores.

7. “TOEFL iBT Interactive” by Kaplan Test Prep

Key Features : This interactive study guide combines a comprehensive review of TOEFL content with interactive online resources. It includes practice tests, video lessons, and personalized study plans to tailor your preparation to your specific needs.

8. “Delta’s Key to the TOEFL iBT: Advanced Skill Practice” by Nancy Gallagher

Key Features : Geared towards advanced learners, this guide focuses on refining TOEFL skills through targeted practice exercises and authentic test materials. It offers effective strategies for mastering challenging question types and optimizing performance.

9. “McGraw-Hill Education: Essential TOEFL Vocabulary” by Diane Engelhardt

Key Features : This vocabulary guide focuses on building essential TOEFL vocabulary through word lists, exercises, and contextual examples. It offers strategies for memorization and application of vocabulary in various TOEFL question types.

10. “TOEFL Strategies and Tips: Winning Strategies for the TOEFL iBT” by Bruce Stirling

Key Features : This guide provides winning strategies and tips for every section of the TOEFL iBT exam. It includes practical advice, sample responses, and effective techniques for maximizing scores.

Following are the top 8 TOEFL Prep Books for 2024:

• “The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test” by ETS
• “TOEFL iBT Prep Plus 2024” by Kaplan Test Prep
• “Barron’s TOEFL iBT with Online Tests” by Pamela J. Sharpe Ph.D.
• “Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test” by Jolene Gear and Robert Gear
• “The Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test: iBT Edition” by Bruce Rogers
• “TOEFL iBT Interactive” by Kaplan Test Prep
• “Delta’s Key to the TOEFL iBT: Advanced Skill Practice” by Nancy Gallagher
• “McGraw-Hill Education: Essential TOEFL Vocabulary” by Diane Engelhardt.

This guide is considered by many TOEFL experts as a rock-solid introduction to all sections of the test. Some even claim it is better than the official guide in some aspects. It includes four practice tests, along with online and mobile resources. It always makes it to the list of highly recommended books for TOEFL.

The Official TOEFL iBT Tests collection comprises authentic practice tests developed by ETS, the creators of the TOEFL exam. Each test mirrors the format, content, and difficulty level of the actual TOEFL exam, providing invaluable preparation for test-takers.

• Authentic Practice : Experience the real TOEFL exam with practice tests that closely resemble the actual test environment.
• Comprehensive Coverage : Covering all sections of the TOEFL exam – Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing – these tests offer a thorough assessment of your skills.
• Detailed Explanations : Access detailed explanations for each question, allowing you to understand why certain answers are correct and others are not.
• Online Resources : Some editions of the Official TOEFL iBT Tests collection include access to online resources, such as audio files for Listening and Speaking sections, to enhance your preparation.
• Effective Preparation : By practicing with authentic TOEFL exam materials, you can familiarize yourself with the test format, improve your test-taking strategies, and boost your confidence.
• Accurate Assessment : The Official TOEFL iBT Tests collection provides an accurate gauge of your current skill level, helping you identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.

Realistic exam simulation is essential for effective TOEFL preparation as it familiarizes test-takers with the exam format, timing, and question types. Practice test books offer invaluable opportunities to experience the actual TOEFL exam environment, allowing test-takers to assess their skills, identify areas for improvement, and build confidence.

a. “The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test” by ETS

• Key Features : Includes authentic practice tests developed by ETS, providing a reliable simulation of the actual TOEFL exam.
• Benefits : Offers test-takers the opportunity to experience the format, content, and difficulty level of the real exam, helping in effective preparation.

b. “TOEFL iBT Prep Plus 2024” by Kaplan Test Prep

• Key Features : Contains full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations, offering comprehensive exam simulation.
• Benefits : Allows test-takers to practice under timed conditions and assess their performance across all sections of the TOEFL exam.

c. “Barron’s TOEFL iBT with Online Tests” by Pamela J. Sharpe Ph.D.

• Key Features : Provides practice tests with answer explanations, along with online resources for additional practice and interactive learning.
• Benefits: Offers a comprehensive approach to TOEFL preparation, including realistic exam simulation and skill-building exercises.

Vocabulary plays an important role in TOEFL success, influencing performance across all sections of the exam, including Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Vocabulary building resources offer targeted practice and exposure to English words commonly encountered in academic and everyday contexts, enhancing language proficiency and comprehension skills.

a. “Vocabulary for TOEFL iBT” by Ingrid Wisniewska

• Key Features : Presents essential TOEFL vocabulary through organized word lists, exercises, and contextual usage examples.
• Benefits : Offers a systematic approach to vocabulary acquisition, allowing test-takers to strengthen their word knowledge and improve their performance on the TOEFL exam.

b. “McGraw-Hill Education: Essential TOEFL Vocabulary” by Diane Engelhardt

• Key Features : Provides comprehensive coverage of essential TOEFL vocabulary with clear definitions, example sentences, and practice exercises.
• Benefits : Focuses on high-frequency words and phrases commonly tested on the TOEFL exam, helping test-takers build a strong foundation in English vocabulary.

c. “TOEFL Vocabulary Flashcards” by Kaplan Test Prep

• Key Features : Offers a portable and interactive way to study TOEFL vocabulary with flashcards featuring key words, definitions, and example sentences.
• Benefits : Allows for convenient review and reinforcement of vocabulary concepts, ideal for on-the-go study and quick revision.

Preparing for the TOEFL exam involves two main approaches: self-study and attending coaching classes. Both methods offer unique advantages, and neither is inherently superior to the other. If cost is a primary concern, self-study using TOEFL books and resources may be the preferred option. Conversely, if you seek professional guidance to gain an edge in TOEFL exam preparation, enrolling in a TOEFL coaching center could be more beneficial.

The TOEFL test assesses candidates’ English language proficiency at the university level through four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. When preparing for the test, candidates should first familiarize themselves with its format, scoring system, and result interpretation. ETS, the organization conducting the TOEFL exam, offers both free and paid study materials, which are readily accessible.

TOEFL Practice Test: As an assessment of English language proficiency, TOEFL demands candidates to possess a strong grasp of the English language. Like other standardized tests for studying abroad, TOEFL is segmented into sections, each holding its significance and requiring tailored preparation. With a total of four sections, the exam mandates dedicated effort to comprehensively cover and excel in each segment.

Here are some top tips for your TOEFL exam day to ensure optimal performance. On test day, the only essential item you need to bring to the test center is a valid and acceptable ID, which for Indian test-takers is a valid passport—no exceptions are made to this rule. It’s important to note that your passport must meet the following criteria:

• It must be an original document; photocopies are not permitted.
• It must be currently valid; expired documents will not be accepted.
• Your full name on the passport must match the name provided during registration.
• The passport must contain a recent photo of you that matches your appearance on test day.
• Your signature must be present on the passport.

Additionally, remember that no other personal items are allowed inside the test center besides your ID, as they may be subject to inspection or confiscation.

Selecting the best books for TOEFL exam preparation is a critical step towards achieving success on test day. Whether you’re aiming to improve your language skills, familiarize yourself with the exam format, or refine your test-taking strategies, the right resources can make all the difference. The recommended books offer comprehensive coverage of TOEFL content, authentic practice materials, and effective strategies required to meet the needs of test-takers. By incorporating these top-rated books into your study regimen, you can enhance your preparation, build confidence, and maximize your chances of achieving your target score on the TOEFL exam. With dedication, perseverance, and the guidance of these trusted resources, you’re well-equipped to excel on your TOEFL journey and pursue your academic and professional aspirations with confidence.

Also Check:

• List of Entrance Exams to Study Abroad in 2024
• TOEFL Full Form – Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Benefits

Best Books for TOEFL Exam Preparation- FAQs

What are the best books for toefl exam preparation.

The best books include “The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test,” “TOEFL iBT Prep Plus 2024,” and “Barron’s TOEFL iBT with Online Tests.”

What makes these books the top choices?

They offer authentic practice tests, comprehensive content coverage, and effective strategies for TOEFL success.

Can these books help improve my language skills?

Yes, they provide opportunities to enhance English language proficiency through targeted practice and exposure to academic vocabulary.

Are these books suitable for self-study?

Absolutely, these books are designed for self-directed learners and offer structured study plans and resources for independent preparation.

Do these books include online resources?

Some editions may include access to online platforms with additional practice tests, interactive exercises, and video lessons.

Are these books suitable for all proficiency levels?

Yes, they cater to a wide range of proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced, with varying levels of difficulty in practice materials.

Can these books guarantee a high score on the TOEFL exam?

While no book can guarantee a specific score, these top-rated resources provide invaluable support and guidance to help you maximize your potential and achieve your target score.

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Artificial intelligence in strategy

Can machines automate strategy development? The short answer is no. However, there are numerous aspects of strategists’ work where AI and advanced analytics tools can already bring enormous value. Yuval Atsmon is a senior partner who leads the new McKinsey Center for Strategy Innovation, which studies ways new technologies can augment the timeless principles of strategy. In this episode of the Inside the Strategy Room podcast, he explains how artificial intelligence is already transforming strategy and what’s on the horizon. This is an edited transcript of the discussion. For more conversations on the strategy issues that matter, follow the series on your preferred podcast platform .

Joanna Pachner: What does artificial intelligence mean in the context of strategy?

Yuval Atsmon: When people talk about artificial intelligence, they include everything to do with analytics, automation, and data analysis. Marvin Minsky, the pioneer of artificial intelligence research in the 1960s, talked about AI as a “suitcase word”—a term into which you can stuff whatever you want—and that still seems to be the case. We are comfortable with that because we think companies should use all the capabilities of more traditional analysis while increasing automation in strategy that can free up management or analyst time and, gradually, introducing tools that can augment human thinking.

Joanna Pachner: AI has been embraced by many business functions, but strategy seems to be largely immune to its charms. Why do you think that is?

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Yuval Atsmon: You’re right about the limited adoption. Only 7 percent of respondents to our survey about the use of AI say they use it in strategy or even financial planning, whereas in areas like marketing, supply chain, and service operations, it’s 25 or 30 percent. One reason adoption is lagging is that strategy is one of the most integrative conceptual practices. When executives think about strategy automation, many are looking too far ahead—at AI capabilities that would decide, in place of the business leader, what the right strategy is. They are missing opportunities to use AI in the building blocks of strategy that could significantly improve outcomes.

I like to use the analogy to virtual assistants. Many of us use Alexa or Siri but very few people use these tools to do more than dictate a text message or shut off the lights. We don’t feel comfortable with the technology’s ability to understand the context in more sophisticated applications. AI in strategy is similar: it’s hard for AI to know everything an executive knows, but it can help executives with certain tasks.

When executives think about strategy automation, many are looking too far ahead—at AI deciding the right strategy. They are missing opportunities to use AI in the building blocks of strategy.

Joanna Pachner: What kind of tasks can AI help strategists execute today?

Yuval Atsmon: We talk about six stages of AI development. The earliest is simple analytics, which we refer to as descriptive intelligence. Companies use dashboards for competitive analysis or to study performance in different parts of the business that are automatically updated. Some have interactive capabilities for refinement and testing.

The second level is diagnostic intelligence, which is the ability to look backward at the business and understand root causes and drivers of performance. The level after that is predictive intelligence: being able to anticipate certain scenarios or options and the value of things in the future based on momentum from the past as well as signals picked in the market. Both diagnostics and prediction are areas that AI can greatly improve today. The tools can augment executives’ analysis and become areas where you develop capabilities. For example, on diagnostic intelligence, you can organize your portfolio into segments to understand granularly where performance is coming from and do it in a much more continuous way than analysts could. You can try 20 different ways in an hour versus deploying one hundred analysts to tackle the problem.

Predictive AI is both more difficult and more risky. Executives shouldn’t fully rely on predictive AI, but it provides another systematic viewpoint in the room. Because strategic decisions have significant consequences, a key consideration is to use AI transparently in the sense of understanding why it is making a certain prediction and what extrapolations it is making from which information. You can then assess if you trust the prediction or not. You can even use AI to track the evolution of the assumptions for that prediction.

Those are the levels available today. The next three levels will take time to develop. There are some early examples of AI advising actions for executives’ consideration that would be value-creating based on the analysis. From there, you go to delegating certain decision authority to AI, with constraints and supervision. Eventually, there is the point where fully autonomous AI analyzes and decides with no human interaction.

Because strategic decisions have significant consequences, you need to understand why AI is making a certain prediction and what extrapolations it’s making from which information.

Joanna Pachner: What kind of businesses or industries could gain the greatest benefits from embracing AI at its current level of sophistication?

Yuval Atsmon: Every business probably has some opportunity to use AI more than it does today. The first thing to look at is the availability of data. Do you have performance data that can be organized in a systematic way? Companies that have deep data on their portfolios down to business line, SKU, inventory, and raw ingredients have the biggest opportunities to use machines to gain granular insights that humans could not.

Companies whose strategies rely on a few big decisions with limited data would get less from AI. Likewise, those facing a lot of volatility and vulnerability to external events would benefit less than companies with controlled and systematic portfolios, although they could deploy AI to better predict those external events and identify what they can and cannot control.

Third, the velocity of decisions matters. Most companies develop strategies every three to five years, which then become annual budgets. If you think about strategy in that way, the role of AI is relatively limited other than potentially accelerating analyses that are inputs into the strategy. However, some companies regularly revisit big decisions they made based on assumptions about the world that may have since changed, affecting the projected ROI of initiatives. Such shifts would affect how you deploy talent and executive time, how you spend money and focus sales efforts, and AI can be valuable in guiding that. The value of AI is even bigger when you can make decisions close to the time of deploying resources, because AI can signal that your previous assumptions have changed from when you made your plan.

Joanna Pachner: Can you provide any examples of companies employing AI to address specific strategic challenges?

Yuval Atsmon: Some of the most innovative users of AI, not coincidentally, are AI- and digital-native companies. Some of these companies have seen massive benefits from AI and have increased its usage in other areas of the business. One mobility player adjusts its financial planning based on pricing patterns it observes in the market. Its business has relatively high flexibility to demand but less so to supply, so the company uses AI to continuously signal back when pricing dynamics are trending in a way that would affect profitability or where demand is rising. This allows the company to quickly react to create more capacity because its profitability is highly sensitive to keeping demand and supply in equilibrium.

Joanna Pachner: Given how quickly things change today, doesn’t AI seem to be more a tactical than a strategic tool, providing time-sensitive input on isolated elements of strategy?

Yuval Atsmon: It’s interesting that you make the distinction between strategic and tactical. Of course, every decision can be broken down into smaller ones, and where AI can be affordably used in strategy today is for building blocks of the strategy. It might feel tactical, but it can make a massive difference. One of the world’s leading investment firms, for example, has started to use AI to scan for certain patterns rather than scanning individual companies directly. AI looks for consumer mobile usage that suggests a company’s technology is catching on quickly, giving the firm an opportunity to invest in that company before others do. That created a significant strategic edge for them, even though the tool itself may be relatively tactical.

Joanna Pachner: McKinsey has written a lot about cognitive biases  and social dynamics that can skew decision making. Can AI help with these challenges?

Yuval Atsmon: When we talk to executives about using AI in strategy development, the first reaction we get is, “Those are really big decisions; what if AI gets them wrong?” The first answer is that humans also get them wrong—a lot. [Amos] Tversky, [Daniel] Kahneman, and others have proven that some of those errors are systemic, observable, and predictable. The first thing AI can do is spot situations likely to give rise to biases. For example, imagine that AI is listening in on a strategy session where the CEO proposes something and everyone says “Aye” without debate and discussion. AI could inform the room, “We might have a sunflower bias here,” which could trigger more conversation and remind the CEO that it’s in their own interest to encourage some devil’s advocacy.

We also often see confirmation bias, where people focus their analysis on proving the wisdom of what they already want to do, as opposed to looking for a fact-based reality. Just having AI perform a default analysis that doesn’t aim to satisfy the boss is useful, and the team can then try to understand why that is different than the management hypothesis, triggering a much richer debate.

In terms of social dynamics, agency problems can create conflicts of interest. Every business unit [BU] leader thinks that their BU should get the most resources and will deliver the most value, or at least they feel they should advocate for their business. AI provides a neutral way based on systematic data to manage those debates. It’s also useful for executives with decision authority, since we all know that short-term pressures and the need to make the quarterly and annual numbers lead people to make different decisions on the 31st of December than they do on January 1st or October 1st. Like the story of Ulysses and the sirens, you can use AI to remind you that you wanted something different three months earlier. The CEO still decides; AI can just provide that extra nudge.

Joanna Pachner: It’s like you have Spock next to you, who is dispassionate and purely analytical.

Yuval Atsmon: That is not a bad analogy—for Star Trek fans anyway.

Joanna Pachner: Do you have a favorite application of AI in strategy?

Yuval Atsmon: I have worked a lot on resource allocation, and one of the challenges, which we call the hockey stick phenomenon, is that executives are always overly optimistic about what will happen. They know that resource allocation will inevitably be defined by what you believe about the future, not necessarily by past performance. AI can provide an objective prediction of performance starting from a default momentum case: based on everything that happened in the past and some indicators about the future, what is the forecast of performance if we do nothing? This is before we say, “But I will hire these people and develop this new product and improve my marketing”— things that every executive thinks will help them overdeliver relative to the past. The neutral momentum case, which AI can calculate in a cold, Spock-like manner, can change the dynamics of the resource allocation discussion. It’s a form of predictive intelligence accessible today and while it’s not meant to be definitive, it provides a basis for better decisions.

Joanna Pachner: Do you see access to technology talent as one of the obstacles to the adoption of AI in strategy, especially at large companies?

Yuval Atsmon: I would make a distinction. If you mean machine-learning and data science talent or software engineers who build the digital tools, they are definitely not easy to get. However, companies can increasingly use platforms that provide access to AI tools and require less from individual companies. Also, this domain of strategy is exciting—it’s cutting-edge, so it’s probably easier to get technology talent for that than it might be for manufacturing work.

The bigger challenge, ironically, is finding strategists or people with business expertise to contribute to the effort. You will not solve strategy problems with AI without the involvement of people who understand the customer experience and what you are trying to achieve. Those who know best, like senior executives, don’t have time to be product managers for the AI team. An even bigger constraint is that, in some cases, you are asking people to get involved in an initiative that may make their jobs less important. There could be plenty of opportunities for incorpo­rating AI into existing jobs, but it’s something companies need to reflect on. The best approach may be to create a digital factory where a different team tests and builds AI applications, with oversight from senior stakeholders.

The big challenge is finding strategists to contribute to the AI effort. You are asking people to get involved in an initiative that may make their jobs less important.

Joanna Pachner: Do you think this worry about job security and the potential that AI will automate strategy is realistic?

Yuval Atsmon: The question of whether AI will replace human judgment and put humanity out of its job is a big one that I would leave for other experts.

The pertinent question is shorter-term automation. Because of its complexity, strategy would be one of the later domains to be affected by automation, but we are seeing it in many other domains. However, the trend for more than two hundred years has been that automation creates new jobs, although ones requiring different skills. That doesn’t take away the fear some people have of a machine exposing their mistakes or doing their job better than they do it.

Joanna Pachner: We recently published an article about strategic courage in an age of volatility  that talked about three types of edge business leaders need to develop. One of them is an edge in insights. Do you think AI has a role to play in furnishing a proprietary insight edge?

Yuval Atsmon: One of the challenges most strategists face is the overwhelming complexity of the world we operate in—the number of unknowns, the information overload. At one level, it may seem that AI will provide another layer of complexity. In reality, it can be a sharp knife that cuts through some of the clutter. The question to ask is, Can AI simplify my life by giving me sharper, more timely insights more easily?

Joanna Pachner: You have been working in strategy for a long time. What sparked your interest in exploring this intersection of strategy and new technology?

Yuval Atsmon: I have always been intrigued by things at the boundaries of what seems possible. Science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke’s second law is that to discover the limits of the possible, you have to venture a little past them into the impossible, and I find that particularly alluring in this arena.

AI in strategy is in very nascent stages but could be very consequential for companies and for the profession. For a top executive, strategic decisions are the biggest way to influence the business, other than maybe building the top team, and it is amazing how little technology is leveraged in that process today. It’s conceivable that competitive advantage will increasingly rest in having executives who know how to apply AI well. In some domains, like investment, that is already happening, and the difference in returns can be staggering. I find helping companies be part of that evolution very exciting.

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