CasePreparation sells 1:1 interview coaching with Franco Borgonovo, a former BCG Principal, and is included in this comparison. Franco has coached through several of the marketplaces mentioned below. To keep this page useful, we explain the criteria before the options, apply the same criteria to our own service, say where another option fits better, and quote only facts from public pages, with the date we saw them. There is no ranking on this page.
- Start from what you are missing. Method, practice and expert feedback are different needs, and each type of platform covers some of them well and others poorly.
- Free material, courses and peer practice can help build the foundations, with costs varying by product. Most candidates need them whatever else they choose.
- Coaching is most useful for a diagnosis at the start, when you are stuck, and before an important round. It does not replace practice; it makes practice targeted.
- Compare coaches on verifiable recruiting experience, written feedback, clarity about what happens in a session, the real price per hour and the guarantee, not on the number of reviews.
What you need to prepare for a consulting interview
A consulting interview usually combines a case (a business problem you solve aloud with the interviewer) and a fit or personal experience part (questions about your motivation and real situations from your past). To do both well, candidates need three different things, and most preparation problems come from having one of them and lacking another.
Method
Understanding how a case works: clarifying the question, building a structure that fits the problem, doing the maths aloud, reading charts and closing with a recommendation. The same applies to fit: choosing stories and telling them clearly.
Practice
Enough live repetitions to apply the method under pressure: thinking aloud, handling interruptions, managing time, recovering from a mistake. Reading cases is not practice; solving them aloud with another person is.
Expert feedback
Someone who has made hiring decisions telling you which of your habits would weigh in a real debrief, which would go unnoticed and what to fix first. This is the part that other candidates and courses find hardest to provide.
Find your bottleneck first
Before you compare platforms, decide which of the three is holding you back. The signals below are a practical way to tell.
| If this sounds like you | What is missing | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| "I don't really know what a good case answer looks like" | Method | Free firm material, then a course |
| "I know the steps, but freeze or run out of time live" | Practice | Peer practice and short drills |
| "I've done many cases and keep getting vague feedback" | Expert feedback | A coach with real recruiting experience |
| "My interview is in two weeks and I don't know what to fix" | Diagnosis and focus | One or two coaching sessions, then targeted practice |
The six types of preparation support
Platforms sell many combinations, but almost everything on offer falls into six types. Each one is good at something specific and has a limit you should know before paying.
1. Free content from the firms and others
McKinsey, BCG and Bain all publish descriptions of their interviews and sample cases on their careers pages, and BCG offers a free online simulation of a day in the job, OneDay@BCG. Blogs, videos and books cover the method in depth at little or no cost.
Good for: understanding the format and the firm's own expectations, at no cost. Start here whatever else you choose.
Limit: reading is not practice, and free advice often conflicts. Nobody tells you which advice applies to you.
2. Courses and toolkits
Structured video or written courses on case method, maths and fit, often bundled with drills and a case library. They are usually sold as one-time access for a few months.
Good for: learning the method in a sensible order, quickly, and at a moderate price.
Limit: a course explains how a good answer works, but cannot see how you answer. Progress still depends on live practice.
3. Case libraries and drills
Collections of practice cases with solutions, plus short exercises on maths, charts and structuring. Some include AI tools that let you practise parts of a case aloud and get instant comments.
Good for: volume. Drills fix isolated weaknesses, such as slow mental maths, in ten minutes a day, and case libraries give you material for peer sessions.
Limit: solutions show one good answer, not why yours fell short. AI tools are useful for repetition, but they do not replace the judgement and pressure of an experienced interviewer.
4. Peer practice platforms
Websites where candidates meet to give each other cases, usually swapping roles in one session. They often include a case library and a way to find partners in your time zone.
Good for: the many live repetitions you need, at low or no cost. This is where you learn to think aloud and manage time.
Limit: another candidate sees whether you reached the answer, but rarely why an interviewer would hesitate. Generic structures, recommendations that are really summaries and waiting for prompts often go unnoticed.
5. Coaching marketplaces
Platforms that list many independent coaches, often former consultants, with profiles, reviews and booking. Prices and quality vary from coach to coach.
Good for: choice. You can pick a coach from your target firm or office, compare prices and book quickly.
Limit: the platform's brand does not tell you how good a particular coach is. You have to check each profile against the criteria in the next section.
6. Independent coaches
Coaches who sell sessions directly, through their own website. Many also teach on a marketplace.
Good for: knowing exactly who you will work with, and a consistent approach across sessions, often with their own materials and reports.
Limit: you depend on one person's experience and availability, so check the same criteria as for any coach, and make sure their background fits your target.
| Type | Best for | Main limit | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free content | Format and method basics | No feedback on you | Free |
| Courses and toolkits | Learning the method in order | Cannot see your answers | One-time, often around US$100 to US$200 |
| Libraries and drills | Volume and isolated skills | Solutions, not diagnosis | Free to a modest subscription |
| Peer practice | Live repetitions | Limited feedback quality | Free or low annual fee |
| Coaching marketplaces | Choosing among many coaches | Quality varies by coach | Per session; rates vary by coach and package |
| Independent coaches | One consistent expert | Depends on one person | Per session, similar range |
Cost ranges come from the public prices in the table further down, seen on 2 November 2026. They are indicative and change often.
How to compare coaches
The value of coaching depends on the experience of the person giving feedback and how clearly they explain what to improve. These are the criteria worth checking, with the question to ask and how our own coaching answers it. Apply them to us exactly as you would to anyone else.
Real recruiting experience
Ask which firm the coach worked at, at what level, and whether they actually interviewed and decided on candidates, not only worked as a consultant. Someone who has sat in debriefs knows what gets written down and what weighs in a decision. Check that the claims are verifiable, for example on a public professional profile.
CasePreparation: Franco Borgonovo spent ten years at BCG, from intern to Principal, and selected candidates as a global lead recruiter. He has conducted more than 1,500 interviews, over 800 of them for MBB firms, and is still an official BCG coach for new hires. His background is BCG; candidates preparing for McKinsey or Bain work on the same skills, with each firm's format explained, but he is not a former McKinsey or Bain interviewer.
Written feedback
Spoken feedback at the end of a session is easy to forget. Ask whether you receive something written that you can use between sessions: what went well, what held you back and what to practise next.
CasePreparation: every session is followed by a written report with an assessment by dimension, a walkthrough of what worked and what to improve, and the priorities for the next practice. You can read a sample report.
Clarity about what happens in a session
Ask how long a session lasts, how much of it is a realistic mock interview and how much is feedback, and whether the coach adapts the session to your target firms and dates.
CasePreparation: each session starts by setting the focus (target firms, timeline, what to improve), continues with a case, fit questions or a targeted exercise under interview conditions, and ends with a review of what worked and what to practise. Sessions are one hour and often run longer.
Price per real hour
Compare the price per hour of coaching you actually receive, not the headline price. Check the session length, what a package includes and whether you can start with one session.
CasePreparation: US$249 for one session; packages of 3, 5 and 10 sessions bring the price down to US$223, US$218 and US$212 per session. You can start with one session and upgrade at the package price.
Guarantee and its conditions
Ask what happens if a session does not meet your expectations, and read the conditions: how long you have to ask, and whether the refund covers the session or only unused ones.
CasePreparation: a money-back guarantee: if the coaching does not meet your expectations, you get a full refund.
Fit with your stage
A coach who is right for a final round may not be the best use of money when you are starting from zero, and an experienced hire needs someone comfortable with lateral interviews. Ask who the coach usually works with.
CasePreparation: the coaching is for undergraduates, MBAs, experienced hires and executives. If you are at the beginning, use the session to assess your starting point and build a plan around the skills you need most.
Reviews show that candidates liked working with a coach. They rarely tell you whether the feedback was specific, whether the coach had real recruiting experience or whether the advice fitted your target firm. Read a few for tone, then decide on the criteria above.
Named platforms: what their public pages say
The table lists well-known options in each category, with prices as shown on their public pages on 2 November 2026. We include only facts we read on those pages; we do not rate them. Prices, promotions and inclusions change often, so check the current page before you buy. Bain's own case interview page also lists external preparation resources, including CaseCoach, CraftingCases, Management Consulted and RocketBlocks.
| Platform | What it is | Price seen on 2 Nov 2026 | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKinsey, BCG and Bain careers pages | Official interview descriptions and sample cases | Free | BCG also offers OneDay@BCG, a free online simulation |
| CaseCoach Toolkit | Courses, case library, drills and a peer practice room | US$49 per month or US$199 for one year | Full refund within 24 hours of purchase if fewer than 12 cases were opened |
| CaseCoach coaching | Coaching with former interviewers | From about US$154 per hour | Its page mentions package discounts and a written evaluation after each session |
| PrepLounge | Peer practice, cases, drills and a coach marketplace | Basic free (10 peer meetings); Premium US$69 for a year, shown reduced from US$79; Premium with coaching from US$229 | Coach rates vary by coach; the pricing page does not describe a money-back guarantee |
| IGotAnOffer | Coaching marketplace | 2 to 5 credits per one-hour session; credits start at US$50 each, with volume discounts | 45 minutes of mock interview and 15 minutes of feedback; satisfaction guarantee: refund if you write within 24 hours of a session |
| PrepMatter | Coaching and a course | US$309 per 75-minute session; 5 for US$1,495; 10 for US$2,890 | Session length is longer than one hour, so compare per hour |
| Hacking the Case Interview | Coaching with the founder; CV and cover letter reviews | US$400 per session; 5 for US$1,750; 10 for US$3,250 | Completed coaching sessions are not refundable |
| CasePreparation (our service) | 1:1 coaching with Franco Borgonovo | US$249 per session; 3 for US$669; 5 for US$1,089; 10 for US$2,119 | Written report after every session; money-back guarantee |
Franco has coached candidates through several of these platforms and marketplaces, including PrepLounge, IGotAnOffer, Leland and Fiverr, which paid him for the sessions he delivered there. We have described those platforms only with facts from their public pages, in the same way as the others.
Which combination fits your situation
Most candidates combine several types of support. The matrix below suggests a sensible mix for common situations, and where coaching fits, if at all.
| Your situation | A sensible mix | Where coaching fits |
|---|---|---|
| Starting from zero, several weeks ahead | Free material, a course, daily drills, then peer practice | Optional: one session once you have done some live cases, for a diagnosis |
| Practised a lot, but stuck | Keep peer practice, drill your two recurring errors | Yes: to find out what is really holding you back |
| Interview in under two weeks | Two or three live cases with the best partner you can find | Yes: one or two sessions to focus on what matters most |
| Final round | Cases in your target firm's style, fit stories rehearsed aloud | Yes: realistic mocks with senior-level challenge |
| Experienced hire | Method refresher, practice on cases close to your industry | Often: lateral interviews put more weight on judgement and stories |
| Tight budget | Free material, peer practice, drills | One well-timed session, rather than none or many |
Whatever the mix, keep a simple record: after every case, write one thing to keep and one thing to change, and check whether the same item comes back. That record shows you when one type of support has stopped helping.
What our coaching offers for each need
Here is how 1:1 coaching with Franco answers each of the three needs, with the same honesty about its limits.
Method: a diagnosis and a plan
The first session works as a diagnosis: a realistic interview shows where your method breaks down, and the report turns it into a plan. You learn why a structure or a recommendation falls short, not just that it does, so you can fix it in your own practice.
Practice: realistic mocks, and help between sessions
Each session is a case, fit or PEI practice, or a targeted exercise, run under interview conditions. Packages of 3, 5 or 10 sessions add a progress dashboard, targeted self-practice materials and email support between sessions, so the practice you do on your own or with peers is aimed at the right things. Coaching does not replace that practice; you still need live cases with other people.
Expert feedback: written after every session
Every session ends with a debrief and is followed by a written report. The examples below come from a sample report for a fictional candidate.
Packages and guarantee
| Package | Price | Per session |
|---|---|---|
| 1 session | US$249 | US$249 |
| 3 sessions | US$669 | US$223 |
| 5 sessions | US$1,089 | US$218 |
| 10 sessions | US$2,119 | US$212 |
One session suits a diagnosis or a single important interview; 3 sessions leave room to apply feedback; 5 and 10 sessions cover case and fit across several firms and stages. Instalments are available for the 5- and 10-session packages. Every package is covered by the money-back guarantee if the coaching does not meet your expectations. No coach can guarantee an offer, and we do not.
When another option fits better
If you are at the very beginning, use introductory material alongside an early coaching session to identify your priorities. If you specifically want a former McKinsey or Bain interviewer, a marketplace lets you choose one. If your budget is limited, start with one focused session and use its feedback to guide your independent practice.
1:1 interview coaching
Tell Franco where you are, and find out what to fix first
Send Franco a short message with your target firms, your interview dates and where you feel stuck. He replies personally and tells you whether coaching makes sense now, and which option fits. Every session is with him, followed by a written report with your priorities.
- Former BCG Principal and global lead recruiter; official BCG coach for new hires
- Start with one session at US$249, or choose a package of 3, 5 or 10
- Written report after every session; money-back guarantee if the coaching does not meet your expectations
Prefer to talk it through? Book a free 15-minute call to choose the right option.
How to combine them without wasting money
Most candidates who prepare efficiently follow the same sequence, whatever brands they choose.
- Learn the format from the firms' own pages and free material, so you know what you are preparing for.
- Learn the method in order, with a course or a good book, and start daily drills on maths and charts.
- Move to live cases with other candidates as early as you can, two to four a week, and keep a record of your recurring errors.
- Once you have done some live cases, get an expert diagnosis to check that you are fixing the right things.
- Before an important round, use realistic mocks with feedback from someone who has made hiring decisions, and rehearse your fit stories aloud.
For the full method, with a worked mini-case, a scorecard and a week-by-week plan, read our case interview preparation guide. If McKinsey Solve comes before your interviews, the McKinsey Solve guide covers that step.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best consulting interview prep platform?
There is no single best one. A course is the best value for learning the method, a peer platform for practice volume and a coach with real recruiting experience for diagnosis and important rounds. Start from what you are missing.
Do I need a coach to get a consulting offer?
No. Many candidates get offers with free material, a course and peer practice. Coaching helps most when you no longer know what to change, when an important round is close, or at the start, to set an effective plan.
How many coaching sessions do I need?
It depends on your starting point and dates. One session can be enough for a diagnosis or a final check; several sessions help when you want to apply feedback and review progress. Starting with one session and deciding afterwards is a sensible approach.
Is peer practice enough?
For practice volume, peer sessions are essential and often enough in the early weeks. Their limit is feedback: other candidates rarely see why an interviewer would hesitate, so recurring errors can survive many cases.
Can AI tools replace a human interviewer?
They are useful for repetition and quick comments on parts of a case, such as maths or a structure. They do not reproduce the judgement, follow-up questions and pressure of an experienced interviewer, which is what a real interview tests. Check the rules of your interview too: firms such as McKinsey forbid AI to generate answers during interviews and assessments.
Should I choose a coach from my target firm?
It helps if the coach has interviewed at a firm with a similar format, but recruiting experience matters more than the logo. A coach who has made hiring decisions can explain what any firm's interviewers look for, and should be clear about where their own experience comes from.
How we compared and when we update
We chose the criteria before describing the options: type of support, verifiable experience of the person giving feedback, written feedback, clarity of the session, price per hour or per access, guarantee, and fit with the candidate's stage. Prices and inclusions come from each platform's public pages, seen on 2 November 2026; we did not use third-party reviews for prices, and we do not report competitors' success rates, user numbers or review scores. Check the selected plan and checkout total before purchasing.
If you see an error or an outdated price, tell us through the contact form and we will correct it.
Change log. 2 November 2026: first version.
Your next step
Decide which of the three needs is holding you back, and choose the support that best fits your goals, feedback needs and budget. If that need is an expert view of what to fix first, send Franco a message with your target firms, dates and where you feel stuck, or see the coaching packages.
About Franco
Franco Borgonovo
Former BCG Principal · 10-year tenure · Official BCG coachFranco spent ten years at BCG, from intern to Principal, interviewing and selecting candidates as a global lead recruiter. He is still an official BCG coach for new hires, and today works one to one with candidates on applications, McKinsey Solve and interviews.
More about Franco →