Case in Point 5 by Marc P. Cosentino Summary

Case in Point by Marc P. Cosentino is a comprehensive guide to preparing for case interviews used by top management consulting firms like McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company. The book teaches structured frameworks for analyzing complex business scenarios, including the Ivy Case System methodology that Cosentino pioneered during his 18 years at Harvard University Career Services. It covers the four essential case structures—profit and loss, pricing, growth, and entering new markets—along with strategies for thinking critically and confidently under pressure.

Case in Point is essential reading for MBA students, graduate students, and career changers targeting consulting roles at prestigious firms. Business school students at programs like Harvard, Yale, Wharton, and other top institutions use this book to prepare for competitive interviews that determine access to some of the best jobs available. The book also benefits career services professionals who coach candidates through the case interview process and anyone seeking to develop structured problem-solving skills for strategic business roles.

Case in Point is absolutely worth reading, as it remains the bestselling case interview preparation book worldwide for 11 consecutive years and the number two selling interview book globally for seven years running. The Wall Street Journal called it the "MBA Bible," and McKinsey & Company has referred to Cosentino as "the Dean of Case Interviews". With over 150,000 people trained using Cosentino's methodologies, the book provides proven frameworks that have helped countless candidates secure offers at top consulting firms.

Marc P. Cosentino is the world's foremost authority on case interviewing with nearly 30 years of pioneering work in the field. He worked for 18 years as Associate Director of Career Services at Harvard University, where he developed his expertise by observing thousands of consulting interviews and debriefing both recruiters and candidates. Cosentino has written over 100 cases, published four bestselling books, and delivered workshops at 45-50 top MBA programs annually, training more than 150,000 students, alumni, and professionals.

The Ivy Case System is Marc P. Cosentino's pioneering methodology for structuring and solving case interview questions systematically. Cosentino developed this framework during his time at Harvard University by synthesizing feedback from recruiters and candidates across thousands of interviews. The system provides a repeatable approach to breaking down complex business problems into manageable components, ensuring candidates address all critical aspects while demonstrating logical thinking. While the Ivy Case System has become common knowledge in case preparation, Cosentino was the first to codify and publish this structured methodology.

Case in Point focuses on four core frameworks that cover the most common case interview scenarios: profit and loss analysis, pricing strategy, growth strategy, and entering new markets. Originally, the first edition included 12 different scenarios, but Cosentino streamlined these to four essential structures by the third or fourth edition due to significant overlap. The book emphasizes that these structures are "carved in sand" rather than rigid templates—candidates must learn to handcraft customized frameworks based on each specific case while maintaining logical organization. The profit and loss framework remains the foundation, though Cosentino warns against the common mistake of forcing prefabricated structures into every case.

Case in Point prepares professionals for the unique interview format that consulting firms use to evaluate critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and confidence under pressure. The book teaches candidates how to approach unfamiliar business challenges methodically, a skill that distinguishes consulting roles from other industries. Since case interviews have expanded beyond traditional consulting firms into technology, healthcare, and other sectors over the past decade, mastering these techniques opens doors to competitive opportunities across multiple industries. Cosentino emphasizes that "firms who use case interviews offer some of the best, most competitive jobs you can get right out of business school".

The primary criticism of Case in Point relates to over-reliance on memorized frameworks rather than developing genuine problem-solving skills. Cosentino himself acknowledges that one of the "kisses of death" in modern case interviews is "taking a prefabricated structure and jamming it into any case," with the profit and loss structure being the most commonly misused. As case interviews have evolved, more questions now "fall outside the usual suspects," requiring candidates to handcraft structures rather than apply templates. Critics argue that while the book provides excellent foundational knowledge, candidates must go beyond memorization to demonstrate authentic analytical thinking that interviewers increasingly demand.

Case in Point pioneered the case interview preparation category when it was first published in 1999, establishing frameworks that competitors later adopted. While there are now 15-20 major case interview books available, Cosentino's remains the bestselling option for 11 consecutive years. Other books have emerged using similar structural approaches to what Cosentino calls the Ivy Case System, though they use different terminology since the methodology has become "common knowledge". The distinguishing factor is Cosentino's 30 years of hands-on experience working directly with Harvard students and observing thousands of actual consulting firm interviews, providing practical insights beyond theoretical frameworks.

Case in Point remains relevant because consulting firms continue using case interviews as their primary evaluation method, and the core analytical skills required haven't fundamentally changed. However, Cosentino acknowledges the interview format has evolved—candidates now face more customized cases that require handcrafted structures rather than memorized templates. The book's four essential frameworks (profit and loss, pricing, growth, entering new markets) still provide the foundation, but candidates must adapt them creatively to each scenario. Additionally, case interviews have expanded beyond traditional consulting into technology, healthcare, and other industries, making the skills more universally valuable than when the book first appeared.

Case in Point has undergone significant streamlining since Cosentino wrote the first edition in just five weeks while working full-time at Harvard in 1999. The most substantial change occurred around the third or fourth edition when Cosentino reduced the framework count from 12 different scenarios to four core structures due to overlapping elements. This simplification made the content more accessible while maintaining comprehensive coverage of case types. Throughout successive editions (now in its ninth or tenth version), Cosentino has incorporated evolving interview trends, including the shift toward more customized cases that require candidates to build unique structures rather than apply prefabricated templates.

Case in Point provides systematic methodology and structured frameworks developed through Marc P. Cosentino's 30 years of direct experience with actual consulting interviews at Harvard. Unlike scattered online resources, the book offers comprehensive coverage of the four essential case types with detailed examples and evaluation criteria that interviewers actually use. Cosentino's unique insight comes from working with both sides—debriefing recruiters from McKinsey, BCG, and other top firms while coaching candidates through their preparation. The book also includes over 100 original cases written specifically to mirror real interview scenarios, providing practice material that reflects authentic consulting firm standards.