Protect the recommendation first, then add the highest-value caveat. A concise, decisive answer is better than squeezing every template component into the final seconds.

Risks and next steps matter, but they support the recommendation rather than replace it. Time pressure should make you prioritize, not speak faster.

Give the recommendation, two supporting reasons, then one critical risk or next step if time allows.

In practice, train a 30-second and a 60-second version of the same synthesis so you can scale naturally. For a related reference, see Synthesis vs Summary in Case Interviews: What Candidates Get Wrong.

One thing that helped me was separating the decision from the explanation. I chose the direction first, then gave the reason.

The useful part for me was asking what decision the interviewer actually needed from me. That made the next step much easier.

Yep, this is worth practicing specifically rather than hoping it works on the day. The situation feels much easier after two or three reps.

I would ask one concise clarification rather than guessing. It usually saves more time than it costs.