Altman Solon Case Interview: Step-By-Step Guide to Acing It

Preparing for an Altman Solon case interview can feel overwhelming, especially if you're unfamiliar with the firm's industry focus and interview style. As one of the most selective consulting firms in the TMT space, Altman Solon assesses candidates through rigorous interviews that test both problem-solving ability and business judgment.

In this article, we will explore how the Altman Solon case interview works, what skills it assesses, and how you can prepare effectively to maximize your chances of getting an offer.

What does the Altman Solon interview process look like for case interviews?

The Altman Solon interview process typically consists of multiple rounds, including behavioral and case interviews, with a strong emphasis on quantitative and structured problem-solving.

Your interview journey generally includes the following:

• First round screening: Usually conducted via phone or video with a recruiter. It focuses on resume-based and motivational questions, such as your background, interest in consulting, and why Altman Solon. There is no case interview at this stage.
• Second round interviews: These include both behavioral and case interview components. Questions often assess how you work in teams, solve problems, and communicate clearly. You'll face your first Altman Solon case interview in this round, often with a focus on structured thinking and data interpretation.
• Final round interviews: Conducted in person or virtually, this round includes multiple back-to-back interviews with consultants and partners. Most sessions involve case interviews with varying degrees of complexity. You may also face additional Altman Solon interview questions about motivation, industry trends, and business logic.

Key features of the process:

• Format: Interviews are mostly interviewer-led, where the interviewer controls the flow and asks targeted questions.
• Length: Each case interview typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes.
• Industries covered: Expect a strong focus on technology, media, and telecom (TMT).

Expect at least two to four case interviews in total. Consistency in performance across rounds is essential.

What is an Altman Solon case interview and which industries do cases focus on?

An Altman Solon case interview is a 30 to 45-minute business problem-solving exercise, typically focused on technology, media, and telecom (TMT) sectors, and designed to evaluate your structured thinking, data analysis, and commercial judgment.

These case interviews are a core part of the Altman Solon consulting interview process. Like most top consulting firms, Altman Solon uses cases to simulate real client work and assess how you approach ambiguity, structure your thinking, and analyze data-driven problems.

Common features of Altman Solon case interviews:

• Interviewer-led format: The interviewer drives the discussion, asking targeted follow-up questions.
• Quantitative focus: You’ll be expected to perform math on the spot, analyze charts, and interpret numerical data quickly.
• TMT industry focus: Nearly all cases relate to tech, media, or telecom clients, given the firm’s specialization.
• Real-world simulations: Many cases are based on actual Altman Solon projects, covering challenges like market entry, pricing strategy, growth, and operational improvements.

Industries commonly covered:

• Technology: SaaS platforms, cloud services, data analytics, consumer electronics
• Media: Streaming platforms, digital publishing, advertising models
• Telecom: Wireless networks, broadband expansion, 5G strategy, infrastructure deployment

Example case scenarios:

• Should a cloud storage provider switch from a subscription to a usage-based pricing model?
• How can a telecom company reduce customer churn while expanding into rural markets?
• What is the market potential for a new AI-powered media tool?

These cases rarely require technical knowledge, but familiarity with TMT business models and terminology (like ARPU, churn, or network effects) can give you an edge.

How are Altman Solon case interviews evaluated-what skills and traits do they assess?

Altman Solon case interviews assess five core traits: structured thinking, quantitative analysis, business acumen, communication skills, and cultural fit-all evaluated through realistic case simulations and follow-up questions.

Each case is designed to uncover how you think, analyze, and communicate under pressure. While many consulting interviews assess similar attributes, Altman Solon interview questions often emphasize technical reasoning and numerical fluency more than most.

Here’s what interviewers are looking for:

1. Structured Thinking

• Ability to break down ambiguous problems into clear, logical components
• Use of frameworks or structured brainstorming to guide analysis
• Prioritization of key issues rather than trying to cover everything

2. Quantitative Problem Solving

• Comfort with mental math and interpreting data on charts or graphs
• Accuracy and speed in calculations
• Clear explanation of methods and assumptions used

3. Business Acumen

• Awareness of market forces, competitive strategy, and business models
• Ability to link findings to broader business implications
• Judging what recommendations are realistic, profitable, and sustainable

4. Communication Skills

• Clarity in explaining your thought process and conclusions
• Concise, jargon-free language
• Engaging and confident tone

5. Cultural Fit and Coachability

• Open to feedback and guidance during the interview
• Friendly, curious, and collaborative demeanor
• Fit with Altman Solon’s fast-paced, data-driven culture

Altman Solon places particular weight on quantitative problem solving, so prepare to handle detailed calculations and case interview math confidently.

How should you approach problem-solving in an Altman Solon case?

To solve an Altman Solon case interview effectively, use a structured, step-by-step approach that includes clarifying the objective, building a MECE framework, analyzing data, and delivering a clear business recommendation.

This approach mirrors how real consultants tackle client problems and is especially important for interviewer-led case interviews like those at Altman Solon. Here’s how to break it down:

1. Understand the Case Objective

• Listen closely to the prompt and take clear notes
• Ask clarifying questions if anything is unclear
• Summarize the objective to confirm alignment

2. Develop a MECE Framework

• Create a logical structure to break down the problem
• Ensure your framework is mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive
• Prioritize the most relevant areas given the case context

3. Hypothesis-Led Thinking

• State a working hypothesis to guide your analysis
• Be willing to revise your hypothesis as new information emerges
• Use this to stay focused and avoid unnecessary detours

4. Solve Quantitative Questions First

• Lay out a clear plan for each calculation before doing the math
• Walk the interviewer through your logic
• Double-check your math and sense-check the result (use the 80/20 rule to focus on impact)

5. Address Qualitative Elements

• Organize ideas using mini-frameworks or categories
• Be decisive in your recommendations and back them up with business logic
• Relate all qualitative insights back to the overall case goal

6. Synthesize and Recommend

• Deliver a clear, concise recommendation based on your findings
• Support it with 2 to 3 key insights
• Include potential next steps, trade-offs, or risks if relevant

This method mirrors how consultants work in real client situations. Practicing this flow will help you navigate the Altman Solon case interview more naturally and effectively.

What common case formats and question types should you expect at Altman Solon?

Altman Solon case interviews are primarily interviewer-led and commonly focus on market sizing, profitability, growth strategy, and pricing-often within the tech, media, and telecom (TMT) industries.

Because of the firm’s specialization, the case content is narrower than generalist firms, but the analytical depth is often higher. Expect your interviewer to walk you through structured case components while testing your numerical reasoning and commercial intuition.

Typical case formats you may encounter:

• Market sizing: Estimate the potential size of a market using top-down or bottom-up logic.Example: “Estimate the annual revenue potential of cloud storage for small businesses in the U.S.”
• Profitability analysis: Diagnose declining profits by analyzing revenue and cost drivers.
  Example: “A mobile carrier’s profits are shrinking. What’s causing this and how can it be fixed?”
• Market entry or expansion: Assess whether a company should enter a new market or launch a new product.
  Example: “Should a telecom company launch internet services in Southeast Asia?”
• Growth strategy: Recommend ways a TMT client can grow sustainably.
  Example: “A streaming platform wants to expand its subscriber base. What strategies should it consider?”
• Pricing optimization: Help a client define the best pricing strategy based on value, competition, and customer segments.
  Example: “How should a SaaS firm price its new analytics tool?”
• Operations improvement: Identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in a business process.
  Example: “A hardware manufacturer is facing shipping delays. How can they improve supply chain efficiency?”
• Mixed-format questions: Some cases may combine both qualitative reasoning and quantitative data interpretation, such as evaluating a business case for a telecom merger.

Common question types within a case:

• Math-heavy prompts (e.g., calculating revenue growth or customer churn)
• Chart interpretation (e.g., reading graphs, calculating CAGR)
• Brainstorming lists (e.g., drivers of user adoption for a new tech platform)
• Business logic (e.g., cost-benefit reasoning or risk assessment)

Being familiar with TMT-specific case scenarios and practicing quantitative case interview questions will help you stand out.

Which preparation strategies best fit the Altman Solon case interview format?

The best way to prepare for the Altman Solon case interview is to focus on mastering interviewer-led case formats, practicing quantitative problem solving, and building familiarity with TMT industry dynamics.

Because Altman Solon emphasizes analytical depth and structured thinking, your preparation should go beyond generic case practice. Here’s how to tailor your approach effectively:

1. Practice interviewer-led case drills

• Focus on cases where the interviewer directs the structure and flow
• Get comfortable answering one-off questions instead of driving the case
• Practice staying structured even when questions jump between topics

2. Strengthen your case interview math

• Altman Solon interviews are quantitatively rigorous
• Prioritize drills on percent changes, breakeven analysis, CAGR, and market share
• Use estimation and mental math techniques to stay quick and accurate
• Always sense-check your answers for scale and logic

3. Master market sizing and data interpretation

• These question types appear frequently in Altman Solon interviews
• Practice sizing exercises with layered assumptions
• Get comfortable analyzing and interpreting charts and tables under time pressure

4. Build fluency in TMT business models

• Learn how SaaS companies generate revenue (e.g., subscriptions vs usage-based)
• Understand telecom metrics like ARPU, churn rate, and capex efficiency
• Stay updated on media platform monetization strategies (e.g., freemium vs ad-supported)

5. Use a hypothesis-driven approach

• Begin each case with a clear, testable hypothesis
• Adjust your hypothesis as new data emerges
• This shows structured thinking and keeps your analysis goal-oriented

6. Simulate full interviews

• Practice with case partners or coaches using realistic Altman Solon-style cases
• Record and review your sessions to identify habits and improvement areas
• Include both case and fit question practice in every mock

By following these tailored strategies, you’ll build confidence and perform more naturally during your Altman Solon consulting interview.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What makes Altman Solon special?
A: What makes Altman Solon special is its rare combination of TMT industry expertise and data-driven consulting style. Candidates face case interviews based on real-world tech, media, and telecom scenarios, giving them a chance to demonstrate industry insight and advanced problem-solving skills.

Q: What is the McKinsey problem-solving interview?
A: The McKinsey problem-solving interview is an interviewer-led case format where you work through structured business problems, often involving case interview math, market sizing, or profitability analysis. It tests logical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and communication under pressure.

Q: How hard are McKinsey case interviews?
A: McKinsey case interviews are considered challenging due to their rigorous interviewer-led format, fast-paced questions, and emphasis on analytical clarity. Success requires strong business frameworks, quantitative reasoning skills, and consistent case drills.

Q: What is the 80/20 rule at McKinsey?
A: The 80/20 rule at McKinsey means focusing on the 20% of analysis that drives 80% of the insights. In both McKinsey and Altman Solon case interviews, applying this principle can help prioritize key data and solve problems efficiently.

Q: What type of people does McKinsey hire?
A: McKinsey hires people with exceptional problem-solving skills, leadership potential, and adaptability. Successful candidates often excel in quantitative reasoning, structured thinking, and clear communication, traits also critical for succeeding in an Altman Solon case interview.