Aon Case Study Interview: How to Prepare and Succeed

An Aon case study interview is one of the most important stages in the firm’s hiring process. In this format, you work through a real-world style business problem with an interviewer, demonstrating your problem-solving skills, business acumen, and communication abilities. Excelling here can be the deciding factor between moving forward or being eliminated from consideration.

In this article, we will explore each part of the Aon case study interview process, from understanding the format to preparing effectively, tackling questions, and delivering strong recommendations.

What is an Aon case study interview and how does it differ from typical case interviews?

An Aon case study interview is a structured problem-solving exercise where you and the interviewer work together to address a realistic business scenario, and it often incorporates elements specific to Aon’s consulting focus areas. While similar to other consulting case interviews, it may place more emphasis on human capital, risk, and insurance-related topics.

These interviews generally last 30 to 60 minutes and are designed to simulate actual client projects. The aim is to assess how you approach a challenge, break down complex information, and arrive at a logical recommendation.

Key differences from a typical consulting case interview include:

• Industry focus: More likely to involve industries where Aon has deep expertise, such as risk management, benefits, and human resources.
• Scenario types: May include cases on employee benefits strategy, insurance market entry, or pension fund performance rather than purely strategy or operations.
• Data style: Often combines qualitative reasoning with targeted quantitative analysis, reflecting the data sets Aon consultants work with.

For example, instead of a generic profitability case, you might be asked to assess the financial and operational implications of launching a new employee wellness program. This still tests your structured thinking and problem-solving but within a more people-focused context.

What do Aon case study interviews assess in candidates?

Aon case study interviews assess your logical thinking, analytical problem-solving, business acumen, communication skills, and cultural fit, ensuring you can perform effectively in consulting environments. These qualities are evaluated through both quantitative analysis and qualitative reasoning during the interview.

Interviewers look for strengths in several key areas:

• Logical and structured thinking: Ability to break down complex problems into clear, manageable components using frameworks such as MECE.
• Analytical problem-solving: Skill in interpreting data accurately, performing calculations efficiently, and connecting numbers to business insights.
• Business acumen: Understanding of core business concepts and the ability to form recommendations that make sense from a commercial perspective.
• Communication skills: Clear, concise articulation of ideas, ensuring your reasoning is easy to follow for clients and team members.
• Personality and cultural fit: Demonstrating that you are collaborative, coachable, and someone who would work well in Aon’s team-oriented culture.

For example, when given a market entry case, you might be assessed on whether you can structure the problem logically, calculate market size accurately, and explain your recommendations in a way that is both strategic and easy to understand.

How should you structure your approach to solve an Aon case study interview?

You should structure your approach by clarifying the objective, developing a tailored framework, analyzing data methodically, and concluding with a clear recommendation. This systematic process ensures you address all aspects of the case logically and efficiently.

A proven step-by-step approach includes:

1. Clarify the problem
   

• Restate the objective in your own words to confirm understanding.
• Ask targeted clarifying questions to remove ambiguity.

2. Develop a MECE framework
   

• Break the problem into mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive components.
• Prioritize the most relevant areas for investigation based on the case type.

3. Gather and analyze data
   

• Use both quantitative analysis and qualitative reasoning to explore each component of your framework.
• Sense-check calculations to ensure numerical accuracy.

4. Synthesize insights
   

• Summarize key findings from your analysis.
• Identify the implications of these findings for the client’s objectives.

5. Deliver a recommendation
   

• Provide a concise, actionable answer supported by your analysis.
• Suggest next steps or further areas of investigation if time allowed.

For example, if given a case about optimizing a benefits package, you might structure the problem around cost, employee satisfaction, and market competitiveness, then analyze each category with supporting data before recommending a balanced solution.

How can you tackle quantitative and qualitative questions in an Aon case study?

You can tackle quantitative questions by outlining a clear calculation plan before solving, and approach qualitative questions by structuring your ideas into logical categories. Both require linking your answers back to the case objective to demonstrate relevance.

For quantitative questions:

• Lay out your calculation steps before doing the math so the interviewer can follow your approach.
• Perform calculations carefully, speaking through each step to show your reasoning.
• Sense-check your results to ensure they make practical business sense.
• Relate numerical findings to the overall recommendation.

For qualitative questions:

• Organize ideas using a logical structure, such as grouping by financial, operational, and strategic factors.
• Provide concise, reasoned explanations for each point.
• Use relevant examples or analogies to make ideas tangible.
• Connect conclusions back to the client’s main objective.

Example: If asked to estimate the ROI of a wellness program (quantitative) and suggest ways to increase employee engagement (qualitative), you might calculate potential cost savings first, then structure engagement ideas into short-term and long-term initiatives. Both should lead toward a cohesive recommendation.

What examples of Aon case study interview scenarios should you practice?

You should practice Aon case study interview scenarios that reflect the firm’s focus areas, such as employee benefits strategy, risk management, and market entry analysis. These examples prepare you for the types of challenges you are most likely to encounter.

Common Aon-style case scenarios include:

• Cybersecurity risk mitigation – Advising a multinational company on measures to reduce exposure to cyber threats.
• Insurance market entry – Assessing the potential and strategy for launching a new insurance product, such as pet insurance.
• Employee retention strategy – Proposing HR initiatives to reduce high turnover in a manufacturing company.
• Benefits package optimization – Designing a competitive employee benefits package while managing costs.
• Pension fund performance improvement – Identifying reasons for underperformance and recommending investment strategies.
• Health and wellness program ROI – Outlining key components of a wellness program and estimating its financial impact.
• Post-merger integration planning – Addressing risks in combining companies with different regulatory environments.

When practicing, simulate full cases from start to finish. This means clarifying the objective, applying a structured framework, working through quantitative and qualitative elements, and delivering a final recommendation.

How can you prepare effectively for Aon case study interviews?

You can prepare effectively for Aon case study interviews by starting early, practicing with a partner, refining your problem structuring skills, and keeping track of feedback to focus on specific improvement areas. Consistent, targeted preparation will help you perform with confidence.

Practical preparation steps include:

• Start early – Give yourself at least 4 to 6 weeks to build skills in structuring, analysis, and communication.
• Practice with a partner – Simulate real interview conditions to improve collaboration and adaptability.
• Keep a feedback log – Document strengths and weaknesses from each practice session to spot patterns.
• Focus on one improvement area at a time – Avoid spreading efforts thin by tackling multiple weaknesses at once.
• Master mental math – Build accuracy and speed for quantitative analysis through daily exercises.
• Simulate full cases – Work through cases from start to finish, including delivering a final recommendation.
• Ask clarifying questions – Develop the habit of confirming the case objective before diving into analysis.

For example, if you notice repeated feedback about unclear recommendations, dedicate a week of practice to improving synthesis and delivery, using sample Aon-style cases for context.

What additional assessments or processes accompany an Aon case study interview?

In addition to the case study, Aon may include online assessments, video interviews, and behavioral interviews as part of the overall hiring process. These components evaluate broader skills such as aptitude, communication, and cultural fit.

Typical additional steps include:

• Online aptitude assessments – Timed tests measuring numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and logical thinking.
• Video interviews – Pre-recorded or live sessions where you respond to behavioral and situational questions.
• Behavioral interviews – Questions about past experiences to assess how you handle teamwork, challenges, and client interactions.
• Group exercises – Collaborative tasks that reveal teamwork skills and problem-solving under time pressure.

For example, after completing an Aon case study interview, you might be asked to participate in a behavioral interview focused on leadership and client communication skills, followed by an online reasoning assessment. Preparing for these steps alongside the case study will give you a stronger overall performance.

How can you customize your case frameworks for Aon’s consulting focus areas?

You can customize your case frameworks for Aon by aligning them with the firm’s core specialties, such as risk consulting, human capital, and insurance solutions. Tailoring your structure to these focus areas shows industry awareness and makes your analysis more relevant.

Ways to adapt your frameworks include:

• Incorporate industry-specific factors – For risk-related cases, include regulatory compliance, risk mitigation strategies, and financial exposure analysis.
• Adjust market entry structures – When addressing insurance or benefits markets, account for market regulation, competitor products, and claims processes.
• Add human capital dimensions – For employee-related cases, consider engagement, retention, training costs, and workforce planning.
• Integrate client value drivers – Emphasize cost-effectiveness, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction as outcome metrics.

For example, in a case about launching a new health insurance product, your framework could cover market potential, regulatory barriers, risk assessment, and customer acquisition strategies - ensuring that your analysis mirrors the challenges Aon’s consultants actually solve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you pass a case study interview?
A: To pass a case study interview, use a structured framework, communicate your thought process clearly, and balance quantitative analysis with qualitative reasoning. Practicing realistic scenarios is key to building the business acumen and problem-solving skills firms expect.

Q: How to take notes during a case interview?
A: To take notes during a case interview, organize your page into sections for data, assumptions, and insights. Clear, concise notes help track calculations, structure your approach, and ensure you answer each part of the case study interview effectively.

Q: Why do companies do case study interviews?
A: Companies use case study interviews to evaluate real-world problem-solving skills, structured thinking, and business judgment. This format mirrors consulting case interviews, testing how candidates analyze data, create actionable strategies, and communicate recommendations.

Q: What is the best way to answer a case study?
A: The best way to answer a case study is to restate the problem, outline a logical approach, and support recommendations with both qualitative reasoning and quantitative analysis. This method shows strong structure and practical business insight.

Q: How to prepare for a case study assessment?
A: To prepare for a case study assessment, review common frameworks, practice timed scenarios, and strengthen your math and data interpretation skills. Simulating the interview environment improves confidence and readiness for consulting-style evaluations.