Willis Towers Watson Case Study Interview: How to Prepare and Succeed

If you're preparing for a Willis Towers Watson case study interview, you're likely aiming for a role in consulting where structured thinking, business judgment, and communication skills are critical. This case interview is one of the most important parts of the selection process and often determines whether you'll advance to the next round or receive an offer.

In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about succeeding in the Willis Towers Watson case study interview, from format and expectations to practical strategies and preparation tips.

What is a Willis Towers Watson case study interview?

A Willis Towers Watson case study interview is a 30 to 60-minute exercise in which you solve a real-world business scenario to demonstrate your problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills. It mirrors the type of work consultants do and is used to assess your fit for the role.

Willis Towers Watson (WTW) uses case study interviews to simulate consulting projects under time constraints. You'll be expected to interpret data, form a structured approach, and make a well-reasoned recommendation based on a fictional or real business challenge.

These cases often focus on scenarios such as:

• Improving a company's profitability
• Entering a new market
• Evaluating a merger or acquisition
• Launching a new product or service

You're not expected to have specialized industry knowledge. All necessary background information is provided during the interview.

How is the Willis Towers Watson interview process structured?

The Willis Towers Watson interview process typically includes multiple rounds that combine behavioral questions, motivational fit, and case interviews to assess your consulting potential. It usually spans several weeks and follows a structured progression.

The process generally looks like this:

• Application stage
   You submit your resume and cover letter. Make sure to tailor these to demonstrate problem-solving, communication, and leadership experience.
• First-round interview (Phone/Virtual)
   A recruiter or HR representative will conduct an initial screen. Expect behavioral interview questions that focus on your resume, background, and motivation for applying.
• Second-round interview
    You’ll meet 1 to 2 consultants or managers. This round typically includes a case interview along with more targeted behavioral and motivational questions.
• Final round interview
    The last stage can include 2 to 4 interviews in one day. In some cases, you may also be asked to participate in a group case interview, which evaluates how you collaborate and contribute in a team setting.

Throughout the process, you’ll be assessed on:

• Communication clarity and confidence
• Cultural and team fit
• Structured thinking and business judgment
• Consulting motivation and long-term interest in Willis Towers Watson

What types of case interviews does Willis Towers Watson use?

Willis Towers Watson uses a variety of case interview types, including profitability, market entry, mergers and acquisitions, operations improvement, and market sizing. These simulate real consulting scenarios and test your ability to solve structured business problems.

Here are the most common case types you may encounter:

• Profitability cases
    Diagnose why a company’s profits are falling and identify actionable strategies to restore margins. For example, analyzing rising costs vs. declining revenues in a product line.
• Market entry cases
    Evaluate whether a client should enter a new market. You'll analyze factors like customer demand, competitive landscape, and entry barriers.
• Mergers & acquisitions (M&A) cases
    Assess the strategic and financial logic behind acquiring or merging with another business. You may be asked to evaluate synergies or potential risks.
• Operations improvement cases
    Identify inefficiencies and help streamline processes to reduce cost or improve service quality. Common examples involve supply chain or retail operations.
• Growth strategy cases
    Recommend ways a company can expand - through geographic expansion, new customer segments, or product innovation.
• Market sizing
    Estimate the potential size or value of a market. This may involve making assumptions and doing quick, structured calculations.

Case interviews can relate to a wide range of industries, including healthcare, insurance, retail, financial services, and technology. The goal is to assess how well you apply business case scenarios to unfamiliar problems.

What skills does the Willis Towers Watson case study interview assess?

The Willis Towers Watson case study interview assesses five core skills: structured thinking, analytical reasoning, business judgment, communication skills, and cultural fit. These qualities reflect what’s required to succeed in a real consulting role.

Here’s how each skill is evaluated:

• Structured thinking: Can you break down complex business problems into manageable parts? This includes building clear frameworks and organizing your approach logically.
• Analytical problem solving: Are you comfortable with numbers and data? You’ll need to interpret charts, perform calculations, and extract insights from limited information.
• Business acumen: Do your ideas make sense commercially? Your recommendations should show an understanding of basic business principles and client impact.
• Communication skills: Are your explanations clear and concise? You’ll be evaluated on how well you articulate your thought process and walk the interviewer through your reasoning.
• Cultural and team fit: Do you collaborate well with others and take feedback constructively? Willis Towers Watson values candidates who are coachable, humble, and easy to work with.

Together, these skills determine whether you can handle the pace, complexity, and client-facing nature of a consulting role.

How should you structure your approach to a WTW case interview?

You should approach a Willis Towers Watson case interview using a six-step process: clarify the problem, build a framework, explore issues, analyze data, synthesize insights, and give a recommendation. This structure helps you stay organized and demonstrate consulting-level thinking.

Here’s a breakdown of each step:

1. Clarify the objective: Always confirm the business goal before starting. Misunderstanding the objective is a common mistake.
    
2. Develop a clear framework: Create a logical structure (e.g., profitability, market entry) to guide your analysis. Your framework should be MECE (mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive).
    
3. Prioritize and explore issues: Choose a branch of your framework to investigate based on what seems most impactful. Explain why you’re starting there.
    
4. Analyze quantitative data: Perform any necessary math or interpret charts. Talk through your calculations to keep the interviewer engaged and aligned.
    
5. Evaluate qualitative factors: Discuss market trends, customer behavior, or operational risks. Structure your answer and keep it relevant to the case objective.
    
6. Deliver your recommendation: Summarize your key insights and state a clear recommendation. Support it with 2 to 3 reasons and suggest next steps if relevant.

Practicing this method improves your ability to manage complex business case scenarios under pressure.

How do you solve quantitative questions in a Willis Towers Watson case?

To solve quantitative questions in a Willis Towers Watson case interview, you need to define the goal, outline a calculation plan, perform math clearly, and explain your insights. This shows your analytical problem-solving skills and comfort with business data.

Here’s a reliable approach:

1. Clarify what’s being asked: Before starting any math, confirm the metric you’re calculating - for example, profit margin, breakeven point, or market size.
    
2. Outline your plan: Describe your approach out loud before computing. This helps the interviewer follow your logic and ensures alignment.
    
3. Do the math carefully: Use rounded numbers if allowed, and double-check unit conversions. Speak clearly as you calculate so your steps are easy to track.
    
4. Explain the result: Don’t just give a number - explain what it means in the business context. For example, how a revenue increase might still result in profit loss due to rising costs.

Common quantitative tasks in WTW cases include:

• Estimating total addressable market (TAM)
• Analyzing cost structures or pricing strategy
• Evaluating revenue trends or ROI
• Performing sensitivity analysis

Practicing case math drills and verbalizing your process will help you build confidence and accuracy.

What’s the best way to tackle qualitative questions in WTW cases?

To tackle qualitative questions in a Willis Towers Watson case, use a structured framework, provide logical reasoning, and tie your insights back to the case objective. This helps demonstrate business judgment and clear communication.

Here’s how to approach them:

• Start with a structure: Whether brainstorming ideas or evaluating options, group your thoughts into 2 to 3 logical categories. For example, if asked how to improve customer retention, you might organize ideas into product, pricing, and service strategies.
• Use business logic, not buzzwords: Avoid vague suggestions. Instead of saying “improve operations,” say “reduce fulfillment delays by optimizing warehouse layout.”
• Justify your thinking: Support each idea with a reason. If you propose expanding to a new region, explain why that market has untapped demand or lower competition.
• Keep your answers concise: Focus on clarity and relevance. Interviewers are assessing how well you prioritize and articulate ideas, not how much you can say.
• Connect to the case goal: End your answer by tying it back to the original problem. Show how your suggestion directly supports the overall recommendation.

Common qualitative topics include:

• Strategic trade-offs (e.g. price vs. volume)
• Customer segmentation strategies
• Risks of entering a new market
• Operational improvements without added cost

Practicing with diverse business scenarios will improve your ability to think on your feet and build structured arguments.

How do you deliver a strong recommendation at the end of the case?

You should deliver a strong recommendation by clearly stating your answer, backing it with key insights, and outlining next steps. In Willis Towers Watson case interviews, this final step shows your ability to synthesize information and communicate like a consultant.

Use this structure:

1. State your recommendation up front: Example: “Based on the analysis, I recommend that the client enter the new market.”
    
2. Support with 2 to 3 key findings: These might include a large market opportunity, strong competitive advantage, or profitable financial projections.
    
3. Acknowledge limitations: Mention any assumptions you made or areas where more data would be helpful. This shows intellectual honesty and business acumen.
    
4. Propose next steps: Suggest what the team should explore further. For example: “We recommend conducting a pilot launch in one region before scaling.”

Tips for success:

• Be confident, even if your case wasn’t perfect
• Avoid summarizing everything you did, focus on conclusions
• Keep it under 60 seconds unless prompted to elaborate

This final step is your opportunity to leave a strong, consultant-level impression-so aim to present your conclusion with confidence, clarity, and strategic depth.

How do Willis Towers Watson group case interviews work?

In a Willis Towers Watson group case interview, you’ll work with 3 to 5 other candidates to analyze a business problem, collaborate on a solution, and present your findings. This format evaluates teamwork, communication, and structured thinking under pressure.

Here’s what typically happens:

• Case introduction: You’re given written case materials and about 60 minutes to prepare. Each candidate receives the same background information.
• Team collaboration: During the prep time, your group discusses the problem, analyzes data, and builds a shared recommendation. Interviewers observe silently.
• Presentation: The group delivers a 10 to 15 minute presentation. Everyone should participate in explaining parts of the analysis and recommendation.
• Q&A session: Interviewers ask follow-up questions, testing both your logic and how you defend your ideas as a group.

What WTW interviewers look for:

• Facilitating discussion: Helping the team stay on track and focused
• Active participation: Contributing ideas and building on others’ suggestions
• Synthesis: Summarizing points or reconciling conflicting views
• Time management: Keeping the group moving toward the final deliverable
• Inclusion: Encouraging quieter members to speak up

Avoid dominating the conversation or interrupting others. Instead, aim to add value by listening, structuring ideas, and speaking with purpose.

How can you prepare effectively for the WTW case study interview?

To prepare effectively for the Willis Towers Watson case study interview, follow a six-step strategy: understand the format, learn case-solving techniques, practice alone, practice with partners, get expert feedback, and improve your weak areas. This ensures a well-rounded preparation.

Here’s the full approach:

1. Understand the case format: Learn what a consulting case interview involves: a business scenario, a clear objective, data analysis, and a final recommendation. Understand both candidate-led and interviewer-led styles.
    
2. Learn the right frameworks and strategies: Study how to structure profitability analysis, market entry cases, and other business case scenarios. Focus on being MECE and hypothesis-driven in your thinking.
    
3. Practice solo to build fundamentals: Begin by working through 3 to 5 cases by yourself. Practice creating frameworks, solving math problems, and summarizing recommendations out loud.
    
4. Casing with a partner: Practicing with others simulates real-time pressure. After each case, exchange structured feedback to refine your communication and problem-solving.
    
5. Do mock interviews with consultants: Get feedback from someone who’s worked in consulting. They can offer targeted advice on structure, business judgment, and communication skills.
    
6. Target your weak points: Track recurring challenges, such as rushed math, unclear structuring, or weak synthesis. Focus your practice on fixing one issue at a time.

Additional tips:

• Schedule 30 to 40 cases before your interview date
• Mix case types and industries to build adaptability
• Review your cases to reinforce learning

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you pass a case study interview?
A: To pass a case study interview, break the problem into clear steps, use structured thinking, and communicate your logic throughout. In a Willis Towers Watson case study interview, strong data analysis and business judgment are key to impressing interviewers.

Q: Are case study interviews hard?
A: Case study interviews can be challenging because they test both problem-solving skills and clear communication under time pressure. With focused case interview preparation and practice on real business scenarios, you can make even tough cases feel manageable.

Q: How long is a typical case study interview?
A: A typical case study interview lasts 30 to 45 minutes, though formats vary by firm. In a WTW case interview, group case interviews or multi-round sessions may extend the time.

Q: How to ace a case study interview?
A: To ace a case study interview, practice using consulting frameworks, analyze data quickly, and present recommendations confidently. For WTW case interviews, tailoring your approach to both qualitative and quantitative questions can set you apart.

Q: How to prepare for a case study assessment?
A: Prepare for a case study assessment by practicing profitability, market entry, and data interpretation cases. In Willis Towers Watson’s group case format, also develop teamwork and active listening skills alongside analytical preparation.