Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Altman Solon case interviews are the most difficult part of the hiring process at the world's largest TMT strategy consulting firm. You will need to pass every single case interview to land an offer.

 

In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the Altman Solon interview process, what case interviews look like, the TMT terminology that gives you an edge, and exactly how to prepare. Having coached over 5,000 candidates as a former Bain interviewer, I will walk you through each step.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top firms accept less than 1% of applicants every year. If you want to triple your chances of landing interviews and 8x your chances of passing them, watch my free 40-minute training.

 

What Changed in 2026?

 

This article has been substantially updated with official data from Altman Solon's published interview guide, the latest Glassdoor interview reviews, and a new section covering TMT terminology that candidates need to know. We also added guidance on Altman Solon behavioral and fit questions, including how to answer "Why Altman Solon?"

 

What Is Altman Solon?

 

Altman Solon is the world's largest strategy consulting firm focused exclusively on telecommunications, media, and technology (TMT). The firm was formed in 2020 through the merger of Altman Vilandrie & Company (based in Boston) and Solon Management Consulting (based in Munich).

 

According to the firm's website, Altman Solon operates across 15 global offices with over 600 professionals. The firm works with seven of the top 10 global telecom companies, seven of the top 10 global technology companies, and six of the top 10 global media firms.

 

Altman Solon's TMT focus means the firm works within a $5+ trillion global market. This specialization gives consultants deep industry expertise that is rare in generalist firms. It also means case interviews at Altman Solon are heavily skewed toward TMT topics.

 

One unique benefit of working at Altman Solon is the low-travel model. Unlike many consulting firms where consultants travel Monday through Thursday every week, Altman Solon staff do most of their work from their home offices. Travel is typically limited to client presentations and workshops.

 

How Much Does Altman Solon Pay?

 

According to Glassdoor data from 2026, Altman Solon compensation varies significantly by level. Based on reported salaries, here is an approximate breakdown.

 

Role	Estimated Base Salary	Estimated Total Comp
Analyst	$81,000 to $95,000	$95,000 to $115,000
Consultant	$92,000 to $130,000	$115,000 to $170,000
Senior Consultant	$130,000 to $157,000	$170,000 to $220,000
Manager	$160,000 to $200,000	$220,000 to $300,000+

 

According to Poets&Quants' 2026 consulting salary report, MBA hires at Altman Solon start at approximately $170,000 in base salary. The firm also reimburses MBA tuition up to $80,000. According to Glassdoor, 82% of Altman Solon employees would recommend working there to a friend, and compensation receives a 4.4 out of 5 rating.

 

What Does the Altman Solon Interview Process Look Like?

 

The Altman Solon interview process consists of an HR screening followed by two rounds of case and fit interviews. According to Altman Solon's official interview guide, the process for full-time hires is structured as follows.

 

Altman Solon HR Interview

 

The process begins with a 30-minute HR interview. This is a basic screening call where you will be asked about your resume, career goals, and interest in consulting and Altman Solon specifically.

 

There are no case interviews in this round. Be prepared to discuss your work experiences, why you want to be a consultant, and why you are interested in Altman Solon's TMT focus. Prepare a strong answer to "why consulting" before this call.

 

Altman Solon First Round Interview

 

According to Altman Solon's official guide, the first round consists of three 60-minute interviews. Each interview is structured as follows:

 

• 15-minute fit interview covering behavioral and motivational questions

 

• 40-minute case interview focused on a business problem

 

• 5-minute Q&A session where you can ask questions about the firm

 

This round is typically conducted on campus, over video, or at an Altman Solon office. Expect a mix of behavioral interview questions and your first case interviews. Cases in this round often focus on structured thinking and data interpretation.

 

Altman Solon Final Round Interview

 

The final round consists of two 60-minute interviews with the same format: 15 minutes of fit, 40 minutes of case, and 5 minutes of Q&A. Final round interviewers typically include senior consultants, managers, or partners.

 

According to Glassdoor reviews, final round cases tend to be more complex and may involve multiple quantitative components. You will also face motivational questions such as "Why Altman Solon?" and questions about your interest in the TMT industry.

 

After each round, Altman Solon holds an internal debrief to review your performance. The firm also aims to provide feedback after every round, which is more generous than many consulting firms.

 

How Long Does the Altman Solon Interview Process Take?

 

According to Glassdoor data from 74 candidate reviews, the average Altman Solon hiring process takes about 35 days from application to offer. About 73% of candidates rate their interview experience as positive, and the average difficulty rating is 3.16 out of 5.

 

In total, expect to complete five case interviews across both rounds. Consistency is essential. You need to perform well in every single case to receive an offer.

 

What Is an Altman Solon Case Interview?

 

An Altman Solon case interview is a 30 to 45-minute exercise in which you and the interviewer work together to solve a business problem. These cases simulate real consulting projects that Altman Solon works on for clients. Many cases are based on actual engagements that interviewers have personally led.

 

Altman Solon's official interview guide states that cases are "meant to be collaborative and conversational." The firm also notes that cases can be "both interviewer and interviewee led," meaning the format may vary by interviewer. However, according to multiple Glassdoor reviews, most Altman Solon case interviews lean toward the interviewer-led format where the interviewer controls the direction and asks targeted questions.

 

While Altman Solon cases can cover any industry, the vast majority focus on technology, media, and telecom because that is the firm's exclusive specialty. Expect at least a few cases from these industries across your interviews.

 

Altman Solon case interviews tend to be significantly more quantitative than cases at generalist firms. According to former interviewers, math accuracy and the ability to explain your calculations clearly are weighted very heavily in scoring decisions.

 

What Does an Altman Solon Case Interview Assess?

 

Altman Solon case interviews assess five qualities. Out of all five, quantitative problem solving receives the most weight.

 

1. Logical and structured thinking. Can you break down complex problems into a clear, organized framework? Can you identify the most important issues from a sea of data?

 

2. Quantitative problem solving. Can you perform math calculations accurately and quickly? Can you read charts, interpret data, and draw meaningful conclusions? According to Altman Solon interviewers, this is the most heavily weighted quality.

 

3. Business acumen. Do you have a solid understanding of how businesses work? Do your recommendations make practical sense from a profit and strategy perspective?

 

4. Communication skills. Can you explain your thinking clearly and concisely? Are you articulate and confident when walking through your analysis?

 

5. Personality and cultural fit. Are you coachable and pleasant to work with? Do you take feedback well? Altman Solon emphasizes a collaborative culture, so interviewers pay attention to how you interact during the case.

 

Because of the heavy emphasis on quantitative skills, make sure you are comfortable with case interview math, including common case interview formulas and how to analyze charts and graphs.

 

How Do You Solve an Altman Solon Case Interview?

 

There are six steps to solve an Altman Solon case interview. This process works for both interviewer-led and candidate-led formats.

 

Step 1: Understand the Case

 

The interviewer will present you with a business problem. Take careful notes on the most important details: the client, their situation, and the core question you need to answer. After the interviewer finishes, summarize the case back to them to confirm your understanding.

 

The most important part of this step is verifying the objective. Answering the wrong question is the fastest way to fail a case interview.

 

Step 2: Build Your Framework

 

Ask the interviewer for a minute to collect your thoughts. Then create a case interview framework that breaks the problem into 3 to 4 major areas you want to investigate.

 

Your framework should be MECE (mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive). Each area should cover a distinct part of the problem with no overlap, and together they should address all the major issues.

 

Walk the interviewer through your framework. They may ask clarifying questions or redirect your focus.

 

Step 3: Start Investigating

 

In an interviewer-led case, the interviewer will tell you which area to explore first or give you a specific question to answer. In a candidate-led case, you will propose where to start. Either way, begin diving into the data.

 

Step 4: Solve Quantitative Problems

 

Altman Solon cases almost always include quantitative problems. You may need to calculate profitability metrics, estimate market sizes, or interpret charts with financial data.

 

Before doing any math, lay out your approach. Explain to the interviewer exactly how you plan to reach the answer. If they approve your approach, the rest is just execution. Talk through every calculation out loud so the interviewer can follow your work.

 

In my experience coaching candidates, the biggest mistake at Altman Solon is being careless with math. A former interviewer noted that candidates who make a factor-of-10 error often get rejected, even if the rest of their case is strong. Always sense check your numbers.

 

Step 5: Answer Qualitative Questions

 

You will also face qualitative questions, such as brainstorming growth strategies or evaluating competitive dynamics. The key is to structure your response. Do not just list random ideas. Organize them into clear categories.

 

After answering each question, connect your findings back to the case objective. How does this information affect the recommendation you are forming?

 

Step 6: Deliver Your Recommendation

 

At the end of the case, deliver a clear and firm recommendation. State your answer first, then support it with two to three key reasons backed by the data you analyzed. Finish by suggesting potential next steps you would take with more time.

 

There is no right or wrong answer. What matters is that your recommendation is logical, supported by evidence, and delivered with confidence.

 

What TMT Concepts Should You Know for Altman Solon Cases?

 

While Altman Solon does not expect you to be a TMT expert, familiarity with key industry terms will help you structure better frameworks and ask smarter clarifying questions. In my experience, candidates who understand basic TMT terminology perform noticeably better in Altman Solon cases.

 

Here are the most important TMT concepts to know before your interview.

 

Term	Definition	Why It Matters in Cases
ARPU	Average Revenue Per User. Total revenue divided by number of users.	Used in telecom and media cases to size revenue or compare segments.
Churn Rate	The percentage of customers who cancel a service in a given period.	Critical in subscription-based cases. Reducing churn by even 1% can mean millions in revenue.
CAGR	Compound Annual Growth Rate. Measures consistent growth over multiple years.	Used when evaluating market attractiveness or forecasting future revenue.
Capex vs Opex	Capital expenditures (one-time investments) vs operating expenses (ongoing costs).	Telecom cases often involve heavy capex for network buildouts (5G, fiber).
Network Effects	When a product becomes more valuable as more people use it.	Key in tech platform cases. Social media and marketplaces rely on network effects.
SaaS	Software as a Service. Cloud-based software sold on a subscription basis.	Common business model in tech cases. Key metrics include MRR (monthly recurring revenue) and LTV (lifetime value).
Freemium	Offering a free basic product while charging for premium features.	Common monetization model in tech and media. Cases may ask you to evaluate conversion rates.
ARPU Uplift	Strategies to increase revenue per user through upselling or cross-selling.	Frequently tested in telecom pricing and growth strategy cases.
5G / Fiber Deployment	Next-generation network infrastructure requiring significant capital investment.	Altman Solon does extensive work in this space. Cases may ask you to evaluate ROI of network expansion.
Ad-Supported vs Subscription	Two common media revenue models: advertiser-funded or user-funded.	Streaming and digital media cases often ask you to compare or optimize these models.

 

You do not need to memorize formulas for these terms. Simply understanding what they mean and how they appear in business problems will help you structure your case more effectively. If you want to build business acumen quickly, my case interview course covers the most important business concepts in just a few hours.

 

What Types of Cases Does Altman Solon Give?

 

Altman Solon gives a variety of case types, but they are almost always set in a TMT context. The most common case types include market sizing, profitability, market entry, growth strategy, pricing, and M&A.

 

Why Market Sizing Cases Are Critical at Altman Solon

 

Market sizing deserves special attention. Based on Glassdoor reviews, an estimated 70% of Altman Solon case interviews include some form of market sizing or estimation question. This is higher than at most other consulting firms.

 

A market sizing question at Altman Solon might sound like: "Estimate the annual revenue potential of cloud storage for small businesses in the U.S." or "How many households in the U.S. subscribe to at least one streaming service?"

 

To prepare, practice building structured approaches using both top-down and bottom-up methods. Make sure you can walk the interviewer through your assumptions and calculations clearly. For a complete guide, check out our market sizing questions article.

 

Common Altman Solon Case Examples

 

Here are example cases by type, all set in TMT contexts similar to what you might encounter.

 

Market entry: A leading social media platform is considering entering the virtual reality market. Should they enter, and what should their strategy be? (See our market entry case guide.)

 

Profitability: A telecommunications company is experiencing declining profitability in its mobile data services division. What factors could be causing this, and what strategies should they implement? (See our profitability case guide.)

 

M&A: A media conglomerate is considering acquiring a mid-size streaming platform to expand its content library. Should they proceed with the acquisition? (See our M&A case guide.)

 

Growth strategy: A streaming platform has saturated its domestic market and wants to expand internationally. Which markets should they prioritize? (See our growth strategy case guide.)

 

Pricing: A SaaS company is preparing to launch a new subscription-based cloud storage service. What pricing strategy should they use? (See our pricing case guide.)

 

Operations: A technology hardware manufacturer is facing supply chain delays and inefficiencies. How can they reduce costs and improve delivery times? (See our operations case guide.)

 

Market sizing: A telecom company wants to estimate the potential market size for 5G home internet in suburban areas of the United States. How many households could be served? (See our market sizing guide.)

 

How Do You Answer Altman Solon Behavioral and Fit Questions?

 

Every Altman Solon interview includes 15 minutes of fit and behavioral questions before the case begins. The firm's official guide says these are designed to "get to know you on a personal level" and understand "what motivates you and how you confront challenging situations."

 

Common Altman Solon Behavioral Questions

 

Based on Glassdoor reviews and candidate reports, these are the most frequently asked behavioral questions at Altman Solon.

 

• Tell me about a time you used data to solve a problem.

 

• Give an example of a time you overcame a difficult challenge.

 

• Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member.

 

• Tell me something that is not on your resume.

 

• What motivates you to pursue a career in consulting?

 

• Why are you interested in the TMT industry?

 

For each question, use a structured answer format: state the situation briefly, describe the action you took, and explain the result. Keep answers to about 90 seconds. For a complete preparation guide, check out our consulting behavioral and fit interview article.

 

If you want to be fully prepared for 98% of possible fit interview questions in just a few hours, my fit interview course gives you word-for-word answer templates you can customize.

 

How to Answer "Why Altman Solon?"

 

This question comes up in nearly every Altman Solon interview. A strong answer touches on three pillars that make the firm genuinely different from other consulting firms.

 

Pillar 1: TMT specialization. Explain that you are specifically drawn to the TMT industry and want to go deep in one area rather than being a generalist. Mention specific TMT trends that excite you, like the 5G buildout, the evolution of streaming media, or AI adoption in enterprise software.

 

Pillar 2: Low-travel model. Unlike most consulting firms that require Monday-to-Thursday travel, Altman Solon consultants primarily work from their home office. If work-life balance matters to you, this is a genuine differentiator worth mentioning.

 

Pillar 3: Meritocratic culture. Altman Solon does not follow the traditional "up or out" model. Promotions are performance-based, and consultants have more flexibility in their career progression. The firm also has a flat organizational structure that gives junior consultants direct access to senior leadership.

 

The key is being specific. Do not just say "I like TMT." Reference a specific Altman Solon thought leadership piece, a recent industry trend, or something you learned from speaking with current employees.

 

What Are the Best Altman Solon Case Interview Tips?

 

Here are 10 tips to help you prepare for and ace your Altman Solon case interviews.

 

1. Start preparing early. Mastering case interviews takes time. In my experience, most successful candidates start preparing at least four to six weeks before their interviews. The skills you need, like structured thinking and quick math, cannot be learned overnight.

 

2. Learn the right strategies the first time. It is much more effective to learn correct case interview techniques from the start than to build bad habits and try to fix them later. Invest in a structured learning resource before you begin practicing.

 

3. Prioritize math practice. This is the single most important tip for Altman Solon specifically. Former interviewers confirm that quantitative skills are weighted more heavily than at most other firms. Practice case interview math until you can do calculations quickly and accurately under pressure.

 

4. Practice with a case partner. Practicing with a partner is the best way to simulate a real interview. You will develop communication, presentation, and collaboration skills that you cannot build by practicing alone.

 

5. Sense check every calculation. Missing a zero or adding an extra zero is the most common math mistake in case interviews. After every calculation, do a quick sanity check. For example, if you are multiplying 115 million by 22, your answer should be in the billions because 100 million times 20 equals 2 billion.

 

6. Use a hypothesis-driven approach. Form an initial hypothesis about the answer early in the case. As you gather data, refine or pivot your hypothesis. This keeps you focused on the most relevant areas and makes your final recommendation stronger.

 

7. Prepare for TMT industry questions. Spend a few hours reading about trends in telecom (5G, fiber deployment), media (streaming wars, ad-supported models), and technology (SaaS, AI platforms). You do not need to be an expert, but basic familiarity will help you build better frameworks.

 

8. Be coachable. When the interviewer provides guidance or pushes back on your approach, take their input gracefully. Altman Solon emphasizes a collaborative culture, so demonstrating that you are easy to work with is just as important as solving the case.

 

9. Apply the 80/20 rule. You will not have time to explore every area of your framework. Focus on the 20% of analysis that will drive 80% of the insight. Interviewers want to see that you can prioritize effectively.

 

10. Show enthusiasm. Interviewers want to hire candidates who are genuinely excited about consulting and the TMT space. Ask thoughtful questions, engage with the case material, and let your energy show.

 

What Are the Best Altman Solon Case Interview Prep Resources?

 

To prepare for Altman Solon case interviews, you can use a combination of books, courses, and coaching. Here are the resources I recommend based on coaching over 5,000 candidates.

 

Case Interview Prep Books

 

Books are an affordable starting point, typically costing $20 to $30. Based on our review of the 12 most popular case interview prep books, we recommend three.

 

• Hacking the Case Interview: A concise guide covering exactly what to do and say in every step of the case interview. Best for beginners.

 

• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook: Contains 65+ practice problems and 15 full-length cases. Best for intermediate candidates who want hands-on practice.

 

• Case Interview Secrets: Great explanations of core concepts like issue trees and hypothesis-driven analysis. The stories make it an engaging read.

 

Case Interview Courses

 

Courses are more expensive ($200 to $400) but offer faster, more structured learning. If you want a single resource to learn the best case interview strategies efficiently, enroll in our case interview course.

 

The course includes 70+ concise video lessons and 20 full-length practice cases based on real interviews from top consulting firms. You will learn step-by-step how to master every type of case. 82% of my students land consulting offers.

 

Case Interview Coaching

 

Coaching sessions typically cost $100 to $300 for a 40 to 60-minute mock interview with a former consultant. Coaching is best for candidates who have already learned the fundamentals and feel they have plateaued.

 

If you decide to use coaching, consider our case interview coaching service. You will practice with a former Bain interviewer who can provide the specific, detailed feedback that case partners often miss.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is Altman Solon Hard to Get Into?

 

Yes. According to Glassdoor data, the interview difficulty is rated 3.16 out of 5, and the firm is highly selective. Altman Solon recruits from target schools like Harvard, UCLA, LSE, Oxford, and Bocconi. However, the firm also takes employee referrals from non-target schools, so networking is important.

 

How Many Case Interviews Does Altman Solon Give?

 

Expect five case interviews in total across both rounds. The first round includes three 40-minute cases, and the final round includes two 40-minute cases. Each case is accompanied by a 15-minute fit portion.

 

Are Altman Solon Cases Interviewer-Led or Candidate-Led?

 

According to Altman Solon's official interview guide, cases can be "both interviewer and interviewee led." However, most candidates report that cases lean heavily toward interviewer-led, meaning the interviewer controls the flow and asks you specific questions.

 

What Industries Do Altman Solon Cases Focus On?

 

Nearly all Altman Solon cases focus on technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT). While the firm technically covers other industries, you should expect the majority of your cases to be TMT-related. Familiarity with terms like ARPU, churn, SaaS, and network effects will give you an advantage.

 

Does Altman Solon Have Group Case Interviews?

 

No. All Altman Solon case interviews are conducted individually. There are no group case exercises in the interview process.

 

Everything You Need to Land a Consulting Offer

 

Need help passing your interviews?

• Case Interview Course: Become a top 10% case interview candidate in 7 days while saving yourself 100+ hours
  
  
• Fit Interview Course: Master 98% of consulting fit interview questions in a few hours
  
  
• Interview Coaching: Accelerate your prep with 1-on-1 coaching with Taylor Warfield, former Bain interviewer and best-selling author

  

Need help landing interviews?

• Resume Review & Editing: Craft the perfect resume with unlimited revisions and 24-hour turnaround

 

Need help with everything?

• Consulting Offer Program: Go from zero to offer-ready with a complete system

 

Not sure where to start?

• Free 40-Minute Training: Triple your chances of landing consulting interviews and 8x your chances of passing them