Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: March 19, 2026

LEK case interviews are candidate-led, quant-heavy, and include a unique 60-minute written case exercise that most other consulting firms do not use. If you have an upcoming LEK interview, this guide covers the full process, every case type you will face, and exactly how to prepare to land your offer.

 

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 Is the LEK Interview Process?

 

The LEK interview process has multiple stages, starting with your application and ending with a final round that includes a written case. According to Glassdoor data, the entire process takes an average of about 19 days from first interview to offer. Here is what to expect at each stage.

 

What Happens Before LEK Interviews?

 

Before you reach the interview stage, LEK screens your application in two ways. First, recruiters review your resume and cover letter. According to LinkedIn data, LEK recruits heavily from schools like Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD, and UCLA. Fewer than 30% of applicants make it past the resume screen.

 

Second, some offices require a digital assessment. This is a short game-based aptitude test (roughly 10 minutes) that measures mental math, pattern recognition, and logical reasoning. It is similar to the assessments used by other strategy firms. Not every LEK office uses this step, but you should be ready for it.

 

What Happens in LEK First Round Interviews?

 

LEK's first round includes two back-to-back 30-minute interviews. Each interview is led by a different interviewer, typically an Associate or Consultant. You will get a case interview plus a few behavioral or fit questions in each session.

 

One case is usually heavy on quantitative analysis (think market sizing or profitability math). The other tends to be more qualitative and strategic. Both cases are candidate-led, meaning you drive the analysis and decide what areas to explore.

 

What Happens in LEK Final Round Interviews?

 

If you pass the first round, the final round is more intensive. You will have two 30- to 40-minute case interviews with senior staff (Managers or Partners) plus a 60-minute written case interview. The oral cases are similar in format to the first round, but the interviewers may push harder on your reasoning. For a deep dive on what to expect, check out our LEK final round interview guide.

 

	First Round	Final Round
Number of Interviews	2 interviews	2 oral + 1 written case
Duration	30 minutes each	30-40 min oral; 60 min written
Interviewers	Associates / Consultants	Managers / Partners
Case Style	1 quant-heavy, 1 qualitative	Advanced cases + slide presentation
Behavioral Questions	Brief (5-10 min per interview)	Brief (embedded in case sessions)

 

How Long Does the LEK Interview Process Take?

 

Based on Glassdoor data from over 500 interview reviews, the average time from first interview to decision at LEK is about 19 days. The full process from application to offer typically takes two to three months when you include resume screening and any aptitude tests. LEK usually notifies candidates of their decision within one to two weeks after the final round.

 

What Does LEK Look for in Candidates?

 

LEK evaluates candidates on four core dimensions. In my experience coaching hundreds of candidates, understanding these criteria helps you tailor every answer to what the interviewer is actually scoring you on.

 

• Analytical ability: Can you interpret data, perform mental math accurately, and draw conclusions from numbers? LEK cases tend to be more data-heavy than those at other firms.

 

• Structured thinking: Can you break down an ambiguous problem into a clear, logical framework? LEK wants to see organized, MECE thinking from the start.

 

• Communication: Can you explain complex findings simply and clearly? LEK values candidates who synthesize information into concise, business-ready language.

 

• Business judgment: Do your assumptions make sense? Can you prioritize what matters most and avoid getting lost in irrelevant details?

 

One of LEK's defining cultural values is "evidence over opinion." Throughout your interviews, ground every recommendation in data. Use phrases like "the data suggests" or "based on the analysis" rather than offering unsupported opinions. This single habit can set you apart from other candidates.

 

How Do You Solve a LEK Case Interview?

 

LEK case interviews follow the same general structure as other consulting cases, but they are all candidate-led. You will drive the conversation, choose which areas to explore, and propose next steps. Here are the six steps to solve any LEK case.

 

1. Understand the case

 

The interviewer will read you the case background. Take detailed notes on the company, the situation, and the business problem. Focus on understanding the context and the specific question you need to answer.

 

2. Verify the objective

 

Misunderstanding the case question is the fastest way to fail. Paraphrase the objective back to the interviewer and ask clarifying questions. Confirm you are solving the right problem before moving forward.

 

3. Create a framework

 

Ask for a moment to structure your thoughts. Build a framework with three to four categories that are tailored to the specific case. Do not use a generic, memorized framework. LEK interviewers can tell immediately. For detailed strategies, see our guide on case interview frameworks.

 

4. Develop a hypothesis

 

After laying out your framework, state an initial hypothesis. This is your educated guess at the answer based on what you know so far. Your hypothesis will change as you gather more data, but it gives your analysis direction and purpose.

 

5. Test your hypothesis

 

This is where you spend most of the case. Since LEK cases are candidate-led, you decide what to explore next. Ask for specific data, do the math, and interpret charts. After each question, explain how the answer affects your hypothesis. LEK values this "so what" connection more than most firms.

 

6. Deliver a recommendation

 

End with a clear, firm recommendation supported by two or three key reasons from your analysis. Include potential next steps you would explore with more time. Do not hedge or flip-flop between options.

 

If you want to learn case interviews quickly, my case interview course walks you through proven strategies for each of these six steps in as little as 7 days.

 

What Types of Cases Does LEK Use?

 

LEK draws from the same core consulting case types, but with a heavier emphasis on quantitative analysis and real-world data interpretation. Based on Glassdoor reviews and LEK's own published examples, the most common case categories are:

 

• Market sizing: Standalone estimation questions or embedded within a larger case. Expect to build a top-down or bottom-up model with mental math.

 

• Profitability analysis: Diagnosing why profits are declining or fluctuating. You will need to break down revenue and cost drivers quantitatively.

 

• Growth strategy: Evaluating options for a company to grow, such as entering new markets, launching products, or expanding capacity.

 

• Market entry: Determining whether a company should enter a new market. Assess attractiveness, competition, capabilities, and profitability.

 

• Pricing: Setting the price for a new product or service. LEK publishes a pricing case on its own website (the IPP2 baldness cure example).

 

• Commercial due diligence: LEK is one of the top firms for private equity work. Expect cases that evaluate whether an acquisition target is attractive.

 

What Makes LEK Cases Different from Other Firms?

 

Having coached candidates for LEK, McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, I can tell you that LEK cases stand out in three ways.

 

First, LEK cases are more quant-heavy. Expect more data tables, charts, and multi-step calculations than you would see in a typical McKinsey or BCG case. Strong mental math is essential.

 

Second, all LEK cases are candidate-led. At McKinsey, cases are interviewer-led, meaning the interviewer guides you through predetermined questions. At LEK (like BCG and Bain), you choose what to explore and when. This requires more practice driving the direction of the conversation.

 

Third, LEK includes a written case in the final round, which McKinsey, BCG, and Bain do not use. This is a separate skill that requires dedicated preparation.

 

LEK Case Interview Examples

 

The following case examples come from LEK's own published materials. Practicing with official examples gives you the best sense of what to expect.

 

Example 1: Brewery Profits

 

Two beer companies, Cheapo Beer and Bourgeois Beer, report similar revenues but very different profit trends. Cheapo's profits grow steadily. Bourgeois's profits fluctuate significantly. What is causing this difference, and what steps would you take to minimize the fluctuations?

 

Example 2: Large Pharma Co.

 

A large pharmaceutical company has developed a pill (IPP2) that cures baldness within three months. The pill must be taken daily to maintain results. How would you estimate the market size and price this product?

 

Example 3: Theater Chain

 

A large theater chain has hired you to help with their revenue growth strategy. While you will examine the entire chain, the case focuses on one particular location.

 

Example 4: Soybean Processing

 

You own a large soybean farm in Argentina. Demand for soybeans is growing rapidly in Asia. Should you process soybeans in South America and ship them, or ship raw soybeans to Asia and process them there?

 

Example 5: Hotel Investment

 

A major hotel company has the opportunity to invest in building a 500-room hotel on a military base, offered by the U.S. government. Should they build the hotel or not?

 

Example 6: Juice Company

 

A food and beverage company's juice division has $500 million in annual sales. Juice boxes and frozen concentrate are profitable, but chilled juices barely break even. Should the director sell the chilled juices business?

 

Example 7: Specialty Chemical Manufacturer

 

A specialty chemical manufacturer has a plant in Philadelphia that is losing $25 million per year. Determine whether the plant can be turned around and how to do it.

 

For additional practice, check out our collection of 23 MBA consulting casebooks with 700+ free practice cases.

 

What Are the Best LEK Case Interview Tips?

 

These tips are drawn from LEK's own published interview advice, combined with what I have seen work from coaching candidates who received LEK offers.

 

1. Listen carefully and verify the facts

 

When the interviewer gives you the case background, take detailed notes. Then paraphrase the objective back to confirm your understanding. About 15% of case failures happen because the candidate solves the wrong problem.

 

2. Take your time before speaking

 

LEK interviewers expect you to pause and think. Rushing into an unstructured answer is worse than asking for 30 seconds of silence to organize your thoughts. Write down your approach before you start talking.

 

3. Build a tailored framework every time

 

LEK interviewers are trained to spot generic, memorized frameworks. Instead, ask yourself: what three or four things must be true for me to confidently recommend X? Those become your framework buckets.

 

4. Lead with data, not opinions

 

This is LEK's cultural DNA. Always base your conclusions on the data provided. When you make assumptions, state them explicitly and explain your reasoning. "Evidence over opinion" is not just a slogan at LEK. It is how they evaluate you.

 

5. Drive the case proactively

 

In a candidate-led case, silence from the interviewer does not mean you are wrong. It means they are waiting for you to propose the next step. Always tell the interviewer what area of your framework you want to explore next and why.

 

6. Connect every answer to the case objective

 

After each calculation or analysis, explain what it means for the overall recommendation. LEK calls this the "so what." Candidates who just do math without tying it back to the objective will not advance.

 

7. Commit to a clear recommendation

 

At the end of the case, state your answer firmly. Support it with two or three data-backed reasons. Do not hedge. If the interviewer introduces new data that changes things, show flexibility, but do not flip-flop without reason.

 

How Do You Ace the LEK Written Case Interview?

 

The LEK written case interview is a 60-minute exercise that appears in the final round. It is unique to LEK and does not appear at McKinsey, BCG, or Bain. Here is how it works and how to prepare.

 

What Is the LEK Written Case Format?

 

You will be taken to a meeting room and given a packet of roughly 30 to 45 slides containing data, charts, and text about a client's business problem. The packet includes a prompt with about 6 key questions. You have 60 minutes to:

 

• Read and analyze the materials

 

• Select 7 to 10 slides that are most relevant to your recommendation

 

• Write headlines for each selected slide that summarize the key insight

 

• Create an optional executive summary slide

 

After the 60 minutes, you present your slides to the interviewer for about 20 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A.

 

How Should You Approach the Written Case?

 

1. Understand the business problem (2-3 minutes)

 

Read the prompt and key questions first. Identify the core decision the client needs to make. Everything else flows from this.

 

2. Skim the materials (5-7 minutes)

 

Quickly flip through all slides to see what data is available. Do not read everything in detail yet. Your goal is to map what information exists and how it relates to the key questions.

 

3. Build a quick framework (3-5 minutes)

 

Using the key questions as a guide, create a rough structure for your analysis. This will tell you which slides to focus on and which to skip.

 

4. Analyze the key slides (25-30 minutes)

 

Spend your time on the slides that directly answer the key questions. Do the math, interpret the charts, and write a one-sentence takeaway for each. Skip slides that do not contribute to your recommendation.

 

5. Form your recommendation (5 minutes)

 

Based on your analysis, decide on a clear recommendation. There is no single right answer. As long as your recommendation is supported by data from the slides, you are in good shape.

 

6. Write your headlines (10-15 minutes)

 

Each headline should communicate the key insight of that slide. If someone only read your headlines and nothing else, they should understand your entire argument. Lead with the conclusion, not the data.

 

7. Prepare for Q&A (remaining time)

 

Think about potential challenges to your recommendation. What assumptions did you make? What data would strengthen your case? Being prepared for pushback shows maturity.

 

For a full walkthrough with examples, check out our consulting written case interview step-by-step guide.

 

What Are the Most Common LEK Behavioral Interview Questions?

 

LEK dedicates 5 to 10 minutes of each interview session to behavioral or fit questions. These are brief but they matter. Based on Glassdoor reviews and candidate reports, these are the 10 most common questions.

 

1. Why LEK?

 

Have at least three specific reasons. Mention the people you have met, LEK's strength in private equity and commercial due diligence, their global presence across 20+ offices, or their "evidence over opinion" culture. Avoid generic answers that could apply to any firm.

 

2. Why consulting?

 

Explain why consulting specifically appeals to you. Strong answers mention the variety of industries and problems, the steep learning curve, the career growth trajectory, or the impact of advising major companies on their biggest challenges.

 

3. Walk me through your resume.

 

Give a concise 2-minute summary starting with your most recent experience. Highlight accomplishments that demonstrate analytical skills and leadership. End by connecting your background to why consulting at LEK is the next logical step.

 

4. What accomplishment are you most proud of?

 

Choose something specific and impressive. Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Quantify the impact. Then explain why it matters to you personally.

 

5. Tell me about something not on your resume.

 

This is your chance to show personality. Pick a unique hobby, volunteer project, or side accomplishment. Make it memorable. LEK interviewers meet dozens of candidates and remember the interesting ones.

 

6. Tell me about a time you led a team.

 

Choose an example where you directly managed or coordinated others. Focus on what actions you took as a leader and what measurable results the team achieved. If possible, pick an example that shows you handling conflict or ambiguity.

 

7. Describe a time you faced conflict or disagreement.

 

Focus on the resolution, not the drama. Explain how you listened, understood the other perspective, and found a constructive solution. LEK wants to see that you handle interpersonal challenges maturely.

 

8. Give an example of a time you successfully persuaded someone.

 

Pick a situation where someone initially disagreed with you and you changed their mind through logic and evidence (not authority). This connects directly to LEK's "evidence over opinion" value.

 

9. Tell me about a time you failed.

 

Choose a real but not devastating failure. Spend 20% of your answer on what went wrong and 80% on what you learned and how you applied that lesson to achieve better results afterward.

 

10. Do you have any questions for me?

 

Always say yes. Ask the interviewer about their personal experience at LEK. What was their favorite project? What surprised them most about the culture? The more genuine your curiosity, the better impression you leave.

 

For complete preparation on these questions, check out our consulting behavioral fit interview guide. If you want to master 98% of fit interview questions in a few hours, my fit interview course has you covered.

 

How Should You Prepare for LEK Interviews?

 

Having coached hundreds of candidates through consulting interviews, here is the preparation plan I recommend for LEK specifically. Most candidates need four to six weeks of focused prep.

 

Week 1: Learn the fundamentals

 

Study how case interviews work. Learn how to build custom frameworks, structure quantitative problems, and deliver a recommendation. Read or watch at least two to three full case examples to understand the flow.

 

Week 2: Practice solo cases

 

Work through three to five cases on your own, focusing on building frameworks and doing mental math. Time yourself. At this stage, focus on getting the structure right rather than speed.

 

Weeks 3-4: Practice with a partner

 

Do five to ten cases with a case partner. Since LEK cases are candidate-led, you must practice driving the conversation. Spend at least 15 minutes on feedback after each case. Focus on the areas where LEK puts extra weight: mental math accuracy, data interpretation, and the "so what" after each analysis.

 

Week 5: Prepare the written case

 

Practice the written case format separately. Give yourself 60 minutes to analyze a slide deck, write headlines, and prepare a presentation. The written case is a separate skill from oral cases and it needs dedicated practice time.

 

Week 6: Sharpen and do mock interviews

 

Do two to three mock cases with someone who has consulting experience if possible. Prepare your behavioral answers using the STAR format. In the final days before your interview, limit yourself to one or two cases to stay sharp without burning out.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What Does LEK Look for in Case Interview Candidates?

 

LEK evaluates four things: analytical ability, structured thinking, communication, and business judgment. Their core cultural value is "evidence over opinion," so grounding every recommendation in data is essential. According to LEK's published guidance, they also want to see that you are coachable and easy to work with.

 

Is the LEK Case Interview Harder Than MBB?

 

LEK cases are not necessarily harder than McKinsey, BCG, or Bain cases, but they are different. LEK cases tend to be more quantitative and data-heavy. They also include a written case component that MBB firms do not use. If your math skills are strong, you may actually find LEK cases more straightforward than some MBB qualitative cases.

 

How Many Cases Should You Practice for LEK?

 

Most successful candidates practice 15 to 25 cases total before their LEK interviews. Of those, at least three to five should be practiced independently and five to ten with a partner. You should also practice the written case format at least two to three times. Quality matters more than quantity.

 

Does LEK Have a Digital Assessment?

 

Some LEK offices include a digital assessment as part of the application process. This is a short, game-based test (roughly 10 minutes) that measures mental math, pattern recognition, and logical reasoning. Not all offices use it, but you should be prepared for it when you apply.

 

What Is LEK Consulting Known For?

 

LEK Consulting is a global strategy consulting firm founded in 1983 and known for its expertise in private equity, commercial due diligence, and sector-specific strategy work. LEK has more than 1,600 professionals across 20+ offices worldwide. The firm is especially recognized in industries like life sciences, healthcare, media, and consumer products.

 

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