Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: March 30, 2026

 

Mars & Co case interviews test your quantitative reasoning, structured problem solving, and business judgment across a rigorous superday format. The firm uses real project scenarios to evaluate whether you can think like a strategy consultant.

 

Mars & Co is one of the most selective boutique strategy firms in the world, employing roughly 250 consultants across seven global offices. According to Glassdoor data, interviews at Mars & Co receive a difficulty rating of 3.18 out of 5, with the average hiring process lasting about 21 days.

 

In this guide, I will walk you through exactly what to expect in a Mars & Co case interview, the types of cases you will face, what the firm looks for, and a step-by-step preparation plan based on my experience as a former Bain interviewer who has coached thousands of consulting candidates.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

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What Is Mars & Co?

 

Mars & Co is a global strategy consulting firm founded in 1979 by Dominique Mars, a former Director at The Boston Consulting Group. The firm was built on a single founding principle: serve only one client per industry. This exclusivity model means that if Mars & Co advises a company in the beverage industry, it will never work for any of that company's direct competitors.

 

According to Mars & Co's own website, the firm employs roughly 250 consultants across seven offices: Stamford (Connecticut), San Francisco, Paris, London, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Singapore. Despite its small size, Mars & Co works almost exclusively with Fortune 100 companies and their international equivalents.

 

The firm describes itself as a generalist strategy consultancy. Its specialties include growth strategies, cost reduction, operational improvement, competitor benchmarking, supply chain optimization, and data analytics. Mars & Co has been referred to as the "black swan of strategy consulting" because its one-client-per-industry model runs counter to how every other major consulting firm operates.

 

For candidates, the most important thing to understand about Mars & Co is that its exclusivity model shapes everything. Projects tend to be long-term strategic partnerships rather than one-off engagements. Teams are small (typically 3 to 4 people), which means junior consultants get significant client exposure and analytical ownership from day one.

 

What Is the Mars & Co Interview Process?

 

The Mars & Co interview process consists of up to three rounds, according to the firm's Greenhouse job posting. The typical structure includes one phone interview and two on-site rounds, although some candidates report receiving an offer after just two rounds total.

 

Round	Format	Duration	Focus Areas
First Round	Phone or Video	30 to 45 minutes	Resume screening, behavioral questions, mini case
Second Round (Superday)	On-site	3 hours (3 interviews)	Case interviews, brain teasers, behavioral questions
Final Round (if needed)	On-site	1 to 2 hours	Senior leadership meeting, fit assessment

 

How Does the First Round Work?

 

The first round is typically a phone or video interview lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Based on candidate reports on Glassdoor and Wall Street Oasis, this round is conducted by a partner, consulting director, or office manager.

 

Expect a mix of resume screening questions, standard behavioral questions ("Why consulting?", "Why Mars & Co?"), and a short mini case or market sizing question. One candidate reported being given a quick market sizing problem to estimate the size of a niche U.S. market during this round.

 

The first round is primarily a screening stage. The firm wants to confirm that you have the quantitative aptitude and communication skills to warrant a full superday interview. If you pass, you will typically hear back within a few days.

 

What Happens in the Second Round (Superday)?

 

The second round is a 3-hour "superday" consisting of three back-to-back interviews, each lasting approximately one hour. According to multiple candidate reviews, interviewers typically include a Senior Vice President and two Project Managers from different offices.

 

Each interview includes a combination of behavioral questions, one or more case studies, and sometimes brain teasers or logic puzzles. One candidate described being given a logic problem similar to the Towers of Hanoi and asked to determine the minimum number of steps to solve it.

 

Mars & Co cases are often drawn directly from past client projects. Because the firm works with Fortune 100 companies across many industries, your cases could involve anything from a beverage company's market entry strategy to a private equity firm's acquisition analysis. The cases tend to be heavily quantitative, reflecting the firm's emphasis on data-driven analysis.

 

During the superday, you may also have an informal lunch with junior consultants. This is your chance to learn about the firm's culture and ask candid questions about the work.

 

How Long Does the Mars & Co Hiring Process Take?

 

Based on Glassdoor data from 63 candidate submissions, the average Mars & Co hiring process takes approximately 21 days from application to offer. Some candidates report receiving an offer as quickly as the day after their superday. The firm accepts applications on a rolling basis year-round, so there is no fixed recruiting cycle.

 

What Types of Case Interviews Does Mars & Co Use?

 

Mars & Co case interviews emphasize quantitative analysis more heavily than many other consulting firms. Based on candidate reports and publicly available case examples, the firm uses a range of case types with a strong skew toward market sizing and profitability analysis. In my experience coaching candidates, firms that emphasize quantitative rigor like Mars & Co tend to weight your math speed and accuracy more heavily in their evaluation.

 

Here are the most common case types reported by Mars & Co candidates:

 

Case Type	What It Tests	Example Prompt
Market Sizing	Ability to break down an estimation into logical components and make reasonable assumptions	Estimate the market size for medical consumables used by general practitioners in the U.S.
Profitability	Revenue and cost analysis, identifying root causes of profit decline	A pet food company is seeing declining margins. Identify the cause and recommend a fix.
Market Entry	Market attractiveness, competitive landscape, feasibility, and go-to-market planning	A brewing company wants to enter a new beverage category. Should they proceed?
Operations Strategy	Supply chain optimization, cost reduction, capacity planning	An ice cream manufacturer needs to increase production capacity. What should they do?
Private Equity	Investment valuation, due diligence, growth potential assessment	A PE firm is considering acquiring a consumer products manufacturer. Assess the opportunity.
Brain Teasers	Logic, creativity, and structured thinking under pressure	Determine the minimum number of moves to solve a logic puzzle (e.g., Towers of Hanoi variant)

 

One important distinction about Mars & Co cases is that they are frequently based on real past projects rather than generic textbook scenarios. This means the cases can feel less polished and more open-ended than what you might encounter at McKinsey or BCG. Be prepared to work with incomplete data and ambiguous problem statements.

 

For a deeper understanding of each case type and how to solve them, check out our guide on case interview types.

 

What Does Mars & Co Look For in Candidates?

 

Mars & Co has a very specific candidate profile. The firm recruits heavily from STEM backgrounds and values quantitative analytical ability above almost everything else. According to the firm's career page, successful candidates possess "exceptional and demonstrable quantitative abilities" and can "perform rigorous and creative analyses."

 

Here is what Mars & Co evaluates during interviews:

 

• Quantitative reasoning: Can you set up calculations correctly, do mental math quickly, and interpret numerical data? This is the single most important skill at Mars & Co.

 

• Structured problem solving: Can you break a complex business problem into logical components without relying on memorized frameworks?

 

• Communication skills: Can you walk through your analysis clearly and concisely? Mars & Co consultants present directly to senior client executives, so communication matters from day one.

 

• Intellectual curiosity: Can you learn new industries quickly? Mars & Co consultants work across many sectors due to the firm's generalist model.

 

• Teamwork and cultural fit: Can you collaborate effectively in small teams of 3 to 4 people? Mars & Co's tight team structure means every person's contribution is visible.

 

The table below shows what Mars & Co looks for at each entry level, based on the firm's official career page:

 

Level	Typical Background	Key Requirements	Estimated Base Salary
Associate Consultant	BA/BS or MA/MS in engineering, math, economics, or hard sciences	Strong quantitative skills, spreadsheet proficiency, ability to learn new industries quickly	$96K to $148K total (Glassdoor)
Senior Associate Consultant	PhD in engineering, math, economics, or hard sciences (or MA/MS with significant work experience)	Rigorous and creative analysis, increased autonomy, initiative	Not widely reported
Consultant (MBA)	MBA from top-tier business school with relevant prior experience	Strong writing and presentation skills, superior analytical abilities, understanding of business strategy	$74K to $137K total (Glassdoor)

 

Unlike MBB firms that recruit from a broad range of liberal arts and business backgrounds, Mars & Co skews heavily toward candidates with degrees in engineering, mathematics, economics, chemistry, and physics. If you have a STEM background with strong quantitative skills, you are exactly the type of candidate Mars & Co is looking for.

 

What Behavioral and Fit Questions Does Mars & Co Ask?

 

Mars & Co behavioral interviews assess your leadership style, teamwork approach, and motivation for consulting. These questions appear in both the phone screen and the superday. Based on candidate reports and publicly available interview reviews, here are the most commonly asked questions:

 

• Why are you interested in consulting?

 

• Why Mars & Co specifically?

 

• Describe your leadership style and how it would benefit clients.

 

• Tell me about a time you worked on a team to solve a difficult problem.

 

• Give an example of a time you had to learn something new very quickly.

 

• Describe a situation where you used data to make a recommendation.

 

• What is the biggest challenge you have overcome professionally?

 

• Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone who disagreed with you.

 

• What questions do you have about Mars & Co?

 

For the "Why Mars & Co?" question, the strongest answers reference the firm's one-client-per-industry exclusivity model, its emphasis on data-driven strategy, and the opportunity to work in small teams with significant client exposure. Generic answers about "wanting to solve problems" will not stand out. Do your homework on what makes Mars & Co unique.

 

In my experience coaching candidates, the biggest mistake people make with behavioral questions is not preparing enough stories. Have at least 5 to 6 detailed stories ready that you can adapt to different questions. For a full breakdown of how to prepare your behavioral answers, see our consulting behavioral interview guide.

 

How Do Mars & Co Interviews Compare to MBB?

 

Mars & Co interviews share many similarities with MBB interviews, but there are several key differences you should be aware of. Having coached candidates for both MBB and boutique firms, I find that candidates who only prepare for MBB-style cases sometimes struggle with the more quantitative and unstructured format at Mars & Co.

 

Factor	Mars & Co	MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain)
Firm Size	~250 consultants globally	10,000 to 40,000+ consultants
Interview Rounds	2 to 3 rounds (phone + superday)	2 to 3 rounds (first round + final round)
Case Format	Based on real past projects, more open-ended	Standardized case prompts, mix of interviewer-led and candidate-led
Quantitative Emphasis	Very high. Includes brain teasers and logic puzzles.	Moderate to high. McKinsey emphasizes problem-solving tests (Solve).
Preferred Backgrounds	STEM degrees strongly preferred	Broad range including liberal arts, business, and STEM
Hiring Timeline	~21 days, rolling applications	4 to 8 weeks, structured recruiting cycles
Superday Structure	3 hours, 3 back-to-back interviews	2 to 3 interviews per round, typically 45 minutes each

 

For a complete guide on how MBB interviews work, check out our MBB case interview guide.

 

How Should You Prepare for a Mars & Co Case Interview?

 

Preparing for Mars & Co requires the same core case interview skills as any consulting firm, but with extra emphasis on quantitative ability and comfort with ambiguity. Having coached hundreds of candidates through boutique firm interviews, here is the five-step prep plan I recommend.

 

Step 1: Learn Case Interview Fundamentals

 

Start by understanding the structure of a case interview: how to synthesize the case background, ask clarifying questions, build a framework, solve quantitative problems, answer qualitative questions, and deliver a recommendation. According to Glassdoor data, roughly 85% of consulting cases fall into one of eight common types, so learning the fundamentals will prepare you for the vast majority of cases you might face.

 

If you want to learn case interviews quickly, my case interview course walks you through proven strategies in as little as 7 days, saving you over 100 hours of trial and error.

 

For a free starting point, our case interviews for beginners guide covers all the fundamentals you need to know.

 

Step 2: Master Mental Math and Market Sizing

 

Mars & Co places exceptional emphasis on quantitative skills. You need to be fast, accurate, and comfortable doing mental math under pressure. Practice multiplying, dividing, and calculating percentages without a calculator until it feels automatic.

 

Market sizing questions appear frequently at Mars & Co, both as standalone problems and as components within larger cases. Learn the top-down and bottom-up approaches and practice making reasonable assumptions. For a step-by-step guide, see our market sizing guide.

 

For a complete overview of case math formulas and techniques, check out our case interview math guide.

 

Step 3: Practice With Real Cases

 

Practice at least 15 to 20 cases before your Mars & Co interview. Focus especially on profitability, market entry, and market sizing cases, as these appear most frequently. Since Mars & Co cases tend to be based on real projects, practice with cases that are less structured and more open-ended.

 

Use case interview examples from real consulting firms to get realistic practice. Start with solo practice to build your fundamentals, then move to partner practice to simulate the real interview dynamic.

 

Step 4: Prepare Your Behavioral Stories

 

Prepare 5 to 6 detailed stories using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) that cover leadership, teamwork, problem solving, learning quickly, and overcoming challenges. Each story should include specific metrics and outcomes whenever possible.

 

Pay special attention to the "Why Mars & Co?" question. Reference the firm's exclusivity model, its Fortune 100 client base, small team structure, and data-driven culture. Demonstrating genuine knowledge of what makes Mars & Co different will set you apart from candidates who give generic answers.

 

If you want to be fully prepared for 98% of behavioral questions in just a few hours, check out my fit interview course.

 

Step 5: Research Mars & Co's Exclusivity Model

 

Mars & Co interviewers will expect you to understand what makes the firm unique. Spend at least 30 minutes reading the firm's website, particularly the About Mars and Careers sections. Understand the one-client-per-industry model and why it matters for the type of work you would do.

 

You should also reach out to current Mars & Co consultants on LinkedIn to learn about the day-to-day work and culture. The firm actively encourages recruits to contact junior staff for an honest perspective. Having these conversations will give you specific talking points that generic research cannot provide.

 

What Is the Career Path at Mars & Co?

 

Mars & Co promotes exclusively from within. There is no fixed promotion timeline. Instead, the firm uses a merit-based system where consultants are promoted as soon as they demonstrate they can handle a more demanding role. According to the firm's career page, high-performing Associate Consultants typically reach the Senior Associate Consultant level within 18 to 24 months.

 

One notable feature of Mars & Co's career path is that Senior Associate Consultants can be promoted to the Consultant level without an MBA. This differs from many other consulting firms where an MBA is required to advance beyond a certain level.

 

Here is the full career progression at Mars & Co:

 

Level	Typical Entry Point	Key Responsibilities
Associate Consultant	BA/BS or MA/MS graduates	Research, data analysis, integrated project team member
Senior Associate Consultant	PhD or promoted ACs	Creative analysis with increased autonomy
Consultant	MBA hires or promoted SACs	Rigorous analysis, practical solutions, works under senior staff
Senior Consultant	Promoted Consultants	Designs analytical modules, manages project components
Project Manager	Promoted Senior Consultants	Manages overall project execution, client relationships
Vice President	Promoted Project Managers	Senior client advisory, business development
Senior Vice President	Promoted VPs	Firm leadership, major client relationships
Executive Vice President	Promoted SVPs	Firm-wide leadership and strategic direction

 

Based on Glassdoor data from 2026, annual salaries at Mars & Co typically range from roughly $99,000 for Project Managers to approximately $144,000 for Senior Consultants. Associate Consultant total compensation (including bonuses) averages around $111,000 per year. These figures are lower than MBB compensation, which is common for boutique firms, but Mars & Co offers other advantages like less travel and more predictable hours.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How Hard Are Mars & Co Interviews?

 

Mars & Co interviews are moderately difficult. According to Glassdoor data, candidates rate the difficulty at 3.18 out of 5. The cases are quantitatively demanding, but the overall process is shorter and less structured than MBB interviews. Candidates with strong math skills and STEM backgrounds tend to find the cases manageable with adequate preparation.

 

Does Mars & Co Hire From Non-Target Schools?

 

Yes. Mars & Co does not limit its recruiting to a fixed list of target schools, although it prefers candidates from top universities with strong academic performance. The firm accepts applications year-round through its website and Greenhouse job portal. If you have a strong quantitative background and a compelling application, you can get an interview regardless of your school.

 

How Many Interview Rounds Does Mars & Co Have?

 

Mars & Co typically has two to three interview rounds. The first round is a phone or video interview lasting 30 to 45 minutes. The second round is a 3-hour on-site superday with three back-to-back interviews. Some candidates report a third round meeting with senior leadership, but this is not universal.

 

What Makes Mars & Co Different From MBB Firms?

 

The biggest difference is Mars & Co's one-client-per-industry exclusivity model. Unlike MBB firms that serve multiple competitors within the same industry, Mars & Co guarantees that it will never work for a client's direct competitors. This creates deeper, longer-term client relationships and eliminates conflicts of interest. The firm is also significantly smaller (roughly 250 consultants versus tens of thousands at MBB) and offers less travel since teams are smaller and projects are more localized.

 

Does Mars & Co Require an MBA?

 

No. Mars & Co hires at three entry levels. Associate Consultants need a bachelor's or master's degree (typically in a STEM field). Senior Associate Consultants need a PhD or equivalent work experience. Only the Consultant level typically requires an MBA. Importantly, Associate and Senior Associate Consultants can be promoted to the Consultant level without earning an MBA, which is a significant difference from many other consulting firms.

 

Does Mars & Co Use Online Assessments or Aptitude Tests?

 

Based on available candidate reports, Mars & Co does not currently use standardized online assessments, chatbot interviews, or game-based tests like McKinsey's Solve or BCG's Casey. The firm relies entirely on live interviews with case studies, behavioral questions, and brain teasers to evaluate candidates.

 

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