big4 structured answering

--- title: "Big 4 interview prep: structured answering" slug: "big4-structured-answering" type: "firm_prep" excerpt: "How to deliver concise, structured answers for Big 4 interviews and written case prompts." difficulty: "intro" readingTime: 5 topics: ["consulting", "communication", "case-interview"] categories: ["firm-prep"] firmName: "Big 4" firmSlug: "big-4" publishedAt: "2024-03-22" updatedAt: "2024-03-31" ---

Big 4 interviews reward clarity and structure. Use a simple PREP pattern: Point, Reason, Evidence, Point.

A tight answer structure

• Point: State your recommendation.
• Reason: Explain why in one sentence.
• Evidence: Share one data point or example.
• Point: Close the loop by restating the outcome.

What to avoid

• Long context before the answer
• Multiple points without a hierarchy
• Jargon without a clear definition