Payphones in Manhattan

Case interview practice cases are a great way to get some good practice in before your case interview. Start with this market sizing case.

Case Study Prompt

How many payphones are there in Manhattan?

Case Study Overview

This BCG market sizing case study asks 1 simple question of you: calculate the number of payphones in Manhattan. The case provides a map of Manhattan for you to work with as you solve the case. Case interview practice cases / brainteasers like this challenge your ability to think creatively and strategically. Are you able to come up with a structure that will help you solve the case?

There are 2 ways to solve a Market Sizing case: via the top-down or bottom-up approach. It’s up to you to decide which angle you like better.

There are typically 4 steps involved in Market Sizing cases:

1. Create a framework for approaching the problem (5 steps or more is best)
2. Make assumptions
3. Do the calculations
4. Get to the insights

Time to solve the case!

BCG Interview Tips

BCG wants to see if you can remain structured from start-to-finish – whether in a case interview, or on the job with a high-ticket client.

Get the most out of this case by identifying 1-2 gap areas (weaknesses) in the case. What do you need to work on going forward?

Want an expert to help walk you through more case interview practice cases like this? Book a session with an ex-MBB coach today.