In a real consulting interview, you're evaluated on logic, clarity, and insight. But with AI-based prep tools like CasePrepared, keywords matter, too—because they serve as proxies for structured thinking.
That's why we built our internal case interview keyword list to power CasePrepared's real-time feedback engine. This isn't just a list of buzzwords—it's a carefully structured taxonomy of revenue and cost levers, framed to match how elite consultants think, speak, and write.
Why Keywords Matter in AI Feedback
Let's be clear: CasePrepared doesn't blindly score based on keywords. But smart keyword recognition is a core part of how our AI detects whether you're addressing all key components of a case.
When you're solving a profitability case, for example, we're checking for references to:
- Revenue = Price × Volume
- Segmentation: by customer, region, or product line
- Fixed vs variable costs
- Capacity, utilization, and margins
These aren't just arbitrary labels. They're the language of consultants—and they signal a structured approach to any business problem.
If you skip them entirely, the AI may correctly infer that your structure is underdeveloped.
What's Inside the Cheat-Sheet?
We categorize keywords by topic. You'll get:
- Revenue Drivers: pricing strategies, volume levers, demand-side language
- Cost Buckets: fixed vs variable, direct vs indirect, labor/materials/utilities
- Market Entry Terms: barriers, distribution, regulatory, competitive landscape
- M&A-Specific Phrases: synergies, integration, valuation
- Synthesis Signals: key takeaway, client recommendation, next steps
Plus: 10 bonus MECE bucket examples for practice.
How the AI Uses It
When you upload a prompt or start a mock in CasePrepared, the evaluator listens to your spoken answer, transcribes it, and checks for structural alignment and concept coverage.
One way it does this is by using the keyword list as a mental checklist. Did you mention cost segmentation? Did you identify customer churn in a growth problem? Did you tie back to profitability metrics?
It's not about keyword stuffing—it's about using the right terminology at the right moment.
"The keyword sheet taught me to actually say things like 'customer acquisition cost' out loud."
"I didn't realize I was skipping fixed/variable segmentation until I saw my feedback score."
Learn It, Practice It, Score Higher
Here's how to use the keyword list in your prep routine:
- Review the keywords by case type (profitability, growth, M&A, etc.)
- Incorporate them into your mental case structures
- Use them naturally during CasePrepared sessions
- Review feedback and identify what you missed
- Repeat until it becomes second nature
You can also add keywords to your personal prep notes and upload them to CasePrepared for prompt-matching. It's a powerful way to ensure you're practicing the way you'll be scored.
Start Structuring Smarter
Consulting interviews are about clarity. Structure. Precision. The CasePrepared keyword list helps you build all three.
See the keyword list in action → Paste it into your next CasePrepared mock session and see your feedback score rise.
Structure is more than a framework—it's the words you use to express it. Make them count.