"Through interviewing many students at different schools for our entry-level positions, I've noticed that there are certain major traits that consistently separate excellent candidates from average candidates."  

-L.E.K. Consulting recruiter*

Case interviewers tend to look for the same characteristics in candidates – either consciously or subconsciously. If you get the chance, ask a case interviewer what they look for during the case interview, and they will likely rattle off a list of traits almost exactly like the one below. The goal is to be ‘excellent' at all of these traits, not just average.

Trait

Excellent Candidates

Average Candidates

1)  Thinks Out loud, Hypothesizes, and Draws Conclusions

Clearly articulates thoughts, findings, and conclusions throughout the case interview

Thoughts are not communicated clearly to the interviewer

2)  Leverages Structure In Approaching a Case Interview

Structures insightful ideas to probe on and communicates these thoughts to the interviewer prior to jumping into case

Provides limited organization or structure to their thoughts; or, jumps right into solving the case

3)  Coachable

Listens to and uses cues and hints from interviewer

Misses interviewer's cues or relies too heavily on interviewer for hints

4)  Comfortable With Numbers and Basic Business Financials

Shows comfort with quantitative tasks and basic financials

Fumbles with numbers or does not have basic understanding of financials

5)  Relaxed

Controls nerves; appears confidant

Allows nerves to affect their communication

6)  Demonstrates Personality While Remaining Professional

Shows their personality during the interview; client ready, professional demeanor 

Case-solving robot; does not let their personality show

*The views and opinions expressed herein represent the views and opinions of the individual and do not represent the views, opinions or perspective of L.E.K. Consulting.

Sometimes consulting firms use ‘score cards' to rate candidates on a variety of metrics to help standardize their recruitment efforts. 

Here is a list of criteria that one consulting recruiter used during a first-round case interview: 

1. 1. Structured the approach to the problem logically 
   2. Identified critical issues and key factors 
   3. Displayed accurate, creative, or insightful thinking 
   4. d.Demonstrated good business judgement and reasoning skills
   5. Consistently drove towards answer and recommendation 
   6. Got every key point 
   7. Evaluate a candidate's quantitative and analytic abilities:
   8. Identified which numbers were important and why 
   9. Used those numbers to draw a hypothesis 
   10. Demonstrated facility with numbers and calculations 
   11. Evaluate a candidate's soft skills:
   12. Acts professional
   13. Communicates well 
   14. Was confident
   15. Was likeable 
   16. Evaluate a candidate's qualitative, analytic, and diagnostic abilities

Be sure to take note of these traits while practicing case studies. In one way or another, you will be assessed along these lines during the case interview.