How to Read Charts in Consulting Case Interviews

If you’re prepping for case interviews, you’ve probably heard that chart interpretation is a critical skill for consultants. But here’s the thing: it’s not just for consulting. Whether you’re in investment banking analyzing financial trends, or in corporate roles presenting data to executives, the ability to create, interpret, and communicate insights from charts is a must-have. Charts are the universal language of business and mastering them will set you apart.

Today, let’s talk about how to ace chart interpretation in three steps:

Step 1: “What Am I Looking At?” – Understand the Chart

Before you dive into the nitty-gritty, take a moment to understand the chart. Think of this as reading the instructions before assembling that IKEA bookshelf.

What to do:

Read the title, subtitle, legend, labels, and footnotes:

Title: “Annual Revenue (2020–2023)” → “Ah, this is about money!”
Axis labels: “Revenue in $M” vs. “% Growth” → “Are we talking dollars or percentages? Big difference!”
Footnotes: “Excludes overseas sales” → “Should we consider international markets?”

Identify the chart type:

Bar chart = comparing things
Line graph = tracking trends
Pie chart = slicing up a whole (or hiding something in the “Other” category)

Clarify uncertainties:

“The timeframe is 2018–2022. Is there data after the pandemic?”
“The Y-axis is in thousands. Should I adjust for inflation?”

Why it matters: Misreading is a costly stupid mistake. Don't claim “The client made 50 billion last year!” when they actually made 50 million. It looks bad

Verbalize your process. Say: “The chart shows revenue for the past 5 years in millions. Let me confirm, are we focusing on short-term recovery or long-term trends?”

Step 2: “Where’s the Drama?” – Identify the Plot Twists

Every chart has a story. Your job as a consultant is to find the twist.

Ask for a minute or two to look for:

Peaks and valleys: Sudden spikes/drops (e.g., “Why did sales crater in Q3?”).
Outliers: That one bar in the chart that’s laughably higher/lower than the rest.
Trends: A line creeping upward (good!) or nosediving (yikes).

Example:
A bar chart shows Product A’s sales doubled last year, while Products B and C flatlined.
→ Plot twist: “Product A’s sudden success – did they launch a new marketing campaign, or did Products B/C get recalled?”

Step 3: “So What?” – Tie the Drama to the Client’s Problem

Data is useless unless it answers “Why should the client care?”

Synthesize your findings to drive the problem-solving process forward

“How does this plot twist relate to the case question?”
- If the problem is declining profits, and the chart shows rising costs, connect the dots: “The cost spike explains the profit drop and then let’s explore cost drivers.”
Use the “If → Then” framework:
- “If R&D costs tripled last year (points to chart), then the client might be sacrificing short-term margins for innovation.”
- “If customer satisfaction scores fell in Europe (gestures to line graph), then we should investigate regional operational issues.”

Example:
Case question: “Should the client enter the Asian market?”
Chart insight: A pie chart shows Asia represents only 5% of current revenue.
→ Synthesis: “Asia’s low revenue suggests untapped potential, BUT we need to validate demand and entry costs. Let’s prioritize market research on competitors and regulations.”

Why it matters: Interviewers want to see you’re solving a business problem, not just narrating a chart.

Always end with an actionable recommendation. Say: “Given the rising production costs shown here, I’d recommend renegotiating supplier contracts or exploring automation to protect margins.”

Charts Are Clues, Not Curse

Reading charts is about spotting the story behind the numbers, connecting it to the client’s headache, and prescribing a cure. Follow these three steps, and you’ll turn chaotic graphs into actionable insights.

MECE Academy offers 30+ drills targeting core skillset to ace chart interpretation. You can even upload your own charts to practice against MBB standards. Now go forth, and may your charts be ever in your favor.