Every case has exhibits, and online case tests are mostly exhibits. Interviewers watch how you read them as much as what you conclude.
- Title, units, axes. Millions or thousands? Shares or totals? A year or a quarter?
- Find what stands out: the biggest bar, the line that turns, the row that breaks the pattern.
- Ignore what doesn't matter. Tables often carry columns you don't need. Pick the ones the question needs.
- Watch percent vs percentage points, and shares vs absolute numbers. A falling share can hide a growing business.
- Say the so-what: "Online grew from 18% to 34% of sales, so the store network matters less than it did."
Take a few seconds to read before you calculate. It’s faster overall.