Interview template · M&A / PE
M&A & Diligence Case Interview Template
M&A case prepare kit — strategic rationale, target health, synergy maths, valuation, and integration risk for consulting and corp-dev interviews.
Best for
- MBB deal cases
- Corp development
- PE diligence
Frameworks
Issue tree · Investment memo · STAR — insert outlines while drafting, or free-write.
Typical rounds
1. Strategic rationale
Why this deal, now; alternatives to M&A
2. Target attractiveness
Stand-alone market and company health
3. Synergies & maths
Cost vs revenue synergies; price vs value
4. Recommendation
Go / no-go, risks, next diligence ask
Purpose before price
Rationale and target health come before synergy and valuation maths.
Credible synergies
Prompts force cost vs revenue realism and integration drag.
IC-ready close
60-second go/no-go with price intuition and a kill risk.
What this M&A case template covers
Deal cases reward candidates who sequence rationale → target → synergies → price/risk — and who haircut revenue synergies. This kit mirrors that cadence for consulting and corp-dev processes.
How to practise
Open Interview prep and start the M&A & diligence case prepare kit. Time a four-pillar structure, then one synergy math drill cold.
Interview practiceSTAR methodBehavioural questionsInterview guide