Assessments
List of All Assessments
The following assessments will be used to measure progress towards learning outcomes and to assign grades. Assessments are organized by track: Recruiting (interview preparation) and Client Work (consulting projects).
| Goal | Assessment | % | Pts | OS Actions | LOs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Both | Reading Quizzes (10) | 10 | 50 | Varies by week | 1,2,3 |
| Both | TA Pod Engagement | 10 | 50 | 3.6, 4.4, 4.8 | 1,4 |
| Recruiting | Resume & Networking | 10 | 50 | 1.4, 1.6, 2.2, 4.4 | 5 |
| Recruiting | Practice Interview Log | 20 | 100 | 1.1–1.7, 2.4, 2.6, 4.1, 4.2 | 1,3,5 |
| Client Work | P1: Company Diagnostic | 10 | 50 | 1.1, 1.2, 2.2 | 1,2 |
| Client Work | P2: Competitive Benchmark | 10 | 50 | 2.2, 2.3, 2.6 | 1,2,3 |
| Client Work | P3: Value-Add Hypothesis | 10 | 50 | 1.4, 1.5, 4.1 | 1,2,3 |
| Client Work | Capstone Proposal | 20 | 100 | 1.1–4.8 | 1,2,3,4 |
| TOTAL | 100 | 500 |
Notes
Table of Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome | BYU Aims Supported |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apply The Consultant’s OS to define and solve client problems using MECE logic, issue trees, and hypothesis-driven analysis | Intellectually Enlarging |
| 2 | Use AI-assisted tools (e.g., Claude, Copilot) to gather outside-in insights, build models, and test hypotheses with transparency and integrity | Lifelong Learning and Service; Character Building |
| 3 | Communicate clear, executive-level recommendations using the Pyramid Principle and visual slide design | Intellectually Enlarging; Character Building |
| 4 | Demonstrate Christlike professionalism through humility, judgment, and trustworthiness in team and client interactions | Spiritually Strengthening; Character Building |
| 5 | Prepare for consulting interviews and internships by articulating a clear value proposition through resumes, networking, and behavioral interviews | Lifelong Learning and Service; Spiritually Strengthening |
Reading Quizzes
Points: 50 (10% of grade)
Overview
Reading quizzes ensure you come to class prepared and have internalized core concepts before applying them. Quizzes are administered on Thursdays and cover that week’s readings.
Requirements
- 10 quizzes throughout the semester (5 points each)
- Quizzes are administered at the start of class on Thursday
- Cover the assigned readings for that week’s OS concept
- No quizzes on weeks when major projects are due (P1, P2, P3)
- Quizzes are closed laptop and closed note
Grading Rubric
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| 10 quizzes × 5 points each | 50 |
| Total | 50 |
Both Tracks
TA Pod Engagement
Points: 50 (10% of grade)
Overview
Your TA pod is your home base for the semester—a support system of people invested in your success. Your pod serves three purposes:
- Support system: People rooting for your success and checking in on your progress
- Practice interview partners: 5 peers to practice behavioral and case interviews with
- Peer feedback: Resume reviews, story refinement, and honest input
Requirements
- Goals Worksheet + Chat (Week 2): Complete the Goals Worksheet before meeting with your TA for a 20-minute conversation to establish recruiting goals and development focus. This worksheet becomes a living document referenced throughout the semester.
Make a copy of the Goals Worksheet to create your own version. Complete it before your Week 2 chat with your TA.
- TA Mentoring Sessions (3x): Meet with your TA three times for combined practice interviews (behavioral + case) that track your growth:
- Session 1 (Weeks 4-5): Baseline assessment, identify focus areas
- Session 2 (Weeks 9-10): Progress check, calibrated feedback
- Session 3 (Week 14): Final evaluation with full semester context
- Peer Support: Provide constructive feedback to pod members through practice interviews and resume reviews.
Grading Rubric
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Goals Worksheet + Chat completed | 10 |
| TA Mentoring Session 1 completed | 10 |
| TA Mentoring Session 2 completed | 10 |
| TA Mentoring Session 3 completed | 10 |
| Active participation in pod activities | 5 |
| Peer support (feedback given to others) | 5 |
| Total | 50 |
Recruiting Track
Resume & Networking
Points: 50 (10% of grade)
Overview
A consulting-ready resume and active networking are essential for landing interviews. This assessment tracks your progress building both.
Requirements
Resume (35 points)
Submit two versions of your resume throughout the semester:
- Resume v1 (Week 5): Initial consulting-formatted resume
- Resume v2 (Week 7): Revised resume incorporating TA feedback
Your resume should:
- Follow consulting resume format (1 page, action-oriented bullets)
- Quantify scope and impact for each experience
- Use strong action verbs and demonstrate leadership
- Be error-free and professionally formatted
The Resume Bible from Management Consulted includes consulting-specific templates and formatting guides. Access free through BYU Marriott registration.
Networking Tracker (15 points)
Maintain a networking tracker documenting your outreach throughout the semester:
- Minimum 5 networking conversations with consulting professionals
- Track: Name, company, date, key insights, follow-up actions
- Include a mix of informational interviews, smoothie chats, and firm events
Grading Rubric
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Resume v1 submitted on time | 10 |
| Resume v2 reflects meaningful improvement | 15 |
| Resume is “client-ready” (error-free, professional) | 10 |
| Networking tracker with 10+ documented conversations | 15 |
| Total | 50 |
Practice Interview Log
Points: 100 (20% of grade)
Overview
Interview mastery requires deliberate practice of both behavioral and case components. This log documents your practice interview journey throughout the semester. Each practice interview mirrors the actual MBB interview format: a behavioral question followed by a case.
Practice Interview Format
Each practice interview includes:
| Component | Time |
|---|---|
| Behavioral (1-2 questions) | 15-20 min |
| Case | 30-35 min |
| Feedback | 5-10 min |
| Total | ~60 min |
Requirements
Complete a minimum of 8 practice interviews as the interviewee:
| Source | Sessions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pod peers | 5 | Practice with each pod member once |
| TA | 3 | TA Mentoring Sessions (Weeks 4-5, 9-10, 14) |
| Total | 8 |
When practicing with peers, take turns—you’ll also serve as interviewer 5 times.
Feedback Collection
Each student creates their own copy of the feedback form. This ensures your interview feedback remains private. Only you, your pod leader, and Professor Murff can see your scores and comments.
Setup (do this before your first practice interview):
- Make a copy of the Practice Interview Feedback Form
- Open the linked response spreadsheet (Responses tab > click the spreadsheet icon)
- Share the spreadsheet with your pod leader and Professor Murff (View access)
- Share your form link with your interviewers—they’ll submit feedback after each practice interview
After each practice interview, the interviewer completes a feedback form evaluating:
Behavioral Dimensions:
- Impact & Ownership: Leadership shown, personal actions (“I” not “we”), quantified results
- Teamwork & Collaboration: Working with others, influence, navigating conflict
- Presence & Fit: Concise (~2 min), confident, authentic, likable
Case Dimensions:
- Structure & Approach: MECE framework, tailored to problem, prioritized
- Analytical Rigor: Math setup, accuracy, “so what” interpretation
- Hypothesis-Driven Recommendation: Clear POV, insight-led synthesis, practical and actionable
Each dimension is rated on a 4-point scale:
| Score | Label | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not Yet | Significant gaps; needs foundational work |
| 2 | Developing | Shows potential but inconsistent |
| 3 | Solid | Meets expectations; ready for most interviews |
| 4 | Strong | Exceeds expectations; would stand out |
Grading Rubric
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| 8 practice interviews completed as interviewee | 50 |
| Google Form feedback submitted for 5 peer interviews (as interviewer) | 20 |
| Thoughtful reflection on improvement over time | 20 |
| Evidence of growth across behavioral AND case dimensions | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Behavioral Stories: PARADE Framework
Overview
Behavioral interviews are a critical component of consulting recruiting. The PARADE framework helps you structure compelling stories that demonstrate leadership, impact, and fit. You’ll practice delivering these stories live during your 8 practice interviews.
PARADE Framework
| Element | Question to Answer | What “Good” Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
| Problem | What was the situation or challenge? | Specific context, stakes are clear, sets up tension |
| Action | What did YOU specifically do? | “I” not “we,” concrete actions, shows initiative |
| Result | What was the outcome? | Quantified impact, clear resolution, meaningful scale |
| Application | How does this relate to consulting? | Connects to skills firms value (leadership, problem-solving, collaboration) |
| Differentiation | What made your approach unique? | Shows judgment, creativity, or values—not generic |
| Evidence | What proves this is true? | Specific details, numbers, names that make it memorable |
Story Bank: 5 Competencies
Build stories covering these competencies—firms test for all of them:
| Competency | What Firms Are Testing |
|---|---|
| Leadership/Initiative | Can you take charge and drive outcomes? |
| Problem-Solving | Can you navigate ambiguity and find solutions? |
| Teamwork/Collaboration | Can you work effectively with others? |
| Overcoming Challenges | Can you handle adversity and learn from failure? |
| Impact/Achievement | What’s your most impressive accomplishment? |
Quality Checklist
Before using a story in a practice interview, ask yourself:
How This Is Assessed
Behavioral stories are practiced live during your 8 practice interviews (see Practice Interview Log). Each practice interview includes a behavioral component evaluated on:
- Impact & Ownership: Clear results, personal actions
- Teamwork & Collaboration: Working with others
- Presence & Fit: Concise, confident, authentic delivery
Your feedback data across 8 interviews shows your growth in behavioral interviewing over the semester.
Client Work
These four progressive projects build your consulting skills while creating tangible work products you can use in recruiting.
P1: Company Diagnostic
Points: 50 (10% of grade)
Due: Week 8
Team: Individual
Deliverable: 1-page analysis
Overview
The Company Diagnostic is your first outside-in analysis. You’ll assess one of your target companies and identify key strategic issues.
Requirements
Produce a 1-page diagnostic that includes:
- Company Overview (2-3 sentences): What does this company do? Market position?
- Financial Health: Key metrics (revenue, growth, margins) with 3-year trends
- Strategic Position: Competitive advantages and vulnerabilities
- Key Challenges: 2-3 strategic issues the company faces
- Initial Hypothesis: One area where consulting could add value
Sources: Use public information (10-K, earnings calls, news, industry reports)
Grading Rubric
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Company overview is clear and accurate | 5 |
| Financial analysis is thorough with relevant metrics | 15 |
| Strategic assessment demonstrates structured thinking | 15 |
| Key challenges are insightful and well-supported | 10 |
| Initial hypothesis is logical and actionable | 5 |
| Total | 50 |
P2: Competitive Benchmark
Points: 50 (10% of grade)
Due: Week 10
Team: Individual
Deliverable: 3-slide deck
Overview
Building on your diagnostic, this project benchmarks your target company against 2-3 competitors to identify relative strengths, weaknesses, and strategic implications.
Requirements
Produce a 3-slide deck:
Slide 1: Competitive Landscape
- Overview of 2-3 key competitors
- Market share and positioning map
Slide 2: Benchmark Analysis
- Side-by-side comparison on 4-6 key metrics
- Visual representation (table or chart)
Slide 3: Strategic Implications
- Key insights from the benchmark
- Where your target company is winning/losing
- Implications for strategy
Grading Rubric
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Competitors appropriately selected and described | 10 |
| Benchmark metrics are relevant and well-researched | 15 |
| Slides are executive-ready (clear, visual, concise) | 15 |
| Strategic insights are meaningful and well-supported | 10 |
| Total | 50 |
P3: Value-Add Hypothesis
Points: 50 (10% of grade)
Due: Week 12
Team: Pairs
Deliverable: 5-slide deck
Overview
Working in pairs, you’ll develop a hypothesis for how consulting could create value for one of your target companies. This is the core of client development: demonstrating insight that could lead to an engagement.
Requirements
Produce a 5-slide deck:
Slide 1: Executive Summary
- One-slide synthesis of your value-add hypothesis
- Clear statement of the opportunity
Slide 2: Problem/Opportunity
- What challenge or opportunity have you identified?
- Supporting evidence (data, trends, competitive dynamics)
Slide 3: Proposed Approach
- How would you structure the work?
- Key workstreams or analyses
Slide 4: Expected Impact
- What value could this create? (revenue, cost, strategic)
- How would you measure success?
Slide 5: Why Now / Why Us
- Why is this the right time to act?
- What makes this actionable?
Grading Rubric
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Problem/opportunity is clearly defined and compelling | 15 |
| Approach is structured and logical (MECE) | 15 |
| Expected impact is quantified where possible | 10 |
| Slides follow Pyramid Principle (answer-first) | 10 |
| Total | 50 |
Capstone Proposal
Points: 100 (20% of grade)
Due: Week 15 (Session 27)
Team: Teams of 3
Deliverable: 15-20 slide deck + 10-minute presentation
Overview
The Capstone Proposal is your culminating project. Your team will develop a full consulting proposal for a target company, integrating all the skills you’ve built throughout the semester.
Requirements
Deck (80 points)
Produce a 15-20 slide consulting proposal:
- Executive Summary (1 slide): Synthesis of your recommendation
- Situation Overview (2-3 slides): Company context, industry dynamics, key challenges
- Problem Definition (2 slides): The specific issue you’re addressing, supported by data
- Analysis (4-5 slides): Your analytical work (market sizing, benchmarks, frameworks)
- Recommendations (3-4 slides): Specific, actionable recommendations with supporting rationale
- Implementation Roadmap (2 slides): How the company would execute
- Expected Impact (1-2 slides): Quantified value creation
Presentation (20 points)
Deliver a 10-minute presentation of your proposal followed by 5 minutes of Q&A.
Grading Rubric
| Component | Points |
|---|---|
| Executive summary is compelling and clear | 10 |
| Situation analysis demonstrates deep understanding | 15 |
| Problem is well-defined with supporting evidence | 15 |
| Analysis is rigorous and MECE | 20 |
| Recommendations are specific and actionable | 15 |
| Implementation and impact are realistic | 5 |
| Presentation delivery is professional and clear | 15 |
| Q&A responses demonstrate deep knowledge | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Feedback Surveys
Mid-Semester Feedback Survey
If you complete this survey, we will take your lowest TA Pod Engagement score component and convert it to a perfect score.
[Survey Link - TBD]
Student Ratings
If you complete the official student ratings survey at the end of the semester, we will add 5 bonus points to your final grade.