Interviewer view · keep this screen to yourself

A national fund invests in a battery plant

You run the case. Read the prompt, answer questions from the notes below, and share data only when the candidate asks for it or gets stuck. Score at the end.

Case timer

00:00

Target length:

1. Read the prompt aloud

Read it slowly, then pause. Let the candidate ask questions before they structure.

A fictional national fund invests SAR 2 billion in a local electric vehicle battery plant. It expects to receive SAR 4 billion back after 8 years, and the plant should create 3,000 jobs. The fund requires a return of 8 percent a year. Is the return enough? Use the rule of 72: money doubles in about 72 divided by the yearly return (in percent) years.

2. Answers to clarifying questions

This case has no scripted clarifying answers. Answer from the prompt, and say "assume what you think is reasonable" if the prompt does not cover it.

3. A model structure

Compare the candidate's structure with this one. A different split can be just as good if it is clean and fits the problem.

Financial return first, then strategic value
- Multiple of money (MOIC)
- Approximate yearly return with the rule of 72
- Key: Investment per job created

4. The working, step by step

Each step shows how a strong candidate works it out. Share a new fact from it only when the candidate asks or is stuck, and let them do the math: the result in the dark box is what they should reach.

Step 1: Multiple of money
What a strong candidate does: SAR 4 billion back on SAR 2 billion invested.
Multiple on invested capital: 4 ÷ 2 = 2
Step 2: Approximate yearly return
What a strong candidate does: Money doubles in 8 years, so the return is about 72 divided by 8.
Approximate yearly return (percent): 72 ÷ 8 = 9
Step 3: Margin over the requirement
What a strong candidate does: 9 percent against 8 percent.
Return above requirement (points): 72 ÷ 8 - 8 = 1
Step 4: Investment per job
What a strong candidate does: SAR 2 billion divided by 3,000 jobs.
Investment per job created (SAR): 2,000,000,000 ÷ 3,000 = 666,667

The recommendation to listen for

At the end, say: "The CEO walks in. What is your recommendation?"

The fund should invest only as a marginal deal, because doubling its money in 8 years gives about 9 percent a year against an 8 percent requirement. First, a 1 point cushion leaves little room for delay or cost overrun. Second, the plant's 3,000 jobs cost about SAR 667,000 each, a trade-off the fund should state openly. The risk is delay: receiving the SAR 4 billion one year later would bring the return down to about 8 percent. As a next step, test the return under delays and cost overruns before committing.

Score the candidate

Score each criterion from 1 to 5. A 2 or a 4 sits between the descriptions.

This case has no exhibit. Score Exhibit reading on how the candidate used the data you gave them: did they pick out the number that matters and say what it means?

Structuring

1: No clear structure, or a memorized framework that does not fit the problem.
3: A sensible structure, but with some overlap, a gap, or no clear priority.
5: A structure built for this problem, with no overlap and no gaps, a stated hypothesis, and a clear first step.

Math

1: Frequent errors, no units, or needed heavy help to finish.
3: Right answers but slow or messy working, or one error caught late.
5: Accurate and clearly narrated, with units, a sense check, and what the number means.

Exhibit reading

1: Read the chart aloud without finding the number that matters.
3: Found the key number but gave only part of the so-what.
5: Pulled the right number quickly and said what it means for the case.

Synthesis

1: Summarized what was done, with no clear answer.
3: Gave an answer, but with weak reasons or no next step.
5: Answer first, then two or three reasons with numbers, the main risk, and next steps.

Communication

1: Hard to follow: long silences, no signposting.
3: Clear most of the time, with some rambling.
5: Calm and concise, signposted each step, and checked in with the interviewer.

Total

0 out of 25

Score all five criteria to see the band and the feedback template.