Interviewer view · keep this screen to yourself
Choosing a tutoring program with a fixed budget
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
1. Read the prompt aloud
Read it slowly, then pause. Let the candidate ask questions before they structure.
A Gulf ministry of education has AED 10 million to raise math results for grade 8 students. Program A, a tutoring app, costs AED 200 per student and raises test scores by 5 points on average. Program B, small-group tutoring in person, costs AED 500 per student and raises scores by 15 points. The table below summarizes the two programs. Which should it fund?
The prompt refers to Exhibit 1. After reading it, say: "Open Exhibit 1 now."
Format note: Interviewer-led: the interviewer shows the program table and asks for reach, total improvement, and a recommendation that names the trade-off.
2. Answers to clarifying questions
Give these answers only if the candidate asks. If they ask something not listed, give a sensible answer or say it does not matter here.
If asked: What is the main goal: the most total improvement, or getting as many students as possible above a pass mark?
Answer: The most total improvement in scores.
If asked: Are the effects measured the same way?
Answer: Yes, both come from trials using the same national test.
If asked: How many grade 8 students need help?
Answer: About 60,000, more than either program can reach.
3. The hypothesis a strong candidate states
Listen for an early, testable guess like this one. It does not need to match word for word.
Program B costs 2.5 times as much per student, so my hypothesis is that B wins only if its effect is more than 2.5 times A's. The trials suggest 3 times, so B is likely better for total improvement.
4. 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.
- Total improvement per AED 10 millionThis comes from total improvement = students reached x effect per student, where students reached = budget / cost per student.
- Students reached by each program
- Key: Cost ratio versus effect ratio
- Total improvement, and who is left out
Exhibit 1
The prompt uses this exhibit, so the candidate opens it right after you read the prompt ("Show exhibit 1" on their screen).
| Program | Cost per student (AED) | Average score gain (points) | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: tutoring app | 200 | 5 | Trial in 40 schools |
| B: small-group tutoring in person | 500 | 15 | Trial in 12 schools |
So-what
B costs 2.5 times as much per student but raises scores 3 times as much, so it gives more improvement per AED, though its evidence comes from fewer schools.
5. 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: Reach of A
What a strong candidate does: AED 10 million at AED 200 per student.
Students reached by A: 10,000,000 ÷ 200 = 50,000
Step 2: Reach of B
What a strong candidate does: AED 10 million at AED 500 per student.
Students reached by B: 10,000,000 ÷ 500 = 20,000
Step 3: Cost ratio
What a strong candidate does: How much more B costs per student.
Cost ratio B to A: 500 ÷ 200 = 2.5
Step 4: Effect ratio
What a strong candidate does: How much more B raises scores per student. 3 is more than 2.5, so B gives more improvement per AED.
Effect ratio B to A: 15 ÷ 5 = 3
Step 5: Total improvement from A
What a strong candidate does: Students reached times points gained.
Total points, A: 50,000 × 5 = 250,000
Step 6: Total improvement from B
What a strong candidate does: Students reached times points gained.
Total points, B: 20,000 × 15 = 300,000
Step 7: Compare
What a strong candidate does: B gives about 20 percent more total improvement.
B versus A: 300,000 ÷ 250,000 = 1.2
The recommendation to listen for
At the end, say: "The CEO walks in. What is your recommendation?"
Fund Program B. First, it costs 2.5 times as much per student but raises scores 3 times as much, so it gives more improvement per AED. Second, the same AED 10 million produces about 300,000 points of improvement against 250,000 for A, about 20 percent more. Third, the trade-off is reach: B serves 20,000 students instead of 50,000, leaving most of the 60,000 who need help without support, so give B to the students furthest behind, where in-person help matters most, and propose funding the cheaper app for the rest in the next budget. Recheck the effects after the first term, because trial results often shrink when a program grows.
Risks a strong answer names: Trial effects often shrink at larger scale; Finding enough qualified tutors for B may take time.
Next steps: Identify the 20,000 students furthest behind; Set up measurement after the first term.
Strong versus weak
A strong answer
Agreed the metric, compared the cost ratio with the effect ratio, committed to B, and addressed who is left out.
A weak answer
Picked the cheaper program because it reaches more students, or ended with "it depends on the objective."
Score the candidate
Score each criterion from 1 to 5. A 2 or a 4 sits between the descriptions.
Total
0 out of 25
Score all five criteria to see the band and the feedback template.