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5 Case Competition Myths That Stop You From Winning – Busted!

“Case competitions are not for everyone. They’re just for achievers or scholars!”

This is what I often hear during my mentorship sessions whenever I ask students about their perception of case competitions. Some even go as far as calling them a scam! Yes, that’s what many students believe when they don’t manage to win any corporate or college-level competitions. They develop a bias that case competitions aren’t meant for them and are only for a special breed of people labeled as “achievers” or “scholars.”

But in this blog, I’ll try my best to break this mindset and clear up the most common myths—some of which you might also have believed.

So, let’s start with the biggest myth of the era!

Myth 1: Case competitions are not made for everyone

Fact: There are two categories of case competitions—college-level and corporate-level. If you're just starting your competition journey, begin by participating in as many B-school or E-school competitions as you can, with the intention to learn—not win! Every competition teaches you something—the approach, the way of thinking, how to do things differently, and it even helps build your network.

Once you get the hang of it, start participating in corporate competitions gradually. These aren't necessarily harder, but the expectations are different. You’ll start noticing patterns and differences by reviewing winners’ presentations or even speaking to them through mentorship. This will help you realize that case competitions are indeed for everyone—provided you're open to learning and don’t give up!

Myth 2: Subject matter or academic knowledge is a must to crack case competitions

Fact: Not at all! What you really need is the right approach and the ability to understand the expectations. Read the case study and the questions carefully—use tools like flowcharts, fishbone diagrams, or branching methods to identify key issues and asks. Competitions often have hidden questions that require you to read between the lines.

Once you understand what’s expected, create your draft using general ideas backed by benchmarking, research, and logic. Subject knowledge might give you an edge during final presentations, but even that can be prepared for with proper research and structuring.

Myth 3: Winning presentations should be complex

Fact: This is a common myth, especially after seeing winner decks during sessions. What most people miss is that those decks are the result of multiple iterations—sometimes over days, weeks, or even months. They may look complex, but in reality, they are simple and well-structured, telling a story that connects all the elements.

Your focus should not be on making a complex deck but on creating a structured, easy-to-understand story. A simple, clear, and effective presentation can absolutely help you win!

Myth 4: The more solutions, the better

Fact: I believed this, too, when I started out. But the truth is, your solutions should be specific and targeted to the questions asked. Even if you have multiple ideas, they should be brought under a single umbrella through your own custom framework.

Too many scattered solutions can lead to questions like, “What is your big idea?” or “There’s too much happening—what’s your key message?” So, keep it sharp. Use my personal framework: PECT – Practical, Easy to implement, Cost-effective, and Time-efficient.

Myth 5: It’s all about being creative

Fact: Creativity helps you stand out, but that’s not the main goal. Especially in corporate competitions, your solutions need to be practical and backed with data. A good way to approach it is to think in two directions:

What already exists, and how can I improve it?
What new can be done without causing disruption?

This method helps create solutions that are specific and meaningful. And yes, finally, give your presentation a touch of uniqueness—something that makes it memorable for everyone!

Final Word

As a wrap, I can say case competitions are truly fun—especially if you enjoy solving business problems or have a knack for strategy. The key is to keep moving forward, no matter what. Because case competitions do not come naturally for anyone—they all learn over time with patience and persistence.

And trust me, once you master the art of cracking case competitions, it becomes a smooth ride filled with achievements, opportunities, and pride.

Want to learn directly from the mind behind this article? Connect with Vedansh Dubey on Unstop for personalized 1:1 mentorship, expert guidance, and more!

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Vedansh Dubey

Xavier Institute of Management (XIMB), Bhubaneswar

Vedansh Dubey is the Senior Executive HRBP at Wipro. A passionate HR professional and a graduate of XIMB, he has actively participated in numerous national and B-school level case study competitions. He was recognized as an Unstop Top 10 College Champions (XIMB Rank 1), secured AIR 7 in Unstoppable B-School Leaders, and AIR 9 in Unstoppable Leaders with Maximum Participation. He is also one of the Top mentors on Unstop, sharing his strategies and tips to Ace one's career.