even though i was an undergrad business major, i have not been gliding by my first year at HBS. many of my friends, from similar prestigious undergrad business schools like michigan, uva, wharton, nyu and others have expressed similar sentiments.
basically, no matter what your background (even if you worked at the most elite i banks and pe shops), HBS case method doesn't allow you to take it easy, chill during class, and cram for exams and expect to pass with the combination of your great undergrad degree and work experience propping you up. HBS profs know everyone's backgrounds going into class, but they won't be wowed into giving you an automatic "1" because it is assumed you know all there is to know about finance, marketing, or whatever class you happen to find yourself in.
so as uncomfortable as it may sound for some of us (myself included) who don't like speaking up unless we're totally sure about an issue, the best advice i can give you is to "put 'em up" - even if you're not 100% sure about the answer, put your hand out there - what's the worst that can happen? honestly, the section environment at HBS is super-supportive, mistakes are welcome and the ENTIRE class learns just as much from a wrong answer as from a right one - and no one is going to make fun of you or judge you based on what you say in class.
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