Management Consulting · New York, USA
McKinsey & Company Interview Questions & Process
Quick answer
McKinsey interviews centre on case interviews and the Personal Experience Interview (PEI). You'll complete the McKinsey Solve problem-solving assessment, then face case interviews testing structured problem-solving and the PEI probing leadership, personal impact and entrepreneurial drive. Structure, quantitative comfort and clear synthesis are essential.
About McKinsey & Company
McKinsey is one of the 'MBB' top-tier strategy consultancies. Its rigorous process assesses both problem-solving (through cases and the Solve game) and personal qualities (through the PEI), looking for future leaders who can structure ambiguity and influence clients.
What they assess
The McKinsey & Company interview process
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Application & McKinsey Solve | CV screen plus the gamified Solve problem-solving assessment. |
| First-round interviews | Case interviews plus the Personal Experience Interview (PEI). |
| Final-round interviews | More cases and PEI with senior partners. |
| Offer | Partner decision and offer. |
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Get a role-specific guide for the most common positions at McKinsey & Company:
McKinsey & Company interview questions
- 1Our client's profitability is declining — how would you approach it?
- 2Estimate the market size for a new product in the UK.
- 3Tell me about a time you led others to achieve a difficult goal (PEI).
- 4Describe a situation where you had significant personal impact.
- 5Why consulting, and why McKinsey?
- 6How would you help a client cut costs without harming growth?
How to prepare for a McKinsey & Company interview
- Master case structuring with MECE issue trees.
- Prepare 2–3 deep PEI stories on leadership and personal impact.
- Practise mental maths and market sizing.
- Always synthesise with a clear, recommendation-led answer.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Unstructured cases or forced frameworks.
- Thin PEI stories without genuine personal impact.
- Weak quantitative work.
- No clear recommendation at the end.
Frequently asked questions
What is the McKinsey PEI?
The Personal Experience Interview — a structured behavioural interview where you tell deep stories about leadership, personal impact and drive, with extensive follow-up.
What is McKinsey Solve?
McKinsey's gamified problem-solving assessment, used early in the process to test analytical and problem-solving ability.
How do I prepare for a McKinsey case interview?
Practise structuring problems with MECE frameworks, drill market-sizing and maths, do mock cases aloud, and prepare strong PEI stories.
Preparing for a McKinsey & Company interview?
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