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The McKinsey interview rounds are a three-step interview process that you might have to take, depending on the role you are applying for at McKinsey & Company. The interviews are an opportunity for the recruiters to learn more about you and your cultural fit in the organisation.
Good to Know: The McKinsey interview rounds will mostly involve virtual interviews.
Want to know how to prepare for the McKinsey video interviews? Watch this short video for more information on video interviews.
Here are the three McKinsey interview rounds you will likely come across:
Personal Experience Interview (PEI):
The interviewers are interested in hearing about your experiences, such as challenges and accomplishments, so you are expected to prepare ahead of the Personal Experience Interview by going in with two personal examples that showcase your talents in connection, drive, growth, and leadership.
Problem Solving Interview:
Also called the ‘case interview’, this interview requires you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills by using a common McKinsey client scenario. You will be presented with a business case to assess your analytical thinking and problem-solving approach.
Expertise Interview:
This is an opportunity for McKinsey to gain insight into your experience and the skills needed for the role you are applying for.
Good to Know: The Expertise Interview is specific to certain roles and will have its own McKinsey online assessment test tailored to the field you are applying for, including completing some coding challenges.
Since the McKinsey interview process is largely virtual, we recommend practising beforehand to get a sense of what to expect. You can practise with our video interviewing platform.
Practice Video Interviews
Explore the McKinsey recruitment process set up for you in this hiring process.
The McKinsey hiring process involves several stages put in place to assess your skills and experiences before determining if you are the perfect hire for the role you have signalled interest in with the consulting firm.
Before the McKinsey interviews, you will have to complete the following stages:
Learn more about each step of the McKinsey recruitment process here!
Take a look at our video interview question example below to give you an idea of what to expect from McKinsey.
When preparing for your McKinsey interviews, you should know what questions you can expect from the interviewers. To do this, you can scroll through some examples of the possible types of McKinsey interview questions asked and our example answers below.
Tips to Answer: When answering this question, it is necessary that you use the STAR+R method to articulate your experience better and provide the interviewer with a clear image of how you handled the challenge.
Good Answer:
Situation:
I was working with a colleague on a project, but we had different opinions on how to approach a specific issue. They wanted to focus on speed, but I was more focused on the quality.
Task:
I needed to look for a way to resolve our disagreement without compromising the project’s success or our working relationship.
Action:
I requested a calm, respectful conversation with the colleague and listened to their perspective to understand where they were coming from. I shared my viewpoint and proposed a middle ground that benefited both of us by first focusing on quality, then implementing processes to speed up later stages.
Result:
We reached an agreement that balanced both quality and efficiency, the project was completed successfully, and the team was satisfied with the result.
Reflection:
I learned that open communication and finding common ground are important to resolving conflicts. It also helped me build a better understanding of different working methods and how to approach disagreements.
Tips to Answer: You are expected to provide clear, detailed information about how you found yourself in this situation and the steps you took to resolve it. Use McKinsey’s values as a guideline as you describe this scenario.
During a group project, we came across a technical issue that required analysing data with software that I wasn’t used to. The project’s deadline was close, and I had to learn how to use the software quickly so we could stay on track.
My job was to learn to use the software to accurately analyse the data and contribute to solving the issue.
I dedicated extra time outside of regular hours to watch tutorials, read articles on the software, and practice with sample data. I also contacted a colleague who had experience with the software for guidance.
I completed the data analysis on time, which helped the team resolve the ongoing issue; the project was submitted successfully, and I also gained a new skill.
I learned the importance of self-research and using available resources when faced with unusual tasks. It also taught me to stay calm and organised when under pressure.
Looking for even more McKinsey interview questions? Get the Essentials with GF and learn more possible McKinsey interview questions with our Question Identifier Tool (QIT).
Seeing what it takes to pass the McKinsey interview rounds, why not take a look at tips that will guide you through this stage?
The McKinsey interview rounds are set up to assess your skills and level of expertise as you progress through the McKinsey hiring process, providing recruiters with insight into your experience and helping them determine whether you are the right fit for the role.
The following tips will help you pass the McKinsey interview rounds.
Ready to begin preparation for the McKinsey interview process? Practice with us!
After completing the video interview, you will be contacted to participate in the McKinsey & Co experience day.
If you have any more questions, we have a McKinsey interview FAQs section below to answer your queries.
The McKinsey case interview, also known as the Problem Solving Interview, presents you with a case drafted by the consulting firm to assess your problem-solving skills, the process you use to meet challenges, and the outcomes. It is also to test your expertise in the field you are applying for.
To prepare for the interview, it is essential that you take practice interview tests before the interview rounds so you can acclimatise to the interview format and the types of questions you may encounter.
The McKinsey interview rounds are designed to look for skills such as the following:
Though McKinsey supports the evolution and encourages it for test preparation, it has a clear line against using AI to represent yourself in the interview rounds. You are to demonstrate fairness and display your true personality during the interview rounds.
Prepare for your McKinsey application process with our expert-made practice video interviews used by over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe. Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
Prepare for your McKinsey application process with our expert-made practice video interviews used by over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe.
Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
Click below to uncover more about the McKinsey & Co’s hiring process:
This article was last updated on 20 February 2026. All information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, based on publicly available sources. For the most up-to-date details, please verify directly with the employer.
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