McKinsey & Company is one of the most prestigious and selective consulting firms in the world. Only about 1.5% of applicants receive job offers, making the selection process particularly challenging and demanding. Successful interviews require thorough preparation, understanding the interview structure, and mastering effective case-solving strategies.
What is this guide?
This guide, updated for 2025, is designed to help candidates navigate the McKinsey interview process. It covers the key preparation steps:
- Understanding the interview format;
- Practical case-solving techniques;
- Confidence and maximum performance at each stage.
The structure of the selection process
The McKinsey Case Interview differs from other consulting firms in its structure and high level of requirements. The process typically includes several stages:
- Testing analytical and logical skills – candidates solve cases, demonstrating the ability to structure information, analyze data, and propose well-founded solutions.
- Case interview — the main part of the selection process, where the applicant encounters real business situations. The ability to formulate hypotheses, logical reasoning, argumentation, and the ability to propose solutions that take into account the company’s strategic goals are assessed.
- FIT interview — the candidate’s fit with the company culture, motivation, and personal qualities important for working at McKinsey are checked.
Features of case interviews at McKinsey
The key difference is a structured approach to problem solving. Candidates must be able to quickly understand complex data, identify key indicators, build models, and offer specific recommendations. The variety of cases covers financial analysis, growth strategy, operational improvements, and organizational changes, which requires a broad outlook and the ability to adapt to new conditions.
Preparing for an interview at McKinsey requires a systematic approach and careful study of the process features. Using the specialized 2025 guide allows candidates to master the interview structure, understand the unique requirements of the company, and effectively apply case solving strategies. This significantly increases the chances of success and helps to confidently pass one of the most prestigious and difficult selections in the world of consulting.
