Extra Interview After MBB Final Round (Knowledge Analyst)

Question

I'm an engineer transitioning from the O&G industry to Consulting. I recently completed final rounds for an MBB Knowledge Analyst – Chemicals role.

My PEI performance was strong, but I felt my case-solving performance was average. After ~3 weeks, I was invited to complete an additional (5th) interview to help them reach a final decision.

For those familiar with KA/expert-track recruiting: how common is an extra interview after finals, what does it usually signal about candidate standing, and where should I focus improving for this round?

Answer 1

Hi there,

This actually happens more often than candidates realize in KA / expert-track recruiting, and it’s generally a neutral-to-positive signal, not a negative one.

A few points to help you interpret it and prepare:

How common is an extra interview after finals?
For Knowledge Analyst and expert roles, it’s not unusual. These tracks are assessed differently from generalist consulting, and firms are often more careful about fit, problem-solving style, and long-term value. When signals are mixed (e.g. strong PEI, average case), an additional interview is a way to reduce uncertainty, not to “re-test” you from scratch.

What it usually signals about your standing
The key takeaway is: you’re still very much in the running.
If the firm had decided “no,” you would have heard earlier. An extra interview usually means:

You’re close to the bar
They see real potential
They want one more data point before making a final call

This is especially true for candidates transitioning from industry into expert roles, where the firm is balancing technical depth with consulting-style problem solving.

What to focus on for this round
Expect something more targeted and conversational, not a full repeat of finals.

Given your situation, I’d focus on:

Sharper structure and synthesis: make your thinking very explicit and top-down
Linking analysis to decisions: emphasize “so what” and implications, not just correctness
Confidence under ambiguity: show you’re comfortable making judgment calls even if the data isn’t perfect
Expert-to-consultant translation: demonstrate how you’d turn technical insight into actionable advice for clients

Mindset going in
Treat this less as another exam and more as a calibration conversation. Be calm, structured, and decisive. One strong interview here can absolutely tip the decision in your favor.

If you want, I’m happy to help you think through how to tighten structure or practice synthesis specifically for expert-track cases.

Best,

Evelina