Hi, I applied to Bain and McKinsey and progressed to the assessment stage for both. After completing the assessments, I received rejections. How long do I need to wait before reapplying?

typically 12 months for both.

• McKinsey
  Standard cooling off period is 12 months after a rejection at the assessment or interview stage. Earlier reapplications are rarely considered unless there is a material change (eg. new degree, promotion, brand name employer, strong referral)
• Bain
  Usually 12 months as well. In some offices it can be 6–9 months, but you should assume 1 year unless HR explicitly says otherwise

Key points people miss:

• The clock usually starts from the rejection date, not the application date
• Reapplying earlier without a clear step change almost always leads to an auto reject
• A “material change” means something objective and visible on the CV, not just more practice
• Firms do track prior assessment results. Reapplying is not a “reset” -  expectations are higher the second time around. If your profile looks broadly the same, the bar is effectively higher, not equal
• Treat the cooling off period as a rebuild window, not a waiting period. If nothing on your CV clearly signals growth, waiting longer does not help

That stings, and it's a common, frustrating spot to be in. Know that getting through the digital assessment stage at both firms means your profile was already competitive—you cleared the automated filters and the preliminary human screen, which is no small feat.

The formal cooling-off period before you are allowed to submit a new application is usually 12 months, and in some European offices, it can be up to 18 months. However, the clock is less important than the content. Simply waiting 12 months and submitting an identical resume is highly unlikely to yield a different result. Recruiters have visibility into your previous application status, and your profile needs to reflect a demonstrable change since the last submission.

Your focus now should not be on calendar counting but on closing the perceived gap. You need to create a significant step-change in your professional story before reapplying. This might mean achieving a rapid promotion, moving into a role with P&L or direct managerial responsibility, or using the time to get into a top-tier MBA program. When you reapply, your new application needs to explain why the outcome should be different this time.

All the best with your pivot.