How did I do? Gorilla & Solve

Hi, If the scores are really where you think they are, you are in the right range. Both firms keep the actual cutoffs internal but a strong Gorilla and a clean Solve study with 4/6 mini cases would normally be enough to move forward.

Did you apply through a recruiter or directly on the website? If it was via a recruiter, worth following up with them if you have not already. If direct, the wait can be long and visibility is limited.

One other thing to keep in mind, as firms head into summer the recruiting cycle slows down because the focus shifts to summer interns. A month of silence in this window is not unusual and does not necessarily mean a no.

Given you are a PhD with some real experience, the key for you is to network with the right people in your target offices and get your foot in the door. Online applications alone are a tough channel for experienced hires, warm referrals matter a lot more.

I know its not a clear answer but hope it's  useful !

Hi there,

Honestly, over a month is a long time and generally not a good sign.

That said, I've had candidates get offers after a month. Until they get back to you, you don't know.

That said, always assume you did NOT get it. As in, never cancel your other interviews and keep networking + applying to other firms.

Worth reading while you wait:

Common Pitfalls in Case Interview Preparation

Dos and Don'ts in a Case Interview

Congrats on getting through the assessments. 

Important caveat first. Neither firm publishes passing scores, so nobody can tell you with certainty whether you passed. What I can share is patterns from candidates I've coached.

On the Bain Gorilla, 90 percent plus is strong. The pass threshold is generally believed to be 70 to 75 percent. If your self-assessment is accurate, you're well above the bar. Gorilla is also less make-or-break than Solve, Bain weights CV and screening interview heavily alongside it.

On McKinsey Solve, your scores are mixed but not disqualifying. The study with three questions and the report is the most heavily weighted part, and you got that right. Seawolf at 100/100/80 is solid. Missing two mini cases on time is more common than you'd think. Solve is scored holistically, not just on accuracy. Process speed and decision logic also factor in.

On wait time, over a month is normal right now, especially in the slower 2026 cycle. Not a rejection signal.

On BCG, likely a CV fit issue. Worth getting a second pair of eyes before next cycle.

For now, prep cases as if a first round invite is coming next week.

Good luck.

A month of silence is usually not the strongest signal, to be honest — most positive outcomes tend to move faster. But I also wouldn’t assume rejection until you hear otherwise; processes can slow down for reasons unrelated to your candidacy.

On the test scores themselves: if those are indeed your results, they sound above what is typically considered competitive cutoffs for firms like McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company. So purely from that angle, I wouldn’t immediately conclude the tests are the issue.

That’s why I’d think about two things in parallel:

1. Follow up if appropriate
If it has been a month, a short, polite check-in with recruiting is reasonable.

2. Don’t wait passively — broaden the funnel
If you haven’t already, I’d absolutely keep applying to strong Tier-2 firms as well, for example:

• Oliver Wyman
• Strategy&
• Roland Berger
• Kearney

(And which of these matter most depends a lot on country/office.)

I say this not as a backup plan, but because these are excellent firms in their own right, and keeping multiple processes going is just smart recruiting strategy.

Also, if your tests were strong and you’re not progressing, it may be worth pressure-testing the rest of the application:

• CV positioning
• office selection
• timing / headcount
• networking / referrals

Sometimes the issue is there, not the assessments.

So net-net:

• one month silence is not ideal, but not definitive
• your scores sound encouraging
• follow up
• keep moving with Tier-2 applications in parallel

That would be my advice.

hey Kamran! 

A month of silence after Solve or Gorilla is very common and doesn’t necessarily mean rejection. Neither Bain nor McKinsey publish cut‑offs, and performance is judged relative to the applicant pool, not by a simple percentage. Based on what you described, your results sound competitive: strong Gorilla performance, solid Solve study/report, and good Seawolf scores can absolutely offset timing issues on the last mini‑cases. Many candidates who advance don’t finish all six.

At this point, the delay is more likely due to internal processing than your scores. Your PhD + MBA + entrepreneurial background is strong, so keep preparing and refining your narrative while you wait.

Alessa

Hi Kamran, 

Congrats on the good effort!

A few things to bear in mind:

• The scores on their own are virtually impossible to assess because are no formal / official 'pass' scores
• The 'bar' you need to meet varies by role
• You are not only assessed on the tests, but also on your CV, CL, and referral (if applicable)

Regardless of whether Bain and McK return with an interview invite, I'd strongly encourage you to apply to a few more firms. And in case you didn't do this already, have somebody professionally review your application package to ensure you are displaying your profile in the best way possible.

You might find the following guide useful:

• • Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Fingers crossed!
Cristian