How quickly does Mckinsey reply after HR screening call.

Hi there,

1. Timing after HR screening / Solve
   Typically you’ll hear back within 1–2 weeks, but it can be faster (a few days) or slower depending on the office and volume. If it’s been ~10–14 days, it’s reasonable to follow up.
2. Order of the process
   The most common flow is Solve first, then HR screening, but it’s not fixed. Some candidates are contacted by HR before or in parallel. There’s no real implication in terms of your chances — it’s just process variation across offices.
3. If you did badly on Solve
   It’s not always an automatic rejection, but Solve is an important filter. A weaker performance can make it harder to progress unless the rest of your profile is very strong. That said, outcomes aren’t always black and white — some candidates still move forward.

At this stage, a bit of waiting is normal — no need to read too much into timing.

Happy to help you think through next steps if useful

Best
Evelina

Hi there,

You should always "assume" that you have been rejected. Meaning, never hang all your hopes and dreams on 1 firm - keep networking and keep applying to others.

That said, you have absolutely not been rejected yet. Chin up, it's not over yet. But, hope for the best and plan for the worst (keep applying + interviewing elsewhere!)

1) How long will it take to hear back?
Could be a few days. Could be a few weeks. Could be a few months. That said, generally it is within a couple of weeks.

2) Is it always Solve first, then HR screening?
Generally yes. Or sometimes straight to interview. There is no fixed order and no hidden meaning in whichever sequence they use.

3) If I did badly on Solve... am I out?
Honestly, yeah. There is a threshold for each category. You need to be an all around good candidate. Depends how bad it went though.

If you have other tests coming up (BCG Casey chatbot, McKinsey Imbellus, etc.) shoot me a message. I have a ton of practice tests, guides, and discount codes for the top simulations out there.

For the full end-to-end recruiting journey: 360 Degree Consulting Recruiting Course

And search The Consulting Offer Blueprint on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for the mindset behind navigating all of this.

On timing: expect one to two weeks after the HR call. Three weeks is possible if they are processing a lot of candidates. If you hit two weeks with no news, a short follow up to HR is fine.

On the order: usually it is application, then Solve, then HR call, then interviews. But it varies by office. Some regions flip the HR call and Solve. Not universal.

On Solve: a weak score is a problem but not an automatic rejection everywhere. McKinsey has never published how much it weighs in the decision so nobody really knows the cutoff. A strong score helps. A very weak one can end things early. If you are worried about it, just wait. Nothing you can do now.

That feeling of waiting after an HR call and the Solve game is incredibly tough – completely understand why you're wondering about the next steps.

Unfortunately, there's no universal timeline for responses; it really varies by office, current hiring volume, and how quickly they're able to batch candidates for the next round. Some hear back in a few days, others wait weeks, and sometimes, no news becomes the answer. For the standard process, you'll almost always do the Solve game before an HR screening call. That call usually comes after you've cleared the automated Solve hurdle, so if you got that call, it's generally a good sign you passed the initial assessment. Getting a call before Solve is less common and typically suggests a very strong referral or a specific targeted recruiting effort where they've already pre-vetted your profile extensively.

Regarding the Solve assessment, it's generally a hard cutoff. If you didn't perform well, it's very likely an absolute rejection. The Solve is a critical, often automated, initial filter designed to manage the sheer volume of applications. A very poor score would typically prevent you from even getting an HR call in the first place. If you're past a couple of weeks without hearing back after both the Solve and HR call, it's reasonable to send a polite follow-up email, but also be prepared for the reality that no news can often mean they've moved forward with other candidates.

Hope this clears things up a bit!

Hey there :)

For McKinsey & Company, timelines can vary a bit, but typically you hear back within about 1–2 weeks after the HR call and Solve. Sometimes faster, sometimes a bit slower depending on office and volume.

The order isn’t always identical. Most often it’s Solve first, then HR screening, but some offices do a quick call before or in parallel. No real difference in meaning, just logistics.

Doing poorly on Solve doesn’t automatically mean rejection, but it is an important filter. If it was clearly below their bar, it can lead to a reject, but borderline performance can still be balanced with a strong profile.

If you don’t hear back after ~2 weeks, it’s totally fine to send a short, polite follow-up.

best,
Alessa :)

1 Typically less than two weeks

2 It depends from office to office. So I wouldn't read too much into what the order means in your case

3 Yes, doing well on other dimensions help your overall probability of passing screening. The CV, CL, Solve score and referral (if applicable) are judged together to decide whether or not you pass screening.

If you have any questions about McK prep, don't hesitate to drop me a line. 

Best,
Cristian