Likelihood to get accepted for the first interview McKinsey

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm an industrial engineering PhD student at Politecnico di Milano.

I've applied for a BA position at McKinsey. The application is still in progress.

Eight days ago, I completed the SOLVE Assessment. I encountered some difficulties in the Red Rock section, but I believe I performed well in the Seawolf game. I have a couple of questions:

1) Is it possible for me to secure a first interview even though I didn't perform well in the first game?
2) I am still a PhD student, and my experience is primarily as a researcher.

Will McKinsey view these two factors negatively?

Thank you very much for your time and for the tips.

Best,

Marco

Answer 1

Hi Marco,

My sense is don’t stress too much as it’s normal to feel stronger in one SOLVE game than the other, and McKinsey looks at the overall performance, not just one section. Regarding your PhD, McKinsey hires a lot of advanced degree candidates and value the problem-solving and rigor you bring. It’s just about framing your research as impact and teamwork stories. Good luck!

Answer 2

Hey Marco,

(1) Your final Solve score will be combine scores from both RedRock and Seawolf sections. So if you did really well in the other, it may compensate for another area where you may not have. Whether you get a passing mark will then depend on the extent of how well you did in the one and not so well in the other.

(2) There are many PhD researchers that joined McKinsey! So this won't be a blocker on it's own, so don't worry about that. The most important thing would be how you packaged your overall experience in your CV and profile

Wishing you all the best Marco! I really hope you manage to get invited into the interview rounds

Answer 3

Hey Marco :)

Yes, it’s still possible – performance is looked at across the whole Solve, not just one game, so a weaker Red Rock doesn’t automatically block you.
Being a PhD student is not negative at all, McKinsey hires many researchers and values analytical backgrounds, so that won’t hurt you.

best, Alessa :)

Answer 4

Hi Marco, congrats on making it through to the Solve stage.

You don’t need to perform perfectly in every single mini-game. The assessment is designed to look at your overall problem-solving profile, not just one dimension.
Your PhD and research background are not a disadvantage. In fact, McKinsey hires many PhDs each year, and they value the analytical rigor, independence, and problem-solving skills you’ve developed. What matters more is how you communicate those skills in “consulting language”.

Focus now on preparing for interviews so you’re ready if and when the invitation comes!

Answer 5

The test results are considered in combination with the rest of your application elements.

Regarding your PhD... you applied for an entry level role, no experience is required. (In any case, you were invited for the Solve assessment... if your experience was not within what they find desirable you wouldn't be invited).

Best of luck and hope you get the interview.

Answer 6

Marco,

Typically, if you have a PhD, you go in as Associate, not BA, so depending on what you hear back from them, I would raise this point.

Second, it's impossible to tell based on your high-level description what your chances are. But yes, indeed, if you made some mistakes in one of the games that doesn't mean you won't pass. Your CV, relevant experience, cover letter, referral (if applicable), and others play a role in deciding whether to invite you for an interview.

Hope you hear back from them soon!
Best,
Cristian