McKinsey application status: good sign or standard process?

neutral signal. Prepare anyway.

• It is a holding message, not a soft signal
• Riyadh often runs batch processing tied to recruiting waves and visa capacity
• If you were rejected, you usually would not get a “we’ll revert in two months” note

What it does not mean:

• It does not mean you are shortlisted
• It does not mean the assessment is imminent

How to act:

• Start light preparation now for the problem solving assessment
• Do not wait for the invite. Once it comes, timelines are tight
• Focus on format familiarity and pacing, not cramming

This email should be seen primarily as a status update, not a clear positive or negative signal.

For some McKinsey offices, including Riyadh, recruiting timelines can be longer and applications are often reviewed in batches. In those cases, HR updates like this are not unusual and mainly indicate that the review process is still ongoing.

It does mean that your application has not been rejected at this stage, but beyond that it’s difficult to infer much.

Regarding preparation for the problem-solving assessment: it’s reasonable to do some light preparation in advance, as the turnaround time can be (but does not necessarily have to be) short once an invite is sent. 

Overall, the message doesn’t materially change your odds, it simply reflects the timing of the process.

This is a great question, and I appreciate you flagging the regional context—it makes a massive difference in interpreting these signals.

Here's the reality: this email is better than silence, but it is not a direct indication that you are guaranteed the assessment. In many smaller or specific regional offices, like Riyadh, the recruiting process is less automated and far more "batch-oriented" than in London or New York. The two-month window likely means your application successfully cleared the initial automated filter, and it is now sitting in the HR manager's queue waiting for the next scheduled review cycle. They are likely collecting a critical mass of qualified candidates before they trigger the assessment and set up a specific interview wave.

The key takeaway is that you survived the instant rejection, which is a positive data point. However, this delay is standard when the office is running a cycle outside of the major university recruiting timelines. They are confirming they haven't forgotten you, but they are holding off until they finalize headcount requirements or committee scheduling.

Crucially, do not wait the full two months to start preparing for the McKinsey Problem Solving Game (Solve). If they activate you, the window to take the assessment is extremely narrow—sometimes 48 to 72 hours. Use this time now as a strategic advantage. Assume the invitation is coming in the next 4–8 weeks and structure your prep accordingly, focusing heavily on the game logic and time management, not just traditional case math.

All the best!

Getting an email from HR three weeks after applying is generally a better sign than hearing nothing.

Most applications that get rejected are either rejected quickly or just go silent. The fact that someone took the time to email you saying they'll get back in two months suggests your application is still in the pipeline and being considered.

That said, it could be a few things:

They might be batching applications and reviewing them together at a specific time. This is common for some offices, especially when they recruit in cycles rather than on a rolling basis.

Riyadh might have specific hiring timelines tied to project needs or headcount approvals. Two months could just be their internal review cycle.

It could also be a standard holding message they send to applicants who weren't immediately screened out. Not a guarantee, but still a positive filter.

Should you start preparing? Yes, absolutely. Don't wait for the assessment invite to start prepping. If and when it comes, you'll have limited time to complete it. Start now so you're ready.

Here's what I'd do:

Practice the McKinsey Solve format. Get familiar with the game-based assessment so you're not surprised when it arrives.

Start case prep too. If you pass the assessment, interviews can come quickly. Build your foundation now.

Don't overthink the email. Treat it as a signal to prepare, not something to analyze.

Two months feels long, but use that time well. If the invite comes sooner, you'll be ready. If it takes the full two months, you'll be even sharper.

Good luck.

It's a process update. It's not a content assessment.

Meaning, they probably have a date around which they are planning on releasing test and interview invites. This is how they are letting you know about that. 

So, yes, you should start prepping, but it doesn't mean you've passed already.

You should prepare anyway because you shouldn't be only applying to one firm, you should be applying for multiple. 

I'm sharing here a guide that you might find useful:

• • Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. 
Best,
Cristian 

Hi there,

I would avoid trying to read into this. HR likely does not know yet whether you would get an interview invitation and is simply managing candidates' experience by giving an estimated timeline. My suggestion is to focus on preparing for the interviews in case they invite you instead.