McKinsey: Do I Need to Retake the Assessment After Referral?

Hello there,

First, I am sorry that things did not work out in your application for the Jr. Associate role. However, if you did not make it for the Junior role, then there is very little likelihood that you will be considered for a more senior role. Once you fill in the application, this will be filtered out either automatically or through the recruiter given that you did not make it through on the previous one. McKinsey usually requires re-applicants to wait for 18-24 months before reapplying again, unless otherwise stated by the recruiter.

Regards,

Sherif

Hi there,

If you took McKinsey’s Solve (Imbellus) assessment within the past year, your score is still valid and will normally be reused — you won’t need to retake it. The system automatically attaches your previous result to the new application, even if you’re applying for a different role or office, as long as it’s within 12 months.

Since you’ve now been referred and are applying for a Senior role, the next steps are usually:

1. Recruiter review – they’ll screen your referral and CV together
2. If you meet the bar, you’ll move directly to Round 1 interviews (usually two interviews combining PEI + case)
3. Round 2 (if applicable) follows after successful completion of Round 1

Your strong 9th-decile score will help — that’s well above the cutoff. Just make sure your CV highlights leadership and impact to match the seniority of the new role.

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out.

Best,
Evelina

hey there :)

They usually reuse your score if it is recent, and three months is still perfectly fine. A referral and a new link for a senior role normally means they fast-track you directly to the CV screening and then interviews, without asking you to redo Solve unless the office has a strict policy for that role. Riyadh tends to be flexible when the score is strong, and yours is very solid.

Next step is usually a CV review and then an invitation to first round interviews. If they need the test again, they will explicitly tell you, so you don’t need to worry or offer it proactively.

If you want me to look over your CV or prepare interviews with you, just let me know.
best, Alessa :)

First of all, I'm not sure you can apply again after only 3 months. Typically, it takes 1 one year to be allowed to reapply. It would be worth checking with the recruiter. 

Re the score, yes, typically the score is saved for about a year.

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

Normally you have to wait at least 12 months before being able to reapply again. I suggest you clarify with the recruiter. They may just take the score that you already have in the system.

Where did you access the score? I completed the Solve assessment as well but wasn’t shown any result.

They keep the score valid for 12 months.

Also, usually you can only reapply after 12 months, unless they mention otherwise or it's part of a specific recruiting process timeline (e.g. intership vs. full time roles, when you are applying through university).