McKinsey First Interview Question – Was My Approach Wrong?

Question

Hi all,

In my recent McKinsey interview, the interviewer gave me the case prompt and started with a qualitative question like “What factors would you look into?” I responded with a structured framework, but I got the sense he was a bit surprised.

Interestingly, the second question was the one that clearly required a full framework, which confused me a bit — since I always practiced starting with one from the beginning.

Is it normal that the first question in a McKinsey case is more qualitative or exploratory, and not about structuring right away?
And how can I tell when it's expected to jump into a framework vs. just discussing openly?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the progress in the application process with McKinsey thus far!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

First of all, and contrary to what other coaches have said, there is no universal sequence of case study questions at McKinsey, and your experience does not seem to be in any way unconventional.
Moreover, please keep in mind that any "qualitative question" is essentially a "structuring question", and vice versa. You are always required to structure your factors/dimensions/ideas properly and provide both breadth and depth.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming McKinsesy final-round interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 2

Hmm. You're right in that most of the time, the first question of a McK case is where you do the overarching structuring.

Perhaps this particular interviewer just wanted a very quick top-down answer before diving into a full structure. Asking 'do you mind if I take a second to structure my thoughts?' and then gauging the interviewer's response might help - they can course correct if they just want a 10 second qualitative answer, or are expecting a more detailed full picture.

Either way, I wouldn't worry too much. As long as the rest of the case went well, it does not sound like a dealbreaker.

Best of luck, and let me know if you want some help preparing for your second round if and when it is confirmed.

Answer 3

Hi there,

I really would not worry too much as long as the rest of the interview went well. When I was interviewing for McK, I received as feedback that I was in the top 2% of candidates in terms of cases. I have two thoughts about your situation:

It is an interviewer led case so technically the interviewer does not need to ask you for the framework at the beginning. I have seen such cases
Sometimes your interviewer wants to either surprise you or put you in an uncomfortable situation on purpose. They want to see how you react because clients will do this to you on the job all the time

If you would like to strategize on how to nail the rest of your interviews, please chat me

Answer 4

This is happening more and more often.

Most firms have started changing the structure of their cases so they can take interview candidates by surprise.

Why?

Because lots of candidates were going to interviews after having learned frameworks by heart and the interview became a boring, practice dance. Candidates would use 'internal/external', or 'consumer, company, competition', or 'market...' Porter's 5 forces, the 3Cs the 4Ps...

Interviewers know all of this and they can easily recognise it.

What they look for in the interview is how you actually think through a problem and how you would structure it if that problem were genuinely yours to solve.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 5

Hey there :)

Yes, totally normal! McKinsey interviews often start with an open, qualitative question to test your ability to think aloud and explore key drivers without jumping straight into a full framework. It’s still a structuring question—but more “light structure” than the classic full tree. Think 2–3 buckets, not a whole MECE breakdown. The full framework usually comes a question or two later.

To tell the difference: if the interviewer asks “What would you look into?” or “What factors matter here?”, go for a short structured answer, not a full case framework. If they ask something like “How would you approach this problem?”, that’s your cue for the full structure.

Happy to walk through an example if you’d like!

best,
Alessa :)

Answer 6

Hi there,

McKinsey is known for having some unconventional cases and different ways of asking things. Sometimes cases can indeed start with a brainstorm question instead of the regular framework, for example. However, even those require a structure, so it is better to come across as “too structured” than the other way around.
I hope you have passed the round, fingers crossed :)

Best,

Mari