McKinsey First round

Question

i am preparing for McKinsey First round

can someone advise which type and level of cases i should go through from the case library

thanks

Answer 1

Hi Majid,

Congrats on passing the screening and best of luck ahead!

Generally, best practice would be to train across the spectrum of cases. There are no specific second-round or first-round cases. The purpose of having two rounds is to confirm that the candidate is consistently performing well across interview with 4-6 people. So do the classic stuff (profitability, market sizing, etc.) and then try also some of the more unusual cases that won't fit in the standard frameworks. It helps to have a strategy to approach the application process and make sure you're prepared since you don't get that many chances. Feel free to reach out to me privately and I can send you an overview of what an application strategy / approach would look like. Let me know also if you have any other questions.

Answer 2

Hi Majid,

I'd like to point you to the two articles on McKinsey interviews that I wrote, which also cover the first round.

Case: https://www.preplounge.com/en/mckinsey-interview
PEI: https://www.preplounge.com/en/mckinsey-pei

From the article on the McKinsey case interview, you will learn how a good McKinsey practice case should look like and be able to spot them by yourself.

All the best,

Florian

Answer 3

Hi Majid,

The short answer is: a diverse set of cases!

We can't predict what will happen. Therefore, you need to get broad exposure to a range of case types and industries!

Make sure to practice profitability, growth, market entry, M&A, pricing, competitive response, investment, and unexpected/unconventional ones.

Here are some to consider:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/interviewer-led-mckinsey-style/advanced/mckinsey-digital-bcg-platinion-oil-gas-upstream-technology-196

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/hot-wheels-186

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/beginner/hot-wheels-part-2-254

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/yodaphone-195

https://www.preplounge.com/en/management-consulting-cases/candidate-led-usual-style/intermediate/cutting-carbs-divestiture-in-the-electrical-power-market-228

Answer 4

Hi!

I'd prepare with the whole variety of cases, focusing on market sizing, which are very common during first rounds.

Good luck,

Anto