McKinsey Middle East

Hey there,

Congrats on passing the first round!

Regarding the experience

95% of partner rounds are just as standardized as the first round, yet be prepared to expect everything. Sometimes they are more conversational and friendly, only with light-touch evaluation, other times they are more challenging. Usually, they are the same. 

The reason why you read about freestyle partner experiences is that they deviate from what people expect, hence they post about it more frequently online, hence giving others the impression it is much more common.

Additionally, partner rounds are often perceived as more challenging, just because it's a partner sitting across the table rather than a more junior colleague. It is purely based on the impression and not on the content. :-)

If there are any deviations from the standard interviewer guidelines, expect them to be in the following realm:

• Focus on one or two areas where you were perceived as not as strong in round one, which can be specific case questions or fit questions (or PEI for McKinsey)
• Only doing a case, only doing fit instead of both
• Doing two shorter cases in quick succession
• Challenging your answers more
• Not providing any time for you to think about the answer, making it more conversational

In any case, the most important thing is not to be startled by this and just keep working on the case and fit in a calm manner

Regarding the types of cases to expect:

For McKinsey its all about the HOW you approach the case, not WHAT you know about a specific industry or function.
 

Hence, focus on

• The correct approach for every question in an interviewer-led format
• Honing your content creation strategies
• Work on your chart interpretation skills
• Work on your quantitative reasoning and mental math
   

Do not focus on

• Specific industries or functions
• Frameworks from Cheng or Case in Point
   

Expect

• Unusual cases
• A mix of business and non-business cases

I have written a detailed insider perspective on the McKinsey case interview here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/mckinsey-interview

Check out my profile if you have any questions or want professional coaching. I have specialized in the McKinsey interviewing format and had tremendous success with my approach over the last 18 months, especially in the Middle East.

Cheers,

Florian

Hi Anya!

A very similar question was just asked here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/mckinsey-dubai-first-round-case-study-typesindustries-13300

You need to be prepared for every case type and industry. I know this sounds impossible, but it's less about memorizing every single one and much more about being prepared for whatever comes your way.

I'm going to list out the most common/likely ones, but please don't take this as a prediction of what will happen:

• Government / Public Sector
• Oil & Gas
• Energy
• Public works/infrastructure/construction
• Financial Services
• Travel and Tourism
• Consumer Goods
• Industrial Goods
• Private Equity
• TMT

Hi Anya,

The most common types I have seen specifically in finals at McK ME are:

• Profitability / Rev issues
• New product launch
• M&A

If you need help please feel free to PM me, I know 20+ real case questions they asked there.

Best,

Francesco