I'm wondering if the case prompt for McKinsey is much longer compared to BCG/Bain's. I've been studying using Victor Cheng's McKinsey Case Materials, and the case prompts were very long. The case prompts, however, for BCG/Bain from PL/other sources were short, and this actually allows interviewees to make a lot hypotheses. I'm wondering if this is correct, or I just happened to stumble upon some lengthy and short cases for McKinsey and BCG/Bain, respectively.
Thanks!
Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview
10
Hi Ian, thanks for the reply! Does it mean that I have to use different frameworks/structures to tackle the problem? Since BCG/Bain prompts the interviewee to ask lots of questions to get what's actually the main issue during our explanation, while McKinsey tends to require the interviewee to "guess" or basically "list" everything based on our assumptions for a complete framework.
McKinsey vs BCG/Bain Case Prompts - Length
3
1.9k

Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer

Ian
on Apr 17, 2021
Coach
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success
Hi there,
That is correct. McKinsey absolutely places more emphasis on diving deeper (and broader) into 2nd and 3rd level insights.
1 comment

Anonymous A
on Apr 20, 2021

Gaurav
on Apr 16, 2021
Coach
The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+ICF Certified+Active recruiter)|3000+ hrs experience| Placed 1000+(MBBs) & 1250+(Tier2)
You are right, that's how it usually goes for McKinsey

Allen
on Apr 16, 2021
Coach
Ex-McK Experienced Hire and EM - I show you how to perform at your best
Yes, that's been my experience.
Similar Questions
Most Popular Posts
Time for case preparation - experienced hire
19
on Oct 03, 2025
Europe
12
200+
Consultant with offers from McK, BCG, and others. LBS MBA. Received interview invites from almost every firm applied to
12 Answers
200+ Views


+9
BCG offer
12
on Oct 03, 2025
Middle East
8
200+

Top answer by
Sidi
Coach
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 500+ candidates secure MBB offers
8 Answers
200+ Views
K

+5
Is it still worth pursuing consulting?
15
on Oct 05, 2025
USA
10
200+
Consultant with offers from McK, BCG, and others. LBS MBA. Received interview invites from almost every firm applied to
10 Answers
200+ Views


+7
McKinsey: Prestige differences based on office location?
10
on Oct 07, 2025
Global
7
100+

Top answer by
Udayan
Coach
Top Rated MBB coach | 300+ Real MBB offers | McKinsey Engagement Manager in NYC |15 Years Interviewing Experience
7 Answers
100+ Views
K

+4
Teneo Consulting TestGorilla Math Assessment Prep
14
on Oct 11, 2025
USA
3
300+

Top answer by
Jenny
Coach
Buy 1 get 1 free for 1st time clients | Ex-McKinsey Manager & Interviewer | +7 yrs Coaching | Go from good to great
3 Answers
300+ Views

