Hi all,
I recently completed my PhD in life sciences and I’m applying for consulting roles in the UK, with MBB as my main target. I’m confident in my case prep and interview skills, but I keep getting stuck at the online assessment stage.
The assessments I’ve struggled with are [e.g. McKinsey Solve, numerical reasoning, SHL-style tests, game-based tests]. I’m planning to take a few months to prepare properly before the next cycle, so I’d love advice on how to use that time well.
I’d especially appreciate hearing:
- Resources: which practice platforms or materials actually helped you beyond the MBB-specific ones (e.g. GMAT-style data questions, JobTestPrep, Assessment Day)?
- Strategy: how did you structure your prep, and how long did you spend on it before you saw improvement?
- Speed vs accuracy: how did you balance the two under time pressure? I’m used to working carefully, so I’d value tips from other PhDs or researchers who made the switch.
Game-based tests: is there anything that genuinely helps, or is it mostly about staying calm and consistent?
