Time needed to respond to questions

Question

When interviewing with McKinsey, aside from the first question which typically involves structuring the case, is it more appropriate to take some time to organize your thoughts before answering subsequent questions? Or is it better to go with the flow and build your answer as you respond?

Answer 1

Hi there,

It is allowed to take some time (not too long) to organize your thoughts before answering questions beyond the first structuring exercise.

And a candidate won't be penalized for not taking the time to think first; rather it is the answer and the way the answer is communicated that's scored.

There might be people who can “go with the flow” and build a good answer, clearly communicated in the process. To tell if this approach works for you, try to do it a few times, record it, and play back.

Answer 2

Hi there,

You should always take some time before each question in McKinsey interviews.

Here is a rough indication:

Structuring/brainstorming: 2 minutes
Charts: 1 minute
Math: 1 minute for logic, 2-3 minutes for calculation

These are not absolute truths but average values you can use as a guideline when practicing!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 3

Hi there,

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

Taking some time is generally accepted as long as you don't overdo it. But, for example, whenever you receive new information or have to generate an approach or ideas, it is absolutely natural to require some time.

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 interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 4

Hi there,

Q: Is it more appropriate to take some time to organize your thoughts before answering subsequent questions?

Regardless of the company, It is totally fine to ask for time:

Before presenting the initial structure
Before any brainstorming questions
Before a graph analysis
Before structuring a math problem
Before a conclusion

So, basically, whenever you need time to think, you can ask for it. The only situation where you cannot ask for time is if the interviewer explicitly says, “Don’t take time, give me the answer right now,” but that’s very unusual.

Best,

Francesco

Answer 5

If it is a complex task that requires some structuring then yes, you can ask for some time.