Kearney Numerical Assesment

Question

I've been invited to complete the Kearney numerical assessment in person at the office. I was recommended by someone from my previous startup who came from Kearney. However, I've heard that Kearney doesn’t seem to value startup experience much and even told my recommender that I come across as "too startup-y."

I find it odd that I have to take the test in person since most candidates complete it online. Do you think they might be making the process more difficult for me? On the bright side, I see this as an opportunity to meet them in person and showcase my attitude and personality.

I've also been told that no calculator is allowed and that the test lasts one hour. I checked the mock questions (using difficult percentages like 0.639%) on their website and was completely shocked. I’ve already taken the McKinsey and Bain tests, which I found quite time-constraining, but at least they were online and allowed a calculator. I honestly have no idea how I’m going to manage this test.

Answer 1

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the invitation from Kearney!

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

First of all, I don’t think they are making the process harder for you on purpose. Also, I would highly advise you to ignore comments like "too startup-y" for a consulting candidate.
Moreover, there are several apps and websites like PrepLounge’s Mental Math Tool designed specifically for improving written math skills. It really is nothing more than practice that is required.

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 Kearney pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 2

Do not worry much, lets simplify your worries here:

Start-up experience should also be a positive indicator no matter what. Different people have different opinions.
Screening test - it is what it is. You have to play by their rules. Different people across different offices can have different experiences.
Regarding the math - happy to hear out your challenge/concerns over an intro call. Everyone has a different set of things troubling them in math. Once we speak, I can advise you better on the next steps. Feel free to message me.

Answer 3

Hi there,

The in-person Kearney numerical assessment may feel like an added hurdle, especially given their perception of you as “too startup-y,” but it’s also a chance to make a strong impression. The test is challenging due to time pressure and no calculator use, so focus on sharpening mental math, particularly with percentages and estimations. Since you’ve handled McKinsey and Bain’s time-constrained tests, apply similar strategies while practicing GMAT-style quant. Rather than seeing this as a disadvantage, use the in-person setting to demonstrate structured thinking, professionalism, and adaptability, which could help shift their perception in your favor.

Feel free to DM me for further advice.

Best,

Evelina

Answer 4

Hi,

I believe you can leverage your start-up experience by stressing the skills you gained in a cover letter and interview. That being said, practice math drills on a daily basis (5-15 minutes) to improve you numerical reasoning and working under time pressure. You can easily find some good tools online.

Good luck;

Mattijs

Answer 5

That does sound like a tough situation, and I get why you'd feel like they're making the process harder for you. It could be that they want to test your adaptability in a high-pressure setting, but on the flip side, being there in person gives you a great chance to make a strong impression beyond just numbers. If you've already tackled the McKinsey and Bain tests, you've got a solid foundation—just focus on staying calm and sharpening your mental math skills. You’ve got this!

Answer 6

Hey!
I don't think they're deliberately making it harder; rather, by requiring an in-person assessment with no calculator and tricky percentages, Kearney is likely aiming to see how you handle pressure and solve problems in a realistic, controlled setting while also getting a glimpse of your personality, which can help balance any concerns about your startup background—something I’ve experienced firsthand during my time as a Full Time Consultant; while the format might seem daunting, try to view it as an opportunity to showcase your analytical skills and unique perspective, and if you have any further questions or need advice, please feel free to reach out.

Good luck, Alessa

Answer 7

Hi there,

I don't think they want to make it more difficult because of your background. While all consulting firms and their recruiting is meritocratic in nature, they want to give everyone the same chances/conditions.
The only chance to pass this is to learn how to quickly generate a solution approach to quant problems and become quick with pen-and-paper calculations (on top of other typical test taking strategies like eliminating answer choices). It takes practice and time.
If you feel like you don't have enough time, it might be a good idea to reschedule.

All the best,

Florian

Answer 8

1. No, they are not making the process harder. They're not playing games here.

2. If you are given such a number, you are expected to provide an estimate, not an exact calculation.