McKinsey interviews BA / Associate

Hi Carmen,

The rounds are all the same!

Furthermore, you're being tested on all the same things (the same skillset is required at all levels), such a communication, insights, case leadership, etc etc

Now, as you move up, the expectations are higher. So, you can get away with a lot more as an entry-level applicant than as an MBA hire.

They are not really different. The higher the tenure you're interviewing for, the higher the bar of course, but the structure and flow of the interview would be the same.

No, it's the same unless you are interviewing for a direct EM/Partner role. There will be a certain expectation of basic business knowledge from say an MBA or an experienced business professional but otherwise it's the same case and PEI interviews. Frankly, I was always impressed by how a summer BA offeree with limited business experience often cracked cases better than an average MBA student!

Hi there!
No, the structure of the interview within the company is the same.
Was it helpful?

Hi Carmen,
I confirm the structure will be the same: 3 parts
- Personal Experience Interview: fit and CV questions to assess your personal impact, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial spirit
- Case Interview: typical business case to evaluate your structure in approaching problems, problem-solving skills, and business sense
- Your final questions to the interviewers

Feel free to text me for some tips about the preparation. I have supported tens of experienced professionals in crafting impactful stories and structuring business cases.

Hope it helps,
Antonello

As mentioned by others, structure is the same. However, key difference is that for the final round - you need to absolutely convince them that you're good enough and a great fit. You have to make the partners excited about you.

Regardless of what any company tells you, they do have limited spots. They cannot hire the whole applicant pool, even if the applicant pool is qualified. In the first round, anyone who passes a certain bar is passed through but in the final round, you have to be the cream of the crop.