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What are my chances of getting a McKinsey interview with my Solve score?

Hi everyone

I recently completed a McKinsey Solve assessment and got a 9th decile with a score of 520. 

For context, I am applying for a future talent program at the London office. 

From your experiences with applicants, what would you say are my chances of getting to the next stage with this score, as I have no frame of reference myself.

Additionally, I plan to apply during September to their entry level roles as an Associate as I have a Master's degree.

What would be the likelihood that this Solve score holds me back from getting an interview?

Thanks in advance for your answers, everyone on this board has been immensely helpful!

Kind regards

J

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Hagen
Coach
am 14. Apr. 2025
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience

Hi J,

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

  • First of all, and contrary to what other coaches have said, unfortunately no one can say whether this McKinsey Solve score will be sufficient or not.
  • Moreover, McKinsey seems to evaluate your application files together with the McKinsey Solve score, which makes it even more complex to assess your chances of success.
  • Lastly, I would advise you to just wait and see, as there is nothing you can do at this point.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Evelina
Coach
am 14. Apr. 2025
EY-Parthenon (6 years) l BCG offer holder l 97% success rate l 30% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS

Hi J,

First off, congratulations on your 9th decile Solve score — that’s a strong result! Generally, scoring in the top decile (especially anything 9th or 10th) is viewed very positively and should place you well above any cutoff concerns. Based on what I’ve seen and heard from candidates, this level of performance is usually more than sufficient to pass the Solve screening, provided the rest of your application (CV, cover letter, academic background, and relevant experiences) is competitive.

For the Future Talent Program at the London office, McKinsey tends to weigh the Solve score alongside your overall profile rather than treat it as a standalone filter — so a 520 in the 9th decile suggests the assessment won’t be the limiting factor.

When you apply for entry-level Associate roles in September, it’s also worth noting that McKinsey typically treats Solve results as valid for multiple cycles, and your score should still reflect well on your application. If anything, the bigger deciding factor will likely be your CV and how clearly it demonstrates problem-solving, leadership, and impact, rather than this specific score holding you back.

All in all, I’d say your Solve performance is a strong signal in your favor, not something to worry about.

Best of luck with your applications — you’re definitely on the right track!

Evelina

Anonym A
am 14. Apr. 2025
Hey Evelina Thanks so much for your reassurance!
Mariana
Coach
am 14. Apr. 2025
You CAN make it! | xMckinsey | 1.5h session | +200 sessions |Free 20-Minute Call

Hello there, J!

That is a good result that will positive contribute to your case. However, it will be analyzed together with your CV and compared to the existing pool, so it’s not possible to say if you will pass to the interview stage.

I would start studying anyway for the case and behavioral interview just in case, so you don’t get caught off guard in case your result is positive.

Happy to help you in this next phase - I’m a DM away :)

Best,

Mari

am 14. Apr. 2025
1st session -50% and free 15min call| Ex-McKinsey| Offical McKinsey Case Coach | +250 coaching sessions

Hi!

Your score is great! It is a strong indicator that you will be invited to interview.

I have two points to consider:

  • Do you have work experience? You said you're going to apply as an associate but you haven't said if you do have work experience.

    I ask because you can join McKinsey as a junior associate or associate if you have another postgraduate degree (e.g., PhD, Post-doc, MD, JD), hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree plus 4+ years of work experience, or completed your master’s degree within four years of your bachelor’s degree.

    You join as a business anallyst if you are pursuing a master’s degree and have earned an undergraduate degree less than four years ago. (Usually with no work experience).

    Just something to consider when applying (have a look here https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/students to check)

  • Work on your cv now and begin your case prep: Your CV will be a strong indicator of being invited to interview, so begin refining it e.g. put down your achievements etc. Also begin your case-prep; since you are still in grad school, see if there is a consulting club you can get involved in e.g. access resources, find people to case with etc.

 

Good luck and happy to chat :)

Anonym A
am 14. Apr. 2025
Hi Hafeezah In terms of work experience I worked as an intern analyst at a professional body for 6 months between doing my undergraduate and masters degree. Beyond that, by the time I will be applying for positions at McKinsey I will be 6 months into my current job as a Customer Success Executive. Will the best role for me to apply for be a junior associate as I have an undergraduate and masters degree and under 2 years of experience? Would love to hear your thoughts!
am 15. Apr. 2025
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

Hi there!

Congrats on the score!

But disappointingly - I'm sure - none of us can give you a clear answer because it's not only the Solve score that matters in passing screening, and the cutoff actually differs between offices, roles, and application cycles. 

What's clear though (and also obvious) is that the higher the score, the better your chances. Now that lots of candidates are going through simulations of the game before actually taking it, the results have inflated a bit, so having a great CV and a referral are starting to matter more. So these are the sort of things that you could optimise further with other applications. 

Best,
Cristian

Alberto
Coach
am 15. Apr. 2025
Ex-McKinsey AP | +13 yrs hiring top talent | I help you think, speak & perform like a real consultant (95% success)

We can’t know for sure. Recruiters will compare your score with others, so it depends on the overall level of your cohort.

They’ll also consider your resume and cover letter as part of the decision.

Focus on applying to more firms and start preparing for the interviews—the sooner, the better.

Best,

Alberto

Explore my latest case inspired by a real MBB interview: Chic & Stitch - Fashion Market Expansion

Alessa
Coach
am 18. Apr. 2025
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free

Hey there,

A 9th decile score on McKinsey's Solve assessment is a strong result, and generally, it should not hold you back from moving forward in the recruitment process. McKinsey uses the Solve scores as a way to assess candidates' problem-solving abilities, and a score of 520 in the 9th decile shows that you're performing well above average.

That said, it's essential to understand that McKinsey considers multiple factors in their selection process—Solve scores, CV, interviews, and overall fit. Given that you're applying for the Future Talent Program and then aiming for an Associate role, the score should position you well for the next steps, but be mindful that the competition can be tough.

To maximize your chances:

  • Prepare well for interviews—practice cases, and focus on your structure and problem-solving approach.
  • Highlight your Master's degree and any relevant experience that aligns with consulting.

All in all, your Solve score alone should not be a barrier for an interview. Keep up the preparation and stay confident!

Best regards,
Alessa

Pedro
Coach
am 14. Apr. 2025
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

With that score, you passed the Solve screening. But you will only pass to the next stage if that score, combined with your specific CV, is good enough.

Most likely it will be - otherwise they shouldn't be inviting you to do the Solve :)

Florian
Coach
am 14. Apr. 2025
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

While the Score is strong, the final outcome depends on 

  • your profile overall (CV)
  • the performance of your peers

Fingers crossed!

Cheers,

Florian

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