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Common case types

McKinsey
New answer on Jun 10, 2020
9 Answers
1.5 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jun 06, 2020

Hello,

For those who have been through the process recently, what are the most common types of cases (profitability, market entry etc. or somethinge else?) that you see in McK's 1st round interviews?

Thank you!

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Robert
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 06, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

I can give you just a overall picture for the generalist track concerning which types of cases are used - but please remember that you need to be prepared for all types, since the singular (and not 'average') case is relevant for your interviews, and thus your interview success.

Most commonly used case types (in descending probability):

  • Profitability (there might be detours, but at the end very often it ties back to profitability..)
  • Growth strategy (corporate and business unit level)
  • Market entry (new products/new markets)
  • M&A
  • Competitive strategy
  • Pricing (from pricing strategy to optimization)
  • Capacity (process industries)
  • Process optimization
  • Organizational structure

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

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Vlad
Expert
updated an answer on Jun 07, 2020
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Mckinsey is a bit different from other companies:

Up to 40% of the cases are non-conventional cases (e.g. How to increase revenues from tourism in a city? How to approach the creation of business bankruptcy law?

The rest are:

  • Market sizing
  • Investment decision
  • Market entry
  • New product
  • M&A
  • Operations (A lot in the ops-heavy regions)
  • Digital (More and more common nowadays)

Profitability cases are quite rare

Best

(edited)

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Luca
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Content Creator
replied on Jun 06, 2020
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

You could face any kind of case, but the most common are (in this order):

  • Market sizing
  • Profitability
  • Market entry
  • Increasing revenues

Be sure that you are prepared also to tackle other types of cases, like M&A and pricing, but these are the most common.

Best,
Luca

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Ian
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Content Creator
replied on Jun 06, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
  1. Profitability
  2. Market Entry
  3. M&A
  4. Growth

A few things to note:

  • Cases can "call" other cases (i.e. profitiability might realize you need growth. Or you might decde to enter a market via and M&A)
  • Don't just mrmeorize cases! Learn how to case and adapt to any question that comes your way!
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Francesco
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replied on Jun 06, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

the types of cases strongly depend on the office and geography you are targeting. Public sector cases for example are not uncommon in the Middle East but rare in other geographies. I would recommend you share the geography you are targeting for an appropriate answer.

Best,

Francesco

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Anonymous replied on Jun 06, 2020

Hi there,

The basic framework that you see in the case books are the most common ones - however, in my recent process, all my interviews were not common cases. I had to use business common sense to be able to solve them (nothing too complicated - but had I been too hung up on using the "common frameworks", I would've failed)

Practice the common frameworks, but be flexible and ready for letting go of them if the case is "out of the box"

Feel free to reach out for specific tips.

Best

Khaled

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Clara
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Content Creator
replied on Jun 08, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Hello!

Could you share geography and firm so we can better guide you? There are some strong bias!

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous replied on Jun 06, 2020

Hi,

Hello, Always useful to know that yes but you should really expect any type of case study. Rather work the method, and the ability to express your business sense than learn by heart the frameworks. Also, most of the times, case studies are not standard and require customized frameworks !

Best

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Anonymous replied on Jun 10, 2020

Dear A,

On the top of what have been said, yes. it's always good to be prepared. But the best way is to be prepared for anything.

From my side I would add that during cases like on cost-cutting, restructurization and digitization might be the most popular.

If you need any further help or advice, feel free to reach out.

Best,

André

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Robert gave the best answer

Robert

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