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Completed mckinsey solve test on the 5th of january - no answer yet

I completed the Solve test on the 5th. While the 5th and 6th were holidays in Spain, HR would have returned to work on the 7th.

How it went: The test went well overall, though not perfectly due to a moment where slow Wi-Fi might have impacted the submission of an aswer. I believe I performed very well on Ecosystem, did great on Ocean, and Redrock went well until the last question, which I couldn't finish. I've also had two McKinsey contacts (a manager and an associate) speak to HR about me and share my CV, and I’ve been in touch with a helpful HR representative who was actively following up on my application.

I prepared extensively for this test, so I’m frustrated by the delay in hearing back. It’s been nearly 2 weeks now, and I understand rejected candidates are often contacted last. It’s discouraging to think I might not have passed a screening test designed to assess basic skills after all the effort I’ve put in. It leaves me questioning what to expect moving forward.
 

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Top answer
Hagen
Coach
edited on Jan 20, 2025
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the progress in the application process with McKinsey thus far!

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

  • First of all, since it has been two full weeks, I would advise you to contact the recruiter to inquire about the status of your application.
  • Moreover, please keep in mind that there is no correlation between the delay and the result, so please don't read anything into it.

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

Best,

Hagen

Mattijs
Coach
on Jan 17, 2025
Free 15m intro call | First session -50% | Bain Consultant | Hiring team | 250+ successful candidates

Hi,

The feedback process after completing McKinsey's Solve game can vary. Based on my experience, candidates can expect to hear back from McKinsey up to 3 weeks. As you are already 2 weeks in, it's perfectly acceptable to follow up with the recruiting team.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Mattijs

on Jan 17, 2025
2 free coachings for women per month (DM me)|+600 Interviews | Free 30-min intro call | Ex-Principal |Drill-Coaching

Hi there, 

Thank you for sharing your experience. I understand the waiting can be frustrating, especially after all the effort you've put in. I recommend calling the HR representative directly. It shows initiative and gives you a chance to get an immediate update on your application status. Be polite, express your enthusiasm for the role, and ask if there’s any update on your test results or the next steps.

Best of luck,
Kairavee

Birgit
Coach
on Jan 17, 2025
1 free Coaching Session (60min) | xMcKinsey + Inhouse Experience | Tailored Coachings

Hi there,

general rule of thumb in my experience is that you should receive feedback after 14 days. 

The whole recruiting process is standardized and it does not necessarily mean you are rejected. 

If you do not hear back after 14 days, you might call and ask HR. 

Good luck and all the best,

Birgit

Mariana
Coach
on Jan 17, 2025
You CAN make it! | xMckinsey | 1.5h session | +200 sessions |Free 15-Minute Call

Hello there!

This amount of time doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve got rejected, don’t worry about this in advance. You can contact the HR rep and kindly follow up.

About your feelings: When we look at consultants, it often seems that they were born talented and ready to do the job. We hear about the triple offers, the signing bonus, and how the interviews went smooth. But the truth is that the majority of them (me included) had to work really hard and be resilient to get to this point. That means frustration may be part of the process, and resilience a necessary virtue if one really wants the job. Don’t be discouraged if a negative response comes, I know it doesn’t seem fair after all the work you invested, but that’s part of the career you choose to pursue. Keep up with the good work and your chances will be favored.
Good luck!

Mari

on Jan 19, 2025
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Q: It leaves me questioning what to expect moving forward.

I don’t think you can get any indications of the performance yet, just based on the waiting time. I know cases where it took several weeks for a candidate to get updates and the result was positive, thus from what you shared you might still have a chance to pass.

Good luck!

Francesco

on Feb 01, 2025

how did you practice for the solve game?

4
Thabang
Coach
on Jan 21, 2025
Ex-McKinsey Consultant | McKinsey Top Coach & Interviewer | Special Offer: Buy 1 Session Get 1 Free (Limited time!)

Hey there, 

I know this wait can be incredibly frustrating. We've all been there. 

Just to dis-spell something you mentioned.... it's not necessarily true that rejected candidates are often contacted last in recruiting (with consulting firms). There's no formula to this, and in fact sometimes they are contacted first. So don't allow that to play on your mind too much :-) 

As for the delay, it would be good to follow up with recruiting and courteously ask for feedback on your result or when to expect it

All the best  

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