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Did McKinsey ditch PST completely?

Imbellus McKinsey McKinsey Imbellus PST
Recent activity on Jun 30, 2023
7 Answers
3.2 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Dec 16, 2019

Hey, im preparing for an internship hiring process at McKinsey and i got a bit confused from the mass of data on the web.

Does McKinsey still use their PST during the hiring process or did they completely moved to Imbellus?

Also, as i am applying to a country which doesnt have Engish as its first or second language (and i assume most of the job is done in the native language), can you please tell me what parts of the hiring process would be in the native language and what parts in English?

Thanks!

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2019
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

For instance, in the Madrid office -where you work in Spanish mostly with local clients- the PST is in English but parts from the interviews are in English (could be the FIT or a part of the case, totally up to the interviewer)

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Luca
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2019
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello!

You can't really know, every part of the interview could be asked in english. Sometimes it happens that the interviewer switches language in the middle of the interview.
PST is still there, it was not completely replaced by imbellus!

Best,
Luca

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Deniz
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2019
5+ Years at BCG & Kearney Dubai & Istanbul | 400+ Trainees | Free 15-min Consultation Call

Hi,

Some offices e.g. London, Prague replaced PST with the digital assessment (online gamification), but the transition has yet to complete globally.

Some of your interviews will be in the local language and some will be in English, you can check with the HR.

Best,

Deniz

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Dec 16, 2019
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,
it depends on the country: some offices are continuing to use PST, others SHL, others Imbellus.

Regarding the live interviews, they are usually made 100% in the local language (English happens to be tested but usually at most in the fit part).

Best,
Antonello

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Anonymous A on Dec 16, 2019

Hey Antonello, thanks for the comment, is there anyway i can know which test is being done at a specific office?

(edited)

Antonello on Dec 16, 2019

Sharing in the community the office you are applying for or directly asking to HR: do not worry about bothering them, they are there to help. There is no indications on McK website. Hope it helps

Anonymous replied on Jun 04, 2020

Dear A,

Replacement is yet to be done globally. Depends on your office.

And as for English, anytime, at any aprt of your interview you can be asked in English. So, be prepared.

Good luck,

André

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Dec 16, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Nope, PST is still a big thing. They replaced it with a simulation game for some of the roles and for generalist as a pilot in some countries. You should better check with HR

Usually, your interviews are in your native language, however at least 1-2 will be in English

Best

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 30, 2023
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

McKinsey now almost exclusively uses Imbellus

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