Wondering if I need to take the PST for the summer internship (I'm a junior). Mckinsey is recruiting on my campus if that's relevant.
If so, where do I sign up for it/ when do I know when to take it?
This depends on the office you are applying for, as McKinsey's rules on the PST differ by geography (and in some cases have changed recently).
For example, to intern in London, the PST is mandatory, but in Germany you do not need to do it.
In terms of taking the PST, you will take it after you apply and if you pass the first round of Resume screening. You will receive instructions from the office you are applying to similar to attending an interview. If McKinsey is recruiting on your campus, it is possible they will host a PST session at your university, or alternatively ask you to take it in the nearest McKinsey office to your school.
Hope that helps!
Hi,
Could you please provide more details if it Is an undergrad school or MBA?
For top MBA schools, they don't require PST and they just have the on-campus interviews.
For most of the undergrad internships - you have to write the PST.
Feel free to reach the on-campus recruiter with this question.
Best!
Thank you! I'm an undergrad and will reach out with that question. BCG and Bain don't have these tests though, correct? — Emma on Aug 01, 2018
Originally answered:
Hi Anonymous,
as mentioned in the previous posts – yes, you would have to do an analytical test for an internship at McKinsey. As a side note on the test, in some countries McKinsey stopped to use PST and moved to an SHL-type test. I would recommend therefore to verify with HR which kind of test you will have to do in order to prepare properly.
Best,
Francesco
Originally answered:
Dear Anonymous A,
In general, if your office requires a Problem Solving Test for full-time hires, then it will also require the Test for internship candidates.
It should be mentioned that there are some McKinsey offices around the world that do not require the Problem Solving Test for full-time hires, and subsequently, may not require it for internship candidates. That said, my limited understanding on this matter is that those offices that do not require the Test are quite few and quite far between.
The solid advice is that you if you wish to intern at McKinsey, you must prepare to take this Test. Diligent and customised study is crucial to pass this most challenging of examinations.
Check out this link for a fun perspective on the Test (see below)
All the very best to you!
https://igotanoffer.com/blogs/mckinseypst/13587921-mckinsey-pst-passing-score-70
Originally answered:
Hi,
Yes, the interview process for an internn is exactly the same process as for a business analyst. in general:
- PST
- 1st round - 2 interviews (difference - does not exist, same profile of interviewers)
- 2nd round - 2 interviews (difference - not necessarily partners in this case but at least Associate Partners)
The real difference is in the debrief session. If there is doubts when debriefing for a BA,, he is most probably not hired (or has a 3rd interview in the round). For an intern, there is a bit more flexibility (if there is doubts McK can still hire him for the internship)
Cheers
Carlos
Originally answered:
Hi there! Not sure about the current hiring practices, but I needed the PST test for my internship back in 2012.
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