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What is the percentage of applicants that McKinsey rejects even before taking the Imbellus game?

McKinsey & Company
New answer on May 24, 2022
6 Answers
8.0 k Views
Anonymous A asked on May 20, 2022

I have recently applied to McKinsey and I'll be taking my Imbellus this week. I didn't think much of it, as I thought everyone gets this opportunity and the selection begins after the Imbellus. After talking to some people who were rejected outright, without being invited to the online assessment, I have realized that maybe this is not the case.

Solely for curiosity (and a bit of a confidence boost), where am I in the percentile? What percentage of people reaches the Imbellus?

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 21, 2022
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Indeed you normally have an initial screening before the Imbellus. In some cases it may be sent to everyone but it’s usually when there is an agreement with a business school.

The rumored number of applicants getting offers from McKinsey is 1% out of the total applicants. The other numbers can only be estimates. It also depends on the particular period and country.

In terms of the Imbellus: you can find an article below with a few tips:

 McKinsey Problem Solving Game Article

If you want to prepare further, you can find below a guide with:

  • 15 videos showing how to crack the Ecosystem Game in 23 minutes (instead of the recommended 35) and resist 25+ turns in the Plant Defense (instead of the minimum target of 15)
  • Automated Excel with Formulas to build a food chain in the Ecosystem game in 16 minutes
  • PDF guide with all the 5 games and how to crack each of them

You can check the guide at the following link - full disclosure, I am the author ;)

▶ McKinsey PSG Solve Combo Guide

In case you have any other questions on the game please feel free to PM me, happy to help.

Best,

Francesco

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 20, 2022
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

None is going to be able to tell you for sure, tbh, since only recruting has these numbers and they don´t share it (I have tried to get them myself for the guides since I still have a very good relationship with the HR people in my office, and they simply don´t release it). 

What I can echo for sure is that (1) not everyone gets the invitation -as you say- and (2) not everyone passes, so prep is key. You have plenty of material from Francesco in the shop to prep. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

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Anonymous B on Jan 11, 2024

The preparatory material is excellent, but only for those who can afford it.

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 21, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Whether it's 5% or 90% it doesn't matter (sorry). You passed, which is fantastic.

The test is indeed a screening - you need to do well (and have a strong resume/profile) to be invited to interview.

Additionally, you're not going to be able to find a hard and fast number. This is going to be completely dependent on region, role, recruiting channel, time of year, etc.!

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Cristian
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Content Creator
replied on May 21, 2022
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

I have no idea what is the exact percentage, but you should always assume that every round works like a funnel. Clients do get rejected at CV screening, they do get rejected at the test and then at every other stage later on. 

I was recently talking with a candidate who was assuming that the 30min ‘screening’ call that McKinsey is recently doing is not eliminatory. Of course it is, that's why they're doing it. No company worth its salt is throwing away with resources for fun. 

Best,
Cristian

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Lucie
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 20, 2022
10+yrs recruiting & BCG Project leader

I would estimate less than 5% pass the CV screening and is invited for the next step (eg. Imbellus game). Each step then offer slightly higher chances, CV screening has the lowest chances. 

Lucie

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Florian
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replied on May 24, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

Take this as a rough estimate since the numbers vary greatly across offices based on supply and demand, I'd say that with the introduction of the Solve Game around 60-70% of resumes are rejected at the screening stage while before the Solve Game it was around 80%+.

The numbers are insanely high because McKinsey receives a large number of unqualified applications. Your friends and peers that apply at McKinsey and people who frequent platforms such as PrepLounge are just a subset of the overall McKinsey applicants.

Cheers,

Florian

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Francesco gave the best answer

Francesco

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