Consultant applicants have rated the interview process at McKinsey & Company with 3.8 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 51% positive. To compare, the company-average is 64.4% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Consultant roles take an average of 30 days to get hired, when considering 289 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at McKinsey & Company overall takes an average of 40 days.
Common stages of the interview process at McKinsey & Company as a Consultant according to 289 Glassdoor interviews include:
One on one interview: 26%
Skills test: 17%
Phone interview: 14%
IQ intelligence test: 10%
Presentation: 9%
Personality test: 8%
Background check: 6%
Group panel interview: 5%
Other: 3%
Drug test: 2%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied through college or university. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at McKinsey & Company (New York, NY) in Jan 2011
Interview
I have applied through my school's career site, and got an email asking me to participate in the one time interview process, along with a bunch of other candidates.
First all of us took an "intelligence test" something similar to SAT/GRE. Then we had three consecutive one on one interviews. First one was a disaster, the person interviewing me has not seen my resume me before or my cover letter, and did not understand my career objectives. He kept saying that McKinsey doen't do that, etc. I was surprised then why did they even call me back? I knew they had a branch which did what I was interested in. The man was annoyed so he gave me one of the most stupid brain teasers, I had no idea how to solve: something with a kid that is blond, he's father is 40, how old is the younger sister. Next two interviews were much more normal, some behavioral questions on analysis and leadership and a market type case study-how would you estimate the total market size of ex, etc.
I was negatively impressed by the very rude behavior of the first interviewer, and by the fact that they knew I was not a fit in the first place based on my interests.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
A brain teaser, that had nothing to do with mathematics. I don't remember the details, and I don't think there was any correct answer.
I interviewed at McKinsey & Company (Athens, Athens, Attica)
Interview
Overall good experience besides the fact that I had to undertake a numerical online test. I find it a bit obsolete in 2026 to use this type of assessment method
I interviewed at McKinsey & Company (Ciudad de Mexico)
Interview
Interview process was really great, all interviewers were friendly and professional. Started with a phone screen, then two case interview rounds with a partner and a senior associate, followed by a final round covering fit and problem-solving skills
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about a time you had to influence someone without formal authority
It was a one-to-one interview with a consultant. It's a typical case study. The experience was traumatizing. I know my answers weren't great, the consultant was elegant and didn't bother to hide his boredom.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What was the most difficult situation you have encountered in the workplace? What did you do about it?