I applied through university. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at McKinsey & Company (New Toronto, ON) in Nov 2010
Interview
The skill test itself is not very difficult at all, however their case interviews require knowing their format. I did not find the cases hard and in fact got hired at another consultancy but Mckinsey's feedback to me was to memorize their format and stick to it. It was less about the answers and more about knowing I had reviewed and studied their process intently, which admittedly I did not even look at except for the short webinar the weekend before. Practice and learn their process. Overall, a bit of arrogance from those I interviewed with leading me to question the culture though I cannot speak to it.
I interviewed at McKinsey & Company (‘Ushayrah, Riyadh Province)
Interview
Rigorous but fair questions - mostly case based. Two sets of interviews x 2 rounds. You only get invited back for the afternoon if you pass the morning round. They expect a high degree of mental math and creativity. Worth prepping for standard case interview style questions, using frameworks but able to adapt them.
I interviewed at McKinsey & Company (Washington, DC)
Interview
Long process with little to no communication, good folks though. Not too difficult just time consuming. Pulled out after the first round as I lost interest, but appreciated the opportunity to interview.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Prior experience and what I wanted out of the role
The interview process is structured and demanding. It includes a resume screen, problem solving tests, and multiple case interviews with personal experience questions. It’s objectively hard, testing structured thinking, communication, and calm under pressure. Not impossible but you must prepare seriously.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
They asked me to walk through a case and clearly structure the problem first. How I broke it down mattered more than getting the final answer right.