McKinsey Business Analyst Interview Questions

 

Case Interviews

 

A case interview is a 30 to 45-minute exercise where you work with the interviewer to develop a recommendation for a business problem. McKinsey pioneered this interview format in the 1970s, and it remains the gold standard for assessing consulting potential.

 

McKinsey case interviews simulate the consulting job by placing you in real business situations. Many cases are based on actual client projects that interviewers have worked on, giving them an authentic feel.

 

Example Case Questions:

 

• Profitability: A major airline is experiencing declining profits despite stable passenger numbers. What's causing this and how can they improve profitability?

 

• Market entry: Should a leading US healthcare provider expand into the European market?

 

• Growth strategy: A mid-sized fintech company wants to triple its revenue in 3 years. How should they approach this?

 

• Mergers & acquisitions: Your client is considering acquiring a competitor in the retail space. Should they proceed with the acquisition?

 

• Pricing: A luxury hotel chain wants to implement dynamic pricing. What factors should they consider and how should they approach this?

 

• Operations: A manufacturing plant has seen productivity decline by 20% over the past year. What could be causing this?

 

Key Skills to Demonstrate:

 

• Structured thinking using frameworks tailored to the specific problem

 

• Quick and accurate mental math without relying on calculators

 

• Ability to synthesize information and identify key insights

 

• Business intuition and creative problem-solving

 

• Clear, concise communication throughout the case

 

Personal Experience Interview (PEI)

 

McKinsey's Personal Experience Interview is fundamentally different from the behavioral interviews at other firms. Instead of asking several short behavioral questions, McKinsey dedicates 10-20 minutes to exploring a single experience in depth.

 

The PEI assesses your soft skills, leadership qualities, and fit with McKinsey's culture. The interviewer will ask one opening question, then dig deeper with 10-25 follow-up questions about your decisions, actions, and learnings. This format reveals how you think and behave in challenging situations.

 

McKinsey evaluates candidates on four core dimensions during the PEI. In 2025, McKinsey updated the names of these dimensions, though the underlying qualities being assessed remain the same.

 

The Four PEI Dimensions

 

1. Leadership (formerly Inclusive Leadership)

 

Leadership at McKinsey means the ability to lead teams effectively, especially diverse teams with different backgrounds and perspectives. You don't need to have held formal leadership titles—informal leadership where you stepped up to drive results is equally valuable.

 

McKinsey values inclusive leadership because consultants work with diverse client teams and must harness different viewpoints to generate the best solutions.

 

Example Questions:

 

• Share an example where you effectively worked with people with different backgrounds

 

• Tell me about a time when you led a team through a difficult situation

 

• Describe a situation where you had to lead without formal authority

 

What McKinsey Looks For:

 

• Ability to bring out the best in team members with diverse skills and backgrounds

 

• Creating psychological safety where everyone can contribute

 

• Adapting your leadership style to different people and situations

 

• Achieving results through others rather than working solo

 

2. Connection (formerly Personal Impact)

 

Connection refers to your ability to influence, persuade, and build relationships with others, especially when they initially disagree with you or resist your ideas. This dimension tests how effectively you can navigate interpersonal dynamics to drive change.

 

In consulting, you'll need to convince client executives to adopt your recommendations, even when those recommendations challenge their assumptions or require difficult changes.

 

Example Questions:

 

• Explain a challenging situation you encountered when working with someone with an opposing opinion

 

• Tell me about a time when you had to convince someone to change their mind

 

• Describe a situation where you influenced others despite initial resistance

 

What McKinsey Looks For:

 

• Strategic approach to persuasion rather than brute-force argumentation

 

• Active listening and understanding others' perspectives before responding

 

• Tailoring your communication style to your audience

 

• Building trust and credibility to influence outcomes

 

3. Drive (formerly Entrepreneurial Drive)

 

Drive assesses your ambition, perseverance, and willingness to take ownership. McKinsey wants to see that you set challenging goals, push through obstacles, and take initiative even when success isn't guaranteed.

 

Consulting is demanding, with tight deadlines and high expectations. You need to be self-motivated and resilient when things get difficult.

 

Example Questions:

 

• Talk about a time when you worked to achieve something outside your comfort zone

 

• Tell me about your biggest goal that you managed to achieve

 

• Describe a situation where you faced significant obstacles but persevered

 

What McKinsey Looks For:

 

• Setting ambitious goals that stretch beyond your defined role

 

• Perseverance through setbacks and challenges

 

• Taking ownership of outcomes rather than blaming circumstances

 

• Demonstrating grit and determination to deliver results

 

4. Growth (formerly Courageous Change)

 

Growth evaluates your ability to adapt to change, learn from ambiguous situations, and handle uncertainty. In today's rapidly evolving business environment, consultants must be comfortable with ambiguity and quick to adjust their approach.

 

This dimension assesses whether you embrace change as an opportunity for learning rather than resisting it.

 

Example Questions:

 

• Revisit a time when you experienced a significant change or ambiguous situation and share how you adapted

 

• Tell me about a time when you had to rapidly learn something new to tackle a challenging situation

 

• Describe how you've handled a major organizational change

 

What McKinsey Looks For:

 

• Embracing change with a positive, proactive mindset

 

• Learning quickly in unfamiliar or ambiguous situations

 

• Adapting your approach when circumstances shift

 

• Demonstrating resilience and flexibility under uncertainty

 

Structuring Your PEI Answers

 

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your PEI responses, but go deeper than typical behavioral answers. McKinsey interviewers will probe extensively, so you need rich, detailed stories.

 

Situation: Set clear context for your story with relevant background. Describe the setting, who was involved, and what challenge existed. Keep this concise but specific—aim for 30-60 seconds.

 

Task: Clearly articulate your specific responsibility or goal. What were you trying to accomplish? What was at stake? This should be a quick transition from situation to action.

 

Action: This is the heart of your answer. Describe the specific steps you took, decisions you made, and how you approached the challenge. Use "I" statements and focus on your individual actions, not what "we" or "the team" did. This section should be 60-90 seconds and include:

 

• The specific approach you chose and why

 

• Key decisions you made at critical moments

 

• How you handled obstacles or setbacks

 

• Evidence of the PEI dimension being tested

 

Result: Share measurable outcomes of your actions. Use specific metrics whenever possible. Also include what you learned from the experience and how it shaped your approach to future challenges.

 

Fit and Motivation Questions

 

While the PEI dominates the behavioral portion of McKinsey interviews, you may also receive shorter fit questions, particularly at the beginning or end of an interview.

 

Example Questions:

 

• Why do you want to work in consulting?

 

• Why McKinsey over other top consulting firms?

 

• What do you know about McKinsey's culture and values?

 

• Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

 

• What gets you excited about working here?

 

• What questions do you have for me about McKinsey?

 

Keys to Strong Answers:

 

• Be authentic and specific about your interest in McKinsey

 

• Reference particular aspects of McKinsey's culture (e.g., global staffing model, apprenticeship approach)

 

• Mention specific McKinsey work or thought leadership you've researched

 

• Connect your past experiences to skills needed in consulting

 

• Show enthusiasm balanced with intellectual humility 

How to Prepare for the McKinsey Business Analyst Interview

Master Case Interviews

 

Case interviews are the most challenging part of the McKinsey interview process. They require dedicated practice and a systematic approach to problem-solving.

 

The more cases you practice, the more comfortable you'll become with the format and the faster you'll recognize patterns.

 

Preparation Steps:

 

• Learn Core Frameworks: Master essential frameworks for profitability, market entry, growth strategy, and M&A cases

 

• Practice Mental Math: Work on percentages, multiplication, division, and estimation until calculations become second nature

 

• Do Practice Cases: Complete at least 30-50 practice cases before your final round—quality matters more than quantity

 

• Case with Peers: Practice with friends or classmates also recruiting for consulting to get diverse perspectives

 

• Work with Coaches: Consider a few sessions with experienced consultants who can provide detailed feedback

 

• Record Yourself: Listen to recordings to identify areas for improvement in communication and structure

 

Resources for Case Prep:

 

• McKinsey's official practice cases on their careers website

 

• Case interview books

 

• Online platforms with practice cases and video demonstrations

 

• Consulting club case books from target universities

 

• Mock interview sessions with experienced consultants or coaches

 

Sign up for our complete, step-by-step case interview course to land your dream consulting job. Save 100+ hours of prep time and learn the strategies that have helped 50,000+ candidates land offers at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.

 

Develop Strong Business Intuition

 

Consulting requires understanding how businesses operate and make decisions. Building business intuition helps you approach cases more naturally and ask better clarifying questions.

 

Great consultants can quickly assess a business situation and identify the most important factors to investigate.

 

How to Build Business Intuition:

 

• Read business publications regularly—WSJ, Financial Times, The Economist

 

• Follow major business news and understand what's driving headlines

 

• Study successful companies and understand how they make money

 

• Learn about different industries (e.g., healthcare, retail, tech, financial services)

 

• Understand fundamental business concepts (e.g., unit economics, competitive dynamics, value chains)

 

Key Business Concepts:

 

• Revenue drivers and cost structures across different business models

 

• Competitive positioning and sources of competitive advantage

 

• Customer segmentation and value propositions

 

• Supply chain fundamentals and operational leverage

 

• Basic financial metrics (e.g., gross margin, profit, ROI)

 

Excel at the Personal Experience Interview

 

The PEI is where many strong candidates stumble. McKinsey doesn't just want good consultants—they want people who embody their values and will thrive in the firm's culture.

 

Your PEI stories are your opportunity to show who you are beyond test scores and case performance.

 

Here are our best tips for preparing for the McKinsey PEI:

 

Prepare 8 Stories: Develop two detailed stories for each of the four PEI dimensions. This gives you backup options if an interviewer rejects your first story or if you have multiple interviews testing the same dimension.

 

Recent Experiences: Focus on experiences from the past 2-3 years. Recent stories are easier to recall in detail and more relevant to who you are today.

 

Diverse Contexts: Draw stories from different areas of your life—work experience, academic projects, extracurricular activities, volunteer work. This demonstrates well-roundedness.

 

Go Deep: For each story, prepare to answer detailed follow-up questions:

 

• Why did you make that specific decision?

 

• What alternatives did you consider?

 

• How did others react to your actions?

 

• What would you do differently if you could go back?

 

• What did you learn from this experience?

 

Practice Out Loud: Don't just think through your stories—practice telling them aloud to friends or mentors. This helps you refine your delivery and catch gaps in your narrative.

 

Show Reflection: McKinsey values self-awareness. Include genuine reflection on what you learned, how you grew, and what you'd do differently next time.

 

Understand McKinsey's Culture and Values

 

McKinsey has a distinctive culture that sets it apart from other top firms. Demonstrating genuine cultural fit is essential to receiving an offer.

 

The firm looks for people who will excel at client work and also contribute to McKinsey's collaborative, non-hierarchical culture.

 

McKinsey's Core Values:

 

• Client First: Putting client interests above the firm's interests

 

• One Firm: Collaboration across offices and practice areas without internal competition

 

• Inclusive Leadership: Creating environments where everyone can contribute their best work

 

• High Standards: Commitment to excellence in everything you do

 

• Integrity: Operating ethically and maintaining independence

 

McKinsey's Culture Distinguishers:

 

• Global Staffing Model: Work on projects worldwide, not just in your home office

 

• Apprenticeship Model: Junior consultants work closely with senior leaders who invest in their development

 

• Non-Hierarchical: Flat structure where good ideas are valued regardless of seniority

 

• Long-Term Client Relationships: Multi-year engagements rather than quick projects

 

• Intellectual Capital: Significant investment in research and thought leadership

 

How to Demonstrate Fit:

 

• Reference McKinsey's values authentically in your answers

 

• Show genuine enthusiasm for collaboration and teamwork

 

• Demonstrate intellectual humility—confidence without arrogance

 

• Express interest in McKinsey's specific approach to consulting

 

• Ask thoughtful questions about culture and team dynamics

 

• Research specific McKinsey work that genuinely interests you

 

Research McKinsey and the Consulting Industry

 

Walking into your McKinsey Business Analyst interview with deep knowledge of the firm and industry shows genuine interest and preparation.

 

This research will help you answer "Why McKinsey?" convincingly and ask intelligent questions.

 

What to Research:

 

• McKinsey's History: Founded in 1926 by James O. McKinsey, pioneered modern management consulting

 

• Practice Areas: Strategy, operations, implementation, digital, analytics, and more

 

• Recent Work: Browse case studies and thought leadership on McKinsey's website

 

• McKinsey Insights: Read articles from McKinsey Quarterly and McKinsey.com to understand current thinking

 

• Office Locations: Know which offices interest you and why—research their practice focuses

 

Stay Current:

 

• Read McKinsey Global Institute reports on major trends

 

• Follow McKinsey on LinkedIn and social media for latest insights

 

• Attend McKinsey recruiting events and coffee chats with consultants

 

• Connect with current McKinsey Business Analysts for informational interviews

 

• Understand current business trends (e.g., AI adoption, sustainability, geopolitical shifts) that affect clients