McKinsey & Company – MBA Interview Questions

Case Interview Questions + Sample Approaches

1. Our client is a U.S. airline experiencing a drop in profits. How would you approach this problem?
   Answer: Use a Profit = Revenue – Costs breakdown.
   • Revenue: Analyze yield (ticket price), load factors, route profitability.
   • Costs: Segment into fuel, labor, maintenance, overhead.
   • Identify which factor changed (e.g., rising fuel prices) and recommend targeted interventions: hedging, route optimization, cost controls.
2. A European beverage company wants to enter the Indian market. What should they consider?
   

           Answer: Use a Market Entry Framework:

1. • Market size and growth, consumer segmentation
   • Competitive landscape, pricing dynamics
   • Regulatory environment (imports, labeling)
   • Distribution channels and partnerships
     Deploy pilot campaigns in key cities and adapt the product locally.
2. A retail bank plans to digitize customer onboarding. How would you structure the solution?
   Answer: 
   • Map the end-to-end onboarding journey
   • Identify bottlenecks (KYC delays, drop-off rates)
   • Benchmark against peers
   • Recommend solutions: online identity verification, chatbot support, user testing
   • Track KPIs like onboarding time and conversion rate.
3. A telecom provider is seeing customer churn increase. Diagnose and recommend solutions.
   Answer: 
   • Segment churn: voluntary vs. involuntary
   • Analyze customer complaints, network quality, pricing
   • For voluntary churn: survey reasons
   • Address causes: improve network, personalize offers, loyalty incentives
   • Implement churn early-warning analytics and proactive retention.
4. Estimate the market size for electric scooters in Los Angeles.
   Answer: 
   • Total LA population (~4M), estimate daily commuters (~2M).
   • Penetration rate (~5%) = 100k potential users.
   • Average usage: 2 trips/week × 52 weeks = 104 trips/year
   • Price/trip $2 → Market = 100k × 104 × $2 = ~$21M/year

Personal Experience Interview (PEI) Questions + Sample Answers

1. Tell me about a time you led a team through a difficult challenge.
   Answer (STAR): 
   • Situation: MBA project team with conflicting stakeholder views.
   • Task: Deliver a go-to-market strategy in 4 weeks.
   • Action: Held alignment workshop, defined roles, implemented weekly checkpoints.
   • Result: Delivered the strategy on time; client implemented it, increasing projected revenues by 15%.
2. Describe a situation where you influenced without authority.
   Answer: 
   • Proposed cost-saving idea to senior managers.
   • Conducted cross-functional analysis, built rapport with influencers, presented ROI case
   • Persuaded leadership to pilot initiative, saving $100k in Q1.
3. Share an example when you made a tough decision under pressure.
   Answer: 
   • Startup internship running low on marketing budget mid-quarter.
   • Evaluated ROI, decided to cut one channel, reallocated spend to high performers.
   • Result: Improved lead conversion +20% with a 15% budget reduction.
4. Tell me about a failure and your learnings.
   Answer: 
   • Led project misaligned with user needs due to lack of research
   • Realization: validate assumptions early
   • Since then: incorporate rapid prototyping and early testing.
5. Give an example where you resolved team conflict.
   Answer: 
   • Two team members disagreed on roadmap priority
   • Facilitated a meeting, encouraged listening, aligned on data-driven criteria
   • Created a shared prioritization matrix; team cohesion improved, project finished early.

Behavioral + Leadership + Fit Questions (with Sample Responses)

1. Why McKinsey?
   Answer: 
   • Inspired by the impact McKinsey delivers in shaping high-impact strategies
   • The steep learning curve and structured problem-solving environment align with my aspirations in management consulting
2. How will McKinsey help you achieve your long-term goals?
   Answer: 
   • Structured training, exposure to diverse industries, leadership opportunities
   • EQ development and mentorship will prepare me to lead change in global organizations
3. What makes you a strong fit for consulting?
   Answer: 
   • Proven problem-solver with analytical rigor
   • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to lead small teams under pressure
   • Versatile across business functions; adaptable learning style
4. What’s your leadership style?
   Answer: 
   • Collaborative and data-driven
   • Outline vision, involve team in planning, delegate based on strengths, follow-up weekly
   • Example: Led 5-member team to launch new product, resulting in 10% YoY sales increase
5. How do you handle ambiguity?
   Answer: 
   • Embrace structure: define the problem, gather data, test assumptions
   • Stay agile—pivot based on discovery
   • Remind the team to stay calm and aligned; re-group and re-plan when needed
6. Describe a time you overcame resistance to change.
   Answer: 
   • Recommended process changes in finance team; met with pushback
   • Co-created change plan, secured executive endorsement
   • Team bought in; processing time reduced by 20%
7. Tell me about a time you convinced someone of an unpopular idea.
   Answer: 
   • Advocated for hybrid work policy in MBA club
   • Presented data, highlighted inclusivity, suggested pilot
   • Pilot yielded positive responses; policy implemented
8. Share when you used data to influence decisions.
   Answer: 
   • Analyzed customer surveys to support launching a new service
   • Presented segmentation and forecast analysis
   • Received approval; project launched and exceeded Q1 targets by 30%
9. What accomplishment are you most proud of?
   Answer: 
   • Led fundraising for a campus social initiative
   • Mobilized resources, achieved $50k in funding and 300+ participant turnout
10. Describe working with someone different from you.
    Answer: 
    • Project partner from a non-profit had lower pace
    • Focusing on shared goals, blended work styles, resulted in a successful campaign

Business/General Insight Questions

1. Tell me about a global trend that impacts business strategy today.
   Answer: 
   • Sustainability & ESG
   • Consumer demand for transparency; regulation is increasing
   • Relevant to supply chains. Companies embedding ESG outperform peers
2. What’s a recent strategic recommendation you would make for McKinsey?
   Answer: 
   • Expand McKinsey’s Digital capabilities beyond large enterprises to mid-market
   • Bundle digital transformation with AI solutions for scalability in under-served segments
3. What is your greatest strength?
   Answer: 
   • Analytical problem-solver with natural empathy
   • Example: Managed data-led process improvements in finance, delivering 25% efficiency gains
4. What is your biggest weakness?
   Answer: 
   • Impatience when decisions lag
   • Use time-boxed visuals and clear agendas to drive alignment proactively
5. How do you prioritize tasks under competing deadlines?
   Answer: 
   • Build a quick matrix vs. deadlines & impact
   • Allocate 15–30 minutes to reassess priorities daily
   • Delegate operational work to focus on highest-value tasks

Final Prep Tips for MBAs

• Practice full cases: 30–45 min, with math drills & hypothesis-driven structure
• PEI answers: Use STAR method — structure your stories before reciting
• Research: Know McKinsey’s recent work, values, and leadership principles
• Mock interviews: Ask peer MBAs or alumni for live practice

Questions and frameworks are sourced from McKinsey prep platforms like IGotAnOffer, JobTestPrep, PrepLounge, and Glassdoor.

PEI themes are: personal impact, entrepreneurial drive, inclusive leadership, courageous change — per McKinsey’s structure.

Note: The questions and answers provided above are derived from publicly available online sources and are intended for educational purposes. Actual interview questions may vary based on the role, location, interviewer, and business context. Candidates are advised to prepare broadly and consult official company resources wherever possible.