Business Cases

Across McKinsey offices, problem solving is assessed using business cases. While again, you do not need to possess specific business knowledge, doing well on cases is a bit of a learned art. Familiarity and practice help. To that end, we've tried to provide some helpful background information and resources.

Interview Preparation provides a link to Case Study Tips and On-Line Case Studies (i.e., practice cases). The case studies were actually used in interviews until retired.
Read more on the main McKinsey site

We cannot endorse any other case preparation materials, but prior candidates have told us that they found the following helpful: Case in Point by Marc P. Cosentino, Wet Feet Press, Vault, and case interview guides put together by business school consulting clubs (we're told Wharton's is available from Wet Feet Press).

One of the best ways to prepare for cases is to practice with others--fellow students, business school students, friends, family. Turn any every day situation into a case. When you walk into a store, think "What might be some issues this retailer is facing?", "How would I think about addressing them?", etc.

The McKinsey Quarterly and the Harvard Business Review give a good sense of the level of work and thinking that McKinsey does. People do not find them particularly helpful in preparing for interviews, but they may help get your head into the business context. Similarly, publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Fortune, and Forbes may help you get a sense as to whether business is of interest to you.