McKinsey · Business analyst / associate · Business Analyst / Associate (generalist consulting)
First-Round PEI (Personal Experience Interview)
Structured behavioral deep-dive
What they actually ask
The question shapes this round uses. Larpy does not read these out. It builds each one from your own resume, because the generic version is the one you have already rehearsed.
- “Tell me about a time you had significant personal impact on an individual or a group.”
- “Describe a situation where you had to persuade someone who strongly disagreed with you.”
- “Tell me about a time you led a team through a difficult or high-pressure situation.”
- “Describe a conflict you had with a teammate or colleague and how you resolved it.”
- “Tell me about a time you influenced people over whom you had no formal authority.”
What this round is judged on
- Connection · influencing and persuading others, especially without formal authority
- Leadership · motivating and uniting a diverse team toward a goal
- Depth & ownership · specific 'I' contribution, quantified outcome, genuine self-reflection
- Authenticity · real personal stakes and conflict rather than a rehearsed framework
Where this round sits
McKinsey’s published process. Lime marks the stage this round runs.
- 01Application & Resume Screen
- 02McKinsey Solve
- 03First-Round Interviewsthis round
- 04Final-Round Interviews
- 05Offer Decision
What happens in each stage›
- Application & Resume Screen
- Online application with resume and (in many markets) a cover letter. Screened for academic record, leadership signals, and impact.
- McKinsey Solve
- Gamified digital assessment (ecosystem-building and defense mini-games, sometimes a redesigned case/writing component). A game, not a spoken interview, so this product cannot simulate it. Usually sent before or alongside first-round invites.
- First-Round Interviews
- Typically 2 interviews of ~45-60 min. Each splits into a PEI portion (~10-15 min) plus a case (~25-30 min). This product simulates the PEI portion only.
- Final-Round Interviews
- Typically 2-3 interviews with more senior interviewers (associate partners / partners), same PEI + case structure. Sometimes branded a 'super day'.
- Offer Decision
- Committee decision based on consistent performance across all interviews, weighting both PEI (fit) and case (problem solving).
Sources
Built from what McKinsey publishes about its own process. No leaked question lists. The questions you get are generated against your own resume, so they are not from anyone else's interview.
PEI format, interview process, and the qualities McKinsey evaluates
Overall hiring loop, McKinsey Solve, and round structure
Sources last checked . Hiring loops change, so this date is the honest limit on everything above.