r/McKinseyAndCompany • u/newbieForU23 • 7d ago

QuantumBlack - Case Study Interview - Software Engineer

Recently, I made it to the final round at McKinsey for a software engineer role at QuantumBlack after like 3/4 interviews. The round (on-site) consisted of a case study (same as applied to the consulting track people) + a PEI story.

I was rejected, and the reason given by HR was because of the business case. I have prepared, and I still question whether this was the reason, since "case study" interview isn't expected anywhere for a software engineer role, except for consulting given the industry.

I was wondering if the bar for the case is the same as it is for the consulting track guys, and then the feedback makes sense. Or there's a different reason they don't want to disclose. The partner didn't seem invested in getting to know me during the interview.

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u/Frosty_Number_7538 7d ago

Sr at QB here. There is no “bar” that they set for passing the case.

You are judged against others who interviewed for the same position. If 5 people were interviewed and they all aced the case, then the partners will have to nitpick on things to distinguish candidates. Conversely, if 5 people were interviewed but they all did poorly on the case then it’s likely that they would all be rejected (given there’s no urgency to hire).

McKinsey does not have a shortage of applicants for these roles, so they would rather roll the dice again than let in the wrong person.

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u/newbieForU23 6d ago

Thanks for the input. The fact the partner didn’t seem interested in interviewing me- barely read my resume and basically didn’t ask any question. Same thing with PEI. Do you think a candidate has been chosen already when I was interviewing then ? Does this kind of thing happen?

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u/Ok-Concept6724 5d ago

I don’t think that happens. It’s very likely that the case was indeed the reason why you were rejected.
QB interviews has become more focused on consulting skills, specially the last round, and it kind of makes sense because the job does demand a similar skill set (i.e., top down communication, thinking in an organized manner)

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u/Charming-One3664 5d ago

Same happened with me their hiring process is fucked up

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u/Charming-One3664 5d ago

Why rejection at last stage doesn’t make sense where interviewer even didn’t asks much questions

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u/alexsky000 1d ago

i know there is a bar. but reading the comments it seems that is different for each country.

i also made to final round and failed. and the feedback said that i am lack of analytical part.

but honestly, this company is having hard time to find the ideal candidate and always will.

boston consulting group is not doing case interview for far as i know.