McKinsey, BCG and Bain case interview formats
What McKinsey, BCG and Bain publish about their own interviews, quoted and dated, what the pages leave out, and the four moments that repeat at all three.
Updated October 28, 2026
| Firm | What its page calls the interviews | What it says it assesses | Candidate-led or interviewer-led? |
|---|---|---|---|
| McKinsey & Company | “personal experience interviews and problem-solving interviews”; the problem-solving interview is “sometimes referred to as a case interview” | “your approach to solving complex problems”; in the PEI, “skills that will help you thrive at McKinsey” | Not stated on the page |
| Boston Consulting Group | Four steps: Application, Skills Interview, Case Interview, Team Interview | “problem-solving and analytical skills”; in the team interview also “communication skills” | Not stated on the page |
| Bain & Company | “A case interview is a structured conversation where you work through a real business problem” | “how you think, structure problems, and build on ideas as the conversation evolves” | Not stated on the page |
What does McKinsey say its interviews are?
For most client-facing roles, you will participate in personal experience interviews and problem-solving interviews, depending on the role, you may also have expertise interviews. Your recruiter will confirm your interview details in advance.
During the Problem-Solving Interview—sometimes referred to as a case interview—we’ll present a business case to evaluate your approach to solving complex problems.
And remember, there is not one logical solution, so that they should listen carefully and share tailored solutions vs standard frameworks.
The page also publishes five practice cases (Beautify, Diconsa, Electro-Light, a national education system, Talbot Trucks) with “logic, thought processes, and suggested answers”, and a Solve assessment described as “a gamified assessment that tests your natural problem-solving abilities”. The personal experience interview has its own guide: McKinsey PEI questions and STAR skeletons.
What does BCG say?
BCG’s interview process page lists four steps. The sentences under three of them:
In this traditional interview, we will explore your experience, skills, and motivation for joining BCG;
For client facing roles, we'll assess your problem-solving and analytical skills in a case interview.
If you're applying for a client-facing role, we will assess your problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
Under “What Our Consulting Interviewers Look For” the page lists five words with no sentences: Integrity, Intellectual Curiosity, Creative Thinking, Collaborative Mindset, Drive. One of the quoted BCGers on the page reminds candidates that the interviews “also include a behavioral portion”. The page does not mention an online case assessment.
What does Bain say?
A case interview is a structured conversation where you work through a real business problem,
we're looking for how you think, structure problems, and build on ideas as the conversation evolves.
Make sure you understand the question before diving in; ask clarifying questions as needed.
Use a clear framework and walk your interviewer through your approach.
Share your reasoning and calculations, even if you're unsure.
Communicate actively: Let your interviewer know when you’re taking notes and clearly describe your structure
Bain publishes two practice cases on the page (Coffee Shop Co. and FashionCo.) and links three external mock cases. The page says nothing about an experience interview; it sends non-consulting candidates to a separate Interviewing page.
What do the pages not say?
- Who leads. None of the three says “interviewer-led” or “candidate-led”. Prep sites describe McKinsey as interviewer-led and BCG and Bain as candidate-led; that is their observation, repeated widely, and not a firm statement. Prepare for both: a structure you can defend when the interviewer sets the path, and a hypothesis you can drive when they hand you the wheel.
- How many rounds. BCG lists four steps; McKinsey and Bain give no count. Your invitation does.
- Length. None of the pages states a duration for the case or the fit portion.
- Exhibits and math. Bain’s tips mention calculations; none of the three describes exhibit types. The practice cases each firm publishes are the best evidence of what they use.
What about Deloitte?
Deloitte’s US page describes a case and scenario interview and gives a five-step approach, quoted:
Understand the issue: Ask clarifying questions as needed to ensure you fully understand the problem at hand.
you are not expected to provide the "right" answer, but rather to clearly convey your logic and thought process
The remaining steps on the page are: identify the underlying assumptions, summarize specific issues and findings, state your recommendations, outline next steps and expected results. A Big Four formats guide is planned; until then, Deloitte’s own page and its practice tool are the sources.
What is the same at all of them?
Read the three pages together and four moments repeat: understand the question before you structure (Bain, Deloitte), share the reasoning out loud (Bain, McKinsey), tailor rather than recite (McKinsey), and the fit portion counts (BCG, McKinsey). Those are the moments a structure coach is built around.
Questions
Is the McKinsey case interview interviewer-led?
McKinsey’s page does not say. It calls the case the problem-solving interview and asks for tailored solutions rather than standard frameworks. The interviewer-led label comes from prep sites, not the firm.
How many interview rounds does BCG have?
BCG’s process page lists four steps: application, skills interview, case interview, team interview. It does not give a round count beyond that.
Does Bain publish practice cases?
Yes. Its case interview preparation page carries two of its own (Coffee Shop Co. and FashionCo.) and links external mock cases.
Where can I read what the firms say about AI in interviews?
In the firm policies guide, which quotes McKinsey and BCG verbatim and notes that Bain publishes nothing on it.