McKinsey Market Sizing Cases: Complete Guide
Market Sizing at McKinsey: What to Expect
Market Sizing cases are very common at McKinsey. As an interviewer-led firm, McKinsey will guide you through specific aspects of the case, testing your ability to respond to directed questions with precision and insight. Structure is critical for these cases.
What Market Sizing Cases Test
Logical decomposition, assumption-making, mental math fluency, structured thinking, and ability to sanity-check results.
Common Scenarios
- •Estimate the market size for a product or service
- •Calculate the number of units sold annually
- •Determine revenue potential in a new market
- •Estimate the number of users or customers
- •Calculate market share implications
How McKinsey Approaches Market Sizing Cases
McKinsey market sizing cases are often embedded within broader strategic cases rather than standalone. Expect the interviewer to guide you through specific aspects of the estimation and probe your assumptions deeply.
Common Twists at McKinsey
- •Market sizing as part of a market entry decision
- •Sizing a niche segment within a larger market
- •Cross-referencing your estimate with provided data
- •Time-sensitive estimation with limited information
What McKinsey Evaluates
Example Market Sizing Case Prompts
Practice with these market sizing case prompts similar to what you might encounter at McKinsey:
Our client is a major automotive manufacturer considering entering the electric scooter market. How large is the global electric scooter market?
A private equity fund is evaluating an investment in a pet food company. Estimate the annual dog food market in the United States.
Our client is a telecom company. How many smartphones are sold annually in Western Europe?
A retail client wants to enter the home fitness equipment market. What is the market size for home gym equipment in North America?
Estimate the number of cups of coffee consumed daily in New York City.
Key Frameworks for Market Sizing Cases
These frameworks are particularly effective for market sizing cases at McKinsey:
Practice Tips for McKinsey
For McKinsey market sizing cases, focus on building a clear, logical structure before diving into calculations. Be prepared for the interviewer to challenge your assumptions and redirect your approach. Practice mental math extensively, as McKinsey expects quick and accurate calculations. Always sanity-check your final answer against real-world benchmarks.
Practice Market Sizing Cases Now
Build confidence with realistic McKinsey-style market sizing cases using voice-powered AI simulations.
Start Practicing