McKinsey Interview Prep: Overnight Emergency Prep
Short Timeline Warning
Overnight is a compressed timeframe. This plan is for candidates with prior experience who can dedicate significant hours. If possible, consider requesting more time for your interview.
Overview
This overnight prep plan is designed for candidates with existing case experience who received a last-minute interview notice. It covers everything you need to perform well in McKinsey & Company interviews, including their interviewer-led case format and Solve Game.
Prerequisites
- Prior case interview practice (at least 10+ cases)
- Solid mental math foundation
- Basic understanding of consulting frameworks
Day-by-Day Prep Schedule
- Review McKinsey case format (interviewer-led)
- Run through 2-3 timed practice cases
- Drill mental math for 30 minutes
- Prepare 2-3 strong behavioral stories
- Quick prep for Solve Game
- Get a good night's sleep
Priority Guide
With limited time, focus on what matters most. Here's how to prioritize your overnight of preparation:
Must Do
Non-negotiable for interview success
- Practice 2-3 full cases end-to-end
- Learn McKinsey's interviewer-led format
- Prepare 2-3 strong behavioral stories
- Complete mental math drills daily
- Quick prep for Solve Game
Should Do
Strongly recommended if time permits
- Practice opening statement delivery
- Review common case types for this firm
- Prepare questions to ask interviewer
Nice to Do
Will give you an edge
- Read recent firm news
- Review industry trends
- Practice with a partner
McKinsey-Specific Focus Areas
McKinsey & Company has unique interview elements. Make sure your prep covers these:
Warning Signs You Need More Time
If you experience any of these during your prep, consider requesting an interview delay:
- You struggle to structure a case within 2 minutes
- Mental math takes you more than 30 seconds per calculation
- You can't articulate a clear hypothesis early in cases
- Your recommendations lack specificity and actionability
- You haven't practiced any cases before
- Basic business concepts feel unfamiliar
- You freeze up when given new information mid-case
- Consider postponing if possible to reduce risk
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