Ban period breakdown

Hi there,

Keeping this concise:

1+2. Yes, it counts. Ban period is usually 12-24 months depending on the firm and role.

3. Same 12-24 months depending on firm and role.

4. No, bans are global for all firms.

All the best,

Florian

Hi,

The ban is always global (so no option to apply for another office) and independent on which round you got rejected. The typical ban period is 12-18 months depending on the company. It's best to reach out to the specific company to get the exact period.

Mattijs

Hi there,

On top of what has been said, if you have got a rejection and want to apply before the official period, go for it. I have worked with colleagues who ignored the ban period, joined the process in 6months and everything went well. Worst case scenario you’ll get a no, so go for it.

Best,

Mari

Hey there, 

So there are similarities across firms and some slight differences. So broadly speaking:

• Ban periods can range from 6 months to 2 years (depending on the firm, the stage of the application you failed at, your performance at that stage, and sometimes other factors internal to the firm)
• Typically, they are global (But there are some firms that don't do global application tracking and have decentralised recruiting decisions to regions, meaning if banned in one region, you can apply to another - but this is slightly rarer)
• Ban periods can apply from as early as application stage (some firms implement ban from as early as after you may not be successful at screening, and others only from if you do the online tests, and others only from failing in the first interview rounds)

We can get more specific by naming firms individually, but this is just to give you an overall breakdown across the general consulting landscape

Hopefully you are successful in your interviews and we won't need to be discussing bans for you! :-)

All the best

Hey there 😊,

Here’s a breakdown of the MBB ban periods in the Middle East & East Asia based on different stages of the application process:

1️⃣ Does applying, but not progressing to tests, count as an attempt? Ban period? Possible to apply to another region?

• If you submit an application but don’t get invited to tests or interviews, it still counts as an attempt in most cases.
• The ban period is usually 12-24 months, depending on the firm.
• Since MBB firms have a global application system, your application history is visible across regions, meaning you likely can’t apply elsewhere during the ban period. However, in some cases, you may still be able to apply if there’s a compelling reason (e.g., relocation or a significantly stronger profile).

2️⃣ Do tests count as an attempt? Ban period?

• Yes, if you take the McKinsey Solve, BCG Potential Test, or Bain Online Assessment, it counts as an attempt.
• The ban period is typically 12-24 months, depending on the firm and region.
• Your performance in the test may affect future applications if it’s stored in their system, though this varies.

3️⃣ Ban period after 1st and 2nd rounds?

• First-round rejection: Typically leads to a 12-24 month ban before you can reapply.
• Second-round (final round) rejection: Same 12-24 month ban, but you may have a better chance when reapplying if you get strong feedback and make significant improvements.

4️⃣ In case of rejection, is it possible to apply to other regions?

• Since MBB operates with a global recruiting database, a rejection in one office usually means you can’t apply elsewhere during the ban period.
• There may be exceptions, especially if you’re relocating for work or studies and can justify why you’re applying again.
• If you’re really keen on applying elsewhere, networking with recruiters in the target region could help clarify your eligibility.

Final Thoughts:

• The ban period is usually 12-24 months, depending on the firm and the rejection stage.
• Reapplying is possible, but you need to demonstrate significant improvements (new work experience, stronger case skills, additional certifications, etc.).
• Networking and referrals can help in exceptional cases where you want to apply earlier or in a different region.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you need any more details.

Best, Alessa 😇