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MBB interview - only 20 minutes

Hi everyone,


Recently I completed one of the MBB case interviews (without any behavorial portion). 

I did not complete the entire case but I did answer all the questions given during that 20 minutes with minimal guidance. (Note: scheduled interview was 30-minute long)


There were no feedback from the interviewer during (e.g. good. How about the next question?) and at the end of the interview.


Would this be normal? Thanks!


M

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Top answer
Anonymous B
edited on Jan 24, 2025

Hi M,

I guess your interview was for Bain? I just got a similar 30 minute case for round 1, no fit part also.

But unlike you, I got a lot of guidance from interviewer. He would correct me when I went off the rail.

So given you cracked it within 20 minutes and no guidance needed, I would say it is good sign, especially when no challeges or comments were made by interviewer. He/she maybe rush for the next meeting with client. I just wonder how do you know that you had not finished the entire case?

P/S: Could I know what office you interview for? Thank you.

12
Mattijs
Coach
on Jan 20, 2025
Free 15m intro call | First session -50% | Bain Consultant | Hiring team | 250+ successful candidates

Hi M,

Apart from your interview performance, there could be other external factors influencing the timeline (e.g., interviewer has an unexpected client call).

For now, you can only wait till the provide feedback, which is normally within 2 weeks.

If they did not provide you with feedback by then, you can send a polite follow-up email/phone call.

Mattijs

Florian
Coach
on Jan 31, 2025
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

Could be Bain as they have a format without a fit part included. In that case, it would be considered normal.

Don't worry about the lack of feedback. MBB interviewers are trained to stay neutral and hard to read.

All the best,

Florian

Alessa
Coach
on Jan 20, 2025
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free

hey!

Yes, it's quite normal. Some MBB interviewers keep it concise and avoid giving feedback to maintain objectivity. The shorter duration could mean you were efficient in answering, or the interviewer had what they needed to assess you. No feedback isn't necessarily a bad sign—just focus on how you felt about your performance. Let me know if you have more questions!

Alessa 

Mariana
Coach
on Jan 20, 2025
You CAN make it! | xMckinsey | 1.5h session | +200 sessions |Free 15-Minute Call

Hi! 
The length and the fact the case interview lasted 20min is ok. However, the fact that there was no behavioral interview is uncommon. 
Have you prepared enough for this interview and feel that you delivered a good performance? If you have, I would contact HR kindly mentioning you would like to know when the behavioral interview will happen. 

Best,

Mari

Han
Coach
on Jan 20, 2025
Ex-Mckinsey EM| Experienced round 1 interviewer | Free 15mins intro call | 50% off first session for limited time

Hi there, 

First of all, congrats on finishing an interview! I wonder if you are an experienced hire, and if this is intended to be a case-interview only or it is a legitimate round 1? 

When I was interviewing with McKinsey as an experienced hire, there were three additional rounds that I had to pass through compared to a new grad: 

  • A code interview (as I was applying for an expert consulting role as ASO equivalent). This round is only applicable to expert track
  • A 30min technical interview. Also only applicable to expert track
  • A 30min case interview, just to see the level of casing before going into round 1, as lots of experienced hire folks do not have case experience. Usually the results of this round is some casing feedback, HR may even give another chance if the candidate is decently close to pass. As far as I am aware, most experienced hire consulting roles in McKinsey require a round like this before going into round 1

 

I personally have never heard or seen an official round 1 without behavior round, though from other coaches’ response it may vary based on the firm, location, and roles. So still possible. 

Happy to answer more questions through a separate chat too!

 

Best,

Han

Evelina
Coach
on Jan 22, 2025
EY-Parthenon (6 years) l Ex BCG l 97% success rate l 30% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS

Hi there,

Your experience is typical for an MBB case interview. Interviewers often remain neutral and provide minimal feedback during or after the case to evaluate you objectively, so silence doesn’t indicate poor performance. If the interview ended early, it likely means they gathered enough information, which isn’t inherently positive or negative. Completing the case is less important than demonstrating clear structure, logical problem-solving, accurate calculations, and effective communication. 

Best,
Evelina

Nikita
Coach
on Jan 22, 2025
MBB & Tier2 preparation | 100+ offers | 7 years coaching | 2000+ sessions

Hey,

Regarding the short interview duration - yes, this can happen sometimes. The interviewer was probably pressed for time, hence it ended so quickly.

Regarding no feedback during the interview - that's standard practice. It's quite rare that you get your feedback during or right after an interview. The interviewers usually take their time with it.

Good luck!
Nick

 

Thabang
Coach
on Feb 01, 2025
Ex-McKinsey Consultant | McKinsey Top Coach & Interviewer | Special Offer: Buy 1 Session Get 1 Free (Limited time!)

Hey M, 

In a nutshell, much of what you experienced isn't necessarily atypical...

Case interviews can happen without behavioral fit at times, and even in the case - an interviewer can feel that they have collected all the information they wanted to get prior to utilising the full time and the interview subsequently ends early. 

I understand by feedback, you meant direction in the case. This just means that they wanted you to drive the case more and take more initiative without them prompting or guiding. 

So all of this is not too unusual

All the best none the less! :-) 

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