mckinsey math section timing

Question

i understand mckinsey allows you to have time to think about the math problem, but how long is the maximum? I currently take 2 minutes to think after the math prompt, is that too long?

Answer 1

Hi there,

Worry less about the time and more about being correct.

There is a lot of nuance here as well as sometimes taking more time initially to think about the problem will allow you to execute faster and calculate the right outcome compared to someone who is trying to do it on the fly.

2 minutes is okay as long as you keep the interviewer in the loop about your progress - even better would be around 1 minute.

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 2

it’s important to focus less on the actual time and more on how well you’re structuring your approach.

Here are a few key points to consider:

1. McKinsey or MBB Math Is About Problem-Solving, Not Speed:
The math in McKinsey or MBB cases isn’t designed to test how fast you can calculate—it’s more about understanding the business context and structuring your approach. It’s completely fine to take a minute or two to think, as long as you're being thoughtful and structured in your response.

2. Translate the Problem First:
Before jumping into calculations, make sure you break down the business problem. Ask yourself, “What’s the key metric I need to focus on?” Align your thinking with the business objective before tackling the numbers. This ensures that your math is driving toward a meaningful insight.

3. Write Down Key Steps:
Don’t rush to do all calculations mentally. Writing down your steps ensures transparency, reduces errors, and gives you a chance to explain your thought process clearly to your interviewer. Remember, they’re not looking for speed—they’re looking for structured, logical thinking.

🔑 Final Thought:
Focus on getting the math structure right and delivering a clear, thoughtful analysis and quantitative answer.

Best Regards,

Ashwin

Answer 3

Hi there,

There’s no hard fast rule on how long you should take but the sweet spot in my experience is between 1min and 1min 30s.

Also, as much as some would say speed doesn’t matter, I beg to differ because it does but it only matters if you’re correct. So focus on accuracy first, then speed.

Regardless of how long you take though, you should try as much as possible to keep your interviewer in the loop of your thoughts and deliver your approach in a structured manner. That usually helps allay candidates’ fears of long spells of silence.

Fathu