The McKinsey Solve is a 70-minute online pre-interview screening test consisting of two simulation exercises, ecosystem building and the Redrock case study. It assesses a candidate’s cognitive abilities including critical thinking, decision making, and systems thinking.

 

The results of your McKinsey Solve assessment may determine whether or not you are extended a first round interview, so it is important that you do well on this test.

 

If you are stressed out about your upcoming McKinsey Solve assessment, don’t worry because we have you covered. We will teach you everything you need to know about the McKinsey Solve, including how to prepare for it and step-by-step strategies for each of the two simulation exercises.

If you want to practice the McKinsey Solve beforehand to ensure no surprises on test day, check out PSG Secrets' McKinsey Solve simulation. These exercises simulate the actual exercises you'll work through on test day.

 

What is the McKinsey Solve or Problem Solving Game?

 

 

The McKinsey Solve assessment is a 70-minute pre-interview screening test taken on a computer, consisting of two 35-minute exercises: ecosystem building and the Redrock case study. The test is similar to an ecology-themed video game where players engage in tasks like building food chains, protecting species, and managing ecosystems.

The McKinsey Solve is scored based on the final answers submitted as well as the method used to arrive at them. It primarily assesses problem solving skills.

 

The assessment was originally launched starting in 2017, under the names of the McKinsey Digital Assessment and the McKinsey Problem Solving Game (PSG). They were originally created in partnership with Imbellus. In 2023, McKinsey launched the latest version of their own online assessment.

 

The McKinsey Solve is similar to BCG’s Pymetrics test or PwC's assessment tests in that it is McKinsey’s version of an innovative, digital assessment.

 

There have been a total of six games that have appeared, though only the first two are used today.

 

• Ecosystem building: create a stable ecosystem by choosing a location for the ecosystem and selecting eight different species to inhabit it

 

• Redrock case study: ensure ecological balance in a nature reserve by optimizing the number of wolves in the four packs that live there such that wolves and elk can sustainably coexist

 

• Plant defense (no longer used): protect a native plant against invader species by deploying predators and geographical barriers to disrupt the invaders

 

• Disaster management (no longer used): identify the type of disaster that is happening and move species of animals to a location where they are most likely to survive

 

• Disease management (no longer used): identify which disease is affecting an animal population based on a set of symptoms and recommend the best course of treatment

 

• Migration management (no longer used): direct a group of animals from one point to another while minimizing resources used along the way and ensuring the maximum number of animals survive

 

The McKinsey Solve assessment does not require any business knowledge or video game experience. The assessment is taken at home, allowing candidates to use resources such as pen, paper, and calculators.

Each candidate receives a unique McKinsey Solve assessment. No two assessments are identical.

The parameters of the games within the assessment are dynamically adjusted, such as terrain settings, species diversity, and interaction rules, creating a distinct experience for each candidate. These variations prevent candidates from sharing information and cheating, as strategies used by one candidate may not apply to another.

To see what these games actually look and feel like, you can practice these games through PSG Secrets' McKinsey Solve simulation.

 

Who is Required to Take the McKinsey Solve?

 

The McKinsey Solve assessment is required for nearly all candidates globally across all tenures, including undergraduates, MBA candidates, PhD candidates, and experienced hires.

Specifically, candidates applying for roles that demand strong problem solving skills, analytical thinking, and strategic acumen are usually asked to complete this assessment as part of the hiring process.

Primarily, the assessment is geared towards prospective consultants and business analysts, although candidates for other positions within the firm may also be required to take it. McKinsey values diverse talent from various educational and professional backgrounds. Therefore, individuals with different skill sets and expertise may find themselves taking the McKinsey Solve assessment.

The assessment's scope extends beyond traditional interview methods, offering a dynamic evaluation platform that assesses candidates' abilities to tackle complex challenges. Through the use of ecology-themed video games, the assessment evaluates candidates' aptitude for critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving within the context of real-world scenarios.

The shift towards allowing candidates to take the assessment remotely, from the comfort of their own homes, demonstrates McKinsey's adaptation to evolving work practices and technological advancements. This flexibility enables candidates from different geographic locations to participate in the assessment process without the logistical challenges associated with traveling to McKinsey offices.

Nearly every candidate is required to take the McKinsey Solve because it is a critical part of the recruitment process.

When is the McKinsey Solve Taken?

The timeline and dates in the McKinsey interview process may slightly differ depending on whether you are applying as an undergraduate student, MBA student, advanced degree student, or working professional.

 

However, the overall components in the process are roughly the same. The McKinsey interview process has five major steps: attend McKinsey networking events, submit your McKinsey application, take the McKinsey Solve, pass your McKinsey interviews, and receive your job offer.

1. Attend McKinsey networking events

McKinsey typically hosts several networking events before the McKinsey application is due.

Attending these events is not required. If you have a strong resume and background, you can still receive a McKinsey interview even if you did not attend any events.

 

If you attend a top-tier undergraduate or MBA school, these networking events are less important. McKinsey has relationships with these schools and consistently hires students from these schools every year for consulting internship and full-time opportunities. Your resume will get reviewed regardless of whether you attend a networking event or not.

 

If you do not attend a top-tier undergraduate or MBA school, these networking events will be much more important. Since your school is not a school that McKinsey targets, McKinsey recruiters spend much less time looking at applications from your school. Networking is crucial to giving your resume an opportunity to be reviewed.

 

Similarly, if you are applying to McKinsey as a working professional, networking events are much more important. Although McKinsey hires people from nontraditional backgrounds, you will need to do the work needed to get your name and resume in front of recruiters through networking or referrals.

2. Submit your McKinsey application

After all of the networking events are over, McKinsey will have a deadline for submitting your application, which typically consists of four components: McKinsey application questions, McKinsey resume, McKinsey cover letter, and referrals.

3. Take the McKinsey Solve assessment

If selected for an interview, McKinsey will ask you to take the McKinsey Solve assessment before your first round interviews.

You'll be given a date to complete the 70-minute pre-interview screening test, but you are free to take the test at whatever day or time best fits your schedule.

4. Pass your first round McKinsey interview

A few weeks after the application deadline, you will receive an invitation from McKinsey for the first of two rounds of interviews.

 

If you are applying as a student, interviews will take place on your school’s campus. If you are applying as a working professional, interviews will take place at the McKinsey office that you are applying for.

 

Your McKinsey first round interview consists of two separate 40- to 60-minute interviews. The majority of the time will be focused on case interviews, but you will also get a few other types of questions.

After 1-3 weeks you'll be invited to final round interviews if you pass your first round interviews.

Your McKinsey final round interview will typically consist of two to three separate 40- to 60-minute interviews. You’ll see the same four types of McKinsey interview questions that you saw in your first round interviews.

• McKinsey case interview

 

• McKinsey Personal Experience Interview (PEI)

 

• “Why McKinsey?” question

 

• “Why Consulting?” question

 

There are three important distinctions between your first round McKinsey interview and your final round McKinsey interview.

 

One, your interviewers will likely be more senior people at McKinsey. This means that the case interviews you receive may be a bit less structured and more qualitative in nature. The case interview may feel more like a discussion where you and the interviewer are discussing your opinions and ideas on a business problem.

 

Two, there will be more of an emphasis on assessing your fit with the firm. The first round interview is primarily used as a screener to determine whether or not you can solve case interviews effectively and whether or not you have the potential to be a great consultant.

 

Final round interviews will also continue to assess this, but interviewers will also be determining whether or not you would be a great fit with the office. Are you coachable and easy to work with? Are you collaborative? These are a few of the qualities that interviewers want to see.

 

Three, your interviewers may read the notes that your interviewers wrote during your McKinsey first round interview. If there was a particular area of the case interview that you struggled with, interviewers may want to test you again on it to make sure that it is not a significant weakness.

5. Receive your McKinsey Offer

After finishing your final round interview, all you have left to do is to wait for your McKinsey offer. McKinsey typically calls candidates to tell them that they are being extended a job offer before emailing them.

 

Some candidates receive a phone call with good news on the same day of their final round interview. Most candidates receive their call within a few days.

 

If you have not heard back from McKinsey after a few days, that does not necessarily mean that you did not receive a McKinsey offer. Sometimes, you may be on the borderline of receiving an offer and McKinsey would like to finish interviewing other people before deciding whether or not to give you an offer.

 

Be patient on waiting for McKinsey to get back to you. If you have not heard back in a week, you can send a follow-up email with the recruiter to ask if there are any updates.

 

When you finally get your call and offer letter, all that is left to do is sign to secure your job at McKinsey!

 

What Does the McKinsey Solve Test For?

 

The McKinsey Solve measures five broad cognitive skills, including: critical thinking, decision making, meta-cognition, situational awareness, and systems thinking.

 

1. Critical thinking: How well can you draw the right insights and make appropriate judgments from facts?

Critical thinking lies at the core of the assessment, emphasizing the ability to analyze information, identify patterns, and evaluate facts logically. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a capacity for discerning relevant data from noise and formulating sound judgments based on evidence and reasoning.

 

2. Decision making: How well can you select the best course of action among different options with limited time and imperfect information?

Decision making is another crucial skill assessed by the McKinsey Solve. Candidates are presented with diverse scenarios and tasked with making informed choices under pressure. This assessment evaluates not only the quality of decisions but also the efficiency and effectiveness of the decision-making process.

 

3. Meta-cognition: How well can you develop and use strategies to make learning information and solving problems easier? (e.g., taking notes, using a hypothesis-driven approach)

Meta-cognition, or the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes, is integral to the McKinsey Solve assessment. Candidates are encouraged to reflect on their problem solving strategies, identify areas for improvement, and adapt their approaches accordingly. This self-awareness fosters continuous learning and development, key attributes valued by McKinsey.

 

4. Situational awareness: How well can you determine and understand relationships between different variables to predict the outcome of a scenario?

Situational awareness assesses candidates' ability to grasp the broader context surrounding a problem or scenario. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of relevant factors and potential implications, enabling them to make informed decisions and navigate complex situations adeptly.

 

5. Systems thinking: How well can you understand cause and effect relationships?

Lastly, systems thinking evaluates candidates' capacity to comprehend interconnected relationships and dynamic feedback loops within complex systems. Candidates are challenged to consider the broader ecosystem in which problems occur, recognizing the interdependencies and unintended consequences of their decisions.

 

How is the McKinsey Solve Scored?

The McKinsey Solve assessment captures information on all of the candidate’s actions, including all keystrokes and mouse movements. It then uses data science to assign a score that is divided into two main components: "product score" and "process score."

 

Product Score: This score is based on the accuracy and completeness of the candidate's answers to the problems presented in the assessment. Each correct solution contributes to the overall product score, while incorrect or incomplete answers may result in deductions or lower scores. The product score reflects the candidate's ability to generate viable solutions to the challenges presented within the assessment.

 

Process Score: In addition to evaluating the final outcomes or solutions provided by candidates, the McKinsey Solve assessment also assesses the methodology and reasoning behind their decision-making processes. The process score considers factors such as the candidate's approach to problem solving, logical reasoning, critical thinking skills, and strategic decision-making abilities. It emphasizes the thought process and methodology used by the candidate to arrive at their answers.

The combined assessment of product and process scores provides a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate's capabilities and suitability for roles within McKinsey & Company and other similar organizations.

 

After the assessment, McKinsey can provide you with the score you achieved after participating in the McKinsey Solve and upon request, your percentile range which is a quartile benchmarked with other job applicants.

After taking the McKinsey Solve, your results will be compared with high performers at McKinsey. The more closely your qualities match with high performers at McKinsey, the more promising you look as a potential hire.

 

If you are a close match, this is another data point that recruiters will look favorably on when deciding who to extend first round interviews to. This will especially be helpful for candidates that are applying from non-target schools.

 

The McKinsey Solve assessment is a powerful tool that helps McKinsey identify promising candidates from non-target schools where they normally don’t have the time or resources to recruit at.

 

Why is the McKinsey Solve Assessment Used?

 

There are six main reasons why McKinsey is using the McKinsey Solve assessment.

 

1. The McKinsey Solve assessment predicts how successful candidates will be in case interviews

 

Interviewing candidates takes a lot of time and resources. By using a digital assessment to screen candidates, McKinsey can predict how well a candidate would do during a case interview. With this data, McKinsey can focus on interviewing candidates that have the best chances of getting hired.

 

The McKinsey Solve assessment has better predictive power on whether a candidate will land an offer than the McKinsey Problem Solving Test (PST), which was previously used to screen candidates.

 

2. The McKinsey Solve assessment lets McKinsey expand the pool of applicants 

 

McKinsey spends most of its recruiting efforts targeting top-tier undergraduate and MBA schools. They don’t recruit as heavily at other schools because they don’t have the resources.

 

By using the McKinsey Solve assessment, McKinsey can expand the number of schools that they recruit from. This enables McKinsey to identify talent at non-target schools they would have otherwise missed.

 

3. The McKinsey Solve assessment removes biases based on socio-economic background

 

McKinsey previously used the McKinsey Problem Solving Test to screen and identify promising applicants. However, the big issue with the McKinsey PST is that it puts candidates with lower socio-economic backgrounds at a disadvantage.

 

Since the McKinsey PST has fairly standardized problems, it can be mastered through practice and familiarity with problems. Therefore, candidates from higher socio-economic backgrounds can dedicate resources to learn what will be on the test and prepare and memorize strategies to pass the test. Candidates from lower socio-economic backgrounds don’t have the resources to do this.

 

The McKinsey Solve assessment removes a lot of these biases and evens the playing field. The test cannot be as easily mastered through extensive preparation or memorization.

 

4. The McKinsey Solve assessment evaluates process, not just the answer

 

Another issue with the McKinsey Problem Solving Test is that it assesses candidates only on their answers. Since it is a multiple-choice exam, candidates can get lucky by guessing the correct answer and receiving full credit for it.

 

The McKinsey Solve assessment removes the element of luck because it not only assesses you on the outcomes of your decisions, but it also assesses you on the process that you took to make those decisions.

 

So, even if you get lucky and make the right decisions by guessing, the McKinsey Solve assessment could still give you a low score based on the process you took.

 

5. McKinsey wants to improve their recruiting process 

 

McKinsey wants to make the recruiting process better for candidates. They want to make recruiting less stressful and more engaging.

 

The McKinsey Solve assessment is one step towards improving the recruiting process. Since it is a video game style assessment, it is much more engaging than a traditional exam and much less intimidating.

 

6. The McKinsey Solve assessment is good for marketing

 

Standardized exams to screen candidates have been used for decades at consulting firms such as McKinsey and BCG. By launching McKinsey Solve, McKinsey is making a statement that it is an innovative and forward-thinking consulting firm.

 

This may help give McKinsey’s brand a slight edge over BCG and Bain when it comes to recruiting candidates that have cross-offers.

 

How Important is the McKinsey Solve Assessment?

 

McKinsey says “the results from Solve will be taken into consideration together with the rest of your application and any other assessment results.” While the McKinsey Solve is important, your resume and any referrals are also important, if not more important.

 

We believe the importance of the McKinsey Solve assessment varies depending on a candidate’s background. Doing well on the McKinsey Solve assessment will be more important for some candidates than others.

 

Importance of the McKinsey Solve for applicants at target schools

 

If you attend a top-tier school and have an impressive background, not much of the recruiting process should change for you. You’ll likely still get an interview with McKinsey even if you do not score very high on the assessment.

 

McKinsey will always hire high pedigree candidates from top-tier schools. They need these candidates to maintain McKinsey’s brand name and prestige. Having consultants with impressive credentials also makes selling consulting projects easier and helps justify McKinsey’s high billing rates.

 

Therefore, as long as you don’t score abysmally low, the McKinsey Solve should not be a big deal for you if you attend a target school.

 

Importance of the McKinsey Solve for applicants at non-target schools

 

If you attend a school that McKinsey does not heavily recruit at, the McKinsey Solve assessment will be much more important for you.

 

Since you don’t have a high pedigree resume and background, McKinsey will more heavily use their digital assessment to identify which candidates, if any, should get an interview.

 

McKinsey could decide to set a particular threshold score and only interview candidates that have scored above the threshold. They could also decide to only interview candidates whose scores put them in a certain top percentage in their school.

 

Therefore, if you attend a non-target school, you will need to score well on the assessment.

 

Importance of the McKinsey Solve for applicants that are working professionals

 

McKinsey hires most of its consultants from undergraduate and MBA schools. McKinsey designates much fewer resources on hiring working professionals because these hires are much less common.

 

If you are applying to McKinsey as a working professional, a combination of your resume and McKinsey Solve assessment score will be used to determine whether you will get an interview.

 

If you have an impressive resume, have attended prestigious schools, and have worked for brand name companies, you probably won’t need to score as high on the McKinsey Solve assessment to get an interview.

 

However, if your resume is not as impressive, you’ll most likely need to score high on the McKinsey Solve assessment to improve your overall application if you want to have a chance of getting an interview with McKinsey.

 

What Games are in the McKinsey Solve Assessment?

 

The two games currently in the McKinsey Solve are ecosystem building and the Redrock case study. Older games that are no longer in use include plant defense, disaster management, disease management, and migration management.

 

Ecosystem Building

 

For this scenario, you are tasked to create a stable ecosystem by choosing a location for the ecosystem and selecting eight different species to inhabit it. You will be working with either a marine ecosystem or a terrestrial ecosystem.

 

Different locations on the map have different environmental conditions.

 

Different locations in the terrestrial ecosystem have different sunlight, precipitation, altitude, cloud height, pH of soil, wind speed, and moisture. Different locations in the marine ecosystem have different temperature, depth, current, clarity, salt content, dissolved oxygen, and wind speed.

 

You’ll need to select eight different plant and animal species to populate a functioning food chain out of 39 species. These include:

 

• Producers: consume no calories and have sunlight as food source; these are the first layer of your ecosystem food chain

 

• Consumers: herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores

 

• Apex animals: animals that do not have predators

 

Each species will have the following variables: food sources, predators or herbivores, calories provided, calories needed, and preferred environment.

 

Note that the calories provided and needed are for the species as a whole, not per individual. In an older version of this game, you are provided with the calories per individual and had to calculate the calories for the entire species.

 

Different species have different environmental requirements for surviving. For example, some coral can only survive within a particular temperature range or level of depth.

 

Additionally, species need to be compatible with one another. For example, certain predators will only eat certain prey. There are specific eating rules that are followed:

 

• Species with highest calories provided eats first

 

• It eats species with highest calories provided among its prey

 

• Eating species consumes from eaten species an amount of calories provided equal to calories needed

 

• If the same calories are provided among different prey, a species will eat an equal proportion of calories from each prey

 

• If calories needed is not met, species dies

 

• This is repeated for the next species with second highest calories provided

 

Recommended strategy: The 39 species are split into three equally-sized groups based on their terrain specifications. In other words, there are three groups of 13 species that each have their own unique terrain requirements.

 

The first step is to select which of the three groups of 13 species you want to build your ecosystem around.

 

We recommend that you start by looking at the producers, or the base layer, of the ecosystem food chain. Ideally, you want to select a group that has producers that provide a high number of calories and are eaten by many animals.

 

Next, choose the small animals/herbivores with low calories needed and high calories provided.

 

Finally, choose the apex predator that has the fewest calories needed.

 

When all 8 animal species have been selected, run through the eating rules to ensure that there are enough calories for all species to consume.

 

If you picked the right producers, or base layer, of your ecosystem, the calories should be sufficient at each level. If it is not sufficient, you may have picked the wrong small animals/herbivores or apex predator.

 

In the rare scenario where you cannot get the ecosystem to be self-sustaining, you can select a different group of 13 animals species and repeat the steps for creating the ecosystem.

 

Redrock Case Study

 

This scenario is set on the Island of Redrock, a nature preserve with populations of various species, including wolves, elk, and plants. The island’s wolves are split into four packs in four different geographies.

 

The goal is to ensure ecological balance by optimizing the number of wolves in the four packs, such that wolves and elk can sustainably coexist. To do this, you will create an ecological field study investigating wolf packs on the island and relocate the packs so that they best balance with the species around them and survive.

 

There are four parts to the Redrock case study: investigation, analysis, reporting, and answering case questions. You will have 35 minutes to complete all of these parts sequentially.

 

1. Investigation

 

In this part of the case study, you’ll have access to the full description of the case. Your task is to extract all important data points and put them in an on-screen research journal for use later. Information will be displayed in the form of numbers, text, graphs, and charts.

 

Later on, you will not have access to any data points except those in the research journal.

 

To record data points into the on-screen journal, simply drag any movable data point into the journal. The data point will show up in the journal as an entry with its own label and description. These will be automatically generated, but you are free to edit the label and descriptions as you wish.

 

You may need to modify these labels and descriptions as the auto-generated content will not always be helpful.

 

Recommended strategy: There will be a ton of information provided to you, but only 10-20% of the numbers will actually be important to the case. You will not have time to collect every data point so it is important to skim through the case description information and prioritize collecting only the important pieces of information.

 

There are two types of critical information you should be collecting. First, you should be collecting data relevant to the case objective. Second, you should be collecting data that provides instructions on which math formula to use and which numbers to use.

 

Remember, you can collect data from text, tables, graphs, and charts.

 

2. Analysis

 

In this part of the case study, you’ll answer three numerical questions based on the information you have collected in the previous part of the case study. There will be an on-screen calculator provided to you that you will use.

 

Note that all of your calculations on the on-screen calculator will be recorded. You will also only be able to use numbers that you have recorded in the previous part of the case study to input into the calculator.

 

The calculator will have basic functionality, only performing calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages.

 

All of the answers you calculate will be collected and stored in the journal for the next part of the case study.

 

Recommended strategy: The most important step here is to do all calculations on the on-screen calculator. You will not get credit for doing calculations in your head. Any important numbers used to answer the numerical questions must be derived from using the on-screen calculator.

 

Don’t start doing random calculations just because you are given a calculator. Take the time to think through what data you have and what formulas you have. Only then will you be able to cleanly and smoothly enter the calculations onto the on-screen calculator.

 

3. Reporting

 

In this part of the case study, you’ll complete a pre-written report on wolf populations or plant biodiversity levels. You’ll need to complete both texts and graphics.

 

For texts, you’ll need to fill in blanks using numbers that were given and calculated in the previous part of the case study.

 

For graphics, you’ll need to select the best type of chart to represent the data to facilitate drawing meaningful insights and conclusions.

 

Recommended strategy: Filling in numbers in the pre-written report should be fairly straight forward if you have performed those calculations in the previous part of the case study.

 

When selecting which chart to use to best represent the data, think about what the goal or purpose of the chart is. What insight are you trying to show in the simplest, clearest, and most effective way? This will help you identify which chart is best to use.

 

4. Answering case questions

 

This part of the case study is different in that it does not depend on any of the information or data provided or analyzed in the previous three parts of the case study. You’ll answer 10 multiple-choice questions and numerical answer questions.

 

The different question types include word problems (e.g., read the text and analyze the data), formula calculations (identify the right formula to use), verbal reasoning, critical reasoning, and visualization (e.g., select the correct chart to use).

 

These questions must be answered sequentially, so you will not be able to skip a question and come back to it later.

 

Recommended strategy: Based on candidates’ experiences, there is significant time pressure during this part of the case study. Therefore, we recommend that you try to allocate at least 10 minutes to this part. That means that you will need to complete the prior three parts of the case study in 25 minutes.

 

These questions are similar to problems on the former McKinsey Problem Solving Test (PST) and to GMAT integrated reasoning problems. If you are rusty with math, we recommend that you spend some time doing practice problems from these two resources so that your math skills are up to par on test day.

 

Plant Defense (no longer used)

 

For this scenario, you are protecting a native plant against invader species. If you play video games, this scenario is very similar to tower defense games.

 

The goal of this scenario is to survive a certain number of rounds. In each round, invader species will appear and take a path towards the plant you are protecting. If the invaders reach your plant, you lose.

 

To defend your plant, you can deploy predators and geographical barriers to disrupt these invaders.

 

Deploying predators (e.g., coyote, snake, falcon) will attack the invaders. Each species of predator does a particular amount of damage and has a particular range in which they can attack invaders. Each species of invader has a different amount of health. When the health of an invader reaches zero, they will disappear and no longer be a threat to reach the plant you are protecting.  

 

Deploying geographical barriers (e.g., cliff, forest, rocks) will slow the invaders down or make them take a different path.

 

You will play on three different maps that are 10x10 or 12x12. Each map will have 3 waves of 5 turns, for a total of 15 turns. Every 3-5 turns a new invader will come. After the 15^th turn, you will not be able to change or place more resources. The game will be run for an infinite number of turns until you lose.

Recommended strategy: The Plant Defense game resembles a tower-defense game. You should primarily employ the tactic of inside-out building. 

Inside-out defense involves building multiple layers of defenders outward from the base, placing resources close to the plant initially and expanding with less powerful, longer-range resources. This strategy optimizes coverage and resource allocation.

Additionally, players should adopt a long-term mindset, considering that after 15 turns, they can't change or add more resources. Understanding the invaders' patterns and adapting strategies accordingly is crucial for success. It's essential to use resources wisely and create balanced protection throughout the game.

 

Disaster Management (no longer used)

 

In this scenario, you will need to identify the type of disaster that is happening based on environmental data. The types of disasters include tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. Environmental data includes temperature, atmospheric pressure, and rain.

 

After identifying the type of disaster, you’ll need to move species of animals to a location where they are most likely to survive based on both the characteristics of the species and characteristics of the locations.

Recommended strategy: In order to identify the disease, skim through the data to develop a hypothesis. Test that hypothesis by analyzing all of the data available to you. Keep adapting your hypothesis until you land on one that is supported by the data.

For the relocation, you'll need to first rule out locations that have specifications similar to the ongoing disaster. Next, list the terrain requirements of each location and select the best one that fits the animals' needs.

 

Disease Management (no longer used)

 

For this scenario, you’ll need to identify which disease is affecting an animal population based on a set of symptoms and understand how the disease is being transmitted. Afterwards, you’ll need to recommend the best course of treatment based on characteristics of the disease, the animal population, and the treatment options.

 

The overall goal is to optimize the rate of survival for the animal population.

 

There will be three time periods in this game. You’ll analyze the first two time periods to identify the disease. The third time period lies in the future and is unknown. You’ll be provided information on the animals, including their age, weight, temperature, and altitude.

Recommended strategy: You should first identify the rules of infection. Next, create a framework that has specific factors as the buckets of the framework. Then, test each bucket of your framework.

Once you've identified how each factor correlates with infection, you'll have identified the disease and can evaluate the treatment options.

 

Migration Management (no longer used)

For this scenario, you’ll direct a group of 50 animals from one point to another while minimizing resources used along the way and ensuring that the maximum number of animals survive.

 

To do this, you’ll need to select the best route.

 

For each route, a certain number of resources will be used. Resources include water, flowers, apples, and nuts. You’ll gain more resources as you progress through the scenario.

 

Whenever you make a move but don’t have enough resources, some animals will die.

Recommended strategy: This is a turn-based puzzle game in which all of the details of the next turn are provided in advance.

Therefore, you should use pen and paper to draw a table with the columns listing the resources and animals and the rows listing the different routes.

Quickly calculate the possible ending amount for each animal and resource for each of the routes.

You should always choose the route with the highest number of animals and the bare minimum resources needed to meet the requirements of that route.

McKinsey Solve Strategies

Regardless of which McKinsey Solve games you receive, all games fall into one of three broad categories: optimization games, adaptation games, and relationship games . Each category of games has their own specific strategies that are best to use.

McKinsey Solve strategies for optimization games

The McKinsey Solve features several optimization games, including ecosystem building and disaster identification. 

In ecosystem building, candidates must strategically place species to create sustainable ecosystems, considering interrelationships like herbivores eating plants and carnivores preying on other species. Disaster identification involves identifying and mitigating natural disasters affecting animal populations, requiring analysis of extensive data to identify key factors.

To excel in these games, several strategies are recommended:

1. Candidates should identify maximums and minimums within the system, focusing on metrics subject to specific threshold rules.

2. Candidates should ignore irrelevant data.

3. Candidates should utilize pen and paper to take notes and test hypotheses while avoiding repeating failed strategies. 

4. Candidates should start strategically at either end of the system, either with components generating output or those accepting input. This helps navigate the optimization process linearly. 

5. When encountering mistakes, candidates should step back, reassess previous successful steps, and explore alternative options without completely restarting the process.

McKinsey Solve strategies for adaptation games

The McKinsey Solve features several adaptation games, including Plant Defense and Migration Management. 

In Plant Defense, candidates must protect native plants from invasive species while managing predators and obstacles to delay the spread of the invader. Migration Management involves choosing migration paths for animals while monitoring limited resources across multiple scenarios and turns.

To succeed in these games, candidates should adopt several specific strategies: 

1. Candidates should take their time to review new information gained in each turn and adjust their strategies accordingly.

2. Candidates should be flexible and willing to adapt based on evolving data, as hypotheses may need frequent revisions throughout the game. 

3. Candidates should utilize pen and paper to take notes, perform calculations, and visually map out their logic to stay organized and track decision-making processes effectively.

4. When facing decisions between multiple options, candidates should document their choices to facilitate the process of elimination and identify the best course of action.

McKinsey Solve strategies for relationship games

The McKinsey Solve features relationship games. For example, in the Disease Management game, candidates must identify the cause of animal deaths in an ecosystem by reviewing extensive data and determining the appropriate treatment.

There are several helpful strategies to use for these types of games:

1. Candidates should focus on identifying relevant data while disregarding irrelevant information

2. Candidates should recognize mathematical or logical relationships between data points. 

3. Candidates should try to identify part-whole relationships or cause-effect relationships. This greatly helps navigating complex scenarios effectively.

A part-whole relationship refers to the relationship between a whole entity and its individual components or parts. In this relationship, the whole entity comprises several distinct parts, and these parts together make up the entirety of the whole. The parts are interconnected and dependent on each other to form the complete entity.

A cause-effect relationship refers to the connection between two events or variables, where one event, the cause, brings about or influences the occurrence of another event, the effect. In this relationship, changes in the cause lead to corresponding changes in the effect.

Can You Prepare for the McKinsey Solve Ahead of Time?

It is both possible and advisable to prepare for the McKinsey Solve assessment. While McKinsey may advise against preparation to maintain a level playing field, there is potential benefit in familiarizing oneself with the assessment's format and content to enhance performance.

The question of whether one can prepare for the McKinsey Solve assessment in advance has stirred debate within the consulting community. Traditionally, there has been skepticism regarding the efficacy of preparation, particularly for the legacy version, which some perceive as resembling an IQ test. However, recent developments, such as the introduction of the Redrock case study in the new version, have demonstrated the potential benefits of preparation.

The Redrock case study, with its emphasis on quantitative analysis and strategic decision-making, offers candidates a more structured framework for preparation compared to the previous version.

Although the assessment evaluates higher-order thinking skills, which may not be easily influenced by traditional study methods, candidates can still enhance their performance by practicing relevant problem solving techniques and becoming familiar with the types of challenges presented in the assessment. 

Ultimately, while the debate over the effectiveness of preparation continues, candidates can benefit from strategic familiarization and skill-building efforts to optimize their performance in the McKinsey Solve assessment.

 

How to Prepare for the McKinsey Solve

 

There are four steps to prepare for the McKinsey Solve: understand what McKinsey is looking for, familiarize yourself with the games, develop a strategy for each game, and practice skills relevant for each game.

 

1. Understand what McKinsey is looking for

 

Before taking the McKinsey Solve, it may be helpful to review what qualities McKinsey is looking for in candidates. You can re-read the “What Does the McKinsey Solve Assessment Evaluate?” section of this article to refresh yourself on what qualities make a consultant successful.

 

2. Familiarize yourself with the games

 

Next, make sure that you are familiar with the two games that you’ll be given. This will make you feel much more comfortable and confident on test day because you’ll know exactly what to expect. There should be no surprises for you.

 

3. Develop a strategy for each game

 

Simply knowing what the games are is not enough. To truly excel at the McKinsey Solve, you’ll need to develop a strategy for each game. This will give you the best chance of scoring well on them.

 

4. Practice skills relevant for each game

 

After developing a strategy for each of the two games, it will be helpful to practice those skills.

The best way to practice is to play a simulation of the actual games themselves. PSG Secrets offers a realistic simulation of the McKinsey Solve that you can play through.

 

Alternatively, for the Redrock case study, brushing up on your quantitative and integrated reasoning skills will be helpful. You can do this by solving GMAT integrated reasoning questions or taking older McKinsey Problem Solving Tests (PSTs).

 

For the ecosystem building game, you can try playing some of the other ecosystem building simulation games that have been developed to replicate the look and feel of the actual game. This will give you a rough sense of exactly what to expect and give you an opportunity to further hone and refine your strategies.

Some relevant video games include:

• SimCity series

• Civilization series

• Kingdom Rush

• Plants vs. Zombies

However, note that playing these video games may not be the most efficient use of your time. Playing through an actual simulation of the McKinsey Solve will be significantly more helpful for you and you'll improve much more quickly.

 

McKinsey Solve Assessment Tips

 

Follow these ten tips to nail your McKinsey Solve assessment.

1. Make sure you complete the technical checks

You want to avoid having any technical issues while you are taking the McKinsey Solve assessment. Therefore, make sure to follow the instructions provided to you to ensure that the device you are taking the test on is fully compatible with the McKinsey Solve.

 

2. Do not replicate the solutions of other test takers

 

Do not submit the same solutions as other candidates. The McKinsey Solve assessment creates a unique scenario for each test taker. Therefore, the data you see could be completely different from the data that other candidates see.

 

3. Make sure you understand the task and the instructions

 

Although you are only given 70-minutes to complete the Solve assessment, the time that you spend going through the tutorial and reading the instructions does not count towards this time. Therefore, take your time reading through the instructions so that you fully understand how each scenario works and what you are tasked to do.

 

4. Prioritize the data and don’t get lost in the details

 

The McKinsey Solve assessment will have a lot of data. You won’t have enough time to analyze every single variable, so don’t get lost in the details. Prioritize which pieces of data or information are most important.

 

Some data will be irrelevant to the decisions that you make. Other data will be relevant, but not that important. You should focus your time on the data that has the greatest impact on your decision-making.

 

5. Take notes on your observations and learnings

 

During the McKinsey Solve assessment, you should be constantly learning new things as you read information and analyze data. Make sure that you take good notes on your observations and learnings.

 

This will help you be more effective in your use of time by helping you avoid having to re-read information or re-analyze data.

 

6. Get used to making decisions with incomplete information

 

During the McKinsey Solve assessment, you will not always have all the information you need to make decisions that you are fully confident in. This is intentionally done because the simulation is trying to assess your decision-making process.

 

Therefore, be comfortable with making imperfect decisions and guesses based on incomplete information.

 

7. Adapt your strategy if needed

 

Some scenarios may introduce new data or information halfway through the scenario. Whenever you receive new data or information, make sure you review it. You may need to change or adapt your strategy given new circumstances.

The best way you can practice this is by playing through a realistic simulation of the McKinsey Solve.

 

8. Mange your time well

 

For each game in the McKinsey Solve assessment, you’ll have only 35 minutes to complete it. Therefore, make sure you are keeping track of time to ensure that you will be able to complete all tasks and answer all questions before the games end.

 

Remember, it is better to submit something than to fail to submit all tasks or answer all questions.

9. Don't make decisions too quickly

Candidates often feel rushed during the McKinsey Solve assessment. A common mistake is making hasty, irreversible decisions that are later regretted.

If you're feeling pressure, take a deep breath and make sure you have thoroughly thought through the data and information before committing to a final decision that can't be undone.

 

10. Request an accommodation if you need one for dyslexia, ADHD, or color blindness

 

McKinsey will provide accommodations, such as extra time, if you have a relevant disability. Take advantage of this opportunity to ensure you are putting yourself on equal playing grounds as other candidates.

 

Where to Practice the McKinsey Solve

 

While it can be helpful to learn the right strategies to tackle the McKinsey Solve, the best way to improve and guarantee that you pass the assessment is by practicing the actual games and exercises that you'll see on test day.

PSG Secrets provides a realistic McKinsey Solve simulation that includes all the games you'll see on test day. In addition to practice, they also provide further guides and tips for each game.

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