how to pass mckinsey problem solving test

• The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview
• Consulting Career Secrets
• Cover Letter & Resume
• McKinsey Solve Game (Imbellus)
• BCG Online Case (+ Pymetrics, Spark Hire)
• Bain Aptitude Tests (SOVA, Pymetrics, HireVue)
• Kearney Recruitment Test
• BCG Cognitive Test Practice
• All-in-One Case Interview Preparation
• Industry Cheat Sheets
• Structuring & Brainstorming
• Data & Chart Interpretation
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• McKinsey Interview Academy
• Brainteasers

McKinsey Solve Game (2024): How to Prepare and Ace the Imbellus

Last Updated on July 8, 2024

The McKinsey Solve Game, previously known as the McKinsey Problem Solving Game, Digital Assessment, or informally as ‘the Imbellus’, serves as a pivotal tool for the renowned consulting firm in evaluating prospective candidates. This assessment is utilized in tandem with the infamous case interviews and personal experience interviews (PEI) .

For those wondering how to prepare for McKinsey’s digital problem-solving game, this article breaks down the key areas to focus on for enhanced performance. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the nuances of McKinsey Solve Game preparation, providing you with the latest strategies to ace the assessment.

It’s important to mention that we consistently update this article with the latest and most relevant information. Initially published in May 2019, our coverage was a pioneering global insight into the Solve Game, even during its beta testing phase. Our most recent update to this article was in end-June 2024, ensuring you have the most current insights at your fingertips.

History of the McKinsey Imbellus Solve Game

Developed in collaboration with Imbellus and psychologists from UCLA Cresst, the McKinsey Solve Game invites candidates to engage in a series of stimulating scenarios. This immersive experience is a precursor to embarking on a career with McKinsey, demanding a well-thought-out Imbellus Game strategy.

The game challenges players to create sustainable ecosystem simulations within diverse environments such as reefs, mountain ridges, or jungles. Additionally, participants assume the role of a researcher, analyzing animal populations. In an earlier version of the game, your focus was on protecting plant species from invaders in a tower-defense-like game. This immersive experience is a precursor to embarking on a career with McKinsey.

When this game-based assessment was introduced by the world’s leading consulting firms four years ago, it created a significant buzz in the consulting industry for two primary reasons. Firstly, the Solve Game marked a departure from traditional recruitment methods by incorporating an actual computer game. This represented a shift from the conventional Problem Solving Test (PST), a pen-and-paper test designed to gauge candidates’ abilities to solve business problems under time constraints. Secondly, McKinsey’s stance that the game’s nature makes it impervious to specific preparation strategies initially left applicants feeling uncertain about how to best approach the assessment. This was a notable change for applicants accustomed to preparing for weeks or sometimes even months to tackle their case interviews.

Quick reality check…

However, it soon became evident that the consulting firm recruitment game was not impervious to preparation and strategy. McKinsey’s claim was more of a strategic marketing move. Our interviews with some of the first candidates who participated in the initial Imbellus Test in London in November 2019 revealed insightful feedback. This was the first instance where the Solve Game was employed as a formal part of the recruitment process beyond its beta testing phase. These early test-takers made it clear that with a better understanding of the game’s format and the skills it assessed, they could have performed more effectively. Several candidates had even prepared for the PST, not anticipating any changes in the assessment approach. They were informed about the switch to the Solve Game merely a week in advance.

Leveraging this feedback and using their dissatisfaction as a starting point, we collaborated with experts in the field and continued to gather insights from test-takers across various countries. This collective input allowed us to develop effective preparation strategies and gameplay techniques to play the games successfully.

What we found is that – in contrast to McKinsey’s initial messaging – it’s indeed possible to prepare effectively for this assessment. Adopting the right strategies for each game segment can quickly enhance relevant skills, as evidenced by our candidates’ significant performance improvements compared to their peers, thanks to these McKinsey digital assessment tips. Adopting the right strategies for each game segment can quickly enhance relevant skills, as evidenced by our candidates’ significant performance improvements

This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to mastering the Solve Game. We’ll cover five key areas:

• Understanding McKinsey’s motivation for transitioning from the traditional Problem Solving Test to a gamified assessment, and what this means for you.
• Introducing and examining all six games included in the assessment, along with variations reported by test-takers.
• Clarifying the actual skills assessed, extending beyond the official communications.
• Detailing preparation methods, exercises, and tools to elevate your performance.
• Offering insights into effective test-taking strategies to facilitate Imbellus game skills development and maximize results

For those seeking thorough preparation, we offer a detailed preparation package including (with instant access):

• 161-page Problem Solving Game Guide
• Excel Solver tool for the Ecosystem Game with ecosystem game strategies
• 14 videos that dissect every aspect of the games, including game-winning strategies.
• Complimentary 14-page primer for McKinsey case and PEI interviews
• McKinsey game practice tests

StrategyCase.com was the pioneer in providing detailed analysis of this new assessment type, backed by authentic firsthand information. This has allowed us to continuously refine our insights based on feedback from our extensive customer base. The program has gone through 21 iterations, last updated in July 2024, and incorporates feedback from over 500 test-takers and several game designers.

We launched our original program at the end of November 2019 and have since been updating it regularly to maintain its relevance and accuracy, distinguishing ourselves from others who have merely replicated our content. To date, more than 8500 applicants  from over 70 nations have used the guide to prepare for their Imbellus. 

Our McKinsey Solve Game Preparation Package

Elevate your Solve Game score with the original game guide, a 14-part video course, an Excel Solver tool, and Red Rock practice tests. Trusted by more than 8,500 customers from 70+ countries since November 2019.

Introduction of the McKinsey Solve Game

“Imagine yourself in a beautiful, serene forest populated by many kinds of wildlife. As you take in the flora and fauna, you learn about an urgent matter demanding your attention: the animals are quickly succumbing to an unknown illness. It’s up to you to figure out what to do—and then act quickly to protect what you can.” McKinsey & Company

Sounds exciting? Well,…you be the judge.

As a consultant with McKinsey or any other top-tier consulting firm, you often find yourself in situations where you must save the day. On an abstract level, the game simulates exactly this reality. While your consulting career mostly relates to strategy engagements with Fortune 500 companies, McKinsey chooses the environmental scenarios deliberately. More on that in a second.

Traditionally, the McKinsey way of hiring candidates was through the following funnel:

• Screening: Your consulting resume and cover letter are screened based on a number of filters
• Problem Solving Test: A 60-minute pen-and-paper test, covering 26 business-related questions
• Consulting Interview Round 1 : 2 to 3 business case and personal experience interviews
• Consulting Interview Round 2: another 1 to 3 interviews depending on the region (Rounds 1 and 2 can be on the same day in some offices)

With the introduction of the Problem Solving Game (PSG), the Problem Solving Test (PST) was on its way out.

So, why would McKinsey replace a time-tested screening tool, which has evaluated hundreds of thousands of applicants, with a computer game? The reasons are threefold, reflecting McKinsey’s typical approach:

The answer is quite simple and – as ever so often in the McKinsey world – threefold:

• To  attract new talent  and new types of consultants.
• To have an assessment  tool that is agnostic  (in theory)  of people’s backgrounds .
• To have a lower-cost program (in the long run) to  assess a greater amount of candidates .

The Firm is employing the Solve Game to take into account the changes that every consulting firm faces: Changes in its client base, new types of problems the clients face, and its evolution through organic growth and acquisitions. New problems of clients require a new type of consulting workforce. The typical McKinsey career has changed. Hence, McKinsey is investing heavily in the recruitment of new types of talent, including data scientists, implementation practitioners, IT experts, product and digital designers, as well as software developers in addition to their generalist consulting roles. A digital test is only logical when hiring digital natives.

Above, we teased the environmental abstraction of the game tasks. What is that all about? McKinsey stresses that to perform well in the different games, no prior knowledge and preparation is needed or beneficial (contrary to the PST). The natural context should be easily accessible for every possible candidate, regardless of their background. The PST was geared more towards business majors and quant-heavy degrees, evaluating candidates with a simple pen-and-paper test. With the Solve Game, McKinsey has created a much more complex assessment tool to avoid any biases related to a candidate’s culture, experience, or background. Why this is a fallacy and just introduces new types of biases, a bit further down on this page…

Lastly, McKinsey is receiving several hundred thousand applications every year. Can you imagine going through all of them and dedicating proper resources to every single one of them? No? Right, because neither can McKinsey. High-level screening algorithms decide what consulting cover letter and resume gets screened by a human and even then, many candidates are quickly sorted out. As a result, many potentially talented individuals do not make the cut. The Solve Game attacks this issue from two ends.

Administering the Imbellus Game to one additional candidate comes with almost zero additional cost for the Firm. The assessment can be taken from home (in most cases) and does not block many recruitment resources from the local office. It is part of a streamlined and automated process ( sounds exactly like what a top-tier management consulting firm would do, eh? ). For the PST, on the other hand, candidates had to go to the office to take the test, blocking many resources in the process. Second, with a negligible marginal cost for one additional test-taker, more people can be evaluated and potentially deemed ‘worthy’ of moving on to the interview rounds, even if their resume lacked some important metric that was relevant to the old screening algorithm.

To hit those three points, McKinsey hired Imbellus (which has since been acquired by Roblox ) to develop the different games of the Solve Game, a company that claims to reinvent how we measure human potential. A bold claim.

Does the Solve Game live up to this claim and fill its new role as a screening device for applicants?

If you want to learn more about McKinsey’s rationale for the Solve Game, Fortune spoke with Katy George, McKinsey & Company’s chief people officer, regarding the impact of prevailing labor market trends on the consulting firm’s talent strategy.

The Firm wanted to change its talent recruitment strategy to align with current labor market trends. Shifting its focus from prestigious educational backgrounds to the potential and diverse skill sets of candidates, McKinsey now recruits from a broader range of educational institutions, increasing its outreach from 700 to about 1,500 schools, with plans to expand to 5,000. This approach supports the “paper ceiling” movement, valuing talent over formal qualifications.

To support this move, McKinsey developed the video game ‘Solve’ to attract a wider pool of applicants, including tech talent. This evaluation has reached over 150,000 candidates in the first two years of the game’s introduction, highlighting the game’s role in identifying talent with varied backgrounds, particularly in technology.

The Role of the McKinsey Solve Game

As a candidate, the Solve Game immerses you in several digital, scenario-based assessments, designed to understand and measure how you approach and solve problems, basically putting you in situations that McKinsey consultants face every day. This approach diverts significantly from other well-known testing formats such as the PST or the BCG Online Case , which test problem-solving skills in a business context.

A Digital Case Interview with Twists and Turns

The Imbellus replaces the McKinsey Problem Solving Test (which has been discontinued in several offices such as Germany and Austria years ago due to the bias it introduced –   business majors usually got much higher scores).

While the PST is useful when gathering information about a candidate’s problem-solving skills, it introduces a bias toward candidates who are familiar with business problems. Since it favors business major backgrounds, it is not in line with McKinsey looking to expand its hiring base. Also, the PST does not allow for understanding how the candidates arrived at a solution. The Imbellus Assessment allows McKinsey to get both a product score, evaluating how good your solution is, and a process score, providing insights into your problem-solving prowess and approach.

By changing this part of the recruiting process and introducing an abstracted digital assessment, McKinsey hopes to gauge applicants’ cognitive abilities in a bias-free environment while at the same time collecting way more data points on them.

The Format of McKinsey Solve Game

The Imbellus Solve Game has evolved to a format where candidates engage in two out of six available mini-games within a 70-minute timeframe. This represents a change from previous versions, which allotted up to 81 minutes for gameplay. According to our data and surveys, every candidate since March 2023 has participated in a version of the Ecosystem Creation game and the Red Rock Study game. Notably, since the end of February 2023, the Plant Defense game, previously a consistent element of the assessment, has not been featured.

This setup emphasizes effective time management, as candidates must ensure completion of both games within the allocated time, 35 minutes for each.

In the following sections, we will provide an in-depth analysis of each game, outlining various strategies and techniques to efficiently manage time and maximize performance.

The Scoring of the Solve Game

The essence of the Imbellus test aligns closely with the conventional approach of consulting cases and interviews. It demands the identification of a problem, gathering and analyzing data, making informed decisions under time constraints and with incomplete information, and then crafting actionable recommendations. Essentially, the test is designed to assess problem-solving skills, but it does so in an online format, leveraging sophisticated algorithms.

Data on the test’s efficacy indicates that a candidate’s performance in the Imbellus problem-solving simulation is a reliable predictor of their likelihood to receive an offer following the case interviews. This predictive accuracy is reportedly superior to that of the traditional Problem Solving Test (PST). Further details and specific data on these outcomes will be discussed in subsequent sections.

The McKinsey Solve Game is tailored to evaluate candidates’ skills in scenarios that mimic real-life situations, going beyond what can be inferred from a consulting cover letter or resume. It scrutinizes candidates’ problem-solving approaches, their creativity in tackling tasks, and their overall thought processes. Specifically, the game is designed to assess:

• Problem identification : The ability to accurately discern the core problem that needs resolution.
• Analysis of information : Skill in sourcing and scrutinizing information from diverse channels.
• Strategic solution development : Competence in formulating and methodically testing hypotheses to solve the problem.
• Conclusion and decision making : Aptitude for drawing appropriate conclusions and making informed decisions.
• Adaptability : Agility in responding to evolving situations or changing parameters.
• Quantitative reasoning: With the introduction of the Red Rock game, McKinsey now also evaluates how effectively candidates can comprehend, process, and apply quantitative data in problem-solving scenarios.

To effectively measure these attributes, McKinsey and Imbellus use a dual-scoring system:

• Product Score:  This evaluates the quality of the outcome achieved. Did you complete the game objectives, like creating a sustainable ecosystem, providing the correct outcomes for your analyses, or protecting the plant?
• Process Score:  This score reflects the method and strategy used to achieve the outcome. It tracks every interaction, including over 100 different variables during gameplay. Factors like apparent nervousness or the execution of a logical plan are considered.

The implications of this sophisticated scoring system for new candidates are multifaceted:

For candidates, the McKinsey Solve Game’s scoring system has significant implications. It means that the assessment isn’t just about reaching the correct outcome, but also about how you get there. This dual focus on both product and process offers a more holistic evaluation of a candidate’s abilities.

• Holistic assessment : Candidates are evaluated on their results and the strategies they employ. This approach rewards not only correct outcomes but also thoughtful, strategic processes.
• Behavior under pressure : The game assesses how candidates perform under pressure, including decision-making speed, adaptability, and handling incomplete information.
• Broader accessibility : Since the game is less reliant on specific business knowledge and more on general problem-solving skills, it potentially opens the door for candidates from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
• Increased stress : The knowledge that every action is being recorded and analyzed might increase stress levels for some candidates, possibly affecting their performance.

You might think that with such an assessment and with a focus on process, it’s harder for candidates to ‘game’ the system by preparing for specific outcomes. Yet, what we found out over time is that the range of potential outcomes for the Ecosystem game and the types of questions for the Red Rock Study game is very narrow. We have developed strategies and step-by-step approaches to navigate this challenge very well.

Overall, the McKinsey Solve Game represents a shift in how candidates are assessed, placing equal importance on the journey and the destination. For candidates, this means preparing for the game requires a focus on developing the right approach and the ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.

Current Roll-out and Scope of the McKinsey Solve Game

It’s all fun and games until your score actually determines your future McKinsey career.

A frequently asked question from candidates is about the necessity of participating in the Solve Game during their application process. The straightforward answer is that in almost all cases, yes, it’s required.

Initially, the game underwent testing with 5,000 candidates across 20 countries between May 2018 and October 2019, alongside the PST. This phase wasn’t about evaluating candidates; rather, it focused on gathering data, beta testing, and fine-tuning the games. Additionally, McKinsey’s active consultants were invited to play in trial runs, contributing further to the data collection.

As of now, McKinsey has globally implemented the Solve Game for a vast majority of applicant types, aiming to evaluate a larger pool of individuals with more refined metrics. Our internal data indicates that the game has been adopted in virtually every country with a McKinsey office. The comprehensive global deployment was finalized during the 2020 recruiting season, with many key markets initiating the rollout from January to June of that year.

Since 2022, the use of the Solve Game has extended beyond office applications. Candidates are also required to complete the game as a prerequisite for certain recruiting events, such as the McKinsey Women’s Leadership Summit.

In terms of the roles it applies to, the game is obligatory for all practice areas, including Generalist Consulting, Operations and Implementation, Research & Analytics, Digital, among others. The only exception, as of now, appears to be Orphoz , a McKinsey subsidiary specializing in transformations, which has not yet incorporated the Imbellus games.

Additionally, it’s noteworthy that senior and professional hires are often exempt from this requirement.

Timing of the Imbellus in the McKinsey Recruiting Process

Upon successful screening of your consulting cover letter and resume, you’ll be sent an email with a link to the Imbellus assessment. You have the flexibility to choose when to take the test, provided it’s within 7 calendar days of receiving the link, for most candidates.

However, in some offices and regions, you might be notified earlier (up to a month in advance) about your deadline for the test. In certain cases, you might even be required to visit the office for the test, which could coincide with your case interviews.

It’s advisable to begin preparing for the Imbellus as early as possible to develop and refine the skills evaluated in the assessment.

Post-Game Process: Waiting for Results

If you take the test remotely, the notification period to learn if you’ve passed and can proceed to the interview stage typically ranges from 1 to 14 days, though this can vary based on the office and the volume of candidates. The longest wait reported by one of our candidates was two months, an outlier, with the average wait time usually under a week. Some offices in Asia recruit continuously but only finalize decisions on Solve Game results on specific dates, potentially extending wait times. If you need a quicker response due to another job offer, contacting HR can often expedite the process.

If the Imbellus is taken in conjunction with the first round of interviews, such as in Germany, your game performance will be evaluated alongside your interview results. Different offices place varying levels of emphasis on the assessment’s outcome. For some, it’s an additional factor in the initial interview round, while for others, it acts as a crucial gateway to the interviews. Some offices may also weigh the Solve Game results in conjunction with your application and documents, where a strong resume or referral could potentially compensate for an average game performance.

Requirements to Pass the McKinsey Solve Game

After completing the McKinsey Solve Game, you can gauge your performance even before the official notification.

How to assess your performance?

• Ecosystem Game : The key is to know whether the ecosystem you created will survive. A quick completion time can be a positive indicator. Creating a sustainable ecosystem in less than 25 minutes generally suggests a good chance of success. Tools like our Excel Solver in combination with the right strategy can assist in predicting ecosystem survival, enabling you to craft a viable solution in under 20 minutes.
• Red Rock Game : While there’s no explicit benchmark for what constitutes a passing score, drawing parallels from the previous Problem Solving Test’s approximate 70% cutoff, a similar threshold might apply.
• Plant Defense Game : A strong performance typically involves surviving at least 15 turns per round, with higher numbers like 25 or 30 being ideal. We delve into the implications of these benchmarks in more detail later.

The pass rate for the Solve Game is expected to be similar to or slightly lower than that of the PST. Unofficial pass rates circulating for the Solve Game suggest that only around 20% of candidates successfully pass. With thorough preparation and a clear strategy, this success rate can be increased to over 80%.

McKinsey has conducted extensive beta testing with a large pool of applicants and internal staff to fine-tune the Imbellus assessment. Over time, as more candidates become familiar with the test and preparation efforts intensify, we see a trend of score inflation due to better-prepared candidates. In response, Imbellus frequently updates and introduces new games to maintain a level of unpredictability and mitigate the effects of overpreparation.

There is a reason why our current preparation package is already version 20 in just 4 years.

The Skills Assessed by the McKinsey Solve Game

The McKinsey Solve Game, while not requiring specific business knowledge like the traditional pen-and-paper assessments, focuses on evaluating similar cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills in a gamified context. To excel in the game, candidates need to:

• Understand the skills tested : Gain a deep understanding of what each game assesses.
• Learn effective preparation methods : Master the right techniques and strategies to win.

The 8 Core Skills Assessed by Imbellus Games

The games aim to create a comprehensive profile of your skills across various domains. Every keystroke and mouse movement is captured and analyzed to evaluate your performance, which is reflected in both a product score and a process score. The assessment goes beyond just the outcomes; it also focuses on the cognitive dynamics behind your decisions, your adaptability to changing scenarios, and your approach to error correction.

To score well, it’s crucial to optimize both scores and understand the diverse factors influencing the outcomes in each game scenario.

The key skills assessed, which are not officially communicated by either McKinsey or Imbellus, include:

• Critical thinking : Ability to form logical judgments from a set of facts both in the qualitative and quantitative realm.
• Decision making : Skill in choosing the most effective course of action from multiple options.
• Meta-cognition : Using strategies to simplify learning and problem-solving (e.g., hypothesis testing, note-taking).
• Situational awareness : Understanding the interrelationships between various factors and predicting scenario outcomes.
• Systems thinking : Grasping cause-and-effect relationships involving multiple factors and feedback loops, including foreseeing multiple layers of consequences.
• Cognition : The capacity to memorize, process, store, and integrate new information with existing knowledge for later retrieval.
• Adaptability : Flexibility in altering actions and strategies to accommodate new situations or changing conditions.
• Creativity : Inventiveness in developing unique solutions, approaches, and ideas for various problems.

The McKinsey Solve Game employs advanced data science techniques to meticulously track and analyze each candidate’s actions, offering a comprehensive assessment of their abilities. This digital format provides a wealth of insights into candidates’ skills, leveraging the vast amount of data collected and calibrated from thousands of applicants over time.

This digital assessment method enables McKinsey to observe candidates’ thought processes in a manner akin to traditional consulting interviews but with greater efficiency and depth. It’s a sophisticated approach that goes beyond just the outcomes, focusing on understanding how candidates think, analyze, and solve problems in real-time scenarios.

Demonstrating Key Skills in the McKinsey Solve Game

Maximizing your performance in the McKinsey Solve Game involves showcasing a range of skills through your actions and decision-making processes within the game. Here’s how you can demonstrate these essential skills:

• Critical thinking : Exhibit your ability to sift through large datasets, discard irrelevant information, analyze crucial data, and synthesize your findings to devise optimal solutions. This should be done systematically and methodically both for qualitative decisions and quantitative problems.
• Decision making : The game analyzes your decision-making process by tracking the time spent in each game menu and section, and how you form recommendations based on this data.
• Metacognition : While not directly trackable, your choice of paths and tools in navigating the game can reveal your metacognitive strategies – how you process and approach the games.
• Situational awareness : Demonstrate your understanding of the game’s elements, objectives, available options, and time constraints.
• Systems thinking : Show your ability to recognize interdependencies within the game’s parameters, such as aligning the food chain characteristics with the appropriate location in the ecosystem game.
• Adaptability : Particularly important in games like the plant defense game, where you need to adjust to changing scenarios and strategies.
• Cognition : Utilize your skills in memorizing, storing, integrating, and retrieving information as needed throughout the game.
• Creativity : McKinsey values innovative approaches. Display your ability to deviate from conventional methods and find unique solutions to the challenges.

To optimize both your product and process scores, it’s also crucial to have a clear understanding of the various games included in the assessment and their specific requirements. This knowledge allows you to tailor your strategies and approaches effectively to each unique scenario, thereby enhancing your overall performance.

Combine your Solve Game preparation with our McKinsey Interview Academy.

The Current Games of the McKinsey Solve Game

The McKinsey Solve Game typically allocates a total of 70 minutes for completion, dividing this time equally with 35 minutes dedicated to each of the two games. This standard timing, however, has not always been the case. In the past, the duration varied among candidates, ranging from 60 to 81 minutes, depending on the specific requirements of the tasks at hand.

An integral part of the McKinsey Solve Game experience is the inclusion of untimed tutorial sessions before each game. These tutorials are invaluable for candidates, as they provide a detailed introduction to the games, explaining their mechanics and objectives. The length of these tutorials is flexible, allowing candidates to take as much time as needed to fully grasp the concepts and strategies required for the games. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the game’s intricacies.

Once the actual timed games commence, candidates need to be aware that these cannot be paused. This aspect of the game adds a layer of complexity, emphasizing the importance of effective time management. Candidates need to be well-prepared and focused from the start, as the non-pausable nature of the games demands continuous engagement and strategic thinking throughout the allotted time. This dynamic is crucial in testing candidates’ ability to efficiently navigate and solve problems under time constraints.

Focus on Environmental Topics with Many Evolutions

The McKinsey Problem Solving Game, known for its focus on environmental themes, has seen a series of evolutions and variations since its introduction. Originally, the game included two distinct scenarios: Ecosystem Creation and Plant Defense. However, feedback starting from August 2020 suggested changes in these scenarios. Some candidates encountered a variation of the Ecosystem Creation along with the Disease identification game, instead of the usual Plant Defense game. It’s important to note that in these cases, the Disease Identification was not used for scoring but rather for future calibration of the Imbellus test.

In 2021, a new scenario focused on Migration Planning was introduced to the game. Yet, by the end of 2022, indications emerged that this scenario had been discontinued. McKinsey’s approach to introducing new games and variations appears strategic and careful. Over the last three years, six different games have been featured in the assessment. However, consistent with McKinsey’s methodology in their consulting interviews, the introduction of new scenarios or variations of existing games is primarily for beta testing and calibration. These new elements are not immediately used to evaluate candidates but to ensure consistency in results and skill assessments over time.

As of March 2023, the two scenarios that candidates face are the Ecosystem Creation and the Red Rock Study Game. Every candidate since then has encountered these games, making them the current standard in the Problem Solving Game.

Watch this space as we always update the article and our preparation package as soon as the next evolution is launched by McKinsey.

Let’s take a deeper look at the different games.

Ecosystem Creation

The Ecosystem game, often referred to as the Ecosystem Building or Ecosystem Creation game, has been a cornerstone of the McKinsey Problem Solving Game. It is the only game that is still part of the Solve Game lineup since the very beginning, albeit with a couple of minor variations.

We’ll explore proven strategies to succeed in the Imbellus Ecosystem Simulation, highlighting how to effectively balance your ecosystem.

In this game, you are placed on an island (either in the reef, the jungle, or on a mountain ridge) and tasked with establishing a sustainable ecosystem in a chosen location. The primary objectives are twofold:

• Create a sustainable chain : You need to select 8 species out of 39 that together form a sustainable ecosystem.
• Find a suitable location : Determine the best location for this ecosystem on a map.

These tasks must be completed within a 35-minute timeframe.

The game begins with a tutorial that is untimed, providing an opportunity to understand the game mechanics.

At the core, the game is an optimization problem. You will be confronted with an overload of different data points (similar to the McKinsey Problem Solving Test, yet not business-related). You match the location to the species as well as the species with each other based on many different characteristics such as calorie need or provision and environmental requirements such as temperature, sun exposure, etc. All requirements need to be fulfilled at the same time to create and sustainable ecosystem and to successfully pass this game.

There are 2 parts:

First, you need to pick 8 species, either animal or plant, to inhabit the mountain, reef, or jungle location. Selecting a suitable, heterogeneous sample for the food chain relationship out of the numerous species is crucial. You need to account for the interaction effects between the species (e.g., coral, aquatic animals, algae, etc. in the reef) and several individual characteristics such as the required environment, place in the food chain, how many calories they need to survive, or how much energy they need, how many calories or energy they provide when consumed, etc.

Second, you need to decide on the location of the ecosystem to create good living conditions for several species. You need to consider several characteristics of the location such as altitude, cloud height, ph-level of the soil, wind speeds, precipitation, etc. for the mountain ridge or depth, temperature, salinity, etc. for the coral reef.

The catch in this game is that you are presented with information overload and need to show proper systems thinking. The food chain must not collapse, and the ecosystem must sustain itself. You will know if you have provided a good answer before submitting it since you can test your hypotheses to see if the ecosystem can actually sustain itself.

In the summer of 2020, McKinsey started to introduce new boundary conditions to make the game more challenging. For instance, you not only need to create the food chain with several levels and match it with a location but also adhere to certain new rules related to the hierarchy of the food chain. This twist adds another dimension you need to consider when drafting your solution.

There are several ways how to approach this scenario, which we worked on with our candidates and created an Excel sheet that helps you solve the eco-system puzzle. Below is a high-level approach you can use when going into the game.

What you need to know when approaching the species selection

• Selecting 8 species : From a set of 39 animals, you must choose 8. These species include 9 producers (like corals and algae) and 30 animals (such as sharks, tuna, etc.). Producers consume natural resources and do not require calories, while animals consume other organisms and require calories for survival.
• Environmental conditions : Species are divided into three environmental ranges, each with specific environmental characteristics like depth and temperature. For instance, depth may be categorized into ranges such as 11-15m, 16-21m, and 22-27m.
• Distribution of species : In each environmental range, you’ll find 3 producers and 10 animals. Your final ecosystem should consist of species all from the same range.

Having this key insight into the food chain mechanics in the McKinsey Ecosystem Game can be a significant advantage. As this information isn’t explicitly communicated by McKinsey, most candidates would typically need to deduce these details during the game, consuming valuable time within the 35-minute limit. However, being aware of this beforehand allows you to approach the game with a more informed strategy.

• Start with producers : Knowing the calorie dynamics, you can begin by selecting a set of producers that not only share the same location characteristics but also provide the right amount of calories for enough animals. This understanding narrows down your options significantly, reducing the initial choice of 39 animals to a more manageable 10.
• Focus on the right producers : Identifying the correct set of producers is crucial, as they form the foundation of your food chain. Choosing the right producers simplifies the subsequent steps in creating a sustainable ecosystem.

In our McKinsey Solve Game Guide , we delve deeper into these strategies, offering a step-by-step approach to solve the Ecosystem Creation game efficiently – in less than 20 minutes. Our guide is designed to streamline your process, ensuring you can focus on building a viable ecosystem without getting bogged down by the multitude of options.

We also provide an Excel Solver tool as part of the guide. This tool is immensely helpful in assessing the sustainability of your ecosystem. It aids in determining whether the food chain you’ve created can sustain itself, saving you the trial-and-error time during the game. Additionally, the Excel Solver can suggest instantly which set of producers is most likely to support a survivable food chain, further enhancing your ability to make quick and effective decisions in the game.

The game intricately simulates a natural food chain, requiring you to strategically link species as either food sources or predators to create a sustainable ecosystem. Here’s a breakdown of how this works and how you can effectively create a sustainable chain:

1. Species interactions:

Each species in the game has relationships with others – as either a predator or a food source. For instance, a Blue Jay might be preyed upon by a Shark, while it feeds on Yellow Fish.

2. Caloric dynamics:

Every species is assigned specific caloric values: calories provided and calories needed. These caloric values are crucial in determining which species from the available 13 you should select to form your final ecosystem of 8. The moment you select your 3 producers, you are only left with choosing 5 animals out of 10. A much easier task than before.

3. Eating rules and algorithm to test your sustainability:

The game outlines essential rules about the feeding mechanism. The key rules include:

• The species with the highest ‘calories provided’ value eats first.
• It consumes the species offering the highest caloric value as a food source. In the case of ties, it splits its consumption 50/50.
• Consumption reduces the ‘calories provided’ by the prey by the amount of ‘calories needed’ by the predator. A species needs non-zero ‘calories provided’ to survive, and all its ‘calories needed’ should be zero after feeding.
• After the first species feeds, the next one with the highest ‘calories provided’ follows suit, and the process repeats.

4. Ensuring chain sustainability:

It’s crucial to ensure each animal receives adequate calories from its food source and that no species depletes its ‘calories provided’ to zero. If a species either doesn’t receive enough calories or depletes its own, the chain becomes unsustainable, leading to failure in the game.

To quickly and efficiently establish a sustainable chain, you must:

• Carefully analyze caloric values : Assess the ‘calories provided’ and ‘calories needed’ for each species to determine the feeding order and the sustainability of the chain.
• Ensure continuity : Verify that every animal in your chain is connected and that there’s continuity in the food chain.
• Balance the ecosystem : Maintain a balance where no species runs out of calories while ensuring each one’s dietary needs are met.

By following these steps and paying close attention to the caloric requirements and relationships between species as well as the eating rules algorithm about who eats first, second, third, etc., you can successfully create a sustainable food chain within way less than the allotted time in the McKinsey Ecosystem Game.

Once you have successfully identified the 8 species for your ecosystem, the next critical step is to choose an appropriate location for this ecosystem on the island.

What you need to know when approaching the location selection

How to Approach the Location Selection:

• Navigating the map : The game presents you with a map where you can use your cursor to explore different potential locations for your ecosystem.
• Analyzing location conditions : Each location on the map comes with seven different environmental conditions. However, not all of these conditions are relevant to your task. Your focus should be on the variables that you identified as important in the previous step while choosing your species, usually just 2 to 4 variables.
• Identifying relevant variables : Recall the parameters you noted earlier for each species. These are the variables you need to match in the location selection process.
• Utilizing the interface for matching : As you hover your cursor over different locations on the map, you can refer to the top-right menu on your screen. This menu displays the environmental variables at the current cursor position. You need to check if they are all within the required range for your selected species. If you approach this effectively, you can do this in less than 1 minute.

By methodically checking these variables and finding a location that aligns with the environmental requirements of your 8 species, you can complete this task efficiently. Proper selection of species in the first task significantly simplifies this process, allowing you to quickly identify a suitable location without getting distracted by irrelevant data.

This streamlined approach helps ensure that your ecosystem is not only sustainable in terms of species interdependence but also well-suited to the chosen location’s environmental conditions.

Red Rock Study Simulation

The Red Rock Study game has become a staple in the McKinsey Solve Game lineup, replacing the Plant Defense game for all candidates since March 2023. This game marks a shift towards a more conventional analysis and problem-solving context, reminiscent of the approach used in older BCG Online Cases. Despite the game casting you in the role of a researcher, the tasks closely resemble those undertaken by a typical consultant. The game is designed to assess abilities like information processing, data collection, mathematical calculations (involving growth rates, averages, and percentages), and the interpretation of exhibits.

The game is divided into two main sections, the Study Section and the Case Section, each with distinct tasks and objectives, and you have a total of 35 minutes to navigate through them.

The Study Section

The Study Section consists of a three-step process:

Investigation Stage : Here, you are presented with an objective for your research, accompanied by data in various formats such as text, tables, and charts. Your primary task in this stage is to identify and gather insightful, relevant data, which you then record in your on-screen research journal.

• Objective and data collection : You start by receiving text, graphs, and tables, along with a specific objective for your research. Your task is to sift through this information.
• Selective data gathering : Key information can be dragged and dropped into your Research Journal, located on the right-hand side of the screen. It’s important to discern which data is relevant and avoid unnecessary information.
• Preparation for analysis : Once you’ve collected all the relevant information, you proceed to the Analysis phase.

Analysis Stage : This stage involves answering three mathematical questions related to your research objective. You have access to an on-screen calculator for computations, but the main challenge lies in developing the correct approach and filtering the right data. There’s flexibility to move back and forth between the Investigation and Analysis stages, allowing you to retrieve any additional information you might need.

• Mathematical questions : This phase presents 3 to 5 math questions, usually pertaining to different groups of animals.
• Using tools : An embedded calculator is provided for calculations. The tricky part is setting up the right calculations and equations. You’ll also refer back to the data collected in your Research Journal to answer these questions.
• Drag-and-drop feature: Also here, you need to drag and drop information to create your calculations and move your answers around.

Report Stage : The final stage requires you to synthesize your findings by filling in the blanks of a report and presenting them effectively. This latter involves summarizing your research and choosing an appropriate chart to visually represent your supporting data.

• Combination of Written and Visual Tasks : This phase includes a written section and a visual representation task.
• Written part : Answer questions based on your findings from the Analysis phase by filling in the blanks of a report text.
• Visual part : Select and create a graph to effectively represent your analysis results.

After completing the Report, you transition to the final section of the Red Rock Study game, known as the Cases Phase.

The Case Section

In March 2023, McKinsey introduced a significant update to the Red Rock Study assessment, adding a new mini-case component. This new section includes 6 to 10 quantitative reasoning questions, each associated with the context of the study segment, yet distinct in terms of data and information.

The introduction of the mini-case has notably increased the assessment’s complexity. Candidates now face the dual challenge of completing both the study part and the case questions within a consolidated time frame of 35 minutes. This is a marked change from the previous format, where the time limit was solely allocated to the study segment. The recommended approach is to divide the time equally between the two parts, emphasizing efficient time management.

The quantitative reasoning questions in the mini case require strong quantitative and analytical skills. Candidates must swiftly interpret information presented in various charts and textual sources, perform calculations accurately, and derive correct answers. The added time pressure necessitates not only quick thinking but also precision in analysis and calculations.

Given these heightened demands, thorough preparation and practice become even more crucial. Familiarizing oneself with quick data interpretation and ways to set up calculations under time constraints is highly advantageous. Such preparation mirrors the real-world demands of consulting, where professionals are often required to process complex information rapidly and make informed decisions under pressure.

We cover this game and 6 practice tests in more detail in our McKinsey Solve Game Guide .

Each phase of the Red Rock game is designed to mimic real-world consulting tasks, testing your ability to process information, perform quantitative analysis, and present findings coherently. The game challenges you to filter through data, apply mathematical concepts, and communicate results clearly, skills that are essential in a consulting environment. By understanding the structure and requirements of each phase, you can better prepare and strategically navigate through this component of the McKinsey Solve Game.

The Red Rock game, with its business-like analysis and structured approach to problem-solving, tests a range of skills that are directly applicable to the world of consulting. It challenges candidates to not only understand and interpret data but also to apply it effectively in a simulated research context. The game’s emphasis on analytical thinking, data interpretation, and effective communication of findings mirrors the skills required for a successful career in consulting.

The integration of the Red Rock Study game into the McKinsey Solve Game lineup signifies a notable shift in McKinsey’s approach to candidate assessment. This change not only diverges from McKinsey’s previous game-based assessment strategies but also aligns more closely with the types of evaluations commonly used by other consulting firms.

In that sense, it is much more a problem-solving test rather than a game.

The demand for information for this game was so big, that we dedicated a full-length article to it here.

Creating a Strategy for the Red Rock

Developing an effective strategy for the Red Rock Study game is essential to successfully navigate its complexities. We have crafted a four-step approach to optimize your performance in the game:

1. Understanding the Objective (Investigation Stage)

• Interpretation is key : Begin by carefully reading and interpreting the objective of the game. Understanding what is expected of you is crucial in setting the right direction for your investigation.
• Clarity of goals : Ensure you have a clear grasp of what the game is asking you to accomplish. This understanding will guide your decisions and actions throughout the different stages of the game.

2. Identifying Relevant Data (Investigation Stage)

• Data selection : Amidst the plethora of information provided, focus on identifying and prioritizing data that is directly relevant to the game’s objective.
• Efficient data gathering : Aim to distinguish between essential information and potential distractors. Collecting the right data in your Research Journal will streamline your analysis process.

3. Conducting the Analysis (Analysis Stage)

• Strategic analysis : Set up and execute your analysis and calculations. This step involves applying the data you’ve gathered to solve the problems posed in the game.
• Accuracy in calculations : Use the provided tools, such as the on-screen calculator, efficiently to ensure your calculations are accurate and relevant to the task at hand.

4. Visualizing the Findings (Report Stage)

• Effective presentation : Once your analysis is complete, the next step is to report your findings and visualize your data effectively in the Report Stage.
• Choosing the right format : Select a graph or chart that best represents your findings, making sure it aligns with the narrative of your analysis.

By following these steps, you can create a focused approach to the Red Rock Study game. This strategy helps in navigating the game’s challenges methodically, ensuring that each stage is tackled with precision and clarity. Preparation, practice, and a clear understanding of each stage’s requirements are key to mastering this McKinsey assessment.

For the Red Rock Case Section (and the Study section actually as well), developing a strong proficiency in quantitative reasoning is crucial. This part of the assessment requires you to not only understand and analyze numerical data but also to set up and solve equations swiftly and effectively.

Enhancing Quantitative Reasoning Skills for the Red Rock

• Practice with quantitative questions : Regularly engage with various types of quantitative reasoning questions. This practice will help you become familiar with different question formats and data interpretation challenges.
• Efficient equation setup : Focus on setting up equations quickly. This skill is crucial for solving the mathematical problems presented in the game efficiently. Read up on percentages, growth rates, averages – the 3 most common operations found in the game,
• Speed and accuracy : Balance speed with accuracy. It’s essential to work through questions rapidly, but not at the expense of making careless errors. If you get stuck on one question for too long, move on!
• Utilize tools effectively : Make the most of the on-screen calculator provided in the game. Familiarize yourself with its functionality to enhance your efficiency during the test.
• Analytical thinking : Develop your ability to think analytically, particularly in interpreting charts, graphs, and tables, and in drawing conclusions from complex sets of data.
• Mock tests and timed practice : Engage in timed practice sessions. These simulate the pressure of the actual test and help improve your time management skills.

By honing these skills, you can approach the Red Rock Case Section with greater confidence, speed, and accuracy.

The skills that are needed in this game are much closer to an actual case interview and we would recommend that you also take a look at our articles on

• Case Interview Math
• Case Interview Exhibit Interpretation

Be aware that the game is still relatively new and we have seen many iterative changes to new games in the past. As a result, be prepared to encounter minor variations or adaptations when you face the Red Rock simulation.

The Ocean Cleanup Game

In June 2024, McKinsey is beta testing a new game titled “ Ocean Cleanup ” or “Ocean Treatment.” This new addition challenges players to think critically and strategically while addressing the pressing issue of ocean plastic cleanup. In this article, we delve into the unique features of the McKinsey Ocean Cleanup game, examining its structure, user experiences, and potential impact on future assessments.

The McKinsey Ocean Cleanup game is designed to be a 20-minute test where candidates select between 20 different microbes, each with distinct characteristics such as heat resistance, photosensitivity, pH levels, color, and reactivity. The primary objective is to create bond chains using these microbes to effectively clean plastic from designated ocean areas. This game involves a two-phase process for each of two ocean areas: first, selecting 10 microbes that match the specific parameters and characteristics of the area, and then narrowing these down to 3 microbes that form the most balanced and effective cleaning solution. This structure not only tests analytical and strategic thinking but also emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability.

Early testers of the McKinsey Ocean Cleanup game reported mixed experiences. Many were surprised by the unexpected addition of the game after completing the familiar Ecosystem and Red Rock tests. The initial shock required a quick mental adjustment, emphasizing the need for adaptability. The learning curve was steep, with users citing challenges in understanding the instructions and navigating the interface. However, once they overcame these initial hurdles, many found the game enjoyable and engaging, often more so than the Ecosystem game. This positive feedback, despite the early difficulties, suggests that with refined instructions and a better interface, the Ocean Cleanup game has the potential to become a popular component of the McKinsey PSG.

For those encountering the McKinsey Ocean Cleanup game, staying calm and composed is crucial. Focus on one task at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Thoroughly read and understand the instructions, and take notes on key points. Providing honest and detailed feedback is essential during the beta testing phase, as it helps McKinsey refine the game for future use. Remember, while the Ocean Cleanup game is being tested, it is not yet used for evaluation purposes, so continue to prioritize the Ecosystem and Red Rock games.

We have adjusted our guide to include strategies for the Ocean Treatment Game. For more information, see here .

The Former Games of the McKinsey Solve Game

If you are pressed for time, you can skip this section. If anything changes in the Solve Game lineup, we will adjust this article and our preparation package accordingly.

Plant Defense

In this scenario, which was active until March 2023, you need to defend a plant species from invaders using several tools at your disposal in a static, round-based tower defense-style game. The tools consist of barriers that slow down invaders and predators that damage and eradicate them.

In this game, which, for the majority of candidates, is a bit more challenging than the first, you need to defend a plant at the center of a map from an invasive species for as long as possible. This scenario is broken down into 3 rounds. Each round lasts between 8 to 12 minutes, presenting a slight variation of the game with increasing complexity and an increase in the map size. For each round, invaders spawn in several turns per map.

Each round is divided into two parts.

In the first part, you can actively manage your defense strategy in order to react to new invaders that spawn every 3 to 5 turns. You can manage 15 turns by initially placing your defense units on the map, adjusting their positioning after every turn, and selecting new defense units every 5 turns.

Your goal is to have the plants survive each of these increasingly difficult turns. You can slow the invaders down so that they do not arrive at your plant within the number of turns or eliminate them fully before they do so.

In the second part, the endgame, you are no longer able to change your strategy and the placement of your defense units. The game fast-forwards until your plant is defeated. Depending on the quality of your last placement strategy it might take the invaders many turns to kill the plant, ideally more than 30.

Your goal is to optimize for the plant to survive as many turns as possible. Your product score is the direct result of the turns survived, while your process score focuses on how well you adjust to the changing behaviors of attackers and how much you can learn and adapt over the course of the turns and over the course of the 3 rounds.

In order to do this, you need to choose certain animals that eat the invasive species and natural barriers/ terrain to slow them down and block them, in a static and turn-based environment, contrary to most other tower defense games that are dynamic.

You are presented with information about what each tool such as animals or geographical/terrain barriers can do, e.g., how many invasive species an animal can kill in a given time or how much a forest can slow the invaders down. These animals have different stats in terms of their reach/sphere of influence (shown as squares) as well as the damage that they are able to inflict on the invaders.

For instance, there could be a dog and an eagle as animals. The eagle has a large radius and inflicts less damage whereas the dog has high damage but a smaller range of effectiveness (e.g., one square only). Some animals have a large radius and high damage (usually during the last game). The damage inflicted might also differ depending on the type of invader. The barriers are elements such as mountains, rocks, and forests. Mountains block invaders and make them change their pathway toward the plant (ideally make the pathway longer). Rocks and forests slow invaders down (different effectiveness for different invaders)

The invaders will start attacking the plants once they reach it in the middle and the game ends.

While initially, you will be able to kill the invaders, they will show up in greater numbers in each consecutive wave and it is possible that you will be defeated. This is not, per se, a bad thing since it will die eventually in the fast-forward mode of the game. Keep the plant alive for as long as possible.

The aim is to defend the plant in the center for as long as possible, hence, to kill all invaders before they reach the plant. It is very important to make use of both defending animals and barriers to unlock their synergistic effects and keep the invaders as long as possible in the sphere of influence of the animals.

Use the untimed tutorial to think about the most effective combinations and layouts of the tools before starting the game. Prepare using video games in the tower defense niche to train yourself for this scenario. The key in this game is to show adaptability by being able to learn quickly and improve your strategies and reactions with each turn and with each game.

Creating a strategy

Let’s again break down your approach into several steps.

• Familiarize yourself with the map
• Create your initial strategy
• Focus on new invaders first
• Secure the plant from future attacks
• Adjust your strategy as the game evolves

We discuss each step, variation, and successful start-to-finish strategy in full in our McKinsey Solve Game Guide , which has been co-created with the help of tower defense game designers, who developed games for iOS and Android.

Disease Identification

It seems that McKinsey reintroduced a game briefly that was already present in the beta testing stages of the PSG, with a slight variation. It replaced the tower defense game for roughly 5% of the candidates over the course of late 2020 and early 2021. By June 2021, it appears that the game never really made it out of the testing stage and we have not heard about any reappearance in 2022. Nonetheless, let’s look into them since we cannot guarantee that they won’t come back in one form or another.

As a player, you are tasked with  identifying which animals on the map will be infected by a given disease . The nature of the disease is not important. What is important is to identify patterns of the disease and ultimately identify which animals would be infected in the next turn.

The game has many animals on the map. There are also three time periods, which they call Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3. In Time 1, a small subset of animals is already infected. When you click on Time 2, that same map will show which additional animals got infected. Your goal is to identify which animals will get infected in Time 3. The approach to this game is relatively simple:

• Figure out what the key variables are that could give a hint about the disease progression.
• Create an array of different filters and look at them through different points in time to see the changes in the animal population.
• Move to time 3 and select the next animals that will be affected by the disease based on your tested hypotheses from step 2 (e.g., if you know that all animals above 6 years are affected by the disease and in time 3 there are 20 new animals that are above 6 years of age, select them)

Contrary to the old version which was used in beta tests before the game was actually launched, you do not need to provide a remedy or a treatment plan.

Disaster Identification

Another game has not made a new appearance since 2021. In this game, candidates had to figure out the nature of a natural disaster impacting an animal population and then place the animals on another area of the map so that the most number of animals survive. The mechanics are similar to the ecosystem game.

In this game, you can display three things, a map, species, and a list of events. You can tackle the game in 4 steps:

• Identify what event has happened in an area (a natural disaster such as a tornado or a flood) by combining information from an event description with variables on the screen.
• Identify dominant ranges to move the animals to an area that is best suited for their survival.
• Select the location by clicking on it and check for the relevant ranges you identified before. Prioritize characteristics that allow for the greatest number of animals to survive.
• Sanity check your selection in a similar manner as for the ecosystem game.

Migration Planning

A new game was briefly tested in 2022. We call it the Migration Planning game.

Your task is to plan the migration of 30 to 50 animals from a starting position to an endpoint on a map by selecting the best route out of several alternatives.

You have to solve up to 15 different scenarios within 35 to 40 minutes. Each scenario consists of 3 to 5 turns that have you decide on the next step of your route. In turn 1 you select the first step on your route, in turn, 2, the second leg, and so on until you reach the desired endpoint.

You start with a given number of animals and a specific set of resources (consumables such as food or water). With each turn of the game, a predetermined number of animals will die, and resources will be reduced by a specific amount, depending on your selected route. Alternatively, you can also select intermediate points on your route that will replenish and multiply existing resources as well as collect additional animals along the way.

The objective of the game is two-fold: First, you need to ensure that the highest number of animals survive until you reach the destination. Second, you need to arrive at the endpoint with some of the resources preserved as well. As said before, there are up to 15 different scenarios with 3 to 5 turns each, which leads to 45 to 75 unique decisions you must make along the way.

Organize the migration of 30 to 50 animals from one spot to the next by managing resources and animals from start to finish in 3 to 5 turns. Select the most optimal route to preserve resources and animals along the way and pass 15 rounds in total.

Map the routes on a piece of paper or in an Excel sheet.

• Write down each available route
• Calculate the outcome variables for resources and animals for every route
• Select the route where most animals survive and resource requirements are met

We provide you with a specific table and approach that you can use to create your strategy for each route in our McKinsey Solve Game Guide .

Preparing for the McKinsey Solve Game

Addressing the critical question: Is it beneficial to prepare for the Imbellus test, despite official advisories suggesting otherwise? The answer is a resounding yes.

Why preparation is crucial:

• Significant impact on outcomes : Our data indicates that preparation can dramatically increase your chances of success, from a 20% to an 80% success rate. This is even more pronounced than with the old PST, as the games in the Imbellus are more predictable than a traditional pen-and-paper test.
• Consequences of failure : Failing the Imbellus test results in a 2-year ban from reapplying to McKinsey (1 year for internships). Post-ban, you must demonstrate substantial improvements in your consulting cover letter and resume .
• Learnable skills : While McKinsey suggests that the games can’t be prepared for, Imbellus emphasizes that their games assess higher-order thinking skills, which are typically acquired through education, training, and experience.
• Gaming experience matters : Familiarity with computer games and digital environments can provide an advantage in a video game-based assessment. This introduces a different kind of bias in candidate evaluation, which can be mitigated by employing effective strategies.

Understanding the games and their objectives is key to effective preparation. Knowing what each game assesses, and the skills it targets, allows you to focus your preparation on enhancing those specific abilities. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with the gaming environment and practicing similar types of games can improve your comfort level and performance during the assessment.

While McKinsey advises candidates that preparation for the Imbellus game is neither necessary nor feasible, our extensive feedback collection from over 500 candidates we talked to suggests otherwise. In fact, thorough preparation can significantly enhance performance in the game’s various scenarios.

To aid candidates, we have meticulously analyzed the test, consulted with game design experts, and applied science-backed methods to develop a comprehensive guide detailing the game’s mechanics. Here are some overarching strategies to lay the groundwork for your preparation:

Imbellus Game Practice

Train the key skills that are being assessed  by Imbellus. Playing logic games, mobile games, and tower defense games with similar themes can be beneficial to training these areas specifically. While these games will differ somewhat in their user interface, objectives, and mechanics they still train your skills, make you think about potential strategies, and just get you in the habit of interacting with a gamified environment. If you have sufficient time before taking the Imbellus, try out some of the games below to practice the Imbellus gameplay.

Games for the Ecosystem and Migration Planning

• Plague Inc. – if you have limited time, focus on this game
• Cities: Skylines

Games for the Plant Defense

• Tower Duel – if you have limited time, focus on this game
• Kingdom Rush
• Plants vs. Zombies

Preparation for the Red Rock

Focusing on quantitative reasoning tests is an excellent way to prepare for the McKinsey Solve Game, particularly for the Red Rock Study section. Here are some effective ways to enhance your quantitative reasoning skills:

• GMAT Quantitative Reasoning : The quantitative reasoning sections of the GMAT are a great resource to start with. They offer a wide range of problems that can improve your ability to analyze data, perform calculations, and make logical deductions under time constraints.
• Red Rock Practice Tests : We have developed specialized practice tests specifically designed to mirror the challenges you will face in the Red Rock Study game. These tests are tailored to give you a realistic experience of what to expect during the actual game.
• Additional Quantitative Reasoning Resources : For those seeking more extensive practice in quantitative reasoning, we provide a comprehensive question bank in our Bain SOVA Guide . This bank contains hundreds of questions similar to those you might encounter in the game.
• Case Math Mastery Package : This package is another valuable resource that focuses on developing your case math skills. It is particularly useful for candidates who want to strengthen their ability to handle numerical data and complex calculations efficiently.

By incorporating these resources into your preparation plan, you can significantly improve your quantitative reasoning abilities. This will not only aid you in the Red Rock Study game but also enhance your overall problem-solving skills, which are crucial for a successful case interview performance.

General Preparation Advice

Enhancing your performance in the McKinsey Imbellus Game involves more than just playing similar games. It requires a multifaceted approach that focuses on developing key skills and strategies.

Approach each decision methodically and develop a plan for tackling each decision. A step-by-step decision-making process helps in making more deliberate and thoughtful choices, increasing the likelihood of selecting the most effective solution.

• Identify the decision : Clearly define what you need to decide. Understand the primary goal and any additional objectives.
• Gather information : Collect relevant information needed for the decision. Identify the best sources and methods for acquiring this data.
• Identify alternatives : As you gather information, recognize various possible courses of action.
• Weigh the evidence : Consider the potential outcomes of each alternative based on the information you have.
• Choose among alternatives : Select the option that seems best after weighing all the evidence.
• Review your decision : Reflect on the decision’s outcome and assess if it addressed your initial goal.

Learn to take proper notes and document your observations about each scenario’s mechanics. Using tools like Excel templates can help structure your thoughts and find solutions more efficiently.

Develop skills in structuring, analyzing, and synthesizing complex issues. Combine logical thinking with creativity to formulate effective recommendations.

Adopt a hypothesis-driven mindset. Start each game with one or more hypotheses, then test and refine them as you progress. This approach helps in focusing your analysis and quickly deriving recommendations.

Visualize processes and relationships. Practice creating quick sketches to visualize situations, processes, and relationships. This skill is particularly useful in unfamiliar scenarios and helps in breaking down complex issues.

Practice estimations and setting up equations. Engage in exercises that improve your quick math skills. These are essential in all games, from calculating calorie budgets in the ecosystem game to determining damage points and optimal routes in others. Become familiar again with basic equations, ratios, growth rates, and averages.

Test-taking Tips and Advice

To excel in the McKinsey Imbellus Game and enhance your test performance, consider the following insights into McKinsey’s innovative recruitment game. These guidelines are designed to help you navigate the unique challenges of the game effectively:

Avoid replicating solutions : Each test taker encounters unique scenarios and numbers in the Imbellus game. The games are set in ecological contexts, making them accessible to all backgrounds, but with thousands of possible variations, no two experiences are identical. Focus on your strategy and process rather than trying to replicate specific results.

Make decisions with incomplete information and practice 80/20 decision-making : Often, you won’t have time to reach the perfect answer in the ecosystem game. Aim for a good answer that demonstrates a sound problem-solving strategy and fulfills the objectives. Avoid getting lost in excessive details and consider writing down various outcomes to test your ideas.

Read instructions thoroughly and understand the tasks : Overcoming challenges in the McKinsey Solve Game requires a deep understanding of the game’s objectives. With the increasing variety of game scenarios, it’s crucial to read and comprehend all instructions. A missed detail can make your approach invalid. Ensure clarity on your objectives before proceeding.

Ensure a stable test environment and check your setup : If taking the test from home, ensure a reliable internet connection and a fully charged computer. Some candidates have reported high CPU usage; consider using a more powerful system if needed. Remember, you can always contact the 24/7 Imbellus service center for any issues during the test.

Monitor time closely and manage it well : The complexity and depth of the games can make it easy to lose track of time. Keep a close eye on the time, aiming to allocate the right amount of time for each step of the way (e.g., 15 minutes for the ecosystem species and 2 minutes). The progress bar will help you monitor the remaining time. Have pre-determined time goals that you execute if they are met (e.g., only taking 2 minutes to think about a quantitative reasoning question in the Red Rock).

Elevate Your Score with Our Comprehensive Preparation Package

Preparing for McKinsey’s recruitment game: Tips and strategies included in this comprehensive guide to mastering the Imbellus game are designed to give applicants a competitive edge. Unlock your potential to ace the Imbellus game with our comprehensive Solve Game preparation package. It comes with

• a 161-page guidebook with best practices for McKinsey digital assessment preparation and all games (current focus: Ecosystem, Red Rock, Ocean Cleanup)
• an Excel Solver for the Ecosystem Creation
• a 14-part video series
• 6 Red Rock full-length practice tests
• a McKinsey case interview and PEI interview primer

The package gives you the definite edge in your preparation and test-taking, detailing winning strategies for the Ecosystem in less than 20 minutes and ample practice opportunities for the Red Rock Game. Gain immediate access to PDFs, Excel tools, templates, and video content, ensuring you’re up-to-date with McKinsey’s evolving assessment criteria.

Since November 2019, we’ve led with first-hand information, starting with interviews with early test-takers and experts. Our ongoing customer interviews have built a vast database, aiding over 8500 candidates in 70+ countries. We regularly update our guide, offering you the latest insights. On top of that, our team, comprised of ex-McKinsey consultants and interviewers, brings deep insights into McKinsey’s evaluation criteria, surpassing the generic advice found elsewhere.

Six pillars of our strategy:

• Understanding McKinsey’s criteria : As former McKinsey consultants and interviewers, we grasp what McKinsey seeks in their next-gen consultants.
• In-depth scenario analysis : Learn the nuances of user interfaces and gameplay mechanics.
• Skill development : We cover the core skills with actionable advice and practice resources.
• Effective test strategies and shortcuts : Benefit from proven strategies and tools, derived from successful candidate experiences, meticulously refined over 4 years.
• Efficient preparation hacks : Accelerate your readiness with our targeted tips and techniques.
• Low-cost and accessibility: We are a small team and sell directly to consumers without an intermediary. Hence, we can offer this product at a much lower price than every competitor.

Additional benefits:

• Exclusive support : Join our McKinsey applicants’ inner circle for 24-hour support on all consulting interview questions. Get access to the world’s leading McKinsey interview coach, who has helped generate almost 200 McKinsey offers for coaching clients in 3 years.
• Regular updates : Stay ahead with our constant updates and a free 1-year access guarantee.
• Free McKinsey interview primer : Get a 14-page primer with essential case and PEI preparation tips.
• FREE BONUS: A 10% discount on the Solve Game Simulation by MConsultingPrep.

Our credentials:

• Extensive reach : Assisted 8500+ students from 70+ countries over the last 4 years.
• Rich experience : Built on 500+ test-taker interviews, expert inputs, and McKinsey know-how, 100% proprietary information
• Comprehensive materials : Includes a 161-page guide, automated Excel Solver, 14 concise videos to get you up to speed quickly, and 6 full-length Red Rock practice tests.

Currently, the package leads to an 87% success rate with our clients ( based on customer feedback from Nov 23 – Jan 24 )

Latest update: July 2024 (includes the new Red Rock Simulation variation and 6 practice tests)

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McKinsey Solve Game FAQ

Navigating the McKinsey Solve Game can be a challenging part of your journey towards joining a top-tier consulting firm. To help demystify the process and enhance your preparation, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions. Whether you’re wondering about the skills assessed or looking for the best preparation resources, you’ll find the answers here.

What specific skills does the McKinsey Solve Game assess?

• The game evaluates problem identification, strategic solution development, decision-making under pressure, adaptability, and quantitative reasoning.

Can you really prepare for the McKinsey digital assessment, and how?

• Yes, preparation is possible and beneficial. Focusing on having the right tools at your disposal such as an Excel Solver, playing similar simulation games, and developing a strategic approach to problem-solving and quantitative questions can enhance your readiness.

What are the key strategies for succeeding in the ecosystem simulation?

• Success involves understanding ecosystem balance, prioritizing tasks, managing time effectively, and applying logic to predict the outcomes of different actions.

Are there any official practice tests available for the Imbellus Game?

• McKinsey does not provide official practice tests, but various online resources and guidebooks offer simulations and strategies that mimic the game scenarios.

How does the Imbellus Game differ from traditional consulting firm recruitment tests?

• Unlike traditional pen-and-paper tests or computer-based case assessments that focus on business scenarios, the Imbellus Game uses gamified simulations to assess a wider range of problem-solving and strategic thinking skills in diverse contexts.

What resources are recommended for McKinsey Solve Game preparation?

• Comprehensive guidebooks and videos, strategic game-playing, online forums for candidate experiences, and practicing with games that require similar skill sets are highly recommended.

How important is game familiarity in succeeding in McKinsey’s digital assessment?

• Familiarity with the game’s format and the types of challenges presented can significantly improve performance by reducing the learning curve and anxiety during the actual assessment.

Can playing similar digital games improve my performance in the Solve Game?

• Yes, engaging in similar strategy and simulation games can enhance relevant skills such as critical thinking, strategic planning, and decision-making under time constraints.

What is the most challenging aspect of the McKinsey Solve Game, according to past participants?

• Many participants find the time pressure and the requirement to make strategic decisions with incomplete information to be the most challenging aspects.

How does McKinsey use the Solve Game results in the recruitment process?

• The results are used alongside resume screenings to provide a holistic view of a candidate’s problem-solving abilities and potential as a consultant, influencing the decision on whether to proceed with the candidate.

We value your feedback and experiences with the McKinsey Solve Game! If you have additional questions, insights, or tips that weren’t covered in this article, please share them in the comments section below.

15 Responses

Hello, thank you for this introduction. I would like to ask about one thing. In the ecosystem… From all 8 species – they have to survive? Or they can be eaten by predators? I understand how to create the food chain, but still…if you create a food chain and the species do not replicate, they will be eaten by predators…

Dear Lenka, All species in the food chain (animals and plants) need to survive. The sum of the calories provided by a species – the sum of calories needed for the predator species should always be positive. Cheers, Florian

hi Florian,

I only have 3 hours before the PSG is due, is it possible or useful to buy the guide given such a short time limit? Thank you

Dear Angelina, 3 hours would be enough to read through the strategy section, watch the videos and familiarize yourself with the Excel. While not ideal and we receommend more time to practice, it would still make sense. Cheers, Florian

[…] using digital badges to recognise learning and, for example, the consultant company McKinsey uses a game during its recruitment process,” adds Nikoletta-Zampeta […]

Hello Florian Daniel or Colleague, I am very pleasantly surprised to see this guide that you have masterfully complied. Having tips from insiders is such a confidence boost! I purchased this pack without hesitation and am hoping to try it out before investing in the comprehensive 6h coaching program. Nonetheless, I wonder if you can email me back by helping me with downloading the actual guide? I encountered a technical issue whereby I completed my payment on my phone, but it became impossible to download it via my laptop. I am very worried as the deadline of the test is approaching so could you please get back to me asap?

Many Thanks Aspiring Consultant

I have just sent you your documents, which also contain access to the video program.

Please let me know if I can assist further.

Kind regards, Florian

Hi, how long would you suggest I prepare for the McKinsey digital assessment test after purchasing the digital assessment guide? 2 weeks? 4 weeks?

Hi Emmanuel,

We have candidates that prepare between 2 days and 1 month. The shorter your preparation time, the more your focus should be on learning the proven strategies we outline in our guide (so that you can implement them properly on the game day) and go through and practice the most effective and important tools we provide you with to quickly raise your skill levels.

Obviously, when you have more time on your hands, you can prepare in a much more relaxed way and go deeper with all our exercises and tools. Generally, I would say that 2 weeks is the sweet spot we have seen with our candidates and it is rare for them to fail after they have gone through all exercises and tools, practiced the preparation tips, and have our game-plan and strategies internalized over this time period.

4 weeks would give you enough time to prepare without a rush, and in parallel to the case interview practice. In any case, should something change in the game between your purchase and the testing date, we will send you a new version of the guide and the videos free of charge!

Let me know if you have any further questions!

All the best for your preparation and your application.

I heard that there are also other games that could be part of the PSG like predicting and preventing an environmental disaster. Are you sure that there are ‘only’ the 2 two games you describe?

Hi Luiz, we talk briefly about these potential other scenarios in our Problem Solving Game Guide. Be aware that they were used during the trial stages in 2018/19 only and none of our more than 700 customers has reported on them pro-actively. From the 80+ customers we interviewed since November 2019, all went solely through the ecosystem game and the tower defense-like game. In the ecosystem game, recent candidates report having done the mountain ridge scenario and not the reef (even though this has no impact on the actual gameplay).

Hi, how do I know if I passed the ecosystem simulation task?

Hi Patricia, on an aggregate level the game looks at both your product score (did you produce a good outcome?) and your process score (did you perform well under stress while working towards the outcome?).

In order to pass the ecosystem simulation, ideally, you reach the threshold McKinsey set for both scores (which is unknown). For the product score, you should be able to test your hypotheses during the game and see if your food chain is actually sustainable and works out. However, for the process score, you can only take a guess. McKinsey and Imbellus record every movement of your mouse, every click, as well as how long you pause, go back and forth in the menus, etc. In short, the more you have worked in a calm and collected manner towards selecting your food chain, the higher the chances to reach a solid process score.

Hi, I have one question, Is McKinsey problem-solving game material included in Mc Kinsey program?

Hi Federico, do you mean the Video Academy or the Interview coaching?

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Florian spent 5 years with McKinsey as a senior consultant. He is an experienced consulting interviewer and problem-solving coach, having interviewed 100s of candidates in real and mock interviews. He started StrategyCase.com to make top-tier consulting firms more accessible for top talent, using tailored and up-to-date know-how about their recruiting. He ranks as the most successful consulting case and fit interview coach, generating more than 500 offers with MBB, tier-2 firms, Big 4 consulting divisions, in-house consultancies, and boutique firms through direct coaching of his clients over the last 3.5 years. His books “The 1%: Conquer Your Consulting Case Interview” and “Consulting Career Secrets” are available via Amazon.

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A List of McKinsey Online Assessments Available for Practice in 2024

What is the mckinsey digital assessment, what happens in the mckinsey digital assessment, what is a passing score for the mckinsey assessment, how to prepare for the digital assessment problem-solving game in 2024, frequently asked questions, final thoughts, the mckinsey online assessment: guide and tips (2024).

Updated November 20, 2023

• McKinsey Tests: SHL, Numerical & Verbal
• McKinsey Interview Prep
• McKinsey Problem Solving Test (PST)

Employers and companies have long used cognitive assessments as a way to measure certain skills about a candidate, to see if they’re a good fit for the job.

The McKinsey online assessment (otherwise known as the McKinsey PST test or McKinsey problem solving test) is slightly different as it measures the way people think through a video game-style online simulation.

This article will look at how the McKinsey online test works, who it is for, how it is scored and how to prepare for it if you are required to take it.

What Are the Mckinsey Online Assessments?

McKinsey works with businesses on their sustainability strategy, and so the online assessment is important to them to find out how a candidate makes decisions, what their critical thinking skills are and to determine their situational awareness, system thinking and metacognition.

But first candidates will need to complete the McKinsey aptitude test, which comes in two parts:

Numerical Reasoning Test

McKinsey needs to examine an individual’s numerical skills and their ability to interpret data from charts and graphs.

The candidate will have 18 questions to answer in 28 minutes.

Each question consists of reading an unseen passage, understanding it and working out the calculations.

The level of mathematics needed is GCSE level.

Practice McKinsey Assessment with JobTestPrep

Verbal Reasoning Test

This section determines a person’s ability to understand written information and make a decision based on this.

In the test, the possible employee will read an unseen passage and then decide if a statement is true, false or impossible to say.

The verbal reasoning test will be formatted in an unfamiliar way compared to most aptitude tests, so it is necessary to do the McKinsey PST practice tests online beforehand.

It is also wise to practise, as there are 30 questions and only 19 minutes to answer them.

Take a McKinsey Assessment

The McKinsey Digital Assessment (the online problem-solving game) was ground-breaking in terms of its format when it was first developed in 2017 by Imbellus.

Not only is the examinee playing a game instead of the traditional way of taking a test by answering questions, but the technical advances mean the game captures all the actions of the player, from every movement of the mouse to the time it takes for them to do something and how many times they hesitate or go back on something.

It uses this data to score the five areas it is assessing:

• Decision-making
• Critical thinking
• Situational awareness
• System thinking
• Metacognition

It is also free of biases linked to its candidate, for example their financial and family background, their memory and how much preparation they have.

This allows McKinsey to make decisions based more on the candidate’s ability from the tests and less on their academic credentials and business experience.

If you need to prepare for a number of different employment tests and want to outsmart the competition, choose a Premium Membership from JobTestPrep . You will get access to three PrepPacks of your choice, from a database that covers all the major test providers and employers and tailored profession packs.

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The Mckinsey problem solving test begins with a tutorial, where time is not counted so the person taking the test doesn’t feel they need to rush this part.

The player is given 71 minutes to solve five tasks within two scenarios.

The way a candidate divides the 71 minutes is up to them, although there is recommended time guidance given for each task. Imbellus purposely gives sufficient time so people do not feel too much time pressure.

The two scenarios vary but examples include creating an ecosystem and designing a food pyramid for predators, consumers and producers. This is a task that requires system thinking.

Another example scenario consists of surviving a number of turns of an invasive species attacking a native plant. You will need to use a range of tools to do this.

One of the main areas this scenario tests is critical thinking and decision-making.

Other scenarios are very similar to this and can be found online in McKinsey practice tests.

The McKinsey Digital Assessment gives two scores, one for each scenario. The scores are calculated based on the level of success in the games.

There’s not always an exact answer but in some cases the evidence is there. In the organism scenario, the higher the number of species surviving, the more points.

There is no pass or fail score.

These scores only measure cognitive abilities, so McKinsey does not rely just on this assessment to make a hiring decision.

However, McKinsey does use it to identify high scorers and eliminate lower scorers, no matter what their academic background is.

It could mean that if a person is on the border of reaching the next stage, this part of the recruitment process could be the decider.

There are certain paths you can follow to prepare for the problem-solving game.

The game is unseen before an individual plays it. However, little tricks and ways of preparation will help with timing and getting into the way of thinking that is needed.

Step 1 . Practise Similar Assessments Online

The McKinsey test is unique in its format.

However, online there are past scenarios that you can read, as well as suggestions on other video games to play that may help you solve the Mckinsey game assessment.

Step 2 . Learn to Manage Your Time

The assessment is timed, so it is good to practise some time-critical games. This may take away some of the pressure on the day.

Step 3 . Play Different Problem-Solving Games

Whether it is a game of Sudoku or a simple critical thinking game, playing games like this will help train the brain into this way of thinking that will help with the assessment.

Step 4 . Stay Focused, Don’t Stress

Trying to stay calm and not focus on the minor details is always good advice, and will certainly help with this assessment.

What is the McKinsey assessment?

The McKinsey assessment is a test used by the business McKinsey & Company to measure certain skills from potential candidates. It uses verbal reasoning and numerical tests for measuring aptitudes and a digital online problem-solving game to assess the cognitive skills of the candidate.

Is the McKinsey assessment hard to pass?

The McKinsey Digital Assessment is not measured on a pass or fail score; it is scored on how successful the game is. It can be hard to get a high score if the candidate does not prepare for it.

Where can I prepare for the McKinsey assessment?

You can prepare for the assessment online with past scenarios and questions that will help you to know what may be asked on the day and get into the right frame of thinking.

How many questions are on the McKinsey assessment?

The McKinsey Digital Assessment asks five questions over two scenarios.

What is a passing score for the McKinsey assessment?

There is no passing score for the McKinsey assessment, but the company is looking for the higher scorers to get through to the next stage.

What companies require passing the McKinsey assessment?

McKinsey & Company requires people to pass the assessment.

Where can I find sample questions for the McKinsey assessment?

You can have a look online for past scenario questions, and also forums where past takers of the test divulge information on the questions.

When will I get the result after taking the McKinsey assessment?

You may get your results within two days of taking the test, but it may take longer if there are many tests to score.

What is the next step after taking the McKinsey assessment?

The next step is to be invited to an interview by McKinsey & Company.

Where can I find a study guide for the McKinsey assessment?

You can find a study guide for the McKinsey assessment on the company’s website.

Can I take the McKinsey assessment online?

The assessment is only taken online.

What is the passing rate for the McKinsey assessment among candidates?

There is no necessary passing rate, but the lower scorers will be eliminated from the next round, and the higher scorers will be considered regardless of their academic background.

McKinsey & Company requires anyone in the recruitment process to take online assessments that measure aptitude and cognitive skills.

The digital assessment test is regarded as ground-breaking, not only because the format is a video game, but also because the test is done without the business knowing the background of the candidate.

Anybody who has to take the test is recommended to prepare with online practice tests, time-critical games and problem-solving activities.

You might also be interested in these other Psychometric Success articles:

Or explore the Aptitude Tests / Test Types sections.

McKinsey Solve (2024)

• Fundamentals
• How it works
• Skills tested
• How to prepare
• A guide to the McKinsey Problem Solving Game

MCC is here to help

McKinsey’s Solve assessment has been making candidates sweat ever since it was initially trialled at the firm’s London office back in 2017 - and things have gotten even more difficult since a new version launched in Spring 2023, adding the Redrock case study and trialling the Ocean Cleanup in 2024.

In Summer 2023, we have seen a new iteration of that Redrock case, as we continue to interview test takers to keep you updated. This replaces the case study about optimising wolf pack populations across Redrock Island with one about boosting the overall plant biodiversity on the same island.

Since its initial roll-out, the Solve assessment has definitely been the most idiosyncratic, but also the most advanced, of the screening tests used by the MBB firms.

It can be hard to understand how an ecology-themed video game can tell McKinsey whether you’ll make a good management consultant, let alone know how to prepare yourself to do well in that game. When you consider that McKinsey are potentially cutting 70%+ of the applicant pool based on this single test, you can hardly blame applicants for being worried.

Matters are definitely not helped by the dearth of reliable, up-to-date information about what could very well be - with a top-tier consulting job on the line - the most important test you will take over your entire career. This was already true with the version of Solve that had been around for a few years, let alone the new iterations.

What information is available online is then often contradictory. For a long time, there was huge disagreement as to whether it is actually possible to meaningfully prepare for the Solve assessment - before you’ve even considered how to go about that preparation. There is also a lot of confusion and inaccuracy around the new Redrock case - largely as it is such a recent addition, and individual test takers tend to misremember details.

Luckily, we at MCC have been interviewing test takers both before and after the Redrock case rollout and have been following up to see which strategies and approaches actually work to push individuals through to interview.

Here, we’ll explain that it is indeed possible to prepare effectively for both versions of Solve and give you some ideas for how you can get started. Understanding how the Solve assessment works, what it tests you for and how is critical for all but the most hurried preparations.

This article makes for a great introduction to the Solve assessment. However, if you are going to be facing this aptitude test yourself and want full information and advice for preparation, then you should ideally get our full PDF guide:

Master the Solve Assessment

What is the mckinsey solve assessment.

In simple terms, the McKinsey Solve assessment is a set of ecology-themed video games. In these games, you must do things like build food chains, protect endangered species, manage predator and prey populations, boost biodiversity and potentially diagnose diseases within animal populations or identify natural disasters.

Usually, you will be given around 70 minutes to complete two separate games, spending about the same amount of time on each.

Until recently, these games had uniformly been Ecosystem Building and Plant Defence. However, since Spring 2023, McKinsey has been rolling out a new version across certain geographies. This replaces the Plant Defence game with the new Redrock case study. Some other games have also been run as tests.

We’ll run through a little more on all these games below to give you an idea of what you’ll be up against for both versions and possible new iterations.

An important aspect that we'll cover in more detail here is that the Solve games don't only score you on your answers (your "product score"), but also on the method you use to arrive at them (your "process score") - considerably impacting optimal strategy.

In the past, candidates had to show up to a McKinsey office and take what was then the Digital Assessment or PSG on a company computer. However, candidates are now able to take the re-branded Solve assessment at home on their own computers.

Test takers are allowed to leverage any assistance they like (you aren’t spied on through your webcam as you would be with some other online tests), and it is common to have a calculator or even another computer there to make use of.

Certainly, we strongly advise every candidate to have at least a pen, paper and calculator on their desk when they take the Solve assessment.

Common Question: Is the Solve assessment the same thing as the PSG?

In short, yes - “Solve” is just the newer name for the McKinsey Problem Solving Game.

We want to clear up any potential confusion right at the beginning. You will hear this same screening test called a few different things in different places. The Solve moniker itself is a relatively recent re-branding by McKinsey. Previously, the same test was known as either the Problem Solving Game (usually abbreviated to PSG) or the Digital Assessment. You will also often see that same test referred to as the Imbellus test or game, after the firm that created the first version.

You will still see all these names used across various sites and forums - and even within some older articles and blog posts here on MyConsultingCoach. McKinsey has also been a little inconsistent on what they call their own assessment internally. Candidates can often become confused when trying to do their research, but you can rest assured that all these names refer to the same screening test - though, of course, folk might be referring to either the legacy or Redrock versions.

How and why does McKinsey use the Solve assessment?

It’s useful to understand where the Solve assessment fits into McKinsey’s overall selection process and why they have felt the need to include it.

Let’s dive right in…

How is the Solve Assessment used by McKinsey?

McKinsey's own account of how the Solve assessment is used in selection can be seen in the following video:

Whilst some offices initially stuck with the old PST, the legacy Solve assessment was soon rolled out globally and given universally to candidates for roles at pretty well every level of the hierarchy. Certainly, if you are a recent grad from a Bachelor’s, MBA, PhD or similar, or a standard experienced hired, you can expect to be asked to complete the Solve assessment.

Likewise, the new Redrock case study versions seem to be in the process of being rolled out globally - though at this point it seems you might be given either (especially as McKinsey has been having significant technical problems with this new online case study) and so should be ready for both.

At present, it seems that only those applying for very senior positions, or perhaps those with particularly strong referrals and/or connections, are allowed to skip the test. Even this will be office-dependent.

As noted above, one of the advantages of the Solve assessment is that it can be given to all of McKinsey’s hires. Thus, you can expect to be run into the same games whether you are applying as a generalist consultant or to a specialist consulting role - with McKinsey Digital , for example.

The takeaway here is that, if you are applying to McKinsey for any kind of consulting role, you should be fully prepared to sit the Solve Assessment!

Where does the Solve assessment fit into the recruitment process?

You can expect to receive an invitation to take the Solve assessment shortly after submitting your resume.

It seems that an initial screen of resumes is made, but that most individuals who apply are invited to take the Solve assessment.

Any initial screen is not used to make a significant cut of the candidate pool, but likely serves mostly to weed out fraudulent applications from fake individuals (such as those wishing to access the Solve assessment more than once so they can practice...) and perhaps to eliminate a few individuals who are clearly far from having the required academic or professional background, or have made a total mess of their resumes.

Your email invitation will generally give you either one or two weeks to complete the test, though our clients have seen some variation here - with one individual being given as little as three days.

Certainly, you should plan to be ready to sit the Solve assessment within one week of submitting your resume!

Once you have completed the test, McKinsey explain on their site that they look at both your test scores and resume (in more detail this time) to determine who will be invited to live case interviews. This will only be around 30% of the candidates who applied - possibly even fewer.

One thing to note here is that you shouldn’t expect a good resume to make up for bad test scores and vice versa. We have spoken to excellent candidates whose academic and professional achievements were not enough to make up for poor Solve performance. Similarly, we don’t know of anyone invited to interview who hadn’t put together an excellent resume.

Blunty, you need great Solve scores and a great resume to be advanced to interview.

Your first port of call to craft the best possible resume and land your invitation to interview is our excellent free consulting resume guide .

Why does this test exist?

As with Bain, BCG and other major management consulting firms, McKinsey receives far far more applications for each position than they can ever hope to interview. Compounding this issue is that case interviews are expensive and inconvenient for firms like McKinsey to conduct. Having a consultant spend a day interviewing just a few candidates means disrupting a whole engagement and potentially having to fly that consultant back to their home office from wherever their current project was located. This problem is even worse for second-round interviews given by partners.

Thus, McKinsey need to cut down their applicant pool as far as possible, so as to shrink the number of case interviews they need to give without losing the candidates they actually want to hire. Of course, they want to accomplish this as cheaply and conveniently as possible.

The Problem Solving Test (invariably shortened to PST) had been used by McKinsey for many years. However, it had a number of problems that were becoming more pronounced over time, and it was fundamentally in need of replacement. Some of these were deficiencies with the test itself, though many were more concerned with how the test fitted with the changing nature of the consulting industry.

The Solve assessment was originally developed and iterated by the specialist firm Imbellus ( now owned by gaming giant Roblox ) to replace the long-standing PST in this screening role and offers solutions to those problems with its predecessor.

We could easily write a whole article on what McKinsey aimed to gain from the change, but the following few points cover most of the main ideas:

• New Challenges: Previously, candidates were largely coming out of MBAs or similar business-focussed backgrounds and the PST’s quickfire business questions were thus perfectly sufficient to select for non-technical generalist consulting roles. However, as consulting projects increasingly call for a greater diversity and depth of expertise, McKinsey cannot assume the most useful talent – especially for technical roles – is going to come with pre-existing business expertise. A non-business aptitude test was therefore required.
• Fairness and the Modern Context: The covid pandemic necessitated at-home aptitude testing. However, even aside from this, online testing dramatically reduces the amount of travel required of candidates. This allows McKinsey to cast a wider net, providing more opportunities to those living away from hub cities, whilst also hugely reducing the carbon footprint associated with the McKinsey selection process.
• Gaming the System: More pragmatically, the Solve assessment is a much harder test to “game” than was the PST, where highly effective prep resources were available and readily allowed a bad candidate with good preparation to do better than a good candidate. The fact that game parameters change for every individual test taker further cuts down the risk of candidates benefitting from shared information. The recent move towards the Redrock version then also helps McKinsey stay ahead of those developing prep resources for the legacy Solve assessment.
• Cost Cutting: A major advantage of scrapping the old pen-and-paper PST is that the formidable task of thinning down McKinsey’s applicant pool can be largely automated. No test rooms and invigilation staff need to be organised and no human effort is required to devise, transport, catalogue and mark papers.

Impress your interviewer

There has been a bit of variation in the games included in the Solve assessment/PSG over the years and what specific form those games take. Imbellus and McKinsey had experimented with whole new configurations as well as making smaller, iterative tweaks over time. That being said, the 2023 Redrock case studies (seemingly added by McKinsey themselves without Imbellus) are by far the largest change to Solve since that assessment's genesis back in 2017.

Given that innovation seems to continue (especially with the lengthy feedback forms some candidates are being asked to fill in after sitting the newest iteration), there is always the chance you might be the first to receive something new.

However, our surveys of, and interviews with, those taking the Solve assessment - both before and after recent changes - mean we can give you a good idea of what to expect if you are presented with either the legacy or one of the Redrock versions of Solve.

We provide much more detailed explanation of each of the games in our Solve Assessment PDF Guide - including guidance on optimal scenarios to maximise your performance. Here, though, we can give a quick overview of each scenario:

Ecosystem Building

Scenario and objectives.

In this scenario, you’re tasked with creating a self-sustaining ecosystem in either an aquatic, alpine, or jungle environment. Additional environments may be introduced without altering the core mechanics . We will use an aquatic (ocean) environment as an example for this article but the same advice is applicable to all other environments in the exact same way.

The enviroment will be chacterised by a number of characteristics. For the ocean, for instance, we will have:

• Water current
• Temperature
• Salt Content

You’ll be given 39 species (both plants and animals) to choose from, each suited to specific environmental conditions, like depth and salinity in an ocean. For a mountain ridge, it could be altitude or sun exposure.

Each species has two main sets of data points:

• Environmental Suitability : Conditions like depth or temperature where they can survive.
• Nutritional Needs : The number of calories they need, which they obtain by consuming other species. Some species are producers (providing calories and consuming none) while others are animals (requiring and providing calories). For example, in an ocean setting, algae are producers and fish are animals.

The picture above shows different fishes together with their characteristics. Each card has the following information:

• Environmental Suitability
• Depth: range they can live within
• Water current: range they can live within
• Temperature: range they can live within
• Salt Content: range they can live within
• Nutritional Needs
• Calories needed: calories they need when eating
• Calories provided: calories they provide when eaten
• Can eat: species they can eat
• Is eaten: species they can be eaten by. This can be inferred from other cards but we will see that it is a useful data point.

The game requires you to select a location for your ecosystem. Several different options are given, all with different prevailing conditions. You then have to select a number of different plant and animal species to populate a functioning food chain within that location.

In previous versions of the game, you would have had to fit as many different species as possible into a functioning food chain. However, newer iterations of the Solve assessment require a fixed number of eight or, possibly, seven species to be selected. The strategy for the seven species is the same as the one with eight.

Let's look at the game objectives in more details

• Species Selection : Identify a set of eight (or seven) species that are in equilibrium, meaning all their caloric needs are met within the ecosystem. This means that each animal will need to have their calorie need satisfied while no animal needs to be depleted. Check the eating rules below to learn more.
• Location Selection : Choose a suitable location for your ecosystem from several options, each with distinct environmental conditions.

The former is the actual challenge while the latter is somewhat trivial. Before delving into the strategy, let's outline the eating rules in more details as these are key to successfully tackle the game.

• Species eat only once.
• If a species does not obtain the required calories or their calories are depleted, it dies.
• The species with the highest calories provided feeds first.
• A species eats the prey that provides the highest calories among available options.
• Calories consumed from prey are equal to the calories needed by the predator.
• If multiple prey provide the same amount of calories, the predator consumes an equal proportion from each.
• This process is repeated for the species with the next highest calories provided.

How to approach the game

At its core, this game isn’t really a game but more of a logical puzzle administered through a more advanced User Interface (UI). The limited interactions make it a straightforward problem once you understand that the UI is not required and only add complexity. All the essential information could be presented in a table , as shown below, and you could easily solve the puzzle on paper.

Nerdy aside - Skip if not interested

To take abstraction a level further, the problem is in fact a constraint optimisation one. For those of you who are interested (possibly 2 or 3), you can actually model it and solve it analytically. While it does not help in solving the game, I will show the formulation so you can see how this is more of an analytical problem than a game. Entities are

• Producers (P): 9 producers, each with a specific depth range and caloric output.
• Animals (A): 30 animals, each with a specific depth range, caloric need, and allowed prey.

Variables are

• x ij : Binary decision variable indicating if animal i eats species j .
• C i : Caloric need of animal i .
• E j : Caloric output provided by species j .
• D i min , D i max : Constraint range limits for species i (D is a vector) .
• A ij : Binary interaction matrix indicating whether animal i can eat species j .

Enough theory, let’s dive into how to solve the game. You’ll be given 39 species, grouped into three sets of 13, each sharing the same environmental constraints like depth and salinity. Each group includes three producers and ten animals.

Your first task is to pick the group most likely to produce a balanced ecosystem. To do this, quickly estimate the total calorie output for all species, check how many animals can consume the producers, and evaluate how many animals are limited to eating other animals. Use your judgment here , as these factors are equally important. Be aware that some combinations won’t lead to a solution.

Once you’ve selected your group, start building the food chain. Ideally, include all three producers (with at least one animal consuming them) as they provide calories without needing any. Then, choose animals that can:

• Eat one or more producers without depleting them
• Provide the highest calories
• Be consumed by as many other animals as possible - this is where the eaten by info becomes useful

To do this, look at the list of animals that can consume producers without depleting them (there will be one or two), then pick those with the highest calories and that can be eaten by multiple animals. You’ll find this information on the animal card.

Continue adding animals iteratively , checking your solution at every step.

If you don't manage to find a combination, move onto the next group. In order to practice and understand which groups can lead to solutions, you can use our solver.

Once you've established a balanced ecosystem, select a location where the environmental conditions meet the needs of all species. You’re likely to find such a spot. The game provides more conditions than necessary; focus only on the relevant factors mentioned in the species cards. For example, in an ocean scenario, depth and salinity might be crucial, while factors like water speed can be disregarded. This is done to simulate a consulting scenario where you have more data than needed.

Once you have decided on your food chain, you simply submit it and you are moved on to the next game. In the past, test takers were apparently shown whether their solution was correct or not, but this is no longer the case.

Test takers generally report that this game is the easier of the two, whether it is paired with the Plant Defence game in the legacy Solve or the Redrock case study in the new version. Candidates will not usually struggle to assemble a functioning ecosystem and do not find themselves under enormous time pressure. Thus, we can assume that process scores will be the main differentiator between individuals for this component of the Solve assessment.

So far, this sounds pretty easy. However, the complexity arises from the strict rules around the manner and order in which the different species eat one another. We run through these in detail in our guide, with tips for getting your food chain right. However, the upshot is that you are going to have to spend some significant time checking your initial food chain - and then likely iterating it and replacing one or more species when it turns out that the food chain does not adhere to the eating rules.

For ideas on how to optimise your process score for this game, you can see our PDF Solve guide .

We have also developed the Solve simulator to help you practice effectively. It features a purposedly simple UI, allowing you to focus on mastering the game mechanics. It generates an arbitrary number of scenarios for you to practice on. After a scenario is generated, you can download the data or work directly from the table to select the 13 species most likely to create a balanced ecosystem. You can then submit your solution in a CSV file to check its sustainability. More interestingly, you can explore all possible combinations by uploading a CSV of your selected species to see what works best. The simulator is part of the guide package.

Plant Defence

As mentioned, this game has been replaced with the Redrock case study in the new newer version of the Solve assessment, rolled out from Spring 2023 and further iterated in Summer 2023. However, you might still be asked to sit the legacy version, with this game, when applying to certain offices - so you should be ready for it!

This scenario tasks you with protecting an endangered plant species from invasive species trying to destroy it.

The game set-up is much like a traditional board game, with play taking place over a square area of terrain divided into a grid of the order of 10x10 squares.

Your plant is located in a square near the middle of the grid and groups of invaders - shown as rats, foxes or similar - enter from the edges of the grid before making a beeline towards your plant.

Your job then is to eliminate the invaders before they get to your plant. You do this by placing defences along their path. These can be terrain features, such as mountains or forests, that either force the invaders to slow down their advance or change their path to move around an obstacle. To actually destroy the invaders though, you use animal defenders, like snakes or eagles, that are able to deplete the groups of invaders as they pass by their area of influence.

Complication here comes from a few features of the game. In particular:

• You are restricted in terms of both the numbers of different kinds of defenders you can use and where you are allowed to place them. Thus, you might only have a couple of mountains to place and only be allowed to place these in squares adjacent to existing mountains.
• The main complication is the fact that gameplay is not dynamic but rather proceeds in quite a restricted turnwise manner. By this, we mean that you cannot place or move around your defences continuously as the invaders advance inwards. Rather, turns alternate between you and invaders and you are expected to plan your use of defences in blocks of five turns at once, with only minimal allowance for you to make changes on the fly as the game develops.

The plant defence game is split into three mini-games. Each mini-game is further split into three blocks of five turns. On the final turn, the game does not stop, but continues to run, with the invaders in effect taking more and more turns whilst you are not able to place any more defences or change anything about your set-up.

More and more groups of invaders pour in, and your plant will eventually be destroyed. The test with this “endgame” is simply how many turns your defences can stand up to the surge of invaders before they are overwhelmed.

As opposed to the Ecosystem Building scenario, there are stark differences in immediate candidate performance - and thus product score - in this game. Some test takers’ defences will barely make it to the end of the standard 15 turns, whilst others will survive 50+ turns of endgame before they are overwhelmed.

In this context, as opposed to the Ecosystem Building game typically preceding it, it seems likely that product score will be the primary differentiator between candidates.

We have a full discussion of strategies to optimise your defence placement - and thus boost your product score - in our Solve guide .

Redrock Case Study

This is the replacement for the Plant Defence game in the newest iteration of Solve.

One important point to note is that, where the Solve assessment contains this case study, you have a strict, separate time limit of 35 minutes for each half of the assessment. You cannot finish one game early and use the extra time in the other, as you could in the legacy Solve assessment.

McKinsey has had significant issues with this case study, with test takers noting several major problems. In particular:

• Glitches/crashes - Whilst the newest, Summer 2023 version seems to have done a lot to address this issue, many test takers have had the Redrock case crash on them. Usually, this is just momentary and the assessment returns to where it was in a second or two. If this happens to you, try to just keep calm and carry on. However, there are reports online of some candidates having the whole Solve assessment crash and being locked out as a result. If this happens, contact HR.
• Poor interface - Even where there are no explicit glitches, users note that several aspects of the interface are difficult to use and/or finicky, and that they generally seem poorly designed compared to the older Ecosystem Building game preceding it. For example, test takers have noted that navigation is difficult or unclear and the drag and drop feature for data points is temperamental - all of this costing precious time.
• Confusing language - Related to the above is that the English used is often rather convoluted and sometimes poorly phrased. This can be challenging even for native English speakers but is even worse for those sitting Solve in their second language. It can make the initial instructions difficult to understand - compounding the previous interface problem. It can also make questions difficult, requiring a few readings to comprehend.
• Insufficient time - Clearly, McKinsey intended for Redrock to be time pressured. Whilst the newest, Summer 2023 iteration of the Redrock case seems slightly more forgiving in this regard, time is still so scarce that many candidates don't get through all the questions. This is plainly sub-optimal for McKinsey - as well as being stressful and disheartening for candidates. We would expect further changes to be made to address this issue in future.

McKinsey are clearly aware of these issues, as even those sitting the new version of Redrock have been asked to complete substantial feedback surveys. Do note, then, that this raises the likelihood of further changes to the Redrock case study in the near term - meaning you should always be ready to tackle something new.

For the time being, though, we can take you through the fundamentals of the current version of the Redrock case study. For more detail, see our freshly updated PDF Guide .

The interface

The image above shows a very simple wireframe of the UI used. You will find the main sections on the left, main body at the center and the research journal to the right. In the first section you will need to drag key information and data points from charts to the research journal. In the analysis section you will find the calculator while in the last section you will find charts to choose from.

The Scenario

Whilst changes to the details are likely in future, the current Redrock case study is set on the Island of Redrock. This island is a nature reserve with populations of various species, including wolves, elk and several varieties of plant.

In the original Redrock case, it is explained that the island's wolves are split into four packs, associated with four geographical locales. These packs predate the elk and depend upon them for food, such that there is a dynamic relationship between the population numbers of both species. Your job is to ensure ecological balance by optimising the numbers of wolves in the four packs, such that both wolves and elk can sustainably coexist.

In the newer iteration of the case, first observed in Summer 2023, you are asked to assess which, if any, of three possible strategies can successfully boost the island's plant biodiversity by a certain specified percentage. Plants here are segmented into grasses, trees and shrubs.

The Questions

The Redrock case study's questions were initially split into three sections, but a fourth was added later. These sections break down as follows:

Here, you have access to the full description of the case, with all the data on the various animal populations. Your task is to efficiently extract all the most salient data points and drag-and-drop them to your "Research Journal" workspace area. This is important, as you subsequently lose access to all the information you don't save at this stage.

To solve the case, focus on the key data points highlighted in boxes on the screen, which you can move around for easier analysis. These include case objectives, calculation instructions, and numerical data. While background information and instructions provide context, they aren’t crucial for your calculations. Only about 10-15% of the numerical data is essential for solving the case, so prioritize collecting and using those figures in your analysis. Ideally, you should read instructions carefully, understanding case objectives, figuring out which formulae you need and then collect the necessary data.

In the Redrock test, you can drag important data points into the Journal for collection, where they appear as labeled cards. These cards can be used in calculations or answering questions. You can edit labels for clarity and highlight key data with an "I" button for easier analysis. Organize collected data within the Journal, as McKinsey might evaluate your organization method. This organization process is subject to updates, so stay tuned for the latest recommendations.

You must answer three numerical questions using information you saved in the Investigation section. This can include you dragging and dropping values to and from an in-game calculator.

According to recent reports, it is better to use the in game calculator to perform calculations as McKinsey will use the log to calculate your score. You will only need to perform basic operations, such as fundamental arithmentics, ratios and percentages. The only tricker operation to perform will be compound growth rates so make sure you are comfortable with these. Make sure to collect your data into the journal.

Formerly the final section, you must complete a pre-written report on the wolf populations or plant biodiversity levels, including calculating numerical values to fill in gaps and using an in-game interface to make a chart to illustrate your findings. You will leverage information saved in the Investigation section, as well as answers calculated in the Analysis section.

You will also have to choose a chart to display your results. The choice will be among simple ones, such as bar, line, and pie. Some guidelines:

• Bar Chart: Use for comparing quantities across different categories (e.g., sales by region, number of products sold).
• Line Chart: Ideal for showing trends over time (e.g., monthly revenue growth, temperature changes throughout the year).
• Pie Chart: Best for displaying parts of a whole, usually as percentages (e.g., market share distribution, budget allocation).

Visit our Our consulting math page for more details.

This section adds a further ten individual case questions. These can be wolf-themed, so are thematically similar to the original Redrock case, but are slightly incongruous with the newer, plant-themed version of Redrock. In both instances, though, these questions are entirely separable from the main case preceding them, not relying on any information from the previous sections. The ten questions are highly quantitative and extremely time pressured. Few test takers finish them before being timed out.

• Critical reasoning : understanding and elaboring information
• Understanding charts : getting information out of charts and graphs
• Math problems : these are simple math questions that can be formulated as word problems or formulae problems, where the output answer is a formula.

Approach this game with a structured, top-down strategy to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Always label your data clearly to showcase your ability to work with metadata, a crucial skill for consultants. Additionally, minimize back-and-forth actions in the game; although it’s possible in the interface, doing so suggests ineffective data collection and planning.

This is a very brief summary - more detail is available in our PDF Guide . You will also find 100+ Redrock specific exercises for you to practice.

Ocean Cleanup (2024)

The Ocean Cleanup is a new game that McKinsey began rolling out in the spring of 2024. This game is played after the Solve and Redrock assessments. Although it's not part of the official assessment yet, McKinsey is currently testing it as a potential addition to their suite of evaluation tools. You will still have to sit through the assessment. It does not count towards your final score.

The objective of the Ocean Cleanup game is to identify microbes that can survive in a specific ocean area. While it shares some similarities with the Solve game, particularly in its focus on selecting viable species, it has a different logic.

Game mechanics and strategy

The first step in the Ocean Cleanup game involves defining attributes (continuous variables) and traits (binary variables) to characterize each ocean area. Attributes might include factors like rigidity or size, while traits could be binary qualities such as being water-repellent or not. These distinctions help in precisely characterizing the environment and determining which microbes are best suited for survival. This process should be relatively straightforward.

Once you selected your variables, you will be given a value for each parameter each ranging from 1 to 10 for 2 sites. You'll be given specific goals, such as 2 for the parameter one, 3 for two, and 8 for the three. You then select up to 4 microbes to match the characteristics of your sites as closely as possible. In each of the 4 rounds, you'll choose 1 microbe from a group of three, aiming to find the best fit for the site's conditions. The system will automatically fill the remaining slots automatically filled to create a total set of 10. This process allows you to strategically build a group of microbes that best meets the objectives.

After selecting your 10 microbes, you’ll narrow it down to 3 that, when averaged, best match your target values. For instance, if your goal is to achieve specific values like 2, 3, and 8, you’d choose microbes where the first parameter is consistently close to 2. For the second parameter, you might opt for values which would average to your target of 3. This strategy ensures that the selected microbes closely align with your desired outcomes. There will be an element of iteration involved since microbes with an average close to parameter 1 may have an average which is off for parameter 3. You will have to repeat this for both sites

Note that the game is still being rolled out so details may change - we will try to keep this page as updated as possible.

• Selecting the initial parameters and 4 microbes is straightforward , but aim to match the parameters closely to the target to simplify choosing the final 3 microbes .
• When selecting the 3 microbes, focus on the most extreme values first , as they are the hardest to adjust. For example, if a target value is 1, you’ll only have options for higher numbers.
• After addressing the extreme values, fine-tune the remaining variables by adjusting the averages .
• Keep pen, paper, and a calculator handy . Excel is an option, but the calculations are simple enough that it might not provide a significant advantage.
• Avoid using Excel Solvers or advanced techniques . The test isn’t scored, so just focus on doing your best.

Other Games - Disease and Disaster Identification

There have been accounts of some test takers being given a third game as part of their Solve assessment. At time of writing, these third games have always been clearly introduced as non-scored beta tests for Imbellus to try out potential new additions to the assessment. However, the fact that these have been tested means that there is presumably a good chance we’ll see them as scored additions in future.

Notably, these alternative scenarios are generally variations on a fairly consistent theme and tend to share a good deal of the character of the Ecosystem Building game. Usually, candidates will be given a whole slew of information on how an animal population has changed over time. They will then have to wade through that information to figure out either which kind of natural disaster or which disease has been damaging that population - the commonality with the Ecosystem Building game being in the challenge of dealing with large volumes of information and figuring out which small fraction of it is actually relevant.

Join thousands of other candidates cracking cases like pros

What does the solve assessment test for.

Whilst information on the Solve assessment can be hard to come by, Imbellus and McKinsey have at least been explicit on what traits the test was designed to look for. These are:

• Critical Thinking : making judgements based on the objective analysis of information
• Decision Making : choosing the best course of action, especially under time pressure or with incomplete information
• Metacognition : deploying appropriate strategies to tackle problems efficiently
• Situational Awareness : the ability to interpret and subsequently predict an environment
• Systems Thinking : understanding the complex causal relationships between the elements of a system

Equally important to understanding the raw facts of the particular skillset being sought out, though, is understanding the very idiosyncratic ways in which the Solve assessment tests for these traits.

Let's dive deeper:

Process Scores

Perhaps the key difference between the Solve assessment and any other test you’ve taken before is Imbellus’s innovation around “process scores”.

To explain, when you work through each of the games, the software examines the solutions you generate to the various problems you are faced with. How well you do here is measured by your “product score”.

However, scoring does not end there. Rather, Solve's software also constantly monitors and assesses the method you used to arrive at that solution. The quality of the method you used is then captured in your “process score”.

To make things more concrete here, if you are playing the Ecosystem Building game, you will not only be judged on whether the ecosystem you put together is self-sustaining. You will also be judged on the way you have worked in figuring out that ecosystem - presumably, on how efficient and organised you were. The program tracks all your mouse clicks and other actions and will thus be able to capture things like how you navigate around the various groups of species, how you place the different options you select, whether you change your mind before you submit the solution and so on.

You can find more detail on these advanced aspects of the Solve assessment and the innovative work behind it in the presentation by Imbellus founder Rebecca Kantar in the first section of the following video:

Compared to other tests, this is far more like the level of assessment you face from an essay-based exam, where the full progression of your argument towards a conclusion is marked - or a maths exam, where you are scored on your working as well as the final answer (with, of course, the major advantage that there is no highly qualified person required to mark papers).

Clearly, the upshot of all this is that you will want to be very careful how you approach the Solve assessment. You should generally try to think before you act and to show yourself in a very rational, rigorous, ordered light.

We have some advice to help look after your process scores in our PDF Guide to the McKinsey Solve Assessment .

A Different Test for Every Candidate

Another remarkable and seriously innovative aspect of the Solve assessment is that no two candidates receive exactly the same test.

Imbellus automatically varies the parameters of their games to be different for each individual test taker, so that each will be given a meaningfully different game to everyone else’s.

Within a game, this might mean a different terrain setting, having a different number of species or different types of species to work with or more or fewer restrictions on which species will eat which others.

Consequently, even if your buddy takes the assessment for the same level role at the same office just the day before you do, whatever specific strategy they used in their games might very well not work for you.

This is an intentional feature designed to prevent test takers from sharing information with one another and thus advantaging some over others. At the extreme, this feature would also be a robust obstacle to any kind of serious cheating.

To manage to give every candidate a different test and still be able to generate a reliable ranking of those candidates across a fundamental skillset, without that test being very lengthy, is a considerable achievement from Imbellus. At high level, this would seem to be approximately equivalent to reliably extracting a faint signal from a very noisy background on the first attempt almost every time.

(Note that we are yet to confirm to what extent and how this also happens with the new Redrock case studies, but it seems to be set up to allow for easy changes to be made to the numerical values describing the case, so we assume there will be similar, widespread of variation.)

Preparation for the McKinsey Solve assessment

Understanding what the Solve assessment tests for immediately begs the question as to whether it is possible to usefully prepare and, if so, what that preparation should look like.

Is it Really Possible to Prepare for the McKinsey Solve Assessment?

In short, yes you can - and you should!

As noted previously, there has been a lot of disagreement over whether it is really possible to prep for the Solve assessment in a way that actually makes a difference.

Especially for the legacy version, there has been a widespread idea that the Solve assessment functions as something like an IQ test, so that preparation beyond very basic familiarisation to ensure you don’t panic on test day will not do anything to reliably boost your scores (nobody is going to build up to scoring an IQ of 200 just by doing practice tests, for example).

This rationale says that the best you can do is familiarise yourself with what you are up against to calm your nerves and avoid misunderstanding instructions on test day. However, this school of thought says there will be minimal benefit from practice and/or skill building.

The utility of preparation has become a clearer with the addition of the Redrock case study to the new version of Solve. Its heavily quantitative nature, strong time pressure and structure closely resembling a traditional business case make for a clearer route to improvement.

However, as we explain in more detail in our PDF guide to the Solve assessment, the idea that any aspect of either version of Solve can't be prepared for has been based on some fundamental misunderstandings about what kind of cognitive traits are being tested. Briefly put, the five key skills the Solve assessment explicitly examines are what are known as higher-order thinking skills.

Crucially, these are abilities that can be meaningfully built over time.

McKinsey and Imbellus have generally advised that you shouldn’t prepare. However, this is not the same as saying that there is no benefit in doing so. McKinsey benefits from ensuring as even a playing field as possible. To have the Solve test rank candidates based purely on their pre-existing ability, they would ideally wish for a completely unprepared population.

How to prep

We discuss how to prep for the Solve assessment in full detail in our PDF guide . Here, though, we can give you a few initial pointers to get you started. In particular, there are some great ways to simulate different games as well as build up the skills the Solve assessment tests for.

Playing video games is great prep for the legacy Solve assessment in particular, but remains highly relevant to the new Redrock version.

Contrary to what McKinsey and Imbellus have said - and pretty unfortunately for those of us with other hobbies - test takers have consistently said that they reckoned the Problem Solving Game, and now the Solve assessment, favours those with strong video gaming experience.

If you listened when your parents told you video games were a waste of time and really don’t have any experience, then putting in some hours on pretty much anything will be useful. However, the closer the games you play are to the Solve scenarios, the better. We give some great recommendations on specific games and what to look for more generally in our Solve guide - including one free-to-play game that our clients have found hugely useful as prep for the plant defence game!

PST-Style Questions

The inclusion of the Redrock case studies in the new version of Solve really represents a return to something like a modernised PST. Along with the similar new BCG Casey assessment, this seems to be the direction of travel for consulting recruitment in general.

Luckily, this means that you can leverage the wealth of existing PST-style resources to your advantage in preparation.

Our PST article - which links to some free PST questions and our full PST prep resources - is a great place to start. We also include PST questions in our McKinsey Solve preparation bundle so that you can practice for the Redrock case as well.

Quick Mathematics With a Calculator and/or Excel

Again, specifically for the Redrock assessment, you will be expected to solve math problems very quickly. The conceptual level of mathematics required is not particularly high, but you need to know what you are doing and get through it fast using a calculator nand/or Excel, if you are already comfortable with that program.

Our article on consulting math is a great place to start to understand what is expected of you throughout the recruiting process, with our consulting math package (a subset of our Case Academy course) providing more in-depth lessons and practice material.

Learn to Solve Case Studies

With the Redrock case studies clearly being ecology-themed analogues to standard business case studies, it's pretty obvious that getting good at case studies will be useful.

However, the Solve assessment as a whole is developed and calibrated to be predictive of case interview performance, so you can expect that improving your case solving ability will indirectly bring up your performance across the board.

Of course, this overlaps with your prep for McKinsey's case interviews. For more on how to get started there, see the final section of this article.

Learning About Optimal Strategies for the Games

The first thing to do is to familiarise yourself with the common game scenarios from the Solve assessment and how you can best approach them to help boost your chances of success.

Now, one thing to understand is that, since the parameters for the games change for each test taker, there might not be a single definitive optimal strategy for every single possible iteration of a particular game. As such, you shouldn’t rely on just memorising one approach and hoping it matches up to what you get on test day.

Instead, it is far better to understand why a strategy is sensible in some circumstances and when it might be better to do something else instead if the version of the game you personally receive necessitates a different approach.

In this article, we have given you a useful overview of the games currently included in the Solve assessment. However, a full discussion with suggested strategies is provided in our comprehensive Solve guide .

With the limited space available here, this is only a very brief sketch of a subset of the ways you can prep.

As noted, what will help with all of these and more is reading the extensive prep guidance in our full PDF guide to the Solve assessment...

The MCC Solve Assessment Bundle

Preparing for the Solve assessment doesn’t have to be a matter of stumbling around on your own. This article is a good introduction. From here, though our new, McKinsey Solve Assessment bundle is your first stop to optimise your Solve preparation.

• Access to our McKinsey Solve simulator , where you can practice by playing the game and building your ecosystem. The simulator not only provides scenarios but also calculates all possible combinations with a detailed consumption log for each scenario you encounter, allowing you to fully understand the problem and strategy. This approach is more beneficial than simply playing the game, as it gives you a comprehensive view rather than just confirming whether you're right or wrong. The guide inclues the password and link for the simulator.
• A comprehensive PDF guide covering everything you need to know about the test .
• A set of targeted exercises for the RedRock game .

Does it make sense to invest in a Solve Preparation bundle?

Short answer: yes. If you just think about the financials, a job at McKinsey is worth millions in the long run. If you factor in experience, personal growth and exit opportunities, the investment is a no-brainer. And if this is not enough, we also offer a 30 days money back guaranteed no questions asked .

How our bundle can help you ace the test

Don't expect some magic tricks to game the system (because you can't), but rather an in-depth analysis of key areas crucial to boost your scores. This helps you to:

As noted, the bundle is based on interviews with real recent test takers and covers the current games in detail. Being familiar with the game rules, mechanics and potential strategies in advance will massively reduce the amount of new information you have to assimilate from scratch on test day, allowing you to focus on the actual problems at hand.

Despite the innovative environment, the Solve assessment tests candidates for the same skills evaluated in case interviews, albeit on a more abstract level. Our guide (part of the bundle) breaks these skills down and provides a clear route to develop them. You also benefit from the cumulative experience of our clients, as we have followed up to see which prep methods and game strategies were genuinely helpful. Playing with the simulator will allow you to further strengthen these skills.

A clear plan of how to prepare is instrumental for success. Our guide includes a detailed, flexible preparation strategy, leveraging a whole host of diverse prep activities to help you practice and build your skills as effectively as possible. Importantly, our guide helps you prioritise the most effective aspects of preparation to optimise for whatever timeframe you have to work in.

Overall, the MyConsultingCoach Solve bundle provides the tools for an efficient and effective preparation. Our guide is designed to be no-nonsense and straight to the point. It tells you what you need to know up front and - for those of you in a hurry - crucial sections are clearly marked to read first to help you prep ASAP. Our simulator helps you uncover the fundamental mechanics of the game.

For those of you starting early with more time to spare, there is also a fully detailed, more nuanced discussion in the guide of what the test is looking for and how you can design a more long-term prep to build up the skills you need - and how this can fit into your wider case interview prep.

Importantly, there is no fluff to bulk out the page count. The market is awash with guides at huge page counts, stuffed full of irrelevant material to boost overall document length. By contrast, we realise your time is better spent actually preparing than ploughing through a novel.

If this sounds right for you, you can purchase our PDF Solve bundle here:

McKinsey Solve Assessment Bundle

• Full guide to both the legacy version of the Solve assessment and the newer Redrock Case Study versions
• Solve Simulator: unlimited scenarios, solution checker and solution generator
• In-depth description of the different games and strategies to beat them
• Preparation strategies for the short, medium and long-term prep
• No fluff - straight to the point, with specific tips for those without much time
• Straight to your inbox
• 30 days money-back guarantee, no questions asked. Simply email us and we will refund the full amount.

The Next Step - Case Interviews

So, you pour in the hours to generate an amazing resume and cover letter. You prepare diligently for the Solve assessment, going through our PDF guide and implementing all the suggestions. On test day, you sit down and ace Solve. The result is an invitation to a live McKinsey case interview.

Now the real work begins…

Arduous as application writing and Solve prep might have seemed, preparing for McKinsey case interviews will easily be an order of magnitude more difficult.

Remember that McKinsey tells candidates not to prepare for Solve - but McKinsey explicitly expects applicants to have rigorously prepared for case interviews .

The volume of specific business knowledge and case-solving principles, as well as the sheer complexity of the cases you will be given, mean that there is no way around knuckling down, learning what you need to know and practicing on repeat.

If you want to get through your interviews and actually land that McKinsey offer, you are going to need to take things seriously, put in the time and learn how to properly solve case studies.

Unfortunately, the framework-based approach taught by many older resources is unlikely to cut it for you. These tend to falter when applied to difficult, idiosyncratic cases - precisely the kind of case you can expect from McKinsey!

The method MCC teaches is based specifically on the way McKinsey train incoming consultants. We throw out generic frameworks altogether and show you how to solve cases like a real management consultant on a real engagement.

You can start reading about the MCC method for case cracking here . To step your learning up a notch, you can move on to our Case Academy course .

And, if all this (rightfully) seems pretty daunting and you’d like to have an experienced consultant guide you through your whole prep from start to finish, we will be able to assist you. Click below to learn more!

Looking for an all-inclusive, peace of mind program?

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McKinsey Solve Game: 13 Tips to Ace this Test

• Last Updated May, 2024

If you plan to interview with McKinsey, you will find yourself playing a video game as part of your recruiting process. The McKinsey Solve Game is a “digital gamified assessment” designed to test your problem-solving skills in a fun & intuitive way.

This game goes by different names, including the McKinsey problem solving game and the McKinsey digital assessment. Whatever you call it, you need to know what this game is and how to prepare for it.

In this article, we discuss recent updates to the McKinsey Solve Game and also provide tips from our coaches, who are former MBB recruiters, consultants, and interviewers. We’ll cover:

• An overview of the McKinsey Solve Game
• Detail on the Redrock Study Scenario
• The skills the game measures
• 13 tips on beating the McKinsey Solve Game

Let’s get started!

What Does the McKinsey Solve Game Look Like?

Candidates have 60-70 minutes to play the game on a computer browser (not an iPad or phone). You can play the McKinsey Solve Game in one of 4 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Japanese.

The assessment begins with this prompt:

“Imagine yourself in a beautiful, serene forest populated by many kinds of wildlife. As you take in the flora and fauna, you learn about an urgent matter demanding your attention.”

The McKinsey Solve Game has 2 primary tests. McKinsey previously had a larger library of tests, but the firm now focuses on these:

• Ecosystem Building Game. Create a stable ecosystem and populate it with plants and animals.
• Redrock Study. An ecological field study including a mini-case and 10 multiple-choice questions at the end of the game.

Working through each of these tests takes you through the life-cycle of a consulting case, from understanding the problem to be solved, to collecting then analyzing data, to making a decision with limited time and imperfect information, and then recommending a solution.

We’ll walk you through each of these tests.

Pro tip! McKinsey continues to evolve the tests in the Solve game. So if the instructions in McKinsey Solve look different, go by those guidelines. These overviews and tips should help you prepare even if the game is updated again.

During the McKinsey Solve Game, you should be flexible, just like a consultant!

Common McKinsey Solve Game Scenarios

Ecosystem building game.

Photo credit: McKinsey & Company

Task: Create a stable ecosystem. It could be marine-based or terrestrial.

You start by choosing a location on the map and then you must select 8 plant and animal species that will best survive in that environment.

• Food chain sustainability: Can all 8 plants and animals find enough food to meet their calorie requirements? You’ll want to be sure that every plant or animal has a food source and understand how many calories each species produces.
• Terrain compatibility: Can the species survive in the environment? An obvious example is that coral can’t survive on land. There are likely a set of plants and animals that are more compatible with the terrain than others. You will need to analyze the species based on the conditions they need to survive (humidity, temperature, and soil acidity for terrestrial environments; temperature, depth, currents, and salinity for marine environments.)

These concepts are pretty straightforward. However, in McKinsey Solve, there will be complex math constraints that will drive you to the optimal answer. You will need to develop a structured framework to organize the list of plant and animal species according to those dimensions.

Here’s how the game works:

• Take a tutorial to learn how to review and organize information. There is no time limit on the tutorial, so be sure you experiment with all the tools and features so you don’t have to waste time in the simulation figuring it out. Take down a few ideas that will help you structure your thinking before you start the simulation.
• Select 8 plant and animal species out of the 20+ provided to place in the ecosystem to form a viable food chain. Match the profiles of the species with the conditions in the location. Also, match the prey each species likes.
• Optimize the chance of the ecosystem’s survival by balancing the food chain and ensuring the ecosystem doesn’t collapse. The calories required by each species (how many it needs to eat) and the calories provided to predator species are given. For instance, you need to ensure your apex predator (such as a bear) doesn’t consume so many calories that it wipes out the smaller creatures from your ecosystem.
• This scenario takes 35 minutes to complete.
• Play the game on one device with another device open to do some quick calculations.
• Take time at the beginning to develop and follow a structured process, creating your food chain from the top down (starting with the apex predator) or the bottom up (starting from plants/fungi/coral). If you are able to build tables and do calculations for each species in Excel rather than doing the math by hand, this could save you time.
• Be hypothesis-driven: choose producers (plants/fungi/coral) with high calories provided and which are eaten by many animal species. Choose small animals/herbivores with low calories needed and high calories provided, when possible.
• Narrow your choice of species down from 20 to 10-12, then run the math to ensure your ecosystem is in balance.
• Once you’ve selected 8 species, use your Excel table to confirm that each species is a good fit in that location, that there is enough food for each species based on the eating rules provided, and that every species has a food source present in the 8 chosen species.

 To win: Identify relevant and irrelevant data quickly. Set up a table and do basic calculations in Excel to make sure the ecosystem is in balance.

McKinsey Solve Game Scenario: RedRock Study

Task: Create an ecological field study investigating wolf packs on an island. The goal is to relocate the pack(s) so they will best balance with the species around them and survive. Study the wolf pack’s hunting behavior and balance it with other species, such as deer.

You will have 35 minutes to complete the Red Rock Scenario, which is broken down into two sections: 

• A Study, that mimics a case interview
• Cases, a series of ten short exercises that leverage the same Red Rock data set but are usually not related to the Study 

There are no specific time constraints within the Red Rock scenario, but it’s recommended to prioritize time on the Study rather than on the Cases. Aim for 20 minutes on the study, 10 minutes on the cases and reserve 5 minutes in case you make a mistake somewhere. 

You read that right! That’s one minute per mini-case. When you take the McKinsey Solve test, you will want to be energized and focused. 

You will be given an untimed tutorial for the Red Rock scenario. Take advantage of this time to learn how the tools work. You will not have time to explore the digital tools during the test. 

First up is the Study which includes three sections:

Investigate and structure the case

You’ll be given an article with past data on the wolf packs. You’ll need to read through a lot of information and drag the most significant data points into a notebook, then use it as a basis for calculations.

Review collected observations and relevant data points. The main things you want to do in this phase are 1) get a clear understanding of the objectives of the case and 2) gather the relevant data you need in a digital journal within the game. There will be a lot of relevant data, but you won’t need all of it to solve the Study. 

Recommended time: 5 minutes. You will not have time to read all the data you receive. So get clear on the objectives and quickly add the information you need to your digital journal. 

Pro Tip 1: As you collect data or information in the digital journal, add meaningful labels to it so it’s easy for you to find the data later in the game. You may want to organize your data so that related points are near each other in the digital journal. 

Pro Tip 2: Only bring over key relevant data into your journal. Your score will be negatively impacted if you just drag everything over. Keep track of random notes offlines on a scratch piece of paper. 

Analyze the Data

You’ll be asked to answer 3 quantitative questions based on your original research objective. Each of these calculations will have sub-questions and you will need to fill in data gaps to get the answer.

The math itself should be fairly straightforward, simple arithmetic, percentages, and fractions. But the context may be complex since there are layers to the math. Be sure to read the questions carefully.

Good news! You’ll get a virtual calculator as well as the option to go back to the article if you need more data.

Be sure to use the digital calculator and not your own calculator or Excel to do these calculations. You’ll need to drag your answers into the digital journal in order to complete the report in the next phase. Additionally, McKinsey Solve tracks your movements and you will get a benefit from recording the math in the calculator.

Recommended time: 10 minutes.

Create a written summery and graphics to help readers visualize what you found in your analysis. 

The written element of the report is not a freehand writing exercise. You will be given prompts and asked to fill in data and some qualitative terms like”faster” or “slower.”

In the graphical phase of the report section, you’ll be asked to select the best format for the graph and input numbers. As a reminder, here are some general guidelines of which types of charts are the best in various situations:

• Pie chart: for comparing parts to a whole
• Line chart: for demonstrating change over time
• Bar chart: for comparing independent variable
• Keep your research objective in mind. That’s your North Star to identify what data is most relevant and how to present your analysis.
• Get comfortable with all the tools during the tutorial.
• Be sure you’re ready to move on from the Investigation phase and that you have all the data you need.
• Leave yourself enough time for the Cases.

McKinsey Solve Cases

After the game, you’ll be asked 10 questions based on the data you received and your calculations. The format will be similar–you’ll be provided information and graphs and you can use the digital journal to pull out relevant information. Each question will either be multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank with a numerical answer.

There are 4 types of questions:

• Visualization: choose the best graphical format for a set of data
• Word and math problems: read text and solve a quick math problem
• Formula selection: read text and select the appropriate formula to use to answer the questions
• Verbal reasoning: multiple-choice questions to assess if a statement is true or false

The written element of the report is not a freehand and writing exercise. You will be given prompts and asked to fill in data and some qualitative terms like”faster” or “slower.”

Some examples of Red Rock case questions include choose the best graphic format to visualize specific types of information, or calculate the percentage change in wolf population under hypothetical scenarios. 

The quantitative questions in the cases may also include basic statistics, weighted averages, and basic probabilities. Be sure to refresh yourself on those concepts before you sign in to Solve. During the cases, if you need a calculator, you will be provided one and you should use it. 

You will need to answer the case questions in order and cannot move  back and forth. Plan your time accordingly.

To win: Again, you need to process a lot of data quickly. This is a key skill for consultants. Do basic calculations and present your findings in a clear, concise manner.

McKinsey Solve Game Instructions, Timing, & Preparation

Your performance in the McKinsey Solve game is assessed based on 2 criteria: your product score and your process score.

Product score: This is your success in each of the individual game scenarios. How well did you accomplish the game tasks?

Process score: This is an assessment of your process for achieving that score. Did you come up with a good strategy for addressing the scenario? Did you consistently follow your strategy (rather than making random guesses)? 

McKinsey assesses your strategy by reviewing your mouse movements, keystrokes, and decisions. Be sure to conduct all key analysis in the digital calculator in the simulation so you get “process credit” for your math! Avoid unnecessary movements and guessing within the system. 

For example, while you can move back and forth during the Red Rock study, it will negatively impact your process score for the test. You should try to get all the information you need during the Investigation phase. If you need information to answer a question or complete a report, you should go back for it. Just understand the impact of moving back and forth on your score. 

You’ll find out your results on the McKinsey Solve Game within 2 weeks of taking it. The results will be a simple pass/fail without more detail.

A tutorial is provided before each scenario. The time you spend on the tutorials is not timed, so spend as long as you need to ensure you understand your task and the data provided.

The tutorial suggests how long to spend on each task, but you have the flexibility to manage your own time. Tasks in the 1st scenario typically take longer than tasks in the 2nd scenario, so consider that as you plan your time.

Imbellus, the company McKinsey worked with to create the McKinsey Solve game, says they didn’t design the test to create a time constraint. Some people report having time left over at the end of the 70 minutes. Others feel pressed for time at the end.

McKinsey indicates that no advanced preparation for the test is required. Neither business knowledge nor gaming experience is required. The game provides all the information you need.

Based on how complex the games and tools are, it’s a good idea to do some prep. Whether that’s playing more games or practicing structure and math to make sure you hit the ground running. 

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How 800+ candidates have landed consulting offers at mckinsey, bain and bcg, what does the mckinsey solve game measure.

• Critical thinking : the ability to make thoughtful decisions based on data .
• Decision making : the ability to make the best possible decision with limited time and imperfect information.
• Metacognition : The abi l ity to use strategies such as hypothesis-testing to problem-solve effectively.
• Situational awareness : the ability to perceive what’s going on in a complex environment, what it means, and to make projections.
• Systems thinking : the ability to understand multi-factor cause-and-effect relationships.

McKinsey notes that the firm will not make hiring decisions based solely on the results from the Solve test. So if you ace or bomb the simulation, know that it’s just one aspect of your candidacy.

McKinsey Solve scores will only be relevant until the case interview phase of the recruitment process. Once you have been invited to interview, they will no longer be relevant.

13 Tips on Excelling at the McKinsey Solve Game

• Understand the 5 cognitive skills being tested (listed above). Solve is not a mindless game. Understanding these skills will help you focus on the right things during the assessment, such as having and following a strategy and keeping track of the big picture.
• Complete the technical check and select a starting window for taking the test as soon as possible. The technical check won’t start the game, and if you have a technical problem, you want to know about it and solve it before taking the test. Also, there’s a limit on the number of people who can play the McKinsey Solve Game simultaneously, and openings can fill up.
• Take time to understand the instructions. The Solve Game is not simple. The amount of data you’ll be given may feel overwhelming. But the 70-minute time limit for the game doesn’t start until after you finish the tutorial , so make sure you understand the instructions before you begin the game. Maximize the tutorial period by attempting to anticipate the mini-game’s objectives and crafting a general approach before starting the game itself.
• Make sure you understand the objectives of each task. You need to plan for how to “win” at each task before you start it to make effective choices. For example, in the ecosystem game, you need to know the eating rules/calorie requirements. 
• Take good notes . Keep track of important information and use the data to make decisions. Use scrap paper or, ideally, an extra computer for notes and to help with computations.
• Prioritize and don’t get lost in the details. There is a lot of data provided in the assessment. Focus on the big picture to ensure you don’t get lost in the details.
• Do the easy math.  Pause early in each game to see if you can figure out the simple equations driving the relationships between variables (e.g., 1 of X resource = 3 of Y resource). Use these equations to guide your decision-making. But don’t spend too long on this. Instead. . .
• Test your ideas and note outcomes. Some questions ask you to assess different strategies. Testing ideas and adapting will help you answer these questions and develop a fact base for making good decisions. Use pen and paper or another device. Limit the key strokes, clicks, and typing on your test device to boost your process score.
• Make decisions with limited or too much information. In some cases, you won’t have every piece of information you’d like or the time to make perfect decisions. Make the best decisions with the time and information you have. In other cases, you’ll be overwhelmed with data and need to sift quickly through to what is important. This reflects trade-offs consultants need to make on the job.
• Don’t replicate the solutions of other test-takers. The McKinsey Solve Game creates unique scenarios for each test taker so that no one can cheat the test.
• Keep track of your time. It is more important to complete all the tasks in the allotted 70 minutes than to do marginally better on the first tasks but not complete the last ones. The first task is meant to take longer than the others, but make sure you know how much time you have remaining so you don’t run out.
• Don’t rush into actions that can’t be undone. People report feeling rushed and making hasty decisions they later regret. Take a moment to think before committing resources or finalizing a strategy.
• Get comfortable with digital strategy games. If you aren’t a gamer, you may want to spend a little time getting acquainted with some games before you take the McKinsey Solve test. All games have logic and once you identify how to win, you can choose the best actions. This may feel foreign at first, but with some reps beforehand, you whould be able to start the game with confidence.

Relax and let yourself absorb the game world, the information provided, and the problem you’re asked to solve.

Links to Additional Resources

You can watch McKinsey’s video for an introduction to the digital assessment .

For more information about the test, read this article .

And if you really want to geek out, there’s this abstract .

Still have questions about the McKinsey Solve Game?

If you have further questions on the McKinsey Problem Solving Game, leave them in the comments below. We’ll have one of  My Consulting Offer’s   coaches provide more information.

Also, let us know if you’re asked to take the digital assessment. We’d love to know what you think of it! 

People who are interested in the McKinsey Solve Game typically find the following other My Consulting Offer pages helpful:

• McKinsey Case Interview
• McKinsey PEI
• Online Consulting Tests: A Roundup
• BCG Pymetrics Test
• Oliver Wyman Online Test

Help with the McKinsey Problem Solving Game

Thanks for turning to My Consulting Offer for advice on case study interview prep. My Consulting Offer has helped almost 89.6% of the people we’ve worked with get a job in management consulting.  For example, here is how Tanya passed all her McKinsey assessments on the way to an offer. .

If you want a step-by-step solution to land more offers from consulting firms, then  grab the free video training series below.  It’s been created by former Bain, BCG, and McKinsey Consultants, Managers and Recruiters.

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3 Top Strategies to Master the Case Interview in Under a Week

We are sharing our powerful strategies to pass the case interview even if you have no business background, zero casing experience, or only have a week to prepare.

No thanks, I don't want free strategies to get into consulting.

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Hacking the Case Interview

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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McKinsey Problem Solving Game

What is the McKinsey Problem Solving Game?

The McKinsey Problem Solving Game (PSG) is a psychometric tool used by recruiters to identify which candidates in their applicant pool demonstrate the aptitudes and skills needed for success in a role at McKinsey .

The test created by the organization Imbellius is also known as the McKinsey Digital Assessment or Solve and is a gamified assessment evaluating candidates in five areas:

Situational awareness: an appreciation of what is happening around you and the multiple tasks you need to complete.

Meta Cognition: an awareness of your mental capabilities and thought process.

Critical Thinking: analyzing and evaluating a problem to reach a logical and reasoned conclusion.

Systems Thinking: being able to determine the cause of an issue and provide a relevant solution.

Decision-making: having the aptitude to come to a conclusion based only on the information given.

The McKinsey PSG differs from other tests in that it is a gamified assessment comprising mini-games. The mini-game format provides a more engaging experience for the test taker as they are guided through a series of two to three scenarios as part of the game.

There are five mini-games within the McKinsey PSG. Candidates generally have to complete only two of the mini-games; the most common games given to candidates last around 70 minutes. The other three mini-games last between 60 - 80 minutes.

Each test starts with a short tutorial followed by game scenarios for the candidate to complete. The results of the test are given as two scores.

Process score: calculated by tracking mouse clicks and movement to determine an individual's thought process when completing a task.

Product score: number of correct answers.

Types of McKinsey Problem Solving Games

The most commonly used problem solving game is Ecosystem Building, followed by Plant Defense. Each game comprises a series of scenarios that candidates work through.

While the test has an overall time allocation, candidates must manage their time in each section, ensuring they provide structured and reasoned responses. The exact details and criteria of each game are randomized for every candidate to protect the integrity of the game.

Ecosystem Building

The Ecosystem Building is an assessment of an individual's decision-making ability.

Candidates are given several pieces of information to consider, some of which will be irrelevant to the criteria asked. So, they must carefully review the details and then analyze, calculate, evaluate and synthesize the information to achieve the game’s objective - building an ecosystem where species can survive.

The game sets candidates in either a coral reef or a mountain ridge. They need to select a suitable site to build an ecosystem that will support eight species.

From a list of 39 species, candidates need to select the eight that their ecosystem will support according to the following criteria:

Calories: the species selected must be able to feed and gain adequate nutrition to live

Food chain: consideration must be given when selecting species to ensure that the food chain is preserved and no species becomes extinct

Terrain: All species selected must be able to live comfortably on the selected site.

The challenge with the Ecosystem Building game is the vast amount of information and the ability to make quick calculations when analyzing the data.

Plant Defence

The Plant Defense game evaluates individuals’ on their ability to make logical and reasoned decisions. Candidates are given limited information and deal with unexpected occurrences as they progress through the game, ensuring they meet two clear objectives.

Their objective is to protect a plant species, ensuring that it survives when under attack from various invaders, and to keep the plant alive for as long as possible.

Individuals must consider the types of invaders (fox and groundhog) and the defenders (falcon, wolf, python, coyote, and bobcat). They also need to take into account the different types of terrain on each map (rocky, cliff, and forest), considering how this impacts each invader's speed and ensuring the guidelines are met for different types of terrain.

There are three map scenarios within the mini-game, with each map being split into two phases: planning and fast forward.

Each mini-map game takes around 12 minutes, resulting in an approximate time duration of 36 minutes for the Plant Defense game. The time available depends on the time taken to complete the Eco Building game, meaning that time management is a key factor.

Disease Diagnosis

The Disease Diagnosis mini-game requires individuals to determine the similarities and links between diseases in an ecosystem to determine who or what is likely to be infected.

Information is given on the different species in the ecosystem. Using only the information provided, candidates can then solve the problem and reach the correct conclusion.

Disaster Management

In the Disaster Management mini-game, candidates are placed in an ecosystem that has been subject to a natural disaster.

The task is to determine what kind of natural disaster has occurred in the ecosystem, then find a suitable site to relocate the species to ensure their survival.

Candidates evaluate and analyze the information provided using appropriate calculations to make their decision.

Migration Management

The Migration Management is a puzzle-type game that requires candidates to migrate 50 animals, ensuring they reach their destination. Guidelines are given, such as minimizing the number of animals injured and making the best use of the resources provided.

Tips to prepare for the McKinsey Problem Solving Game

While the McKinsey Problem Solving Game evaluates individuals on their inherent aptitudes, there are many things you can do to help your natural abilities shine through.

Here are five tips to help you perform to the best of your abilities if you are invited to sit the McKinsey PSG.

1. Focus on the information provided

The McKinsey PSG mini-games are designed to evaluate your decision-making skills. In the games, you are presented with several pieces of information, some of which may not be relevant to the situation.

When making your decisions ensure you base your decisions only on the information given rather than making assumptions.

2. Hone your abilities

The Ecosystem Building game requires candidates to perform quick calculations to analyze various pieces of information.

Before taking the test, hone your numerical reasoning abilities . Make sure to refresh your memory on basic maths concepts and principles such as ratios or percentages.

3. Consider the role of a Consultant

Be aware of the role of a consultant and what consultants do when solving business cases. Thinking like a consultant when it comes to analyzing, evaluating and synthesizing solutions will help your decision-making and problem-solving abilities shine through.

The McKinsey PSG game assesses these skills as relevant to a McKinsey consultant. Approaching the mini-games with this in mind shows your suitability for the role based on your skills.

4. Recognize irrelevant information

Recognizing which information is relevant to the problem will aid your decision-making. Eliminate irrelevant information and focus only on the pieces of data that you need.

This approach can make things less overwhelming and ensures you don’t become distracted by the volume of information provided.

5. Keep calm

The McKinsey PSG is a gamified assessment designed to be engaging and assess candidates on their thought processes in reaching logical and reasonable decisions.

Even if you are nervous before taking the assessment, stay calm, focus on each element of the mini-game and ensure you manage your time efficiently.

Practice strategies, such as deep breathing so you have a clear head, and can rationally think through your decisions.

Enjoy what you’ve read? Let others know!

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McKinsey Problem Solving Game (Imbellus): a Complete Practice Guide to Pass the Digital Assessment

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There is a lot of secrecy around the McKinsey Problem Solving Game, aka Imbellus.

This gamified assessment is used to filter out a large chunk of the many McKinsey applicants, and it’s supposedly crack-proof.

The internet is packed with blog posts, Reddit discussions, and forum threads about the McKinsey PSG, some even contradicting.

This information overload coupled with the huge importance of the test makes the whole preparation process nerve-wracking.

That’s why this practice guide strives to give you accurate and easy-to-digest information about your upcoming test.

It includes:

• A complete overview of the mini-games
• The best things to keep in mind while playing them
• The most helpful practice options available right now
• Useful tips and tactics to increase your chances of passing it

So, buckle up, and let’s get started.

Find out everything you need about the  McKinsey Problem Solving Game , aka Imbellus, and prepare using actual simulations!

What is the McKinsey Problem Solving Game (PSG)?

The McKinsey Problem Solving Game, also named McKinsey Imbellus, McKinsey Digital Assessment, and Solve, is a gamified test that replaces the previous assessment, PST, in the recruiting process. The PSG consists of two mini-games lasting for 70 minutes and evaluates candidates on five key cognitive abilities.

Only candidates who pass this stage are invited to the next hiring step, the case interviews.

What Skills Does the PSG Evaluate?

The PSG evaluates the consulting traits and qualifications of a candidate and then compares them to a real McKinsey consultant. If the applicant appears similar or better than the actual consultant, they'll pass the test.

Five main thinking skills are being assessed :

• Critical Thinking : The ability to solve problems by breaking them down into smaller parts.
• Decision-Making Process : The ability to take in large amounts of information and process it efficiently to make the best possible decision within time constraints.
• Meta Cognition : The ability to monitor your cognitive processes and improve them.
• Situational Awareness : The ability to keep track of several tasks or activities concurrently.
• Systems Thinking : The ability to identify the root causes of problems and possible solutions.

Do All Candidates Get the McKinsey Problem Solving Game?

As of 2024, almost all candidates for nearly all Mckinsey offices receive the Problem Solving Game. The PST, on the other hand, is no longer in use.

Get to Know the McKinsey PSG Format Inside Out

The Problem-Solving Game is sent to candidates once they pass the initial resume screening, making it the second hiring step.

McKinsey has created five mini-games, but you'll need to take only two of them. The most common ones are Ecosysystem Building and Redrock Study , and there are four other less common mini-games that only a fraction of the applicants receive (outlined below).

The time limit for the two common mini-games is 70 minutes , and for the others, it may range between 60 to 80 minutes. Each game will also have a tutorial, which is untimed.

Now, let's dive into each of the mini-games so you'll know what to expect on the test.

• Ecosystem Building

The first mini-game you'll need to pass is Ecosystem Building. In this game, you'll be randomly placed in either a mountain ridge or a coral reef scenario.

Your main objective in this mini-game is to build a sustainable ecosystem using exactly eight species from a collection of 39 species.

To achieve this goal successfully, you must strictly follow these guidelines:

• Terrain specs : The chosen location in the ecosystem must provide suitable living conditions for all eight species.
• Calories balance : Each species must be fed with enough calories from food to sustain itself.
• Food chain continuity : Each species must not be eaten into extinction by its predators.

The gaming platform provides specific information to help you meet these guidelines (some are seen in the game's "guidebook"):

Terrain Specs

Each location in the ecosystem has seven to eight terrain specs. You can choose a location using a pinpoint.

Of these seven or eight specs, only four can be displayed at any given time, using a checklist table in the upper-right corner of the screen:

Now, here's what's crucial about these living conditions:

Each species has specific terrain specs that have to be met. If they aren't met, the species won't survive, and you won't achieve the game's main objective.

Luckily, the species' living conditions usually come in ranges, allowing you to be more flexible with the species you choose for your ecosystem.

Additionally, each species has only two to four terrain specs , when Depth/Elevation and Temperature appear for all species:

Knowing that you only need to look at specific terrain specs on the checklist table helps eliminate species or locations that are not suitable for creating a sustainable ecosystem.

Food Chain Continuity

The 39 species are divided into producers and consumers.

Producers are plants and fungi (in the Mountain scenario) and corals and seaweeds (in the Coral Reef scenario). They don't have any calorie needs, so their "calories needed" spec is always zero.

Consumers are animals that eat either plants, other animals, or both. Some consumers are at the top of the food chain and therefore not eaten by any other species.

While creating the food chain, it's important to ensure that no species is eaten to extinction. This can be monitored using the " calorie needed " and the " calorie provided " specs that each species has (shown below).

Calories Balance

Each species has a calorie needed and a calorie provided, as you can see below:

A species lives if its "calories needed" are less than the sum of the calories provided by other species it eats (other consumers or providers).

Furthermore, the species' "calories provided" must be higher than the sum of the calories needed by other species that eat it.

The Main Challenges of the Ecosystem Building Mini-Game

Ecosystem creation is first of all a decision-making game.

You get all the information you need to deliver correct decisions so there's no uncertainty or inaccurate details.

The problem is that you have a vast amount of information to absorb, calculate, analyze, and prioritize . This includes the specs of 39 species, the terrain specs of each location, and eating rules.

Some of the information is irrelevant and is there to distract you or tempt you to make assumptions . In this mini-game, you must not make any assumptions and you don't need to have any environmental, ecological, or zoological knowledge.

So, your ability to make quick and accurate calculations and ignore irrelevant data will have a great impact on your performance.

The preparation course we recommend on this page includes a replica of McKinsey's Ecosystem Building game. It enables you to practice using a like-for-like game experience and learn about every single rule, move, and item in detail. Plus, you’ll master calculation methods and other tactics to ensure the food chain survives in your chosen location.

Redrock Study

The second mini-game you'll most likely encounter is Redrock Study. 

In the game's storyline, your task is to analyze the species inhabiting an island, which includes wolves and elks. The objective of your analysis is to formulate predictions and conduct various calculations , specifically focusing on percentages, by examining data on the evolution of the animal population.

The game has 4 sections:

• Investigation   You will be presented with a written text that includes tables and graphs. Your task is to sort information and gather valuable data for the following test sections.
• Analysis   You will be presented with 3 or 4 math problems ; each is separated into two parts. You will be given a calculator and a Research Journal to gather information relevant to the questions.
• Report You will be presented with two types of questions - 
• 5 written questions regarding your findings in the analysis section
• 1 visual question in which you will need to choose a graph and use it to show what you found in the analysis.
•  Cases You will be presented with 6 to 10 questions that are unrelated to the analysis you did so far. 

You will have 35 minutes to complete all four sections , with a short, non-timed break before each one. 

Alternative Mini-Games

As of 2024, the Ecosystem Building game is constant, but the second mini-game may vary in rare cases. This means that there's a slight chance you won't get the Plant Defense mini-game, but rather one of the three we show below.

Disaster Management

In the Disaster Management game, you have to identify what type of natural disaster has happened to an animal population in an ecosystem.

Then, based on the data and information given, you need to choose a different location that will ensure the survival of the ecosystem.

The Disaster Management mini-game has only one objective - the sustainability of the ecosystem, similar to the Ecosystem Building mini-game.

Disease Management

In the Disease Management mini-game, you have to identify patterns of a disease within an ecosystem and predict who will be infected next. You can then use the information given about each species to help you solve the problem.

Migration Management

Migration Management is a turn-based puzzle game. The candidate must direct the migration of 50 animals while helping them arrive at their destination with minimal casualties and with a pre-determined amount of resources.

• Plant Defense

Plant Defense is a turn-based mini-game (similar to popular Tower Defense games). Your main objective is to defend a native plant that's located at the center of a 10x10, 10x14, or 12x12 grid from invader species, using defensive resources for as many turns as possible .

This mini-game consists of three maps, and each map is divided into two - the planning phase and the fast-forward phase. McKinsey recommends allocating 12 minutes per map, which makes it 36 minutes in total.

The 36-minute time limit is not fixed though, as it depends on how long it took you to finish the first mini-game, Ecosystem Building.

Many candidates mention that the Plant Defense game is more challenging than the Ecosystem creation. So, keep that in mind while taking the first one and plan your time wisely .

Now, let's take a closer look at the different elements and resources of this mini-game:

Your base is the native plant that you have to defend from invaders at all costs. Once an invader reaches the base, you lose the game.

Note that eventually, everyone loses, and you can't hold your base forever. But the more turns you manage to survive, the better .

There are two types of invaders in the game - Groundhog and Fox. Their movements on the map are the same, and the only difference between them is the terrain type that holds them back (more on terrains below).

Once an invader appears on your map, it will choose the shortest path to reach your base plant. This path will be shown as a yellow arrow .

There are three types of terrains in the game:

• Forest : Slows down the Groundhog for one turn
• Rocky : Slows down the Fox for one turn
• Cliff : Blocks both the Fox and the Groundhog from passing this square

Each terrain holds one grid on the map, and you cannot place terrain on a grid that already has another terrain or a defender on it (more on defenders below).

As opposed to terrains, defenders don't just slow down or block an invader, they eliminate it for good.

There are several defenders you can use in the game: Bobcat, Falcon, Wolf, Python, and Coyote.

Note that you won't see all of the defenders at once.

Each defender has two important specs you must take into account:

Range : Each defender can cover a pre-determined number of grids on the map. For example, a Python can cover only one grid, while a Falcon can cover as many as 13 grids.

Damage : Each defender can cause specific forms of damage to an invader's population. When an invader attacks, you'll be able to see its population number and the damage that your defender can cause him. A Wolf, for example, has a damaging impact of 60, while a Falcon has only 20.

The Main Challenges of the Plant Defense Mini-Game

In this mini-game, you have to make decisions based on limited information and face unexpected events (like new invaders from any direction). Also, you must achieve two simultaneous objectives - survive each of the turns separately and for as long as possible.

This is the complete opposite of the Ecosystem Building game, in which you have all the data in front of you, and you have just one objective.

Two things that can help you overcome these challenges are (1) preparing for the unexpected events that will happen during the game and (2) planning low-risk solutions based on your resources (terrains and defenders).

The prep course that we recommend on this page has the closest simulation possible to the actual Plant Defense game. It has the same gameplay, invaders, and resources, and it's based on the same algorithm that appears in the McKinsey Problem Solving Game. This will enable you to learn the most effective tactics to ensure your base plant survives as many turns as possible.

How to Beat the McKinsey Problem Solving Game?

The proven way to beat the McKinsey PSG is by properly preparing beforehand.

There's no way around it. That’s because the mini-games include an immense amount of information, rules, and patterns you must master . And they require you to use tactics and strategies that are not obvious and take time to plan and execute.

All of that is under great time pressure and the high stakes of possibly failing it and losing an opportunity to work at McKinsey.

Now, there are a few practice options you can use to get a better understanding of the PSG and improve your chances of passing it, with the PSG Interactive Simulation being the most accurate one.

McKinsey Problem Solving Game Practice Options

Psg interactive simulation.

The  PSG Secrets simulation is an interactive platform that includes accurate practice for every part of McKinsey’s PSG. It mirrors what the actual game scenarios look like, what each button does, how the logic of the games works, how it generates the data, and more.

It has a full simulation option (two mini-games, 70 minutes), which includes:

• A full video course in 24 videos and 2h30m of content on Ecosystem, Redrock, and Plant Defense
• 2 excel solvers for the Ecosystem Game
• 10 Redrock test drills specifically for the case section
• 152 page-pdf guide 
• 60-day money-back guarantee.

Tips to Improve Your Performance on the McKinsey Problem Solving Game

Here are several specific tips to help improve your overall performance on the test as well as tips to avoid any disturbances that could hurt your score:

#1 Sharpen Your Mental Math Abilities

The ability to make fast and accurate calculations can help a lot in this Problem-Solving Game. That’s because one wrong calculation might ruin your carefully built Ecosystem or cause an invader to reach your Native Plant.

There are several free apps and sites, like the renowned Khan Academy , that can help you improve your math skills quickly.

#2 Learn Fast Reading Skills

Mckinsey’s PSG requires you to absorb and analyze a tremendous amount of information under strict time constraints.

Fast reading skills come in handy in this test and can help reduce the amount of time needed to understand the numerous guidelines of the mini-games.

There are certain apps and browser extensions that allow you to practice this important skill , even on the go.

#3 Focus Only on What Matters

Don't get nervous when you first see the immense amount of data on the mini-games. That’s because a lot of the data is irrelevant, and you’ll be only using some particular parameters .

For example, in the Ecosystem game, you’ll only have to use specific species and terrain specs for your calculations, while ignoring others that are there only for distraction.

In the complete   PSG Simulation Practice , you’ll see how to remove as much as 70% of the irrelevant data and remain just with the information that matters.

#4 Ignore Outside Information

While taking the assessment, especially the Ecosystem game, try to ignore any outside knowledge and information.

For example, if you’ve learned biology or zoology and you see that your food-eating rules don’t seem logical but the numbers are correct, always go with the numbers .

If you start to rely on previous knowledge, you might get confused and mess up your progress in the game.

#5 Learn to Solve Problems Like a Consultant

The PSG measures your consulting traits and compares them to a model McKinsey consultant.

That’s why learning to think and solve problems like a real consultant can help you pass this assessment.

Two main problem-solving skills you should practice are decision-making in fully controlled situations and with limited information.

Both of these skills can be trained using complex strategy games (examples are mentioned above) as well as  practicing with the   full PSG interactive simulation .

#6 Cut Down on Calculation Time Using Microsoft Excel

Mental math is an effective way to make calculations in the mini-games.

But as you’re only human, it’s not error-free. That’s why using a calculation tool, such as Excel formulas, can be a great way to make super fast and accurate calculations.

You can use it to gather all the relevant data, arrange it with columns and formulas (even in advance!), and turn the whole process into a no-brainer.

That said, you’ll need to use another monitor (preferably with a different browser) or another laptop since the assessment’s platform will take over your entire screen.

#7 Prep Your Hardware and Internet Connection

The last thing you want during the assessment is a “blue screen of death.”

It may happen if your hardware is not strong enough, since the McKinsey PSG is pretty demanding in its system requirements.

Any computer that is more than five years old or without an HD screen will likely encounter lags and performance drops.

Also, you must have a fast and stable internet connection. If you get disconnected in the middle of the test, you might need to start all over again or even reschedule for another testing date.

The PSG scores are divided into two types -

• Product score - the final outcome of your performance
• Process score - the efficiency (time and number of clicks) of your performance 

If you get the   PSG Practice Simulation , you’ll have a mock grading system that monitors your results and behavioral patterns.

This will allow you to track your progress while you practice for the test and see which areas demand improvement.

Why Did McKinsey Develop the Problem-Solving Game?

McKinsey created the Problem-Solving Game as an unbiased way to identify candidates from around the globe with strong cognitive abilities. The former assessment, Problem Solving Test (PST), was less challenging for candidates who were familiar with standardized tests, such as SAT and GMAT, or used the numerous mock tests found online.

The PSG, on the other hand, is supposedly crack-proof. That's because it takes into account the approach you use to solve the problems and not just the final solution. This seemingly removes any lucky guessing and shortcut techniques that were common on the McKinsey PST.

While on the PST you had just your final score, on the PSG your score is comprised of dozens of scoring criteria apart from your final result , including mouse movement, keystrokes, and clicks.

McKinsey can analyze these factors for every recorded candidate, which allows them to compare candidates more fairly.

What Does Imbellus Mean?

Imbellus is a company that creates immersive simulation-based assessments to assess cognitive processes. To develop a new testing format for the McKinsey recruitment process, they've teamed up with McKinsey consultants and UCLA Cresst psychologists.

In 2020,  Imbellus was purchased by Roblox , an online gaming platform, to help sharpen its recruitment practices.

This was an in-depth prep guide for the McKinsey Problem Solving Game. It gave you an overview of the different mini-games, explained their main challenges, and offered some useful solving tips.

Additionally, you saw the best ways to prepare for the assessment, when the PSG Practice Simulation being the most realistic and accurate one.

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Did I Pass? McKinsey PSG Scoring Explained & Free Practice

The  McKinsey Digital Assessment (McKinsey PSG) score entails both the final score and the process score. In other words, your result is the number of correct answers you get AND how your action is related to a potential consultant.

An understanding of the scoring mechanism of the PSG will help you improve your game-play strategy, furthering the chance at a case interview.

Let’s figure out the scoring mechanism of the PSG, and take a free practice of the game.

Table of Contents

PSG scores in McKinsey recruitment process

The psg seems to lower the resume threshold.

With the PSG in place, the passing chance is spread more equally among candidates.

Being held entirely online, the McKinsey PSG saves McKinsey from the logistical burden of holding offline assessment sessions. Candidates are also spared from all the time and travel costs. Thanks to this flexibility of PSG, the barriers to passing the resume screening round are significantly lowered. A higher number of candidates can take the PSG than PST.

As a result, those with weaker resumes still stand a chance at case interviews, as their good score in the PSG may compensate for the resume. On the other hand, non-optimal performance in the PSG can be made up for with an excellent consulting resume .

Although it’s best to invest time and effort in both rounds, this refined recruiting protocol allows candidates to focus on optimizing one round, either resume or PSG, while keeping the other one at an acceptable level. 

PSG scores are only relevant before the interview

Once you are in for the case interviews , the PSG scores will not be relevant anymore . The chance at an offer will be based solely on your case interview performance. Every candidate who makes it to the case interviews will stand an equal chance, and no one has a further advantage for scoring better in the PSG round.

Therefore, to land a McKinsey position, it’s important that you strive for both an excellent PSG round and outstanding case interviews.

McKinsey will only tell you if you pass or fail

The resulting email you receive from McKinsey, within 2-14 days after the test, will only inform you if you pass or fail . McKinsey will not include the final score, component score, or any feedback on your performance afterward.

The time for receiving results varies, but it should not exceed two weeks. You may get your result as soon as two days after taking the test. But if you don’t get it too soon, don’t worry; there may be some procedures in the process. But after two weeks and still nothing, try contacting your application office for more information.

Failing to meet game objectives does not always mean failing the test

McKinsey will not make a decision based solely on the results of the PSG . The PSG results will be considered together with the rest of your application. McKinsey recruiters will make a decision based on multiple factors such as your resume or cover letter.

Our field report shows that most of those who pass the PSG manage to successfully complete at least one game. However, there is still some chance that you fail in both games but still manage to pass the test. This is not to say that you should ignore the PSG final score, it is still one of the most important aspects of assessing your performance.

That said, there is a significant correlation between having good final scores and passing the PSG. According to our surveys, at least 80% of passing candidates have completed all the game objectives – and usually well within the allocated time limit.

PSG passing rate is 20-30%

The passing rate for the McKinsey Problem Solving Game is estimated at roughly 20-30% . As more candidates are invited to take the test, the proportion of those who pass is lower than the old PST .

Also, McKinsey uses the PSG to recruit a wide range of candidates for various positions, not just consulting track. Therefore, the passing chance will depend largely on which position you are applying for at McKinsey.

The McKinsey Solve Game is very selective, but you can increase your chance of passing by practicing the test simulations. It’s exciting that you have a free chance of experiencing McKinsey Solve simulation now. Click on this link to take it!

How is PSG scored?

Each candidate will be assessed using both final scores (i.e. the product score/final results) and process scores (i.e. how they get those results).

Final Scores measure your success in achieving games’ objectives

Final scores are calculated based on your level of success in achieving the objectives of the game scenarios . While there is no correct answer, some solutions will be better than others. 

In Ecosystem Building, final scores are the number of species surviving. Meanwhile, in Redrock, it would come from the number of correct answers. For Plant Defense, it would come from the number of turns you survived till the end.

Final scores are the easiest aspect to optimize through intensive practice. We offer a PSG Simulation Package that resembles 95% of the real PSG. You can experience the game through PSG free trial now, it’s completely free!

It is reported that the final scores of candidates practicing with PSG Simulation increased 2-3 times in the real test, with a total finishing time of under 30 minutes for both games, all species surviving for Ecosystem Building, and a maximum of 50 turns per map for Plant Defense (well over the 12-18 turns average observed in non-users who do not practice beforehand).

Process Scores measure your game-playing behavior

On the other hand, process scores are calculated using data on your patterns during the whole game-playing process – every keystroke, every click, and every mouse movement will be assessed.

Although claims that the process is recorded and taken into account, McKinsey has never explicitly stated the measurement method of these process scores . We have several working hypotheses on how the process scores are measured that need to be verified. If you have ever sat the PSG, help us validate our hypotheses by filling out this survey .

In the meantime, test-takers need to operate under the assumption that every action on the screen will reflect their problem-solving approach. Thus, the best way to optimize the process scores is to have a well-thought-out strategy from the beginning. My advice is to train yourself with a methodical, analytic approach to every problem, so when you do come in for the test, you will naturally appear as such to the software.

You can see the article on Issue Tree and MECE for important concepts of the problem-solving approach.

The PSG assesses candidates based on five core dimensions

While there is no official statement from McKinsey about which candidates they select, it is likely that the more you resemble a high-performing consultant at McKinsey, the higher your chances will be . That is to say, it would be beneficial if you can “show off” your consulting traits throughout the game-playing process.

The process and final scores shall be combined to form a profile of problem-solving skills and capabilities. According to Imbellus’s research, your problem-solving capability is assessed based on the five following dimensions:

Critical thinking : the ability to form a rational judgment from a set of facts

Decision-making : the ability to select the best course of action among several options

Meta-cognition : the ability to use strategies to make learning information and solving problems easier (e.g., testing hypothesis, taking notes)

Situational awareness : the ability to determine the relationships between different factors and to project the outcomes of a scenario

Systems thinking : the ability to understand cause & effect relationships involving several factors and feedback loops (e.g., anticipating several orders of consequences.

Scores in Ecosystem Building

Ecosystem building score is calculated using the number of surviving species .

According to McKinsey, the main objective of Ecosystem Building is to build a sustainable ecosystem in the given environment . However, the precise scoring mechanism of the game is not clearly stated in the instruction. To our best assumption, the final scores component is calculated using the number of surviving species. Specifically, how many species survive after the eating process.

Scores are not displayed whatsoever

In the real McKinsey digital assessment, the scores of Ecosystem Building will not be shown to candidates in any way . During or after the test, McKinsey will not inform you how many of the species you select survive.

The best you can do is understand the eating rules and calculate the number for yourself. In this Free Prospective Starter Pack - A-Z MBB Application , we provide a note-taker template to facilitate keeping track of your scores.

To help you gain better insight on the scoring mechanism in the Ecosystem Building, in our PSG Simulation, we provide a results display screen at the end of the game, demonstrating indexes such as the number of species fully surviving, unfit with location, starving to extinction, and eaten to extinction.

Scores in Redrock Study Task

There are definitive right and wrong answers.

Recently, Redrock Study Task (Redrock for short) has gradually replaced Plant Defense as the second scenario of the McKinsey PSG. 

While the scoring mechanism of the game is not clearly stated, based on the math-like format that resembles the old McKinsey PST, we can assume the final score is calculated using the number of correct answers.

It is also worth noting that because of Redrock's resemblance to the old PST , we cannot eliminate the possibility that candidates can lose points for wrong answers. So make sure every shot counts.

Familiarize yourself with the game by trying it for free now. Click here to play the game!

How you organize the Research Journal in Redrock may affect your score

The Research Journal (Journal for short) in Redrock stores the necessary information a candidate has picked to do the test. 

We deduce that the way you collect and store data on the Journal might be rated by McKinsey to evaluate the final score . In fact, McKinsey also suggests that candidates keep the Journal organized. 

Even if that is not the case, a clean and organized Journal will help a candidate navigate faster through all the collected data, which might save a lot of time in a time-stressed test. To have a clean and organized Journal, each data point should be labeled, and related data points should be set close to each other to ensure coherence. 

Practice to organize the Research Journal here . The McKinsey Solve free trial allows you to experience a simulation of the real test. Take your chance!

Accuracy is better than speed

Many candidates have reported that time constraint is their biggest problem at Redrock. As a result, some candidates decided to rush the test, hoping to gain as many points as possible. This is a grave mistake.

Rushing the test means a candidate might miss the chance to evaluate the answer properly, which might lead to many wrong answers. Even when you don’t lose points from wrong answers, you still miss a chance to gain points from correct ones. So, be slow, but sure. 

Similar to the Ecosystem Building, the scores of Redrock will not be shown to candidates in any way. 

During or after the test, McKinsey will not inform you how many of the candidate’s answers are correct. 

The best you can do is to practice rigorously and take every question carefully so that you may get a good score in each question. 

In our PSG Simulation , we provide a review screen at the end of the game to help you gain better insight on your performance with Redrock. It will demonstrate which answer is correct or wrong, and what should have been chosen in place of the wrong one.

You will receive question types, contents, and their answer guides simulated McKinsey’s when experiencing our McKinsey Solve free trial . Access to learn more!

Scores in Plant Defense

Plant defense score is calculated using the number of turns surviving.

The Plant Defense scenario of the McKinsey Problem-Solving Game is a turn-based tower defense game . The candidate is charged with defending a plant at the center of a grid-based map from invading pests, using obstacles and defenders. Candidates have two main objectives in this game scenario:

(1) keep the plan alive after the 15 turns and

( 2) keep the plan from the invaders for as many turns as possible .

In general, the final score in Plant Defense is the number of turns you keep your plant away from the invaders . Thus, try to achieve the highest number of turns possible.

The key final scores are displayed throughout the process

Throughout the game-playing process, there is a counter displaying the number of surviving turns at the bottom of the screen . As the number of turns is made visible, you can focus on optimizing your strategy without worrying about counting.

How to optimize your scores in the PSG?

Practice mental math and fast reading skills.

The McKinsey Problem-Solving Game – especially the Redrock Study Task – requires good numerical and verbal aptitude to absorb and analyze huge amounts of data quickly. Such skills are also vital to case interviews and real consulting work.

That means a crucial part of PSG preparation must include math and reading practice. To master these skills, read the following articles on Consulting Math and Speed Reading to know how to improve your mental calculation and reading speed: 

Practice with similar games

Test-takers with experience playing video games, especially strategy games, hold a significant advantage thanks to their “gaming sense”.

Video games with data-processing and system management improve the necessary skills for the PSG. Also, the McKinsey PSG is in fact similar in logic and gameplay to a few popular video game genres. The more similar a game is to the PSG, the better it is for practice.

In my comprehensive guide on the McKinsey Problem Solving Game , I include a list of games compatible with the Imbellus game suitable for practicing.

New Release: McKinsey Solve Free Trial

McKinsey PSG Simulation is an end-to-end, most updated interactive practice platform for the McKinsey Problem-Solving Game with:

50-page in-depth strategy guide , template spreadsheets for the Ecosystem Building game

Unlimited access to 3 games: Ecosystem Building , Redrock Study , and Plant Defense

20 simulation tests of the Redrock Study with full answers and explanations

In June 2024, we also released the new McKinsey Solve free trial . You can experience it before purchasing the full package. Take your free trial here!

Scoring in the McKinsey PSG/Digital Assessment

The scoring mechanism in the McKinsey Digital Assessment

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McKinsey Solve Simulation (All-in-One)

The one and only existing platform to practice three mini-games of McKinsey Solve in a simulated setting

It is not easy to pass the McKinsey Imbellus game. So how many people ace it each year, why aren’t there many of them, and how to pass it for yourself?

This article will give a detailed explanation of failing the test and practical advice to minimize the chance of poor performance in the McKinsey game.

The McKinsey Solve (other names: PSG, Problem Solving Game, Digital Assessment, Imbellus) is a two-piece gamified test designed by Imbellus for McKinsey.

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How to Successfully Pass the McKinsey Problem Solving Test?

If you would like to start a career in strategic consultancy, McKinsey & Company is one of the best options. This company has over 14, 000 employees in offices located throughout the world. is one of the top management consulting firms.

So, getting in can be very competitive. More than 80% of applicants are rejected by McKinsey based on their online aptitude tests. That is why it is important that you do your best at every step of the recruitment process.

In this article, we cover how to successfully pass McKinsey’s problem-solving test, online aptitude tests, the selection process, assessment center, and interviews.

Table of Contents

About McKinsey PST

The McKinsey Problem Solving Test (McKinsey PST) aims to test your logical thinking and problem-solving skills. It consists of a math computation, data interpretation, and critical reasoning test that are used by McKinsey to select the best candidates. The successful candidates will move onto the first round of case interviews.

The PST test is what differentiates the McKinsey recruiting process from its competitors. Another distinctive element is the Personal Experience Interview, or PEI. The McKinsey PST is one of the most challenging tests that you will come across in your life. It tests a wide range of skills and pushes you to work under tight time constraints.

McKinsey uses a PST because to be successful in consulting, there is a specific set of numerical computation and critical thinking skills that are required. It tests skills that you will be using on a daily basis as a consultant.

McKinsey PST Format

The McKinsey Problem Solving Test consists of 26 multiple-choice questions that need to be answered on paper. You have a 60 minute time limit. That gives you about two minutes per question. Most candidates fail because they run out of time.

The 26 questions are divided between three business cases. Each case study assesses how you would perform in the different stages of a consulting project: client interaction, problem solving, analytical work, problem definition, and implementation.

Every case study is based on real issues that consultants will be faced with in the field. This includes issues like profitability, market entry, or operational development.

In certain offices, non-native English speakers are given an extra 10 to 15 minutes to complete the test. You can find out from your McKinsey HR representative if you are allowed this additional time or not. No business knowledge is necessary to take the test. However, being familiar with common business knowledge terms is helpful.

You can use a pencil, a pen, and paper. You are not allowed to use a calculator or any commuting device during the PST test. You need to ensure that you have developed and practised the necessary skillset, especially time-saving skills.

McKinsey PST Questions

In the McKinsey Problem Solving Test, you will see a graph, chart, or table containing numerical data. This diagram will be followed by descriptive text about a company or industry.

The McKinsey PST test consists of 40% math word problems, 30% data interpretation, and 30% reading comprehension. You will be required to answer four to five questions that refer to the diagram. The two most challenging questions are math word problems and data interpretation.

McKinsey Math Word Problems

In math word problems, you will be given data in table X and required to calculate A, B, or C. These calculations may be profit margins. It may be calculating growth rates or the difference in sales from 2021 to 2019 for three different companies.

The point of these math word problems is to provide you with raw data presented in a text paragraph and assess whether you can figure out the math equation required to solve the problem.

Usually, the actual math word problem isn’t difficult to solve. It’s just addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or growth rate calculations. The real challenge with the math word problems is time. The most common reason for errors in a math word problem is misunderstanding, misreading, or misinterpreting the data presented or the question being asked.

McKinsey Data Interpretation

The other tough PST test question is data interpretation. You will be presented with a chart or table with data and required to determine which variation of the question is correct. Some variations include: definitively correct, could be correct but you can’t be 100% certain, and definitely wrong.

You will need to use math to answer these questions, but they are not as computation-intensive as math word problems. They focus on assessing your logic and critical reasoning skills. You need to be able to examine the data and differentiate between a factual conclusion and a hypothesis suggested.

One common challenge is to quickly find information about different topics.

McKinsey Reading Comprehension

The last part of the McKinsey PST is a reading comprehension test. This section tests your ability to draw a conclusion based on a paragraph of text. This is similar to data interpretation, but it does not involve math. They test your ability to understand a situation based on the information provided. And then select the statement that is the most relevant.

You will encounter three types of answers: false conclusions, true conclusions, and unproven conclusions. With false conclusions, the answer will either be wrong or false. Even if the conclusion seems rational, the outcome may be incorrect.

True conclusions are statements that are logical and draw the correct conclusion. Unproven conclusions are those where the logic may be correct and the conclusion may seem rational. But they cannot be completely supported by the facts presented in the diagram or text.

McKinsey PST Passing Strategies

• First skim through the questions to understand what is being asked of you, and then read the table or chart with the data. This allows you to see what you should be paying attention to while you examine the data or read the text.
• Answer ALL questions on the PST test as there are no penalties for incorrect answers. If you are running out of time, it is better to guess an answer than leave it blank.
• Fill in the answer sheet as you progress. This may be obvious, but under stress, some candidates forget to note down their answers throughout the test.
• Carefully read through the questions and text descriptions.
• Provide what the questions are literally asking.
• If you need to sharpen your math computation skills, ensure you practise your math accuracy and speed. You won’t have enough time to double check all your computations. The more certain you are about your math skills, the more time you will have to answer all the other questions.
• For the data interpretation questions, be cautious of the multiple choice questions that seem consistent with the data but are not 100% supported by the data. The best way to tackle these questions is to instantly eliminate options that are obviously wrong. Then carefully examine the other options.
• In the data interpretation questions, you need to ask yourself whether the conclusion is correct under all scenarios. Although the conclusion may be true under the most common scenario, it doesn’t mean it is true under every scenario.
• Always remember that the conclusion that is true most of the time is not the same as the conclusion that is true every time.
• Wear a watch to stay track of time. Don’t assume that every testing room has a clock.

How to Prepare for the McKinsey PST

There are three different ways you can prepare for the McKinsey Problem Solving Test. JobTestPrep is a platform that offers resources, professional guides, and practise tests that can help you successfully pass the McKinsey PST.

The first prep tip for the PST is to practise math computations. You need to practise the accuracy and speed of your math. The test is timed, so you need to be skilled in arithmetic. Remember, the more you practice, the better you perform.

Use the selection technique to help you select calculations beforehand that are important to finding the answer.

The anchoring technique is another great time management method. When you are searching for the highest value among several potential answers, first calculate the first answer and then use that value as a benchmark as you work through others.

The second prep tip is to practise interpreting data. Be prepared to answer multi-paragraph stories with more than one diagram. Every chart is followed by four or five questions. You need to polish your ability to interpret data.

Another pro tip is to master quick percentage calculations. Growth rates and percentages are very common in the McKinsey PST test, but they require a lot of time to calculate.

Here are some useful time management tips. Firstly, with positive growth rates, the compound rate is generally underestimated. For example, we estimate 30%, but the real figure is actually 31%. On the other hand, with negative growth rates, this method will overestimate the compound value.

Another point to note is that the bigger the magnitude of the annual growth rate and the bigger the number of years for which it is applied, the less accurate this method becomes. The final prep tip is to take McKinsey PST practise tests. This will help show you what to expect on the actual test. You will find useful practise tests available on JobTestPrep .

McKinsey PST Score

McKinsey does not have an exact cut-off score for its PST. But according to research, the best estimate is that the PST has a cut-off score of 70%. This means that you need to get at least 19 out of the 26 questions correct.

Your success depends solely on your score. It does not depend on how well others perform on the test. If all the candidates in your PST session score above the cut-off score, then they will all go to the next round of interviews.

Most candidates think that scoring 70% will be sufficient to get them into the first round of interviews. However, scoring even higher can increase your chances of being hired by McKinsey.

In the final round, if you performed just as well as another candidate but only one position is available, McKinsey will choose the person who scored higher on the PST. So aim for 90% to set yourself apart from the other candidates.

McKinsey Aptitude Tests

You will need to pass three other aptitude tests, other than the McKinsey Problem Solving Test, to be a successful candidate. These are the McKinsey numerical reasoning test, verbal reasoning test, and the Excel test.

McKinsey Numerical Reasoning Test

The SHL numerical reasoning test aims to examine your arithmetic skills and ability to interpret data from diagrams. It tests your ability to examine an unfamiliar text passage and its data. You will need to solve basic math problems.

The challenge does not lie in the questions asked, but rather in the stress and time pressure. When taking the numerical reasoning test, you will only have a minute to read the question, analyse the data, and do the necessary calculations.

The most effective way to prepare for this numerical test is to take practise tests. These practise test questions will help show you the types of questions you will encounter on the actual test.

McKinsey Verbal Reasoning Test

McKinsey’s verbal reasoning test aims to assess how well you can extract information from an unfamiliar passage of text. And then use this information to determine whether the statements that follow are true, false, or impossible to say.

The verbal reasoning test evaluates your comprehension level.

The McKinsey verbal reasoning test can be more difficult for non-native English speakers. The most effective preparation tip to pass a verbal reasoning test is to take practise tests. These verbal reasoning practise test questions will help you determine how texts are created and questions are asked.

McKinsey Excel Test

The McKinsey Excel Test is another important test that you will encounter during the examination stage of your interview process.

Regardless of what position or role you hold, you will most likely be working with Excel. That is why a lot of companies have an exam during the assessment stage. In Excel practise tests, you will find graphs and tables that display data. You will be required to answer the questions in a multiple-choice format.

McKinsey Selection Process

The McKinsey interview process can be nerve-wracking with its intensive application process. However, equipped with the right preparation, you are likely to impress McKinsey’s upper management. We have included a breakdown of what you can expect during your selection process at McKinsey.

McKinsey CV Submission

Most McKinsey applicants apply online for vacant positions directly on the McKinsey website. You will find an online application form that you can fill in and attach your CV to. You will find a list of current available positions and their locations.

McKinsey Online Assessment Tests

After completing and submitting your McKinsey online application form, you will be invited to take some of the McKinsey aptitude tests. These include numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, Excel, and problem-solving tests.

Pre-Employment Telephone Screening

During the telephone conversation, you will be required to answer McKinsey behavioural interview questions. These questions are similar to situational judgement test questions. You will be given a scenario and asked particular questions about what you will do in that situation.

McKinsey Job Interview

The last stage in the McKinsey selection process is the in-person interview. You need to know a little about the company and show interest. The interview questions are best answered using the STAR (situation, task, action, and result) method. This is a concise way of answering and allows you to outshine your competition.

McKinsey Assessment Centre

At the McKinsey Assessment Centre event , you will attend presentations about the company.

You may be asked to participate in presentation exercises that assess your verbal and non-verbal communication skills. You will be assessed on your body language and tone to see how well you can cope with delivering professional presentations. A few tips are to stand straight, make eye contact with the audience, and don’t speak too fast.

At the McKinsey Assessment Centre, you may be invited to join a group exercise. This evaluates your ability to communicate and work together as a team to reach conclusions. You will be assessed in this exercise. So, demonstrate your strengths and share your ideas.

Show that you are open to building on someone else’s input and able to persuade others towards your options. We advise you to remain calm and speak with confidence and clarity.

You will also engage in role-playing games. These are games where you are allocated 20 minutes to work in a pair and analyse information. You and your partner will need to prepare your response.

In the second part, your interviewer will play the role of a client, and you will be the McKinsey representative. You need to demonstrate your teamwork, negotiation skills, and critical thinking.

You may also have to take further assessment tests, participate in group interviews, and have a one-on-one direct interview.

McKinsey Advanced Professional Degree Interviews

The McKinsey Advanced Professional Degree (APD) Interview consists of three interviews. The first two are 45-minute, one-on-one interviews. Both of these interviews will include a personal experience interview (PEI) and a McKinsey case interview to assess your problem-solving skills .

In the personal experience interview, you will be asked questions about the specific role you have experience in and how you contributed to the success of the company. You will also be asked questions that focus on your motivations. These are generally CV-based questions that are competency-based.

In the McKinsey case interview, you will need to answer questions based on a business case study. You need to demonstrate how you interpret the information presented, select key elements, and back your reasoning. In the end, you need to arrive at a conclusion and be able to back your decision.

The final interview will happen in the specific office you have applied to. The format of the interview varies depending on the office, so you will receive detailed information before your assessment day.

During this interview, ask your interviewer about their own experiences within McKinsey and their career path. They want to see how interested you are in McKinsey.

Who Has to Take the McKinsey PST?

Not every candidate is required to take the McKinsey Problem Solving Test. People who have extensive experience and those hired from top-tier business schools generally don’t have to take the test.

However, most people who are applying for an entry-level business analyst role will be required to take and successfully pass the McKinsey PST test to be considered.

If you are uncertain about whether you need to take the PST, you should assume that you will. You can ask the HR team at the office you are applying to for confirmation.

What Is the McKinsey PST Success Rate?

According to surveys, the common PST pass rate is 33%. The majority of candidates fail because they did not work efficiently or effectively manage their time.

One of the main contributors to failure is that candidates run out of time at the end of the test to fill in the PST answer sheet.

The McKinsey PST is a skills test that you should practise for beforehand. It is not an assessment where you can walk in and use your natural intelligence to pass. You need to be aware of the strategies and time-saving techniques before you approach the test.

McKinsey PST vs. GMAT

If you’ve taken a GMAT before, then this point can be helpful. Most candidates who have prepared for and taken the GMAT believe that the PST is the same test with a different name.

They believe the tests are very similar. However, even though the tests share a similar format, they are very different. They both require you to have good math skills. But the PST requires a less academic style of math. In the PST, you need to estimate and prioritise calculations.

You need to treat the PST as an entirely separate test and prepare for it accordingly.

Final Thoughts

If you want to get your dream job at McKinsey, then you need to prepare for the selection process. As we highlighted earlier, there are a few assessment tests and interviews that you will need to pass to be a successful candidate. You can get the practise you need with the resources available on JobTestPrep.

Sarah is an accomplished educator, researcher and author in the field of testing and assessment. She has worked with various educational institutions and organisations to develop innovative evaluation methods and enhance student learning. Sarah has published numerous articles and books on assessment and learning. Her passion for promoting equity and fairness in the education system fuels her commitment to sharing insights and best practices with educators and policymakers around the world.

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Solve, McKinsey’s assessment game

Solve: a glimpse into the look & feel.

The McKinsey PSG is a unique hiring procedure that replaces the paper-based McKinsey Problem-Solving Test. But learning the rules of the game is just the beginning of what’s required to succeed on this one-of-a-kind examination.

This article will give you a complete and detailed strategic plan for studying for the McKinsey PSG and some tips for your test day.

A quick overview of the McKinsey PSG

The mckinsey problem-solving game’s structure.

The McKinsey PSG is confirmed to have 6 mini-games:

• Ecosystem Building : constructing an ecosystem in a defined area while taking into account a number of different factors.
• Plant Defense : Utilizing predators to defend a rare plant from animals
• Disaster Management : recognizing when a natural disaster will affect a particular environment and taking action to protect that ecosystem.
• Disease Management : diagnosing infectious diseases, understanding their transmission mechanisms, and estimating their spread within an ecosystem 
• Migration Management : guiding a group of animals from one location to another while losing the least amount of animals possible 
• Redrock Study : reviewing primary goals and addressing concerns of a business by analyzing data and clarifying the research results through visuals. 

Candidates are required to solve 2 out of these 6 mini-games . The total time allotted to finish both games is 71 minutes , which also covers the time needed to read the instructions.

McKinsey digital assessment’s marking criteria

Each candidate will be evaluated based on both product score (i.e., the final results) and process score (i.e., the methods to arrive at those results). 

Product scores are determined based on how successfully you complete the goals of the game’s situations. Although there is no one right response, certain alternatives will be preferable. Product score is the most obvious component to improve via repeated practice.

On the other hand, process scores are determined using information about your tactical approach during the whole game; each keypress, click, and mouse movement will be examined.

Test-takers should interpret every movement on the screen as reflecting their method of handling an issue. Thus, having a well-thought-out plan from the start is the optimal method to maximize the process scores.

McKinsey Problem-solving Game Study Tips & Tricks

Understand the reasoning behind each type of mini-game, ecosystem building.

At its core, “Ecosystem Building” is a problem of how to best use resources . The objective is to construct a “sustainable” ecosystem . To do this, you must match the species’ living circumstances with those of the selected site and ensure that each species has enough food to thrive. 

You need to take into account several characteristics of the location to create living conditions suitable for the 8 different species you chose. The most important reminder here is that your food chain is more likely to survive if each species consumes less and produces more. So you should favor species with a high caloric supply and a low caloric requirement .

Plant Defense

Plant Defense is a game of probability . The map comprises a grid of tiny squares, with each piece occupying a single square. The plant is positioned on the square in the center of the map; therefore, all intruders must cross at least one of the eight surrounding squares to access it. So, you should prepare your defense from the inside out . Expand from the circle around the plant.

Disease Management 

The player’s objective is to predict which animals on the map will contract a specific sickness. What matters most in this game is identifying disease patterns and determining which animals will be afflicted in the following turn.

The strategy for this game is rather straightforward. 

• Identify the important factors that might offer a clue about the course of the disease.
• Make some different filters and look at them at different times to see how the animal population has changed .
• Based on your tested hypotheses from step 2, choose the next animals affected by the disease .

Disaster Management 

Candidates had to determine the type of natural disaster affecting an animal colony to relocate the animals to a different region of the map where they would have the best chance of surviving . 

There are 3 steps to approach the game:

• Determine the event that occurred in a location by mixing data from an event description with on-screen variables.
• Find dominant ranges to relocate the animals to 
• Check if any of the relevant ranges you previously identified are present . Give the qualities that will help the most animals survive top priority.

Migration Management

In this game, your job is to guide animals as they move from one place to another. The game’s mechanics let you travel to areas where you’ll find food, water, and other supplies necessary to keep the animals alive, as well as additional animals to care for. 

Once you know how the game works, it’s easy to figure out how to play: choose the option that provides the greatest number of animals while still allowing you to maintain a sustainable population.

Redrock Study 

This minigame will resemble a more traditional business-like and analytical game environment. In this game, you are in the role of a “ researcher ”, and your objectives are similar to that of a typical consultant. 

The most important step is gathering information . Refer to the assessment’s context, statistics, and timelines instructions. You will need to answer roughly 10 questions by filling in the blanks, so practice time management and note-taking skills. However, since this game is new, brace yourself for minor differences in the test. 

Train your test-taking skills 

The PSG tests you on five core cognitive skills, but we recommend that you train yourself on these three skills as they will help improve your performance: speed reading, mental math, and data selection . 

Speed reading 

If you want to succeed in McKinsey’s PSG, you’ll need to learn to quickly process a massive amount of data . Fast reading abilities come in handy for this test and can speed up the process of comprehending the many rules of the mini-games.

Mental math 

Time is of the essence on the PSG, so being able to do quick mental math calculations will be a huge help. 

Plant Defense is an example. Each defender deals a certain amount of damage per turn, and each invader has a certain population, or what PSG refers to as “health points.” The only way to know if your defenders can wipe out the invading force is to tally the damage, extract the population that survived, and compare the two numbers .

Data selection

Don’t spend too much time trying to comprehend all of the data displayed in the game . You can safely ignore some details without affecting your results. Other data will be relevant but not crucial. Consider how much weight different pieces of information have on your choices and spend more time on those. 

When there is little information, concentrate on the essential facts , disregard the non-important ones, and guess as best you can. You can avoid getting sucked into unimportant details by prioritizing your objectives and keeping the big picture in mind . 

Keep in mind the abilities being tested

The Solve test assesses candidates on five core skills : critical thinking, decision-making, metacognition, situational awareness, and systems thinking.

• Critical thinking : the ability to dissect issues and find solutions
• Decision-making : the ability to take in a lot of data, sort through it, and come up with the best possible choice in a short period of time
• Metacognition : the ability to keep track of and improve your own mental processes.
• Situational awareness : the ability to keep track of multiple tasks or activities at once
• Systems thinking : the ability to identify the underlying causes of issues and potential solutions

During the game, pay attention to how you’re doing in those areas and make deliberate decisions that highlight those abilities.

Practice with similar games 

Test-takers with prior experience in video gaming , particularly strategy games, have a considerable edge because of their “ game awareness .” The essential skills to solve the PSG are improved by playing video games with data processing and system administration. A game is better for practice the more it resembles PSG. 

There are a few prominent video game genres that the McKinsey PSG is very similar to in terms of logic and playability. For games similar to the “Ecosystem Building,” you could check out the SimCity , Ceasar , or Anno series; and for the “Plant Defense,” Kingdom Rush and Plant vs. Zombies are great series to practice with.

Get ready for the test day

Check your system before the test .

The PSG is a series of online 3D games which puts a lot of strain on your computer and the Internet bandwidth. If your setup fails you in the middle of a test, you’re unlikely to receive another opportunity, and you’ll have to bid goodbye to your McKinsey career for the time being.

To determine whether your Internet connection is steady, use Speedtest (at least 30Mbps).

If not, you should improve your Internet subscription or take the test somewhere else with better equipment and Internet access.

Take notes with pen and paper

Pen and paper drafting is often quicker and much more versatile . Maps, charts, and issue trees may all be easily drawn for improved visualization. Additionally, you can start again much more quickly if you decide to throw out what you’ve written. 

Online note-taking would require frequent tab/window shifting . Your ability to focus may be affected, which will make double-checking more difficult. In the worst-case scenario, you may unintentionally close a window. So avoid having any background program running and use the traditional way of taking notes.

Don’t be a perfectionist 

This tip is to help you prepare your mindset before taking an exam . Finishing the game on time is more crucial than taking too much time to improve your performance in the opening stages significantly.

It’s fine if you lack some of the information required to make a fully accurate judgment . Some PSG mini-games purposefully put players in these circumstances to gauge how they could react in situations similar to this in the real world.

Examples include the Plant Defense mini-game, in which you cannot predict when and from where the attackers will arrive, or the Migration mini-game, in which you cannot predict how many resources or animals will be available at each checkpoint.

That was a complete guide to the McKinsey PSG. If you want to find out more, experience the game for yourself!

Useful resources

• Ecosystem Solver
• Practice Data Sets
• Terms and Policy