McKinsey PST prep

Question

Hi there, I am just starting out with my preparations for a consulting career. Could you please guide me on the preparation of McK PST, BCG potential test? I think I should start with brushing up with Maths skills but I don't know where to start from. I tried with GRE / GMAT preparation materials but they seem not exact fit for this preparation? On a separate note, anyone please guide me whether the first round interview (mentioned in other discussions & Q&As) means the PST & potential test?

Answer 1

Hi,

I was in your position 2 months ago.

In 1 month, i went from getting 30% on untimed tests, to passing the PST!

This is what i did:

Igotanoffer practice tests
Mconsulting practice tests
Official McKinsey tests
Practice speed maths - learn shortcuts like rule of 72, become a gun at the times tables, long division, estimation, growth rates, change %
Use youtube- Cant remember who exactly but there is this Russian guy who has great tips and logic around the PST.
I learnt to speed read - i went from 350 words per minute to 650. Youll also learn what info to read and what not to bother with by doing enough tests.
I went through McKinsey presentations and learnt about the type of charts often used, learn how to read them quickly as this will save you minutes in the test working out what the hell they are even representing!

You will identify trends with answers, question types and the flow with time. Its frustrating and hard work, but worth it to pass! Youll also learn about time traps and which questions to estimate, leave and compute.

Start off doing the tests untimed, and re do tests over and over again.

Then slowly introduce time constraints and work to doing them in just 1 hour.

All the best.

Cheers,

Answer 2

Hi,

I suggest the following:

1) Do 1 case from mck website in 60 min. Check your score. Target score is around 22-23 out of 26 correct. If you do 17-18 correct you have great chances to improve in a week or so

2) Buy Viktor Cheng test prep program - best materials I've seen so far. Works also for express prep.

3) Do the 2nd test and check the score

4) Use other materials: GMAT IR and verbal parts, PST-like tests available online. The key thing - you should train to do them, fast

5) Do the 3rd test and check the results

P.s. in parallel train your math. Check exercises on Cheng website. Key things - multiplication of 2 digit numbers, operations with zeros and division (Learn division table, ie. 1/8 = 12.5%, 8/9 = 88%, Learn up to 8/9)

BCG potential test is easier than PST, so if you score 18-19 on PST, BCG test will be not a problem

Best,

Vlad