I’ll be taking the McKinsey Problem Solving Game soon.
I’d love to hear from anyone who has done it recently about the two parts of the game
(Planet Defense and Red Rock Study).
Is the ecosystem exercise no longer part of the assessment?
How can i prepare in the most appropriate way?
Are there any common mistakes or things I should avoid?
are there any recommended YouTube channels or resources that explain the game well?
There is a lot of noise online about this game. Let me keep it simple.
The ecosystem exercise is mostly gone now. You will likely get Planet Defense and Red Rock Study, though McKinsey does mix things up by region. What they are testing is basic: Can you think fast? Spot patterns? Make good choices under pressure?
Here is the thing about preparation. You cannot really "game" this. It is designed to see how you naturally solve problems. McKinsey can tell if you are faking it. So do not try to outsmart the system.
The most common mistake I see is people overthinking it. People read a hundred tips and then freeze up during the actual game. The second mistake is hunting for the "perfect" answer when there is none. They want to see how you handle trade-offs.
Watch a couple of YouTube walkthroughs to get familiar with the format. That is it. Do not go deeper. Spend an hour learning the basics, then trust yourself.
Put your real energy into prepping for the interviews that come after.
Good luck.
Congrats on being invited to the test!
Indeed, those are the two games that candidates are currently reporting they're receiving. So it's likely you'll receive the same as well.
You're probably aware that there are simulations on the market. You could consider some of those.
Otherwise, there are also lots of free videos on youtube or in other places that give you a good sense of what to expect.
Last but not least, do your absolute best on the test, but also remember that whether you get invited to the interview or not depends also on the other components of your application (CV, CL, referral).
Best,
Cristian
Hi there,
The McKinsey Problem Solving Game usually includes two main parts, such as Sea Wolf or Planet Defense and Red Rock Study. The exact names can vary, but the ecosystem-style exercise has largely been phased out or integrated into newer games, so not seeing it is normal.
There’s no way to “study” the game directly, but you can prepare by training the underlying skills. Focus on structured problem solving, breaking problems into parts, making trade-offs under constraints, and managing time under pressure. Timed numerical reasoning, logic puzzles, and data interpretation drills are the most useful preparation.
Common mistakes to avoid include overthinking patterns, trying to guess the algorithm, spending too long on one task, and neglecting time management. The game rewards clear reasoning and good judgment more than perfect answers.
For resources, look for general explanations of the McKinsey Problem Solving Game on YouTube, as well as SHL-style reasoning practice and GMAT Integrated Reasoning. Avoid walkthroughs that claim to show exact questions, as the games rotate.
Feel free to reach out - happy to help further!
Best,
Evelina
hey there :)
The McKinsey Problem Solving Game now usually has two parts: Planet Defense and Red Rock Study; the older ecosystem exercise isn’t part of the current assessment. Preparation is mostly about practicing numerical reasoning, prioritization, and quick pattern recognition, there’s no need to memorize content, just get comfortable with the style and pacing. Common mistakes are overcomplicating decisions or not paying attention to the instructions. I can recommend a practice game if you want to try one similar to the actual assessment. YouTube has a few walkthroughs, but I find hands-on practice more useful than just watching.
best,
Alessa :)
The current McKinsey Solve Games are
Plant Defense and Ecosystem have not been part of the assessment for a while now.
The best way to prepare is to play the actual games before you sit the real assessment to become familiar with the games and strategies (it's always the same strategies that lead to success). DM me -> happy to point you in the right direction here.
Cheers,
Florian
Right the games candidates are seeing are Planet Defense and the Red Rock.
