McKinsey game failed

Question

Hi ya all,

Did the McKinsey game a few days ago and looking back made a few mistakes perhaps and want to check if what I did is what I think I did wrong indeed.

So if I selected the top of the food chain predator like a bald eagle or whatever it's called but it can also eat the first layer source of plants, but I was hoping that it would eat the rat in the middle let's say? Is this true, that it would have gone for the plant before the marmot/ rat would have? How does that work, who gets to eat the base plant if both animals can eat it but the eagle can also eat the rat too. Very much confused.

Let's say plant produces 5000, rat produces 3500, and takes 3300, eagle which can eat both plant and rat takes 2200, and provides 2600. Was this a bad selection because nothing can eat the god damn eagle and there is still a lot left on the table?

Also I think I messed up when I clicked on one of the plants and the source was a god damn waste, does that make a difference.

Oh well.

Answer 1

Richardson,

Sorry to hear it didn't go according to expectations. I understand that must be frustrating, especially if you practised for it.

But it doesn't matter at this point.

First, you can't do much about it.

Second, the results from the game are judged together with the rest of your application (CV, CL, referral), so hopefully, the other one can compensate for the game score.

Also, I notice that sometimes candidates judge themselves harsher than is the case and they are surprised they eventually passed. Maybe that's also the case with you.

In case you are still applying for roles, this might be useful for you:

Best,

Cristian

Answer 2

Hi Richardson,

You need all plants/animals to survive. That means, they all get enough calories.

If the eagle is the top of the food chain, or its calories aren't needed then that's ok.

BAsically, it doesn't matter if there's a dead-end or un-used calories…what matters is if all animals survive.

Did you play any of the simulations or read the guides? They all explain this

Answer 3

You are overthinking this at this point.

The real lesson is that you needed to prepare a bit more beforehand and better understand the game's objective and inner workings.

But doesn't matter now. What is done is done, and they'll take the test and the other application materials and decide on next step. At this point what you have to do is wait for the decision and prepare for interviews (vs. preparing for the screening game that is already gone).