Hey guys!
I recently took McKinsey Solve, and I know I did pretty well on Sea Wol,f but Red Rock was fluffy for ,me, and I couldn't finish the last case question I was on. Also, I feel like I messed up a little bit during the analysis part.
Does it hurt my chances of getting an R1 Interview invite if I didn't finish?
Thanks!
Hi Sathvik,
Feeling like Red Rock was a "messy" rush is actually the most common reaction to McKinsey Solve. The assessment isn't a typical school test where you need a 100% completion rate to pass.. It’s a psychometric tool designed to see how you prioritize data under extreme pressure, so the algorithm has already tracked your logic and "process" even if you didn't hit submit on that last question.
Since you felt strong in Sea Wolf, you’ve already demonstrated the core systems thinking they look for. Most candidates who move on to R1 feel exactly like you do right now, so don't let one "fluffy" section get in your head. The best move now is practicing your case structures and let the Red Rock behind you :)
Hi there,
We honestly don't know... and McKinsey doesn't share score breakdowns.
What I can tell you: not finishing one question and feeling off on the analysis section is not automatically disqualifying. The test is scored holistically. One incomplete question in an otherwise solid performance won't necessarily tank you.
Sea Wolf performance counts too. If you felt strong there, that matters.
The bigger thing to remember: you have 0 control over this now. Nothing you do will change the outcome. What you CAN do is keep prepping and applying to other firms in the meantime.
I have discount codes for some of the best McKinsey Solve simulation tools... feel free to shoot me a DM and I'll send one over. And if you want to make sure no stone is left unturned across the full recruiting journey, my 360 degree course covers everything end to end: 360 Degree Course
Fingers crossed on this one. Keep moving forward regardless!
Nobody outside McKinsey knows exactly how they score Solve or how much weight each section carries. So anyone telling you a specific cutoff or formula is guessing.
What I can tell you is that not finishing a section is not automatically disqualifying. McKinsey has said publicly that Solve measures problem solving approach, not just answers. How you think through the problem matters, not just whether you completed every question.
Strong performance on Sea Wolf can offset a weaker Red Rock. The two games measure different things and your overall profile across both is what matters.
Stop second guessing it. The assessment is done and there is nothing you can do to change it now. Focus on your application and interview prep and wait for the result.
Sathvik,
The score is judged together with the rest of your application - CV + CL + referral (if applicable) - and judged against the expectations of the role.
So it's impossible to tell how things will go.
But it's important to know that a lower Solve score can be compensated for by higher scores on the other elements / documents.
Hope you get good news from them!
Best,
Cristian
hey there :)
no, not finishing is completely fine and happens to a lot of people. McKinsey & Company doesn’t expect you to finish everything, it’s much more about how you think, prioritize and handle the tasks you do complete.
one slightly messy part also won’t kill your chances if the overall performance was strong. they look at the full picture, not single moments.
so if Sea Wolf went well, you’re still very much in the game. try not to overthink it now :)
best,
Alessa :)
