McKinsey Solve

Question

I’m taking Solve tomorrow and will of course follow McKinsey’s rules 100%. I passed Solve ~4 years ago and was then comfortable using my own calculator and an Excel sheet on another PC, but I understand the rules may have changed.

For anyone who knows or took the current version recently:

Calculator: If Solve provides an internal calculator, is an external/physical calculator completely prohibited, could be helpful if running out of time
Sea Wolf: I’ve been practicing with an Excel sheet that helps select the species. Is using Excel during the actual test prohibited, even if it’s only used for that calculation? Is the use of another computer/screen monitored?
Red Rock: Is there any time pause between the Investigation and Analysis stages? I’m wondering whether there is a transition period where you can use the information collected during Investigation to prepare before the Analysis timer starts, or whether the Analysis timer starts immediately.

My intention is absolutely not to cheat — I want to comply 100%. These two tools simply make me much faster and more comfortable, so I’d like to understand exactly where the line is.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Treat both tools as off-limits. McKinsey's assessment integrity page asks candidates to use only one screen and not to use applications, websites, AI tools, a calculator or prepared notes, unless an accommodation has been approved. A physical calculator and an Excel sheet on a second PC both fall inside that, even for a single calculation. Whether the other computer is monitored doesn't change it, because you attest to those rules before you start.

Pen and paper are different. McKinsey's own guidance doesn't prohibit them, and the integrity page asks you to discard notes taken during the assessment, which assumes you may write things down. So tonight, practise the Sea Wolf selection by hand: write the attributes you're matching against, then tick off candidates as you go. It will feel slower than Excel at first.

On Red Rock, I can't confirm whether there's a pause between Investigation and Analysis, and it may differ between versions. Plan as if the next timer starts straight away, and capture the numbers you'll need on paper while you investigate. If anything in your invitation is unclear, ask your recruiting contact before you begin.

Answer 2

Hey there :)

I’d be careful here because the rules for the current version matter more than what was allowed four years ago. If McKinsey’s instructions say the test must be completed on one device without external tools, I would treat that literally and not use a physical calculator, Excel or a second screen. Even if something technically goes undetected, it’s not worth risking your application.

For the Red Rock timing, I’d also assume the next stage starts according to the timer shown in the test rather than expecting an unofficial preparation window. The safest approach is to use only what Solve itself provides and follow the instructions on screen exactly.

Best, Alessa :)