McKinsey test

Hi, there is already a detailed thread on PrepLounge covering prep resources for Solve, in which you can find plenty of advice from other coaches and resources (YouTube walkthroughs, paid simulations, practice games): https://www.preplounge.com/consulting-forum/prep-materials-for-mckinsey-solve-assessment-22493

One thing worth keeping in mind as an experienced hire: your background likely gives you an edge over more junior candidates on the skills Solve tests (cognitive speed, pattern recognition and systems thinking). That said, go through as many simulations as possible to get familiar with the format before the day, as the interface and pacing can catch you off guard regardless of your background.

Hope it helps. Best of luck for the test and feel free to drop me a message if anything is unclear!

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the invitation from McKinsey!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• What really determines whether a candidate passes or fails the McKinsey Solve pre-interview assessment (or any other assessment), is whether they actually spend time understanding the different components of the assessment and develop a strategy to solve them. Pure practice may make you perform ok, but rarely great.
• Thus, I would strongly advise you to familiarize yourself with the structure and logic behind the three games - Redrock Study, the Sea Wolf, and the Sustainable Futures Lab. There is a lot of free information about all three games, and I do not think you will need any paid resources.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming McKinsey pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

I assume you're referring to the McK solve game. 

If that's the case, you'll find plenty of resources online, as well as plenty of advice here in the Q&A section on PrepLounge. You'll notice that some of the materials you'll find are free, and others are paid. 

Start with the former and get a sense of how your level of confidence and understanding of the game changes.

Best,
Cristian

hey!

For the Solve, the prep is different from a normal test. You don’t study business. You train your brain to spot patterns and read data calmly.

Solve has three skills: pattern recognition, quick chart reading, and structured decision‑making. The best prep is short daily drills. Do simple pattern puzzles, quick data‑interpretation exercises, and light mental math. Focus on staying calm and systematic. Solve rewards clean logic, not speed and not business knowledge.

Alessa

As an experienced hire for an Associate role, the McKinsey Solve test is a mandatory pass/fail filter.

To prepare efficiently:

• Brush up on quantitative basics: Practice mental math, percentage growth, and chart interpretation out loud for the Redrock Study module.
• Practice constraint logic: For Sea Wolf, practice systematically comparing data against strict numerical rules without second-guessing yourself.
• Focus on your process: The system tracks how you click and decide, not just final answers. Work methodically rather than guessing quickly.

Use interactive Solve simulations to build speed before taking the live test.