McKinsey Test

Hi there,

If you mean McKinsey Solve, one week is enough to prepare properly, but I would be quite structured about it.

First, make sure you understand the exact games / exercises included in your invitation, as Solve has evolved over time. If you have the Ecosystem game, for example, I would definitely familiarise yourself with how it works before test day rather than discovering the mechanics during the assessment. PrepLounge has useful material to understand the format and practise this type of exercise.

In parallel, I would work on the underlying skills that Solve is testing:

• Numerical reasoning, especially percentages, ratios and quick calculations
• Data interpretation, extracting the relevant information from tables and exhibits
• Logical reasoning and prioritisation
• Speed and accuracy under time pressure

I would actually spend 15 to 20 minutes a day drilling these separately. It is much easier to improve a weak numerical or data interpretation skill directly than by repeatedly doing full simulations.

Then, towards the end of the week, do a recent Solve specific simulation and use it mainly to get comfortable with the interface, timing and decision making process. Fresh material matters here because the assessment has changed over time.

I would also keep some case preparation running in parallel. If you pass Solve, the recruiting process can move quickly, so you do not want to finish the assessment and only then start preparing for interviews.

So my approach would be: understand the game first, drill the underlying skills, then use a recent simulation (if available) to put everything together.

Best,
Carlos

Hi there,

You have enough time, provided you can invest 10-20 hours over the next days.

I would start from the free material online, there is a lot of it on YouTube for all the main tests, and it is usually enough to get familiar with the format and the logic of each game before you sit it. As Carlos said, check exactly which exercises your invitation includes, since Solve has changed over time.

The more useful thing you can do with this week is start preparing for the interviews in parallel, since if you pass the test things can move quite quickly and the interviews are much heavier to prepare.

If you think an external pair of eyes could be of help to structure your preparation, feel free to reach out.

Best,

Franco

Hi there,

The best way is to really find online tests / questions and practice. Regardless as to whether is a new or old test, the principles are mostly the same:

• Time management (need to think quick)
• Business knowledge/context (incl key formulas)
• Critical thinking (answers that are very similar to each other...clues "hidden" in the text)
• Ability to interpret data/charts

Think of it as a merge of a case and the GMAT/GRE.

You need to be clear on some key case-related and account formulas (margin, growth, breakeven, etc) as well as be good at critically understanding the question (including nuance to questions) and parsing through complicated text with a fair amount of distraction.

You'll also need to be good at chart/graph reading.

The (old) McKinsey PST, BCG Online Test, Bain SOVA test, etc. are all quite similar so leverage resources across all of them.

Use the invite, not a generic description of "the McKinsey test". The usual online step is Solve, but the email should name the assessment and the deadline. If it does not, ask which test you have before you study the wrong one.

With one week, do the official practice McKinsey provides, once under the clock, and learn the instructions until the screens are familiar. Then look at where you lost time. A week will teach you the format. It will not rebuild your problem-solving, so don't spend it on unofficial copies that pretend to be the live game. The modules have changed before. I won't describe a fixed set of games as if your invite cannot differ.

Take the test when you are rested, in one sitting if the rules require that, and submit before the deadline rather than in the last hour.

Hey :)

Yes, definitely prepare a bit before taking it. With one week, I’d spend a few focused sessions getting familiar with the format and practicing numerical reasoning, data interpretation and logical thinking under time pressure. I wouldn’t overprepare for weeks though. Once you know the test format, a few timed practice rounds can make a big difference.

Best, Alessa :)

Hi there, 

You'll find lots of materials online about it, and do ask also the recruiter from the office you're interviewing with whether they can share any prep resources.

Best,
Cristian

Hey! And very important from a Recruiter perspective: don't over-prepare for it. Just make yourself familiar with what is expected and focus on your strength. They want to see how you react, handle situations etc. and not a certain way that worked for someone else.