Do you think the new digital assessment of Mckinsey is fair enough ?

Digital McKinsey
New answer on Aug 30, 2021
7 Answers
1.5 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jun 11, 2020

I was offered to take the online test. It seemed totally confusing to me since I don't usually play games and not familiar with such platforms. So, I do think this put me at a disadvantage for not being selected for the upcoming steps.

(edited)

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 12, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

What's fair?

Isn't the fact that you're even able to be on PrepLounge (i.e. internet, computer, etc.) unfair to others? If you've purchased any book or hired a single coach, you already have an unfair advantage.

I know people in some countries right now with capital controls...they can't even pay for coaching if they wanted to. Others are in neighborhoods with noise 24/7 and spotty internet.

Where do you want to start with fair? Forget fair and focus on what you can control and the hard work you need to put in to earn your right to work at McKinsey!

Was this answer helpful?
Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 12, 2020
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, yes, I also think gamers will find familiar patterns in solving the Imbellus and can have developed useful skills. However, it is not crucial having a past as gamers, as well as you do not need a business background to solve cases (even if it is an advantage). Good luck with next applications and feel free to text me for any tips on how to boost them

Best,
Antonello

Was this answer helpful?
Robert
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 11, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

The online test is designed in such a way that it does not offer relevant advantes or disadvantages if you are not a native gamer.

What does not really help as such is being a gamer, what actually helps is building a strategic mindset, and one (maybe not very efficient, but still possible) way is to play games like that.

Hope this helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous B replied on Jun 11, 2020

Maybe, maybe not, but if you thought playing games could enhance your odds of passing the digital test, why didn't you start playing video games as practice?

Also, with your logic, if, instead of a gamified assessment, they had a math test, would somebody who was not a math major complain that the test was biased against them?!

You were not at a disadvantage. Thinking that you were only because they tested something you were not familiar with despite the fact the the vast majority of candidates probably faced the same challange is not a mindset I would recommend.

Was this answer helpful?
5
Anonymous replied on Jun 12, 2020

Dear A,

Your experience of its abcense doesn't help you in this particular test. Actually this digital assessment it's just a new form (way) of assessing your skills of strategic thinking and problem solving. And it's not about gaining some awards, cheating or gambling.

If you need any further help or advice, feel free to reach out.

Best,

André

Was this answer helpful?
4
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 11, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I believe that the fact that is gamified is precisely to make it more friendly for everyone, don´t really thing that playing games gives you an advange here.

Cheers,

Clara

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous C replied on Aug 30, 2021

I actually only learnt about the game when HR called me for the 1st round interview. I also failed the game assessment and wasn't given any specific feedback. 

That said, I don't think the game gives an unfair advantage to the frequent gamer for 3 main reasons:

- While the platform is gamified, the content is simply solving 2 problems with given data, very similar to the case interview

-The assessment criteria weren't whether you win the game or not (I managed to create a viable ecosystem and defenced my plant for 15+ turns and still failed the assessment)

- I rarely play any game at all. 

 

Was this answer helpful?
0
Ian gave the best answer

Ian

Content Creator
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
1,095
Meetings
77,215
Q&A Upvotes
232
Awards
5.0
151 Reviews
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely