I recently took McKinsey solve for pre MBA Early Access. My experiences below and would love to hear experiences from others:
1. I didn't need to complete it before internship recruiting though I asked for an extension since I am in the middle of a M&A event for work so felt obligated to take it
2. I had read up about it, looked through the Ecosystem reviews etc. Though did not take any sample simulations etc.
3. I had a template I had created to solve it or essentially focus on the most important factors for ecosystem
4. I was using 2 laptops and using one for data entry; I recognized the producers quickly along with the ideal ecosystem using the top 3 factors. Finding the animals took me a long time but I filtered effectively I thought
5. I was running short on time at the end so guessed 1 or two species based on my table. It was still filtered using my conditions but maybe not the most accurate analysis
6. I actually found the red rocks piece of it fairly straightforward. I used my laptop and entered the data points I thought to be important. I actually read the questions before delving into the tables etc.
7. My organization could have been better wrt providing what I was looking at, data points used. Not great labeling etc but the important highlights
8. I used Excel and am a fairly proficient Excel user so found the questions to be relatively easy to solve once you knew exactly what was being asked
9. I was short on time but finished all questions, I may have misunderstood a couple but ⅔ minutes per case question is challenging especially with the amount of data thrown your way
10. The online calculator is terrible and I tried to use it as little as possible . Maybe that is a mistake?
What were other people's thoughts?
Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview
20
Experiences with McKinsey Solve?
2
1.3k

Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer

Cristian
on Apr 22, 2024
Coach
Top MBB Coach | Most Awarded ex-McKinsey Coach on the platform
Overall, it sounds like you did well. Congrats!
And I hope you'll hear back soon.
With most offices, they will review the results of the test together with the CV, CL and the referral (if applicable) and that can take a few days.
Best,
Cristian
0 comments

Pedro
on Apr 24, 2024
Coach
Most Senior Coach @ Preplounge: Bain | EY-Parthenon | RB | Principal level interviewer | PEI Expert | 30% in October
On point 10. that is the usual feedback, that the online calculator is not very good.
Similar Questions
Most Popular Posts
McKinsey: Prestige differences based on office location?
11
on Oct 07, 2025
Global
7
200+

Top answer by
Udayan
Coach
Top Rated MBB coach | 300+ Real MBB offers | McKinsey Engagement Manager in NYC |15 Years Interviewing Experience
7 Answers
200+ Views
K

+4
Applying to another role at BCG after receiving rejection
11
on Oct 10, 2025
Asia
7
100+

Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
Globally top-ranked MBB coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience
7 Answers
100+ Views


+4
Leadership examples PEI question MCK
11
on Oct 10, 2025
Europe
7
100+

Top answer by
Pedro
Coach
Most Senior Coach @ Preplounge: Bain | EY-Parthenon | RB | Principal level interviewer | PEI Expert | 30% in October
7 Answers
100+ Views

K
+4
Teneo Consulting TestGorilla Math Assessment Prep
19
on Oct 11, 2025
USA
3
400+

Top answer by
Jenny
Coach
Buy 1 get 1 free for 1st time clients | Ex-McKinsey Manager & Interviewer | +7 yrs Coaching | Go from good to great
3 Answers
400+ Views


Final question to ask to the interviewer, MCK
10
on Oct 12, 2025
Europe
6
100+

Top answer by
Seongyun
Coach
Current OW Interviewer | Offers from McKinsey, OW, All Big 4 Strategy Houses | CV & Cover Letter Review
6 Answers
100+ Views


+3