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McKinsey Solve, i failed one game and aced the rest - VERY nervous please answer

Interview McKinsey McKinsey McKinsey & Company McKinsey problem solving game
New answer on Oct 01, 2022
7 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Sep 25, 2022

Hi everyone,

 

i just took the PSG yesterday, i finished the ecosystem in about 23 minutes, i think i did good… but in the plant defense i failed the first game ( plant killed at round 14 ) because i did not understand how the game worked 😔 but in the second round i got around 29 rounds and the third one at 32 rounds.

 

any one had a similar situation ? Would they fail me in the Psg if i failed one round ( especially that it’s the easiest) ? 
 

 

(edited)

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Sep 25, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

It's hard to say though you're unlikely to be eliminated solely because of this. Ultimately, your application is assessed holistically (overall background, resume, networking/referral, psg).

Also, remember your odds are 5-10% (general odds of applications). So, regardless, please set expectations! You are far more likely to not get an offer than get one at the end of the day…just like the lottery you can't get upset (or blame yourself) if you don't win…you're in the vast majority of people!

Please please apply to other companies (I applied to 30+ during my recruiting period) .This is the best way to not be nervous!

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Cristian
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replied on Sep 26, 2022
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there, 

If you had a low performance on only one part of the game, you're unlikely to be rejected. Not only that, but the Solve game is judged together with CV and CL in most offices in order to decide whether to progress you to the interviews. So don't be afraid that you need to perform distinctively at all elements of the game. 

Best of luck and hope you get good news soon!
Cristian

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Florian
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replied on Sep 26, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hi there,

What matters is that you improved in rounds 2 and 3. 

You should know soon!

Fingers crossed for a positive outcome :-)

Florian

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Emily
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Content Creator
replied on Sep 26, 2022
Ex McKinsey EM & interviewer (5 yrs) USA & UK| Coached / interviewed 300 +|Free 15 min intro| Stanford MBA|Non-trad

Don't worry! The game is taken in conjunction with your CV and cover letter. As it was just one game which didn't go well, I'd be really surprised if this caused a problem for you. Good luck!

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Sophia
Expert
replied on Sep 26, 2022
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| 6+ years of coaching

Hello,

Don't worry, it's very unlikely that your application will be automatically rejected just because you failed one round of the PSG! Applications are assessed holistically, so your performance (+ your improvement) in all rounds will be taken into account, as well as your CV and cover letter. Best of luck!

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Pedro
Expert
replied on Sep 28, 2022
30% off in April 2024 | Bain | EY-Parthenon | Roland Berger | Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

There's a reason why you have multiple rounds. Round 1 you're learning and can be lucky or unlucky. For round 2-3 it's about learning from your mistakes.

Of course having a good result on all three rounds is definitely better. But doing 1 bad round does not automatically eliminate you.

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Clara
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replied on Oct 01, 2022
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

 

Fingers crossed for you! It's really hard to tell without seeing the score. Also remember that the pass/non pass is not only the test, but the application in whole. 

Cheers, 

Clara

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Ian gave the best answer

Ian

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