Hi all!
I'm pretty sure the title explains it all; I'm a strong candidate in most other ways, and have met a lot of people at my target office who are excited by my candidacy. I've also been referred for a summer associate (MBA) position by a partner at the firm. I'm a super-URM, too.
However, logic games have never been my strongest suit, and I'm worried I might not perform up to par. Does this datapoint trump all the others? Or do I still have a prayer of getting an interview?
In general, online assessment tests during a recruiting process mostly have downside for the candidate. Meaning that an amazing score won't give you brownie points for passing the following rounds (or really compensate for a “weak” CV). A poor score, however, can be the criterion that filters you out from the process.
If “logic games” are currently a weak flank for you, then you know what you need to do when preparing for the interview process.
Best of luck
Hi there,
1) Will a partner referral, strong GPA / MBA program compensate for a poor McKinsey Game Performance?
In some cases the game is assessed together with your application material, while in others the screening is done earlier. But in any case, if your performance is poor you are not likely to pass.
2) Or do I still have a prayer of getting an interview?
As for most tests, you can prepare and increase your chances.
You can find an article on the game below with a few tips:
▶ McKinsey Problem Solving Game Article
If you want to prepare further, you can find below a video simulation with:
You can check the video simulation at the following link - full disclosure, I am the author:
▶ McKinsey PSG Solve Video Simulation
For any other questions please let me know.
Good luck!
Francesco
Hey there,
The simple answer is: It does not matter.
If someone tells you that a strong resume and referrals compensate for a poor Solve Game performance, would you try less hard on the game?
Either way, you need to perform at your best for every step of the recruiting process and disregard everything else.
The longer answer is that it depends on the office. There are 3 possibilities:
Regardless of what category you fall into, don't strategize as you want to perform at your best in any scenario.
If you then move to the interviews, check out the articles I wrote on them:
All the best,
Florian
It is unfortunately important to pass that threshold. That is something you can practice, however, and it is much easier to change that coming from a LRM and not having a referral…
It depends, usually they rate your overall situation.
If you perform poorly in the Game but you have a degree in Mathematics from a top university, you can be saved, maybe.
Hi there,
Maybe.
It depends on how bad you perform. Did only 4 species survive? You're likely out of luck. Did all but 1 survive? Looking better.
Do as well as you can. Always. It's really that simple!
If you're worried, invest in yourself. Buy the Imbellus guide from Francesco. Buy the game simulation from other sites. Make this not a problem by putting the time, money, and effort into it.
They are all taken into consideration. But if it rather low, you are unlikely to get the interview. You can't be terrible, you have to at least be “good”.
Unfortunately, this is a very important data point and considering it’s the very first stage of the screening process, if you don’t clear the cutoff of these tests, you are probably not going to make it. No partner referral can help you bypass this
