Solve, the McKinsey Problem Solving Game: Ace this Assessment
- Last Updated May, 2023
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20,606 Views
If you’re planning to interview with McKinsey, you will find yourself playing a video game as part of your recruiting process. Solve, Mckinsey’s “digital gamified assessment,” is designed to test your problem-solving skills in a fun & intuitive way.
This game goes by different names including Solve, the McKinsey problem solving game, and the McKinsey digital assessment. Whatever you call it, you need to know what this game is and how to prepare for it.
In this article, we’ve curated insights and tips from our coaches, who are former MBB recruiters, consultants, and interviewers. By the end of the article, you’ll be better prepared for the McKinsey Solve game as we:
If this is your first visit to MCO – head to Case Interview Preparation for an intro to the management consulting interview process.
Let’s get started!
The video game assessment begins with the following prompt:
“Imagine yourself in a beautiful, serene forest populated by many kinds of wildlife. As you take in the flora and fauna, you learn about an urgent matter demanding your attention.”
The McKinsey problem solving game has 5 possible scenarios. Candidates will have 70 minutes to solve tasks in 2 of the scenarios. The scenarios are:
Working through each of these scenarios takes the candidate through the life-cycle of a case, from understanding the problem to be solved, to collecting then analyzing data, to making a decision with limited time and imperfect information, and then recommending a solution.
Task: Create a stable ecosystem. It could be marine-based or terrestrial.
Task: Protect a native plant against an invader species for 6 turns by using predators and barriers. The difficulty increases with each turn.
Scenario 3: Disaster Management
Task: Identify the natural disaster such as a tsunami or volcanic eruption which has hit the ecosystem. Help the animals survive the disaster.
To win: Quickly identify the disaster and react to it.
Task: Identify a disease affecting the animals and recommend a course of treatment.
To win: Quickly identify the type of disease and react to it.
Task: Migrate the group of animals from one point to another utilizing minimum resources and ensuring maximum animals survive.
To win: Keep a track of the resources and surviving animals as you navigate through various routes.
A tutorial is provided before each scenario. The time you spend on the tutorials is not timed, so spend as long as you need to ensure you understand your task and the data provided.
The tutorial provides suggestions for how long to spend on each task, but you have the flexibility to manage your own time. Tasks in the 1st scenario typically take longer than tasks in the 2nd scenario, so take that into account as you plan your time.
Imbellus has stated that they did not design the test to create a time constraint. Some people report having time left over at the end of the 70 minutes. Others feel pressed for time at the end.
No advanced preparation for the test is required. Neither business knowledge nor gaming experience is required. The game provides all the information candidates need
The McKinsey problem solving game has been rolled out globally. Larger offices like London allow candidates to take the test from a computer at home.
Candidates from both undergraduate and graduate-level programs are being asked to take it, as are experienced-hire candidates.
Since one of the main benefits of the game is its ability to screen applicants in places where McKinsey doesn’t currently conduct interviews, applicants from non-core schools are almost certain to be asked to the McKinsey problem solving game.
McKinsey says that no additional preparation is required to take the assessment. There’s a tutorial at the beginning of each of the prompts that will tell you what you need to know.
With that said, having a general sense of what to expect will help candidates perform their best. Take a look at the resources provided below.
When you take the digital assessment, relax and let yourself absorb the game world, the information you’re provided, and the problem that you’re asked to solve. You are allowed to take notes during the assessment and the notes will not be used for evaluation purposes, so bring a pen and paper.
For a video introduction to the digital assessment tool, you can watch this video.
For more information about the test, read this article.
And if you really want to geek out, there’s this abstract.
Still have questions about the McKinsey Problem Solving Game?
If you have further questions on the McKinsey Solve game, leave them in the comments below. We’ll have one of MyConsultingOffer.org’s coaches provide more information.
Also, let us know if you’re asked to take the digital assessment. We’d love to know what you think of it!
People who are interested in the McKinsey Solve game typically find the following other My Consulting Offer pages helpful:
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