The McKinsey Solve is a 60-70 minute online assessment that uses gamified scenarios to evaluate problem-solving ability. It replaced the McKinsey PST (Problem Solving Test) in 2020 and is typically required before interview rounds (coverage and format vary by region and intake year — confirm with your McKinsey recruiter).
| Duration | 60-70 minutes total |
| Format | 2 gamified scenarios (order varies) |
| Where | Online, proctored via webcam |
| Pass Rate | Top 20-30% of candidates (estimated) |
| Retake Policy | Once per application cycle (typically 2 years) |
| Former Name | Imbellus, PSG (Problem Solving Game) |
Note: McKinsey retired the Ecosystem Building scenario globally in mid-2025. Candidates today see Sea Wolf and Redrock Study. Older prep materials that describe "picking 8 species from 39" are referencing the retired format.
Given a set of microbes with different properties, select the combinations that perform best across multiple ocean sites. Each site has distinct conditions — you iterate on your choices and refine based on how combinations perform.
A research and data-interpretation task: work through written information, charts, and tables to answer a series of multi-step questions about a conservation-style scenario. More analytical and less visual than Sea Wolf.
McKinsey is reportedly piloting a third Solve module, Sustainable Future Lab, starting in early 2026. It is a behavioral, scenario-based simulation focused on decision-making under uncertainty in a sustainability-framed team context — rather than the quantitative data work seen in Redrock or Sea Wolf.
Separately, McKinsey has reportedly begun piloting a Lilli-based AI case interview at select US final rounds. This is a distinct assessment from Solve, currently described as non-evaluative, and available at only a few offices. See the full guide for details.
The Solve assesses 5 cognitive abilities that predict consulting success:
| Ability | How It's Tested |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Evaluating data, identifying constraints, spotting weak assumptions |
| Decision Making | Choosing microbe combinations (Sea Wolf) or picking interpretations (Redrock) |
| Meta Cognition | Adapting strategy when initial approach fails |
| Situational Awareness | Tracking how conditions differ between sites / datasets |
| Systems Thinking | Understanding interactions between variables in the scenario |
McKinsey provides a practice environment when you receive your assessment link. No third-party tool perfectly replicates the actual games, but general puzzle games and systems-thinking exercises help build relevant skills.
You can typically retake it after 2 years (one application cycle). Some offices may have different policies. Your case interview skills remain valuable for other consulting firms that don't use this assessment.
Different, not necessarily harder. The PST was a multiple-choice math and logic test. The Solve tests different cognitive abilities through interactive scenarios. Some candidates find the gamified format less stressful than timed math problems.
Yes. Your webcam records you during the assessment. You cannot pause, go back, or use external resources. Ensure stable internet and a quiet environment.
After passing the Solve, you'll face case interviews and PEI. Practice both with AI-powered simulations.
Start Practicing