McKinsey Solve Assessment (2026 Guide)
The complete guide to McKinsey's digital assessment. What the games test, how to prepare, and what actually matters.
Key Takeaways
- →Solve tests cognitive abilities, not business knowledge—you can't study "content"
- →Red Rock Study (data analysis) is the core module—mental math fluency helps here
- →Take it when mentally fresh (morning, well-rested)—cognitive performance drops when tired
- →You cannot retake for 12 months—one shot matters
What is McKinsey Solve?
McKinsey Solve (formerly the Problem Solving Game or Imbellus assessment) is a gamified digital assessment that McKinsey uses to screen candidates before interviews. You complete it online, from home, after passing the resume screen.
Unlike traditional aptitude tests with multiple-choice questions, Solve uses interactive game-like scenarios to measure how you think. McKinsey designed it specifically to be difficult to "prep" for in traditional ways.
Quick Facts
Duration
60-70 minutes (2-3 modules)
Format
Online, from home, browser-based
Retake Policy
Cannot retake for 12 months
When
After resume screen, before interviews
What Solve Actually Measures
McKinsey has stated that Solve measures five core problem-solving dimensions. Understanding these helps you know what behaviors the games are looking for.
Critical Thinking
Can you evaluate information objectively, identify what's relevant, and draw logical conclusions? The games present data and require you to separate signal from noise.
Decision Making
Can you make sound decisions with incomplete information and under time pressure? You won't have all the data you want—you must decide anyway.
Meta-Cognition
Are you aware of your own thinking process? Do you recognize when you're uncertain and adjust? The games track how you explore options and revise your approach.
Situational Awareness
Can you understand complex systems and anticipate how changes ripple through them? Especially relevant in ecosystem-style games.
Systems Thinking
Can you see how parts connect to form a whole? Understand interdependencies? The games require optimizing across multiple variables simultaneously.
Key insight: None of these are about business knowledge or case frameworks. Solve tests raw cognitive abilities. Someone who has never heard of consulting can score well if they think clearly under pressure.
The Assessment Modules (2026)
McKinsey regularly updates Solve. As of 2026, most candidates receive two of these modules. The specific combination varies by office and candidate pool.
Red Rock Study (Data Analysis)
You play a researcher investigating a mystery (like disease spread or species decline). You must collect data, perform calculations, and answer questions about what the data shows.
What happens:
- You're given a research question to investigate
- You choose which data sources to examine (limited "budget")
- Data appears as charts, tables, or maps
- You must answer multiple-choice questions about findings
- Some questions require calculations (percentages, ratios, comparisons)
What it tests:
- Data interpretation speed
- Prioritization (which data to gather first)
- Mental math fluency
- Pattern recognition in data
Prep tip: This is where mental math practice actually helps. Being able to quickly calculate "what's 23% of 847?" saves time and reduces errors.
Sea Wolf / Ocean Cleanup
You must clean up ocean sites by selecting the right microbes. Each microbe has characteristics that make it effective for certain contaminants. You categorize and deploy them strategically.
What happens:
- Multiple ocean sites need cleanup
- Each site has specific contamination profiles
- You choose microbes based on their properties
- Time-limited decisions required
What it tests:
- Rapid categorization
- Rule application under pressure
- Decision accuracy vs. speed tradeoff
Ecosystem Building
The original Solve module. You build a sustainable ecosystem by placing species on a terrain. Each species has food requirements and predator/prey relationships. Being phased out but may still appear in some tracks.
What it tests:
- Systems thinking (food chain balance)
- Spatial reasoning (terrain placement)
- Constraint satisfaction (calorie requirements)
Note: This module is being phased out globally as of 2025-2026. Most candidates will not receive it, but some recruitment tracks may still include it.
Preparation Strategies
The Uncomfortable Truth
McKinsey intentionally designed Solve to resist traditional preparation. Unlike the PST (the old multiple-choice test), you cannot buy a prep book and grind through practice questions. The games measure underlying cognitive abilities that develop over years, not weeks.
What Actually Helps
1. Mental Math Fluency
The Red Rock module requires quick calculations. If you spend 30 seconds on every percentage calculation, you'll run out of time.
How to build it: Daily mental math drills for 15-20 minutes over 2-4 weeks. Focus on percentages, ratios, and large number division.
2. Data Interpretation Practice
Get comfortable reading charts and tables quickly. Practice extracting the key insight in under 30 seconds.
How to build it: Read Financial Times or Economist charts daily. For each chart, ask: "What's the trend? What's the anomaly? What's the implication?"
3. Cognitive Training Apps
Brain training apps develop the underlying skills Solve measures. They're not direct prep but build relevant cognitive capacities.
Options: Lumosity, Elevate, Peak, Fit Brains. 15-20 minutes daily for 2-4 weeks before your test.
4. Sleep and Timing
Cognitive performance drops significantly when tired. This is probably the highest-impact "prep" you can do.
Action: Take the test in the morning after 8+ hours of sleep. Don't schedule it after a long work day. Find a quiet space with no interruptions.
What Doesn't Help
- Paid "Solve prep" courses: Most are scams selling generic brain games at premium prices
- Trying to "game" the system: McKinsey tracks behavioral patterns, not just answers
- Memorizing "strategies": The games adapt and each instance is different
- Cramming the night before: Cognitive abilities don't improve overnight
Common Mistakes
Taking It While Tired
Many candidates schedule Solve after work or late at night. Cognitive performance drops 20-40% when fatigued. This is avoidable.
Rushing Without Reading
The games have instructions. Candidates who skip them make preventable mistakes. Take 30 seconds to understand what you're being asked.
Perfectionism
Some candidates spend too long optimizing each answer. Time management matters. A good answer submitted is better than a perfect answer you ran out of time for.
Technical Issues
Unstable internet, notifications popping up, roommates interrupting. Test your setup beforehand. Use a quiet space with reliable wifi.
Over-Preparing Strategy
Reading 10 articles about "how to beat Solve" creates anxiety and false expectations. The games are designed to be novel. Accept that.
Ignoring Time Warnings
The games show time remaining. Some candidates get absorbed and don't notice. Pace yourself and check periodically.
Day of the Test
Pre-Test Checklist
- 18+ hours of sleep the night before. Non-negotiable.
- 2Morning timing if possible. Most people are sharpest 2-4 hours after waking.
- 3Quiet space with no interruptions. Tell roommates/family not to disturb you.
- 4Test your setup - reliable internet, charged laptop, working browser.
- 5Light meal beforehand - not hungry, not stuffed. Brain needs glucose.
- 6Disable notifications on your computer. Put phone in another room.
What Happens After
After completing Solve, McKinsey's algorithm analyzes your results. You will not receive a score or detailed feedback. You'll simply hear whether you're moving forward to interviews or not.
Timeline
- Results: Usually within 1-2 weeks, sometimes faster
- If you pass: You'll be invited to first-round interviews
- If you don't pass: You cannot reapply for 12 months (and your Solve results may be reused)
Important: Solve results are shared across McKinsey offices. If you apply to multiple offices, you only take Solve once. The results follow your application.
Solve vs Other Firm Assessments
| Aspect | McKinsey Solve | BCG Casey | Bain SOVA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Gamified simulations | AI chatbot case study | Aptitude + video |
| Duration | 60-70 min | 25-30 min | 45-60 min |
| Tests | Cognitive abilities | Case solving skills | Aptitude + personality |
| Prep approach | Mental math, rest | Case practice | Practice tests |
Build Your Mental Math Speed
Mental math fluency is one of the few things that actually helps with Solve. Practice with CaseStar's timed drills.
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