move you make in the application process counts. You’ve polished your resume and refined your cover letter, and now you’re about to face the first real test—a test that will set the tone for your entire journey. It’s not just any test; it’s a game designed to challenge your thinking, and your problem-solving abilities, right from the start. Every click you make counts on how you will be perceived.
As you prepare to take on this challenge, the weight of its importance bears down on you. This is no ordinary assessment, and the competition is intense. You can’t afford to take any chances. How do you ensure that you not only pass this initial test but also make a strong impression that carries you forward?
The key lies in understanding exactly what this challenge entails, preparing diligently, and sharpening the skills that will give you a competitive edge. Let’s break down this test, how it works, and what you must do to excel.
What is the McKinsey Problem Solve Game?
The McKinsey Problem Solve Game, often called the Digital Assessment or Solve Game, is an innovative tool used by McKinsey & Company to assess candidates early in their recruitment process. This isn’t your typical test. Instead of answering standard multiple-choice questions or writing essays, you’re immersed in a series of interactive mini-games designed to evaluate your problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and decision-making abilities.
That’s a bit of the trend I described in the “getting the so what” article.
Each mini-game within the Problem Solve Game presents you with complex, real-world scenarios that consultants might encounter in their work. The challenges require you to think quickly, strategize, and make decisions under pressure. But it’s not just about reaching the correct solution—how you approach the problem, the strategy you use, and the decisions you make along the way are just as important.
Let’s dive in these games.
What are the PSG mini-games?
The McKinsey Problem Solve Game consists of different mini-games, each designed to test different aspects of your cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills. As mentioned before, these games simulate challenges you might encounter in a consulting role. Typically, each candidate will be presented to two games.
Currently, there are two games that most candidates will encounter:
#1 Ecosystem Building: this game involves managing an ecosystem where you need to balance factors like food sources, predators, and environmental conditions to ensure the ecosystem thrives. It tests your strategic thinking and ability to manage complex, interconnected variables. Check out the picture below to realize how species are presented in the game:
#2 Redrock Study: more recently introduced, Redrock goal is to predict the evolution of a population in an island. It is divided into four parts: investigation, analysis, reporting, and then answering to some questions. Below you can find two screenshots of PSG Cracked’s Redrock Simulator:
In addition to these two, in June 2024 McKinsey has introduced a new game: the Ocean Cleanup. It is still in beta testing, and you will be asked to manage resources and strategies to clean up ocean waste. It has been increasingly appearing in assessments.
While some candidates might still encounter the older Plant Defense, this game has become less common and is nearly phased out.
5 Tips to Excel in the McKinsey Problem Solve Game
Excelling in the McKinsey PSG requires more than just quick thinking; it demands strategic preparation and a clear understanding of what the game entails. Here are five tips to help you succeed:
- Understand the scoring criteria: McKinsey evaluates not just the final outcomes of your decisions but also the process you use to reach them. This means that your approach, logical reasoning, and ability to adapt to new information are all critical. As we mentioned above, even your mouse clicks impact your evaluation. Focus on making well-reasoned decisions and be mindful of how you manage resources and time, as these factors can significantly impact your score.
- Be strategic with your time: it is crucial! You need to combine speed with accuracy, ensuring that you don’t rush through decisions but also don’t spend too much time on any one task. Practice pacing yourself during your preparation to ensure that you can handle the game’s time constraints effectively. More on this below.
- Stay calm under pressure: PSG is designed to test how you perform in hard conditions like a consultant does. During the game, you’ll be faced with complex problems that need to be solved quickly. Developing techniques to manage stress, such as deep breathing or breaking down problems into smaller, manageable parts, can help you maintain clarity and focus.
- Practice, practice, practice: the importance of preparation cannot be overstated. Familiarize yourself with the types of mini-games you might encounter, especially Ecosystem Building and Redrock Study, as these are the most common. Practicing similar problem-solving exercises in multiple scenarios will help you get comfortable with the game’s format and the kind of thinking it requires. There are practice tools available online, like PSG Cracked’s solver and simulations that reproduce these types of challenges and using them can give you a significant edge.
- Review and learn from your mistakes: after practicing, take the time to review your performance critically. Identify where you struggled and understand why certain strategies didn’t work. Learning from your mistakes is key to improving and ensuring that you don’t repeat them when it matters.
Take action and adopt these tips and prepare thoroughly. You’ll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of the McKinsey Problem Solve Game and demonstrate the skills that McKinsey is looking for.
You can do it!
The PSG gamified part of McKinsey’s recruitment process. It tests your skills in a dynamic and engaging way. To excel in the game, thorough preparation is essential. Practicing different scenarios is the single most important step you can take to improve your chances of success. Remember, McKinsey isn’t just looking for the right answers: they’re looking at how you approach problems, make decisions, and adapt to changing situations.
As the first step in your journey to joining McKinsey, acing the Problem Solve Game can set a strong foundation for the rest of the selection process. With the right preparation and mindset, you can not only tackle this challenge but also showcase the skills that will make you a standout candidate.
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