McKinsey recruitment · problem-solving games

Guides to McKinsey's recruitment games

McKinsey & Company uses a suite of gamified problem-solving assessments as part of its hiring process. These guides break down each game's objective, scoring rules, and the strategy that maximizes your score — written by consultants who've sat the assessments. Use them alongside our Ecosystem Solver, Sea Wolf Solver, Sea Wolf Simulation, and the BCG Quant Simulation.

McKinsey Solve: the full process

The end-to-end McKinsey Solve assessment — what it is, how it's scored, and where it fits in the consulting recruitment funnel.

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Ecosystem (food chain) guide

Build the highest-calorie food chain. Producer selection, depth/temperature ranges, and the 8-species optimum — fully explained.

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Redrock study guide

The Redrock case study: research, analysis, and the report. How to read the data, structure hypotheses, and present findings under time pressure.

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BCG Quantitative Reasoning Test

BCG's 40-minute, 20-question numeracy screen — popular in the London office for experienced and MBA hires. Format, question types, and how it pairs with Casey.

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Sea Wolf guide

Select microbes with the right traits to treat contamination across three sites. Set filters, categorize species, build prospects, and pick the final three.

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Sustainable Future Labs guide

McKinsey's newest game: balance sustainability, cost, and throughput across competing priorities under uncertainty.

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Sea Wolf simulation guide

How to use a realistic timed Sea Wolf simulation: 3-site workflow, scoring review, practice runs, and when to switch to the solver.

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McKinsey Solve practice test plan

A one-week prep plan for Ecosystem, Sea Wolf, Redrock, and simulation practice — including what to review after each attempt.

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McKinsey Solve tips

Timing, scoring, and mistake-proofing tactics for the modules candidates are most likely to face in the Solve assessment.

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McKinsey's recruitment process

From application to offer: the full McKinsey hiring funnel, including Solve, case interviews, and the Personal Experience Interview (PEI).

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How to network to get into consulting

LinkedIn outreach, warm introductions, and how to chain conversations toward a referral — without being pushy. Message templates included.

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Practice with the solvers and simulation

Our pay-per-use tools implement the logic in these guides: solvers for optimal answers and a timed Sea Wolf simulation for realistic practice.