McKinsey Solve Game 2026: Format, Scenarios & Prep Strategy
The McKinsey Solve Game is the first major hurdle in the McKinsey recruitment process, and it eliminates a large share of candidates before any human sees their file. This guide covers the Solve Game format in 2026, the current scenarios, the scoring approach, and a preparation strategy that works.
The Solve Game at a Glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total duration | Approximately 65 minutes (standard invite) |
| Scenarios | 2 modules: Redrock and Sea Wolf (longer invites add Sustainable Futures Lab) |
| Device | Desktop or laptop, Chrome or Firefox |
| Proctoring | Unproctored but monitored |
| Skills tested | Critical thinking, decision-making, systems thinking, pattern recognition |
The game was built by Imbellus and rolled out by McKinsey around 2019 to 2020, and it has evolved each year since. The underlying philosophy has not changed: the firm wants to measure cognitive traits that correlate with case interview performance.
What the Solve Game Tests
| Skill | How It Shows Up in the Game | How It Shows Up in a Case |
|---|---|---|
| Critical thinking | Working through a data study with interdependent variables | Breaking down a business problem |
| Decision-making | Choosing which action best fits the constraints | Prioritising areas to investigate |
| Systems thinking | Understanding how variables interact in a model | Seeing how business levers interact |
| Pattern recognition | Spotting relationships in noisy data | Reading trends in charts |
The overlap with case interview skills is not coincidental. McKinsey has publicly confirmed that the Solve Game measures the same cognitive muscles assessed during the McKinsey interview. Strong case preparation is strong Solve Game preparation.
The Current Scenarios
The standard invite in 2026 runs roughly 65 minutes and consists of two modules: Redrock and Sea Wolf. Longer invites (around 85 minutes) also include Sustainable Futures Lab. The older Ecosystem simulation has been largely phased out and is now rarely seen.
Redrock Study Scenario
Redrock is a data and reasoning study, and it is the centrepiece of the current assessment. You work with data tables, short passages, and charts to answer questions about a fictional natural-resource case. It is effectively a digital mini-case with a conservation or ecology frame. Redrock rewards careful reading, calibration with units, and fast arithmetic.
Sea Wolf Scenario
Sea Wolf is the second standard module. It puts you in a dynamic scenario where you make sequential decisions under shifting constraints, testing how well you adapt your strategy as conditions change. Like Redrock, it rewards clear reasoning and steady decision-making rather than raw speed.
Sustainable Futures Lab (longer invites)
Some candidates receive a longer invite that adds Sustainable Futures Lab. This module extends the assessment with additional reasoning and planning tasks built around sustainability themes.
Ecosystem Scenario (legacy)
Earlier versions of Solve included an Ecosystem simulation, where you built a sustainable food chain by selecting interdependent species under environmental constraints. This module has been largely phased out as of mid-2025 and is rarely used today, so most candidates will not encounter it.
Insider Tip: Redrock feels like a business case dressed in an ecology theme. Candidates who have done timed chart interpretation drills and mental maths usually score well without extra preparation.
Scoring and Thresholds
McKinsey does not publish Solve Game scores, and candidates are not told their exact result. Internal reports suggest the firm looks at both process metrics (how you moved through the game) and outcome metrics (the quality of your final answers). Rushing the game is penalised. Spending the full time on each scenario is not.
How to Prepare in 2 Weeks
| Days | Focus | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Data interpretation | 30 timed chart and table questions |
| 4-5 | Systems thinking | Strategy games plus structured reasoning practice |
| 6-7 | Mental maths | 20 minutes daily on percentages and ratios |
| 8-10 | Mixed scenarios | 2 mock timed sessions on similar platforms |
| 11-14 | Rest and refine | Target weak areas, sleep well before the test |
Build the Underlying Skills
You cannot practise the exact scenarios, but you can train the skills the game measures.
- Play strategy games that reward systems thinking, such as SimCity or Civilization.
- Practise interpreting tables and charts under a strict time limit.
- Practise making sequential decisions as constraints change, which is the core of Sea Wolf.
- Review applied mental maths, since Redrock in particular rewards fast arithmetic. See our mental maths for case interviews guide.
- Rehearse decision-making under time pressure. Every second you waste second-guessing is a second you do not spend on the answer.
Warning: Avoid paid "Solve Game simulators" from unknown vendors. Most are inaccurate, outdated, or reverse-engineered from unreliable reports. Your time is better spent on structured case practice.
Connection to Case Interviews
Preparing for the case interview is preparing for the Solve Game. The cognitive muscles are identical. If you are doing three cases a day, ten mental maths drills, and one brainstorming drill, you are already training for the game. Candidates who struggle with the game almost always struggle with cases too.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Rushing through scenarios. The platform rewards decision quality, not speed alone.
- Ignoring the problem description. Read the scenario carefully before acting.
- Forgetting basic arithmetic checks. Many Redrock errors are unit mistakes.
- Skipping rest the night before. Cognitive endurance matters across the full session.
- Preparing only for Redrock. Sea Wolf is part of the standard invite, so train sequential decision-making too.
FAQ
Can I pause the Solve Game?
No. Once you start, the timer runs until the scenario ends. Plan to sit for the full session, roughly 65 minutes on a standard invite, without interruption.
Which scenarios will I get?
Most candidates receive a standard invite with two modules: Redrock and Sea Wolf. Some receive a longer invite that also includes Sustainable Futures Lab. The older Ecosystem simulation has been largely phased out and is rarely seen today.
Is the Solve Game the same in every country?
The format is broadly consistent globally, though the exact module mix can vary by invite. Preparation should be country-agnostic.
How soon after applying do I get the game?
Usually within a week, though timing depends on the office and recruiting cycle.
What score do I need to pass?
McKinsey does not publish thresholds. Candidate reports suggest a meaningful margin above average is required to advance.
Further Reading
- McKinsey & Company, Leadership and Governance : background on the firm and its partnership.
- McKinsey Featured Insights, Featured insights archive : context on systems thinking and decision-making research.
- Management Consulted, Consulting careers resources : general guidance on consulting recruitment.
- Financial Times, McKinsey topic page : coverage of recruitment and assessment changes.
- Harvard Business Review, Consulting topic archive : broader context on assessment design in professional services.
Preparing for the Solve Game? CasingLab builds the exact cognitive skills McKinsey tests, with timed drills, chart interpretation, and mental maths sprints. CasingLab opens soon. Join the waitlist to get early access at launch.