Short answer
McKinsey Solve, formerly the Problem Solving Game, is a gamified online assessment of data analysis, pattern recognition and systems thinking. For the 2026 cycle, candidates report updated simulation scenarios, Redrock as a standard component, and revised scoring dimensions. The test runs in a browser and takes about 60-70 minutes, so prepare for the current games.
Key takeaways
- Solve measures how you reason through interactive simulations, not what you know about business.
- Candidates report that Redrock is now standard and that scenarios and scoring dimensions were revised for the 2026 cycle.
- Preparation should target the current game mechanics, supported by chart-reading and mental math practice.
In this article
Part ofWhat Is McKinsey Solve? A Guide to Redrock, Sea Wolf and SFL
The McKinsey Solve assessment (formerly the Problem Solving Game or PSG) is a gamified online evaluation that tests data analysis, pattern recognition, and systems thinking. In the 2026 recruiting cycle, McKinsey introduced significant changes to the assessment format, including updated simulation scenarios and revised scoring dimensions.
If you are targeting McKinsey in 2026, the Solve assessment is almost certainly your first hurdle. We reviewed industry reports and candidate accounts from the current recruiting cycle to map out exactly what changed, what stayed the same, and how to adjust your preparation. This guide reflects findings from the DrillCase team as of June 2026.
What Is the McKinsey Solve Assessment?
McKinsey Solve is a gamified online assessment that replaces the traditional pen-and-paper Problem Solving Test (PST). Instead of multiple-choice business questions, Solve uses interactive simulations that measure how you think — not what you know. The assessment runs in your web browser and takes approximately 60-70 minutes to complete.
The assessment evaluates candidates on cognitive abilities that McKinsey considers predictive of consulting success: critical thinking, decision making under uncertainty, situational awareness, and quantitative reasoning. Unlike the BCG Casey assessment, which tests case-specific skills, McKinsey Solve is closer to a cognitive aptitude test wrapped in game-like scenarios.
DrillCase tracks format changes across all major consulting firm assessments. Our McKinsey Solve simulator helps you build the analytical thinking patterns tested in Solve, while our chart interpretation drills develop the data fluency the assessment demands.
What Changed in 2026
McKinsey updates Solve regularly, and the 2026 recruiting cycle brought several notable changes. Based on candidate reports from fall 2025 through spring 2026 recruiting, here is what candidates describe:
| Dimension | Previous Format | 2026 Format |
|---|---|---|
| Primary simulations | Ecosystem Game + Redrock (beta) | Ecosystem Game + Redrock (fully integrated) |
| Redrock status | Pilot in select offices | Standard component globally |
| Scoring dimensions | 5 cognitive dimensions | Revised to emphasize decision quality under time pressure |
| Time allocation | ~60 minutes | ~60-70 minutes (Redrock adds time) |
| Ecosystem complexity | Standard food chain | Expanded with new species and environmental variables |
| Interface | Web-based | Web-based (minor UI updates) |
Redrock Simulation Breakdown
The Redrock simulation presents you with a geological scenario where you must analyze rock formations, identify mineral deposits, and make extraction recommendations under constraints. This is not testing geology knowledge — it is testing your ability to process visual data, identify patterns, and make decisions with incomplete information.
What Redrock Tests
- Pattern recognition: Identifying repeating structures across visual data sets.
- Spatial reasoning: Understanding how 2D representations map to 3D structures.
- Decision making under uncertainty: Choosing extraction points with imperfect geological data.
- Time management: Balancing thoroughness with speed across multiple scenarios.
Strategies for Redrock
Candidates who scored highest on Redrock reported using systematic scanning patterns rather than intuitive visual inspection. Start from one corner, scan horizontally, identify recurring patterns, then map anomalies. Do not spend more than 60% of allocated time on analysis — reserve 40% for decisions and submission.
Ecosystem Simulation Guide
The Ecosystem Game remains the core Solve simulation. You are presented with an ecological system — typically a food chain with 8-12 species — and must select species to create a sustainable ecosystem within environmental constraints.
2026 Updates to Ecosystem
The 2026 version expands the species pool and introduces new environmental variables (seasonal variation, habitat fragmentation) that create more complex interdependencies. The core logic remains the same: build a balanced food chain. But the increased variables mean that brute-force trial and error is less viable than in previous versions.
Approach Framework
- Map the food chain first: Before placing any species, identify producer-consumer relationships across all options.
- Check environmental constraints: Some species require specific terrain, temperature, or rainfall conditions that limit placement.
- Balance energy flow: Ensure each trophic level has sufficient energy input from the level below. Over-stacking predators leads to collapse.
- Test stability: A sustainable ecosystem should survive the full simulation period. If species go extinct mid-simulation, you have a balance issue.
How to Prepare
McKinsey Solve tests cognitive abilities that are built over weeks and months, not crammed in a weekend. Our recommended preparation timeline:
| Week | Focus | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Foundation | Daily chart interpretation practice, pattern recognition exercises, mental math drills |
| 3-4 | Simulation practice | Ecosystem-style logic puzzles, spatial reasoning exercises, timed decision scenarios |
| 5-6 | Full integration | Complete practice assessments under timed conditions, review errors systematically |
McKinsey's gamified format makes pixel-exact replication impossible, but our McKinsey Solve simulator rebuilds the parts that matter — Redrock-style data analysis, Sea Wolf, and the Sustainable Futures Lab — and runs them under the real time limits. Working through them develops the habits Solve rewards: reading a dense exhibit quickly, holding a defensible structure while the data shifts, and committing to an answer before the timer expires.
Supplement with chart interpretation practice for data fluency and mental math drills for quantitative speed. DrillCase updates its practice material when candidates report format changes.
Frequently asked questions
Is McKinsey Solve the same as the Problem Solving Game?
Yes. McKinsey Solve is the current name for what was previously called the Problem Solving Game (PSG) or McKinsey Digital Assessment. McKinsey rebranded the assessment but the core format — gamified simulations testing data analysis, pattern recognition, and systems thinking — remains the foundation. The 2026 version includes updated scenarios and revised scoring dimensions.
How long is the McKinsey Solve assessment?
The McKinsey Solve assessment takes approximately 60-70 minutes to complete. It consists of multiple mini-games, each with its own time limit. The two primary simulations — the Ecosystem Game and the Redrock Scenario — each take roughly 25-35 minutes. Candidates also encounter shorter supplementary exercises depending on the office and role.
What is the pass rate for McKinsey Solve?
McKinsey does not publish official pass rates, and we have not found an estimate based on disclosed data, so we do not quote one. The outcome varies by office, role level, and recruiting cycle. The assessment is designed to be challenging — it tests cognitive abilities that are difficult to improve through short-term cramming, which is why early, structured preparation matters.
Is Redrock now a standard part of McKinsey Solve?
Candidates in the 2026 cycle report that Redrock moved from a pilot in select offices to a standard component alongside the ecosystem game. If your preparation materials predate 2026 and do not cover Redrock, close that gap before test day.
Sources
This article predates our citation policy and does not yet list external sources. Format details reflect candidate reports at the time of writing. See our editorial policy.