Short answer
McKinsey Solve has changed several times. Candidates report that Redrock replaced Plant Defense in 2023, Sea Wolf arrived in 2024, the Ecosystem game was phased out in most locations in 2025, and the Sustainable Futures Lab was added to longer invitations in 2026. Your invitation length now tells you which games to expect.
Key takeaways
- Current invitations reportedly run Redrock and Sea Wolf (65 minutes), plus the Sustainable Futures Lab on 85-minute invitations.
- Older guides built around the Ecosystem game or Plant Defense describe games most candidates no longer see.
- McKinsey's own FAQ confirms only that the invitation sets the length and lists banned tools; the game list comes from candidate reports.
In this article
Part ofWhat Is McKinsey Solve? A Guide to Redrock, Sea Wolf and SFL
McKinsey Solve changes more often than most prep material admits. This page is a dated log of what has changed, where each report comes from and what it means for your preparation. For how each game works, read the McKinsey Solve guide.
The change log
| When | Change | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earlier FAQ | McKinsey describes a 70-minute "Problem Solving Game" | Confirmed (McKinsey) | McKinsey, earlier FAQ |
| ~2022 | Renamed "Solve" | Reported | Harvard FAS Career Services |
| Feb 2023 | Redrock replaces Plant Defense as the second game | Reported | PrepLounge forum |
| 2024 | Sea Wolf launched | Reported | Prepmatter |
| Mid to late 2025 | Ecosystem Building phased out in most locations | Reported | Prepmatter, MConsultingPrep |
| Aug 2025 | McKinsey's FAQ says the invitation sets the length and lists banned tools, including AI | Confirmed (McKinsey) | McKinsey Solve FAQ |
| Early 2026 | Sustainable Futures Lab added on 85-minute invitations | Reported | Hacking the Case Interview, MConsultingPrep, MyConsultingCoach |
| 2026 | Early reports of 95-minute invitations with a longer SFL | Early reports | Solve Games Guide, StrategyCase |
What the current games are
| Game | What you do (reported) | Reported time |
|---|---|---|
| Redrock Study | Collect data on a species study, calculate, complete a report, then answer short standalone cases | About 35 minutes |
| Sea Wolf | Choose microbes for contaminated sites so each site's conditions are met | About 30 minutes |
| Sustainable Futures Lab | Scenario questions about priorities, trade-offs and teamwork | About 20 minutes (a 30-minute version is reported) |
What the changes mean for your preparation
- Read your invitation length first. 65 minutes most likely means Redrock and Sea Wolf; 85 minutes adds the Sustainable Futures Lab.
- Check the date on your prep material. A guide built around the Ecosystem game or Plant Defense describes a test most candidates no longer take.
- Practice the current mechanics. Redrock rewards collecting only the data you need and leaving time for the short cases. Sea Wolf is an averaging problem; our Sea Wolf averaging rule article explains it. The Lab is judgement, not arithmetic.
- Use only the game's own tools. McKinsey's rules forbid outside calculators, apps, websites, AI tools and prepared notes; see calculator rules.
How we keep this log current
We re-check each row on the "last verified" date at the top of the page. If your invitation or your games differ from this log, tell us through the contact on our editorial policy page and we will check it.
DrillCase's McKinsey Solve-style practice has 10 Redrock-style studies, 10 Sustainable Futures Lab-style sets, a Sea Wolf-style game played as unlimited generated runs, and keeps 2 Ecosystem games only as an archive, with one scenario free to try. It is practice material, not McKinsey's game.
Frequently asked questions
Is McKinsey Solve the same as the Problem Solving Game?
Yes. McKinsey's earlier FAQ described a 70-minute Problem Solving Game, and candidates report it was renamed Solve around 2022. The games inside it have changed since, so the name is the same but the content is not.
How long is McKinsey Solve now?
McKinsey's current FAQ says the length is set in your invitation email. Candidates report 65 minutes for Redrock and Sea Wolf, and 85 minutes when the Sustainable Futures Lab is added. Early 2026 reports mention 95-minute invitations with a longer version of the Lab. Check your invitation first.
Is the Ecosystem game still part of Solve?
Rarely. Prep sites report that Ecosystem Building was phased out in most locations during 2025 and replaced by Sea Wolf. Some older guides and some practice tools still center on it. It is worth knowing, but it should not be the focus of your preparation.
What is the pass rate for McKinsey Solve?
McKinsey does not publish pass rates, and we have not found an estimate based on disclosed data, so we do not quote one. Our McKinsey Solve score explainer separates what is documented from what is estimated.
Practice what you just read
Rehearse Redrock, Sea Wolf and the Lab on a clock
Solve rewards candidates who already know where everything is on the screen. DrillCase's scenarios follow the working layout candidates describe (investigation menu, exhibits, research journal, timer), so on test day your attention goes to the numbers.
- Solve-style scenarios
- 21
- Redrock-style studies
- 10
- free demo scenario
- 1
- 10 Redrock-style studies, 10 Sustainable Futures Lab-style sets, a Sea Wolf-style game with unlimited generated runs, and an archive of 2 Ecosystem games
- Timed sessions with a built-in tutorial on the first screen
- 1 demo scenario is free, so you can check the fit first
Solve VIP ($159) carries a 7-day money-back guarantee, even if used; Basic is final sale. Refund policy. DrillCase is independent practice material and is not affiliated with McKinsey, BCG or Bain.
Sources
- McKinsey & Company: Solve FAQs, September 2026 (PDF)
- McKinsey & Company: earlier Problem Solving Game FAQ (PDF)
- PrepLounge forum: What games are in the current version of McKinsey's PSG? (April 2023)
- Prepmatter: What's new in McKinsey Solve (November 2025)
- Hacking the Case Interview: McKinsey Solve, the complete guide (updated June 2026)
- MConsultingPrep: McKinsey Problem Solving Game (digital assessment)
- MyConsultingCoach: McKinsey Problem Solving Game
- StrategyCase: McKinsey Solve guide
- Solve Games Guide: 65 vs 85 minutes and the SFL
- Harvard FAS Career Services: What is the McKinsey Solve game