McKinsey Solve Game (2026): The Complete Preparation Guide
Everything you need to know about the McKinsey Problem Solving Game — updated February 2026
Contents
You've polished your CV, secured a referral, and applied to McKinsey. Then out of nowhere, you learn that the first stage of the process involves playing a digital game.
Yes — McKinsey now uses a gamified assessment to evaluate your problem-solving skills. Instead of a traditional written test, you'll be working with wolves, microbes, and data to prove you can think like a consultant.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about the McKinsey Solve Game so you can walk into test day fully prepared. You can also start practicing right away with our AI Simulator.
Do You Want to Play the McKinsey Game in Advance? 🎯
We offer full simulations to play the Sea Wolf and Redrock games before your real test. This is the first and only AI-supported McKinsey Solve Simulator on the market — replicating the actual assessment with AI-powered scoring and feedback. Plus, you're backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
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What is the McKinsey Solve Game?
The McKinsey Solve Game — also known as the Imbellus, PSG, McKinsey Digital Assessment, or gamified assessment — is a digital test where candidates play 2 games in 65 minutes to demonstrate their consulting problem-solving skills.
The game was originally developed by a company called Imbellus (later acquired by Roblox in 2020). McKinsey has since rebranded it as "Solve" and iterated on the format multiple times.
As of February 2026, the assessment consists of exactly two games: the Redrock Study and the Sea Wolf (Ocean Treatment). If your invitation email indicates 65 minutes, you'll take only these two games.
Note: If your test invitation indicates 110 minutes, you may still need to complete the older Ecosystem Management game, which is being phased out as of mid-2025. Most candidates in 2026 report receiving only the 65-minute version.
The key takeaway: focus your preparation on the Redrock Study and Sea Wolf games. The other mini-games (Ecosystem, Plant Defense, Disaster Management, Disease Management, Migration Management) are no longer actively used. Ready to start? Practice with our AI Simulator now.
Current Games in the McKinsey Problem Solving Game
McKinsey currently uses two games in the Solve assessment:
Redrock Study
A data-heavy, calculation-focused game with 4 phases. You analyze animal populations on an island using math, percentages, and data interpretation. 35 minutes.
Sea Wolf (Ocean Treatment)
A microbe selection and categorization game across 3 ocean sites. You pick microbes to cleanse ocean sections based on attributes and traits. 30 minutes.
You'll always take the Redrock Study first, followed by the Sea Wolf game. Let's dive into the details of each.
McKinsey Redrock Study — How Does It Work?
The Redrock Study was introduced in 2022 and became a permanent fixture in February 2023, replacing the older Plant Defense game. It's the more calculation-heavy of the two games, requiring strong math skills — particularly with percentages, means, medians, and data interpretation.
The storyline: you're sent to an island to analyze animal populations (wolves, elk, etc.) and make predictions based on data. You have 35 minutes to complete 4 phases:
Phase 1 Investigation
You receive several paragraphs of text with graphs and tables. Your task is to collect relevant information by dragging key data points into your Research Journal. Filtering out irrelevant data is critical — not everything presented is useful.
Phase 2 Analysis
You answer 3–4 math questions using information from your Research Journal. The questions often involve percentage calculations across different animal groups. A digital calculator is provided within the game interface.
Phase 3 Report
This phase has two parts: a written section where you answer 5 questions based on your analysis, and a visual section where you choose the best chart type (line, bar, or pie) to represent your findings.
Phase 4 Case
The newest addition (since 2023). You answer 6 case-style questions that are unrelated to the earlier analysis. These questions test analytical reasoning and data interpretation under time pressure — most candidates find this the hardest section to finish on time.
Key challenge: Time management. Most candidates report difficulty completing all 4 phases within the 35-minute limit, especially the Case phase. Each Case question requires roughly 2 minutes of focused work. Prepare with our Red Rock Mastery Kit to master every phase.
Master the Redrock Study 📊
The Redrock Study's 4 phases demand sharp math skills and fast decision-making. Our Red Rock Mastery Kit includes phase-by-phase practice, percentage drills, and case question banks — everything you need to complete all phases within the 35-minute limit.
This simulation has an 89% success rate
McKinsey Sea Wolf Game — How Does It Work?
The Sea Wolf game (also called Ocean Treatment or Ocean Cleanup) was launched in 2024 and became the standard second game in early 2025. You must cleanse 3 ocean sites by selecting the right microbes based on specific attributes and traits.
You have 30 minutes to complete up to 14 steps across 3 sites (5 steps for Sites 1 & 2, 4 steps for Site 3):
Step 1 Selection of 2 out of 7 Characteristics
Each site has 3 attributes (displayed as ranges, e.g., "Rigidity: 4–6") and 4 traits (binary — present or not). You choose 2 of the 7 characteristics that best define the site. With the right strategy, this step takes only seconds.
Step 2 Categorization of 10 Microbes
You review 10 microbes one by one and decide to allocate each to the current site, the next site, or reject it. The rule: microbe attributes and traits should be as close as possible to those of the target site.
Step 3 Choice of 4 Microbes
For each of 4 slots, you're shown 3 microbe options and must pick the best match for the site. This creates your prospect pool of 4 selected microbes plus 6 automatically assigned ones.
Step 4 Final Selection of 3 Microbes
The most complex step. From 10 available microbes, select the best 3 according to these rules: (1) the average attributes must fall within the site's range, (2) no undesirable traits, and (3) at least one desirable trait. A 20% penalty applies for each unmet condition. Using our AI Simulator is highly recommended to practice this step under realistic conditions.
Step 5 Confirmation (Sites 1 & 2 Only)
After completing a site, you confirm the microbes previously allocated to the next site. This step is similar to Step 2 in layout — you categorize microbes for the upcoming site or reject them.
Key challenge: With 14 steps in 30 minutes, you average just over 2 minutes per step. Practicing with a realistic AI simulator can dramatically improve your speed. We also recommend allocating roughly 10 minutes per site and using untimed breaks between sites to recharge.
Stop Guessing. Start Practicing. 🔥
This is the first and only AI-powered McKinsey Solve Simulator — same format, same time pressure, same scoring logic as the real Sea Wolf test. No other tool on the market comes close. Candidates who practice with us report feeling significantly more confident on test day.
This simulation has an 89% success rate
How to Prepare for the McKinsey Digital Assessment
Now that you understand the format, here's how to prepare effectively for each game. The key to success is realistic practice — and we've built the tools to help you do exactly that. For a complete practice plan with target scores and rep counts, see our McKinsey Solve simulation guide.
Redrock Study Tips
1. Review percentages and basic math
Most Redrock questions involve percentage calculations. Practice computing percentage increases/decreases quickly. Also review mean, median, and mode definitions — they appear in some questions. The Red Rock Mastery Kit includes targeted math drills for this. For a deep dive into Redrock strategy, check our Redrock preparation guide.
2. Practice the Case phase specifically
The Case section is where most candidates struggle. It resembles the old McKinsey PST format. Practice with timed analytical reasoning questions to build speed.
3. Master time management
With 35 minutes for 4 phases, you can't afford to spend too long on any single section. Practice under timed conditions to develop a feel for pacing. Start practicing here.
Sea Wolf Tips
1. Practice Step 4 with the AI Simulator
With 10 microbes and 5 parameters each (50 data points), manually finding the optimal 3 microbes is extremely time-consuming. Our AI Simulator lets you practice this critical step under realistic timed conditions so you build the speed and intuition needed on test day. Read more in our Sea Wolf preparation guide.
2. Allocate 10 minutes per site
Don't spend too long on Sites 1 and 2. Stick to roughly 10 minutes each to ensure you have enough time for all 3 sites. Practice completing a full site run in under 10 minutes.
3. Use breaks between sites to recharge
There are untimed breaks between sites (verify it says "UNTIMED" at the top). Use these to reset mentally and prepare for the next site.
Build Speed & Confidence Under Pressure ⚡
Knowing the theory isn't enough — you need to practice under timed conditions. Our AI Simulator replicates the real test environment so you can build the speed and intuition needed to finish all 14 steps in 30 minutes. Candidates who practice report feeling significantly more confident on test day.
This simulation has an 89% success rate
Practice Resources
The best way to prepare for the McKinsey Solve is to practice with realistic simulations. Familiarity with the game interface, time pressure, and decision-making process gives you a significant advantage on test day. Our complete preparation guide covers all three games — including the new Sustainable Future Lab — with recommended practice plans and target scores.
AI Simulator
A realistic, timed practice environment that replicates the Sea Wolf game. Generate unlimited practice rounds with AI-powered microbe data, scoring, and feedback. Build the speed and confidence you need for test day.
- ✅ Realistic timed sessions
- ✅ AI-generated microbe data
- ✅ Instant scoring & feedback
- ✅ Unlimited practice rounds
89% of users pass after practicing
Red Rock Mastery Kit
A comprehensive preparation kit for the Redrock Study phase. Includes structured practice problems, percentage drills, case-style question banks, and time management strategies tailored to each of the 4 phases.
- ✅ Phase-by-phase practice
- ✅ Percentage & math drills
- ✅ Case question bank
- ✅ Time management playbook
400+ 5-star reviews
See It in Action
Old Games (No Longer Used)
Over the years, McKinsey has used several other mini-games in the assessment. These are no longer actively tested as of 2026, but you may find references to them online:
Ecosystem Management — Select 8 species from 39 and place them in a sustainable ecosystem. Being phased out since mid-2025.
Plant Defense — Defend a native plant from invasive species across 3 maps using defenders and terrain. Replaced by Redrock in Feb 2023.
Disaster Management — Identify a natural disaster and relocate animal populations to ensure survival.
Disease Management — Identify the cause of a disease affecting animals and determine infection rules.
Migration Management — Move animals across maps while managing resources to ensure survival.
If you're concerned about encountering one of these older games, check the time indicated in your invitation email. A 65-minute window means you'll only face Redrock + Sea Wolf.
Focus on What Matters 🎯
Good news: you only need to prepare for 2 games — not 7. Our AI Simulator covers both the Sea Wolf and Redrock Study, so you can focus your energy where it counts and walk into test day fully prepared.
This simulation has an 89% success rate
Frequently Asked Questions
🔥 Your McKinsey Interview Is Coming — Are You Ready?
Don't leave your McKinsey career to chance. Use the first and only AI-supported McKinsey Solve Simulator for the Sea Wolf game and get the Red Rock Mastery Kit for comprehensive Redrock Study preparation. 60-day money-back guarantee included.
This simulation has an 89% success rate