How to Prepare for the McKinsey Solve: Every Option Compared
There are four ways to prepare for the McKinsey Solve: walking in cold, free resources (guides, forums, videos), 1-on-1 coaching, and full simulation practice. Free resources explain the format; coaching sharpens general assessment skills; only timed simulation builds the speed and decision patterns the Solve actually scores. Most candidates combine free resources for understanding with simulation for practice.
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Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Walk in cold | Free resources (forums, videos, McKinsey's own guidance) | 1-on-1 coaching (~$150–300/h) | Full simulation (SolvePrep) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 | $0 | $300–1,000+ typical | $79 one-time |
| Know the format before test day | No | Partly — described, not experienced | Partly — explained, not playable | All three 2026 games, playable |
| Timed practice under real pressure | No | No | No | Unlimited runs |
| Score + percentile feedback | No | No | Subjective feedback | Instant, per run |
| Know your weakest area | No | No | Partly | Identified automatically |
| Best for | Nobody — this is how most of the ~70% fail | Understanding what the Solve is (do read McKinsey's official guidance) | Case interviews later in the process | Building the reps the Solve actually scores |
| Outcome guarantee | — | — | Rare | Pass Guarantee |
See it for yourself before committing
One full free run of each game — score, percentile, and your weakest area. No credit card.
Try a full free run — judge it yourselfWhat SolvePrep can't do
In fairness, here's what we can't give you: McKinsey's actual servers, a guaranteed pass (nobody can — which is why our guarantee refunds you instead of promising the impossible), or help with the case interviews that come after the Solve — that's where coaching genuinely earns its price. What we can give you is the part that decides the Solve itself: reps, timing, and knowing your weak spot before it counts.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to see where you stand?
One full free run of each game — score, percentile, and your weakest area. No credit card.
Try a full free run — judge it yourself