What "PSG" actually means in 2026
"PSG" stands for Problem Solving Game, the name McKinsey used between roughly 2017 and 2023 for the test most candidates also called Imbellus or the "ecosystem game." In 2024–2026, McKinsey renamed the assessment to Solve and rebuilt the candidate flow around three mini-games rather than one long ecosystem case.
When candidates today search for "free McKinsey PSG simulation," they almost always mean: "somewhere I can practice the modern Solve assessment without paying for a course." That's the question this page answers — for all three mini-games, not just the legacy Sea Wolf ecosystem flow.
If you want the broader background on the digital assessment as a whole — how it fits into McKinsey's hiring funnel, who has to take it, and what's actually being measured — start with our McKinsey digital assessment guide. Otherwise, jump straight to the free play below.
Where to play the McKinsey PSG simulation free
Realistically, you have three options for free PSG practice in 2026, and only one of them is actually interactive:
- Official McKinsey samples. McKinsey publishes a short overview video and a written description on its careers site. There is no public free play of the live Solve assessment. You cannot rehearse the actual mechanics this way.
- YouTube walkthroughs and Reddit recaps. Useful for understanding what the screens look like. Useless for building the muscle memory of dragging tiles, scanning exhibits under a timer, or watching a stakeholder reject your priority ranking. Passive consumption does not move your score.
- SolvePrep's free simulator (this site). One full play of each mini-game, same engine as the paid version, browser-based, no install. This is the only option below that actually lets you practice the assessment.
The three cards below take you straight into each free play. You can do them in any order, but if you have only one sitting we recommend Sea Wolf first — it's the most format-stable of the three and the best gauge of your baseline.
Sea Wolf
- Time
- ~30 minute play
- What you see
- Full ecosystem brief, filter step, microbe categorization
- What's locked
- Detailed scoring breakdown, retakes
Red Rock
- Time
- ~35 minute play
- What you see
- Investigation, exhibits, cases, calculator, report
- What's locked
- Multiple seeds, results accordion deep-dive, retakes
Sustainable Future Lab
- Time
- ~20 minute play
- What you see
- Mission briefing, scenario branches, priority ranking, survey
- What's locked
- Full 4-pillar score, branch alternatives, retakes
What's actually included in each free play
We're upfront about this because the gap between marketing and reality is where most "free McKinsey practice" tools lose people. Here is exactly what you get and what is gated.
Sea Wolf (Ecosystem Building)
The free play runs the same five steps as the paid version: site read, characteristics selection, filter step, categorization, and prospect builder. You see the same generic Site 1 / Site 2 / Site 3 framing, the same 30-minute timer pressure, and the same penalty system (every undesired trait costs you score). What you do not get: multiple seeds (you're locked to the FREEPLAY1 seed), the full scoring breakdown by category, retakes, or access to our solver tool. Full game guide: Sea Wolf guide.
Red Rock (Case Study)
Red Rock is the heaviest of the three. The free play gives you a single full case — the investigation phase with draggable value cards, exhibit-driven case questions, the bi-directional calculator FAB, and the report phase where your conclusions are scored. You see the results, but the detailed accordion breakdown (which exhibits you misread, which calculations were directionally off) is paywalled. Free users also can't switch between the six REDROCK seeds. Full game guide: Red Rock guide.
Sustainable Future Lab
SFL is the situational-judgment mini-game that started rolling out in 2025–2026. The free play covers the mission briefing, three info-reveal phases, the priority ranking exercise, and the closing scenario survey. The 20-minute timer is real and the stakeholder branches do adapt to your choices. What's paywalled: the full 4-pillar score (Strategic / Operational / Stakeholder / Sustainability), the alternative branches you didn't pick, and retakes. Full game guide: Sustainable Future Lab guide.
How the free version compares to the real McKinsey Solve
The free SolvePrep simulator is meant to feel like the real assessment, not impersonate it perfectly. The honest comparison:
| Dimension | Real McKinsey Solve | SolvePrep Free Play |
|---|---|---|
| Timer pressure | Strict, no pause | Strict, no pause |
| Mini-game count | 2–3 depending on office & cycle | All 3 available (1 free play each) |
| Exhibits / data density | High, especially Red Rock | Matched in Red Rock free play |
| Scoring visibility | None — you never see your score | Efficiency % shown, full breakdown paywalled |
| Retakes | Once per recruiting cycle | One free play per mini-game |
| Adaptive branches | Yes (SFL especially) | Yes |
One caveat worth flagging: the free play uses a single fixed seed per game. That makes it great for a first read on the format and your baseline, and weaker as a repeat training tool. Paid tiers unlock multiple seeds and unlimited replays so you can actually drill.
When the free PSG simulation is enough — and when it isn't
Free is probably enough if…
- You're months out from any McKinsey interview and just want to see the format.
- You're choosing between MBB applications and want to know which assessment style suits you.
- You're a casual case-prep partner curious what the test even looks like in 2026.
Free is not enough if…
- Your McKinsey Solve invite is in the next 4 weeks.
- You already played once, scored badly on Red Rock exhibits, and need targeted drilling.
- You want the Solver tool, content library, or score-deflation calibration.
The honest math: most candidates who pass spend 8–15 hours on the format. The free play accounts for roughly 1.5 hours of that. It's the cheapest way to get started — but it's a starting line, not a finish line.
Upgrading after the free play
We keep pricing simple — two paid tiers, no subscriptions, lifetime access for your prep cycle:
Unlimited Sea Wolf replays plus the brute-force solver tool. Best for candidates who only need ecosystem-game help and already feel solid on case math.
Everything: unlimited plays on all 3 mini-games, all seeds, full scoring breakdowns, content library, solver, and SFL access. Used by ~70% of paying candidates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the McKinsey PSG simulation really free on SolvePrep?
Yes. You get one full play of each of the three mini-games — Sea Wolf, Red Rock, and Sustainable Future Lab — without paying. The free play uses the same engine as the paid version, including the 2026 timer rules and exhibit formats.
Do I need a credit card to start the free PSG simulation?
No. SolvePrep does not collect payment details for the free trial. You sign up with your name, email, and a password, and the free plays unlock immediately on your dashboard.
Is this McKinsey's official simulation?
No. McKinsey does not publish an official public version of Solve / PSG. SolvePrep is an independent practice tool from Kaernix LLC, built to mirror the real 2026 format (timer, mechanics, scoring shape) as closely as candidates have reported.
Can I retake the free play if I run out of time?
The free version is intentionally limited to one full play per mini-game so the experience matches the pressure of the real assessment. After your free play, you can either upgrade to the Solver ($29) or Elite ($79) tiers for unlimited retakes or wait for our 48–72 hour re-engagement bonus play.
How accurate is SolvePrep's 2026 format compared to the live McKinsey Solve?
We update the simulation each time candidates report material changes. The current 2026 build reflects the renamed 'Solve' assessment, the three-mini-game structure, the time-pressured exhibit-heavy Red Rock case, and the situational-judgment Sustainable Future Lab flow that started rolling out in 2025–2026 cycles.
Stop reading. Start playing.
One free play of each McKinsey Solve mini-game, no credit card, in your browser in under a minute.
Start the free PSG simulation