Ah, the McKinsey Solve assessment, quite the hurdle in the application process! Based on the most helpful WSO content, not everyone who submits an application gets invited to take the Solve assessment. This step is indeed a filter to identify candidates who demonstrate the problem-solving skills McKinsey values. So, first off, congratulations on making it to this stage!

Here are some tips to help you ace the Solve assessment:

  1. Understand the Format: The Solve assessment is designed to test your problem-solving skills in a variety of contexts. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions you might encounter, such as interpreting data or logical reasoning puzzles.

  2. Practice Makes Perfect: While the exact questions of the Solve assessment are confidential, practicing with similar problem-solving questions can be beneficial. Look for resources that offer practice in data interpretation, critical reasoning, and situational judgement tests.

  3. Time Management: The assessment is timed, so it's crucial to manage your time effectively. Practice pacing yourself to ensure you can attempt all questions without rushing through them.

  4. Read Instructions Carefully: Before diving into answering, make sure to read the instructions for each question thoroughly. A common mistake is misinterpreting what's being asked due to skimming over the details.

  5. Stay Calm and Focused: It's natural to feel a bit anxious, but staying calm will help you think more clearly and perform better. Ensure you're in a quiet environment where you can concentrate without interruptions.

  6. Leverage McKinsey Resources: McKinsey sometimes provides resources or tips for candidates preparing for their assessments. Check any communication from McKinsey or their careers website for such aids.

Remember, the Solve assessment is just one part of the application process. It's an opportunity to showcase your analytical and problem-solving abilities, so approach it with confidence and preparation. Good luck!

Sources: Advanced Professional Degree McKinsey Application Process, 2022 ADC/APD Summer Programs/Full-Time Applications Thread, 2020 ADC/APD Summer Programs/Full-Time Applications Thread, How to get past superday, Moelis Application and Interview

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

AFAIK, solve sits between resume screen and interview invite but your score is considered with the rest of your profile for interview decisions. In other words, it can break you but wont make you (it’s sort of a threshold thing)

Would recommend reading the online guides and getting smart on the rules so you arent bogged down by learning how the “games” work in the heat of the moment and can just focus on solving them

 

Deleniti aut possimus dicta. Non sunt animi illum et. Veniam repellat quis voluptatem voluptatem. Ab perferendis atque omnis aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • Cornerstone Research 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.7%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $368
  • Principal (25) $277
  • Director/MD (55) $270
  • Vice President (47) $246
  • Engagement Manager (100) $226
  • Manager (152) $170
  • 2nd Year Associate (158) $140
  • Senior Consultant (331) $130
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (108) $130
  • Consultant (587) $119
  • 1st Year Associate (538) $119
  • NA (15) $119
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (146) $115
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (344) $103
  • Associate Consultant (166) $98
  • 1st Year Analyst (1048) $87
  • Intern/Summer Associate (188) $84
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (552) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”