McKinsey Problem Solving Game (Solve): Full Game Reveal

We're thrilled to present the first-ever complete walkthrough of the McKinsey Problem Solving Game!

This video takes you through the full assessment, including Ecosystem Creation, Redrock Study, and Plant Defense. As you watch, you're invited to solve the game along with us, offering a practical experience like no other.

You'll find it's a cost-effective way to practice, priced significantly lower than similar simulations available, and offers the closest experience to the real-life assessment.

In this video, we start with ecosystem creation, choose a suitable location, and select 8 species to sustain an ecosystem. We show just one of the many possible strategies. You'll pick up techniques for effective note-taking and time management as we go.

Moving on, we tackle the Redrock Study, a newer segment of McKinsey Solve, where we delve into the study and case sections of the Nolotiles scenario, available on Prepmatter.

We wrap up with a dive into Plant Defense, offering strategies on allocating animals and barriers to protect the native plant.

[00:00]: Introduction
[01:48]: Ecosystem Creation
[13:40]: Redrock Study
[43:34]: Plant Defense

[emilabbasov]

Amazing video! Passed the McKinsey PSG this week thanks to Deniz's approach. Don't waste time on Excel Solver, just follow Deniz's method!

[kelvinblueberry]

Took the McK Solve today. Your methodology for the ecosystem game was spot on. I got the ecosystem right on my first try triple checked everything, and still submitted with 15 minutes to spare. I spent too much time on the first section of RedRock and had only 12 minutes for the 6 questions in the second section. Was able to finish but was not able to double check the 6 case questions. Follow his method for ecosystem game and you will be fine. For redrock, practice time management skills.

[hanniking]

Hey! One question with regards to Question 2 (Redrock Study): You have calculated the percentage change. However, the question was about the percentage POINT change.
My approach: 
for summit depth --> (47-10)/10 = 370%
for base depth --> (35-8)/8 = 337.5%
Therefore, the percentage POINT difference is 370% - 337.5% = 32.5%

[TiredParent]

Minor correction: Timestamp 8:52 Shrimp also consumes Red Moss. Not in the graphic drawn with the arrows.

[mandisasatimburwa]

I took the Game solve this week. And wow your method for the ecosystem worked out! I was able to get through it quickly. Thanks a lot for this! The Reddrock game was a bit confusing my advice- understand the research thoroughly, manage your time effectively practice your maths percentages.
This video is the best to get you ready for the game solve. Thank you Denz, keep up the great work!

[miatownsend]

Just took the test for a position in Lima, Peru and got a 3rd game called Sea Study (can't really remember) about combining microbes (each with 3 numeric characteristics and 1 trait) to to design treatments for 2 contaminated sites. Heads up for anyone taking the Solve in the upcoming days!!! my recommendation would be to have a range of values as you will have to average them later.

[AkGoyal-db]

I gave test today and it consisted of mountain and redrock game. Literally your video helped a lot.
Thanks a lot

[AndreTop-hx]

I don't understand why you calculate the percentage differences that way. isn't the correct formula the difference/average of the two times 100?

[arifahameliatijani]

cant say anything but thank you so much for this video! i hope you’re having a great day too!

[ranguism]

This is just great, I haven't come across any video that helped to solve the MSG this well, really appreciate these videos Deniz,

[TiredParent]

Timestamp 37:24 The question asks, “… if the realistic scenario is realised for all 3 activities”. If this was the case, the likelihood would be irrelevant altogether and a total of 8 + 5 + 4 = 17 species would have been saved.
The question should have put the Likelihood percentages given below each graphs into context and how it relates to the animals saved.

[simbasovetova]

Hi, I have had test yesterday and got invitation to PEI. I made ecosystem task in 18 minutes. I had to change some initially chosen participants, which made me feel nervous. But I managed to change them fastly. Thank you so much for your tutorial.

[sriharinair]

I completed the McKinsey Solve Game today!
The games I got -
Ecosystem
Red Rock

1) Ecosystem - Got the mountain terrain
Was super difficult,
The process I chose was the same -
- Select brackets(3) of producers
- Eliminate producer brackets, for which even one producer has no consumers.
- Then select one bracket from the two left.
- Then start filling the animals.
- Check which animals satisfy the conditions and which don't. (Calories needed should be 0, Calories provided should not be 0)
- If the bracket you selected does not work, move to the other bracket.

This approach helped me solve the entire ecosystem.

P.S- The first bracket I selected did not work, had to pivot to the other one, with just 10 minutes to go :(
Added my final animal at the last minute.
This was definitely super stressful. But I think I did well by the end.

2) Red Rock
- Investigation phase
- Added all data points available
- Don't skip on any
- Analysis
- Go back to the investigation phase whenever needed, do not hesitate to switch
- Use the calculator to show that you are active on the screen, avoid calculating on notes, or personal calculator
- Drag and drop is time-consuming, I simply typed in the data points.
- Report
- Was the simplest phase
- Pretty straightforward
- Please note, that you cannot go back to the investigation phase from the report phase.

- Cases
- Simply use your math skills
- Learn how to do percentage calculations quickly
- Read the question twice before attempting, most of the questions are tricky. Can be solved easily.

Final remarks -
Go through YouTube videos, multiple times. I used the following links, which was super helpful.

If you have the money, purchasing simulations sold by various vendors would be helpful. I did not buy the same.
Finally, I am still waiting for the result, will make edits as I get to know.

[taniyaagrawal]

Amazing video! I was able to solve both the games easily well before the time went off. Thanks for explaining it in sucha structured manner!

[TheDinma]

12:27 Please, why did you first pick out all your species only based on one monitor(depth level); before going back to make sure they align with other monitors (salt, temperature etc)

Considering that we don't have so much time to work with, I feel it would have been better to choose all that in the beginning.

What you think?

[unyimeikpeida]

So I just watched the entire video for the second time and I must say I feel less pressure and it is clearer now. Just need to brush up on the Redrock Study.... It's a tough one

[Shynbek]

Thank you for the content! By following your tips, I was able to finish ecosystem task with enough time to triple check calculations. For Redrock, I definitely needed to do more practice questions. Hopefully in less then two weeks I will get a response from the firm.

[stephenpeterwandera]

This could not have come at the best time. Thank you for this video!

[adebolaoyedele]

Your video is so good just finished the assessment and was able to pass the ecosystem game 🙏🏽 thanks a lot...now i await their response

[cristhianmorenoregalado]

Thank you very much for your video. I did a good test. Your explanation was tremendously helpful!