The McKinsey Test is often referred to as the McKinsey Problem Solving Test or simply the McKinsey PST. Candidates who apply at McKinsey and get through the rigorous resume and cover letter selection are often invite to take the McKinsey Test afterwards. Though roughly 66% of candidates fail the McKinsey PST, the ones that pass are invited for a first round of case interviews. Only after a second round of case interviews a job offer is extended to the candidates that passed every test.
How do you beat the McKinsey Test?
One of the reasons that candidates fail the McKinsey Problem Solving Test is the fact that they underestimate how difficult it is or do not know that it is possible to practice for the McKinsey test. So one of the ways to ace the PST is to practice! This can be done in many different ways:
- Reading: you need to read a lot during the McKinsey test, so knowing how to quickly parse data tremendously helps during the test. Reading business magazines for practice also improves your knowledge on business concepts and frameworks at the same time
- Math: though not all questions features calculations, a lot of them do. Being able to quickly (and correctly) calculate helps a lot during case interviews as well
- Sample Tests: the best way to practice is to use sample tests, both from McKinsey and provided by our site:
- The Key to the PST: a fully-fledged McKinsey test practice, including a complete answer guide and tips on how to approach written cases
- The Second Key to the PST: another full McKinsey PST practice, with a fresh set of cases to crack and improve your skills
Other McKinsey Test resources
You’ll find a lot of information on the McKinsey Test in the various articles on this site. We also provide great guides for case interviews and help to craft the perfect consulting resume. McKinsey also provides a lot of information on the PST on their own site, and even has an app to help you prepare for the PST.