Practical strategies and tips to master the Redrock challenge in the McKinsey Solve Game
Looking for information about McKinsey Redrock?
Let me guess.
You read all the usual McKinsey Solve guides and maybe even took a practice test or two. It feels good… until you realize that there is a game called “Redrock Study”, and it is not as easy to prepare for as the other games—and it changes every single time.
Most people focus on the Sea Wolf or Ecosystem game (which is being phased out) because that’s what everyone talks about.
But have you ever noticed how nobody really shares how to tackle the Redrock game? The key insights to feel prepared in the best possible way in the real test?
The way you approach the Redrock Game is different from other parts of the McKinsey game. It actually throws off even the smartest candidates.
Imagine feeling confident when THAT game comes up… not caught off guard.
In this article, I wanted to create a comprehensive guide, so that you won’t have to guess what to do the day of the test and know everything you need about the last game format.
Let’s dive in!
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🔽 NEXT: The most up-to-date overview of the McKinsey Redrock for 2026 & detailed explanation for both parts of the game (Part 1 of 2) 👇
Let me start with the basics. McKinsey Redrock is one of the games in the McKinsey Solve assessment. It’s relatively new (it was introduced in 2023), and honestly, it’s been causing headaches for candidates since it replaced the old Plant Defense game back in 2023.
Here’s what makes Redrock different from other McKinsey games: instead of building ecosystems or selecting microbes in the ocean, you’re doing actual research work. Think of it like being a consultant, but instead of working on business problems, you’re studying animals on an island.
The game puts you in the role of a researcher analyzing wildlife populations, usually focusing on species like wolves and elk.
But here’s the thing that trips people up. Even though you’re dealing with animals instead of businesses, the skills being tested are identical to what you’d use as a McKinsey consultant.
You’re still doing calculations, analyzing data, and making recommendations. The context changed, but the brain work stayed the same.
McKinsey designed Redrock this way for a good reason. They wanted to test your problem-solving abilities without giving an advantage to people who already know business concepts. So whether you’re a biology student or a finance major, you’re on equal footing. Pretty clever, right?
The game is part of the larger McKinsey Solve assessment, which also includes the Sea Wolf game and the new Sustainable Futures Lab game (the Ecosystem game is not present anymore in some tests – if your test indicates 65 minutes, it will be Redrock and Sea Wolf Ocean Cleanup only; if it indicates 85 minutes, it will also include the Sustainable Futures Lab).
But don’t worry about those right now. We’re focusing purely on cracking the Redrock code here.
Alright, let’s break down exactly what you’re facing. McKinsey Redrock has two main parts, and you get a total of 35 minutes to complete both (source: lastest version of the McKinsey PSG). That might sound like plenty of time, but trust me, it goes by fast.
Here’s the structure:
Part 1: The Study Section – This is where you do the main research work. It has three phases that you complete one after another.
Part 2: The Cases Section – This is where you answer 6 separate questions related to the same topic as your study.
Now, here’s something important that many people miss. You cannot go back and forth between Part 1 and Part 2 (actually, even within Part 1, you cannot always go back, as we will see). Once you finish the Study section and move to Cases, that’s it. You’re committed. This is different from how some other tests work, so keep it in mind.
The game throws you into an environmental research scenario. Usually, you’re studying animal populations on Redrock Island (hence the name). The specific animals change, but the types of tasks stay consistent. You might be looking at wolf packs one time, or elk populations another time.
What makes this challenging is that everything builds on everything else. If you mess up early in the Investigation phase, those mistakes can cascade through your Analysis and Report phases. It’s like building a house – if your foundation is shaky, the whole thing becomes unstable.
This is where the real work happens. The Study section is divided into three phases, and each one tests different skills. Let me walk you through what happens in each phase and what you need to do.
Think of the Investigation phase as your data collection mission. You get access to a full case description that includes text, charts, tables, and graphs. Your job is to find the important stuff and save it to your Research Journal.
Here’s what you’ll see on your screen: paragraphs of background information about the island and its species, several data tables with numbers about animal populations, charts showing trends over time, and specific instructions about what you need to figure out. You can find an example below (source: my guide).
But here’s the catch – there’s way more information than you actually need. From the feedback of our users, only about 50% of the data provided is actually relevant to solving the case. The rest is just noise designed to test whether you can separate important information from fluff.
Your main tool in this phase is the Research Journal. This is like your digital notebook where you drag and drop important data points. When you drag something into the journal, it creates a card with a label and description.
(Pro tip: you can edit these labels to make them more helpful for later phases).
The key to success in Investigation is understanding what the case is actually asking you to do. Before you start collecting data, read through the research objective carefully.
This tells you what calculations you’ll need to make later. Once you know what you’re solving for, you can work backwards to figure out what data you actually need.
For example, if the case asks you to predict wolf population growth over 10 years, you’ll need current population numbers, birth rates, death rates, and maybe some environmental factors. You don’t need detailed information about the island’s plant life or weather patterns – that’s just distraction.
Time-wise, I would recommend spending about 5 minutes on the Investigation. That might not sound like much, but if you’re focused and know what to look for, it’s enough time to grab the essential data.
Once you’ve collected your data, you move into the Analysis phase. This is where you use the information in your Research Journal to answer mathematical questions. Usually, you’ll face 3 to 4 questions, and each one might have multiple parts.
The good news is that McKinsey provides a calculator tool for this section. You don’t need to do complex math in your head. The calculator integrates with your Research Journal, so you can drag data directly from your journal into the calculator to perform calculations.
You can find an example of this section below (source: my guide).
The questions in Analysis typically involve percentage calculations, population growth projections, and basic statistical work. For instance, you might need to calculate how much the wolf population will change if elk numbers decrease by 20%, or determine what percentage of the total animal population consists of a specific species.
Here’s something crucial: make sure you save your answers for intermediate calculation steps back to the Research Journal. You might need these results for the Report phase, and if you don’t save them properly, you might have to recalculate everything later. That’s a time-killer you can’t afford.
The Analysis phase typically takes the most time – I recommend about 10-15 minutes. This makes sense because you’re doing the core problem-solving work here.
Don’t rush through calculations. It’s better to be accurate than fast, especially since wrong answers in Analysis will hurt you in the Report phase (and possibly, in the following Analysis questions).
One thing that surprises people is that the math isn’t usually super complex. You’re not doing calculus or advanced statistics. Most of the calculations involve basic arithmetic, percentages, and simple projections. The challenge isn’t the math itself – it’s figuring out which numbers to use and how to set up the calculations correctly.
The Report phase is where you package your analysis into a professional presentation and it is the last part of the Redrock Study section, before the Cases. This section has two main components: a written report and a visual report.
For the written report, you’ll see a partially completed text with blank spaces. Your job is to fill in these blanks using the results from your Analysis phase. The blanks might ask for specific numbers, or they might ask you to choose words like “higher,” “lower,” or “equal to” when comparing different scenarios.
You can find an example below (source: my guide).
The visual report component asks you to choose the right type of chart to display your data. You might choose between bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, or other visualization options. Then you’ll input your calculated numbers to create the actual chart.
You can find an example below from my guide.
McKinsey consultants spend a lot of time creating presentations and choosing the right way to show data. They want to see that you understand how different chart types work and when to use each one.
The Report phase should take about 5 minutes. By this point, you should have all the numbers you need from the Analysis phase, so you’re mainly organizing and presenting information rather than solving new problems.
This completes the Redrock Study task, but you still have to go through the cases. This is what we will cover next.
After completing the Redrock Study section, you move on to the Cases section. This part contains 6 separate questions that relate to the same general topic as your study but use different data. Think of these as mini-cases that test similar skills but don’t directly build on your previous work.
The Cases section is different from the Study in important ways.
First, each question is independent. If you get one question wrong, it won’t affect your performance on the others.
Second, the data for each case is provided within that specific question. You’re not using your Research Journal from the Study section.
The questions in Cases come in two main formats: multiple choice questions and numerical answer questions. For multiple choice, you select from provided options. For numerical questions, you calculate an answer and type it into a blank field.
You can find below and example of a multiple choice question (source: my guide).
The topics in Cases are similar to what you studied in Part 1, but present a different perspective. If your study focused on wolf population dynamics, the Cases might ask about conservation strategies, predator-prey relationships, or environmental impact scenarios. The connection is related to the general topic rather than being a direct link.
Time management becomes critical in the Cases section. With 6 questions to answer in whatever time remains from your 35-minute total, you need to work efficiently.
I recommend spending no more than 2 minutes per case question (if you have more than 12 minutes left, in theory you might spend more, but this might still impact negatively your process score).
This means you need to read quickly, identify what each question is asking, and get to the calculation or selection without overthinking. If you get stuck on one question, make your best educated guess and move on. It’s better to attempt all 6 questions than to spend 10 minutes perfecting one answer while leaving others blank.
This is also, because, unlike the previous Study part, the questions are not linked to each other, therefore an incorrect answer won’t have a negative effect on the following cases.
The Cases section often includes the same types of data visualization you saw in the Study section – charts, graphs, and tables. But since each case is independent, you’re interpreting fresh data each time rather than building on previous analysis.
Do You Want To Be Ready For The McKinsey Redrock Game?
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🔽 NEXT: Read about strategies, tips, and answers to the most common questions asked regarding the McKinsey Redrock Study (Part 2 of 2) 👇
Time management can make or break your Redrock performance. Based on the feedback of our candidates, poor time management is one of the biggest challenges you might face.
Let me share a proven strategy for allocating your 35 minutes effectively.
First of all, let’s review the ideal time to spend for each part. Given you should spend a maximum of 2 minutes in the Case section, a rounded approximation is ~23 minutes on the Study section and ~12 minutes on the Cases section.
Within the Redrock Study section, here’s how to break it down: Investigation Phase ~5 minutes, Analysis Phase ~15 minutes and Report Phase ~5 minutes.
The reason why you don’t need to spend too much time in the Investigation phase is that only a fraction of the provided information is actually relevant. Your goal is to quickly identify the research objective, figure out what calculations you’ll need to make, and grab only the data points necessary for those calculations. Don’t try to be comprehensive – be strategic. Also because you can go back to the Investigation from the Analysis section, if needed.
During Analysis, focus on accuracy over speed, but still keep track of time. If you’ve set up a calculation correctly and gotten a reasonable answer, save it to your journal and move on.
For the Report phase, remember that you’re mainly organizing information you’ve already calculated. If you’ve done good work in Analysis, Report should flow smoothly. Don’t overthink the chart selection – choose the visualization type that most clearly shows your data.
In the Cases section, time pressure intensifies. With roughly 2 minutes per question, you need to read quickly and work efficiently. Practice on similar drills (you can find some included in my course as a free bonus here) and don’t spend more than 30 seconds understanding what each question is asking before diving into the solution.
After analyzing feedback from hundreds of Redrock test takers, certain mistakes come up again and again. Let me help you avoid these pitfalls by listing the most common ones and providing some tips.
Many candidates try to collect every piece of information in the Investigation. This wastes valuable time and clutters your Research Journal with irrelevant data. Instead, start by understanding the research objective, then work backwards to identify only the data you’ll actually need for calculations.
This one is big. You spend time calculating correct answers in the Analysis phase, but forget to save the intermediary steps inyour Research Journal. Indeed, the problem solving test will save the final results, but not your intermediate steps when you move to the next question.
When you reach the Report phase, you have to redo all your calculations under even more time pressure. Always double-check that your answers are properly saved before moving to the next question.
Some candidates get stuck trying to perfect one case question while leaving others unanswered. Remember, it’s better to attempt all questions with a good logic than to complete perfectly a few and leave most blank.
The default labels that Redrock creates for your data points are often unhelpful. Candidates who don’t take a few seconds to edit these labels struggle to find information quickly during Analysis. Spend a moment creating clear, descriptive labels that will make sense to you later.
In the Report phase, some people cannot choose the perfect chart type. Although it is true that there is usually a perfect fit (I explain in length how to find it in my course here), if you pick the wrong chart, you probably won’t lose too many points.
Choose a chart type that clearly shows your information and move on. Don’t spend 3 minutes debating between a bar chart and line graph, as that time can be probably spent in a better way for the following cases.
Redrock’s interface can be glitchy, with drag-and-drop features that don’t always work smoothly. Some candidates panic when they can’t drag data properly or when the calculator doesn’t respond immediately.
If you encounter technical issues, try refreshing your browser or switching to a different dragging technique. Don’t let minor interface problems derail your entire test performance. If everything fails or you got stuck within the game, take a screenshot and reach out to the IT support – you will have a tech contact email in the invitation email that you can use for these cases.
In the Cases section, the time pressure makes people skim through instructions too quickly. This leads to answering the wrong question or missing key details about what format the answer should be in. Take 15-20 seconds to fully read each case instruction before jumping into calculations.
Understanding what skills McKinsey wants to see can change how you approach Redrock. This isn’t just a random game – it’s a carefully designed assessment that mirrors real consulting work based on specific recruitment criteria.
Let’s review the McKinsey test logic and the skillset that the game assesses, so that you can tackle the game in the best possible way.
The 35-minute time limit isn’t arbitrary. McKinsey consultants often need to analyze complex situations quickly and make recommendations with incomplete information.
Redrock tests whether you can work efficiently when time is tight and the stakes are high, and your decision-making skills under time constraints. Making decisions under pressure is a common scenario in the consulting environment and thus a key aspect of the recruitment process.
One of the game challenges is the correct interpretation of the data provided. Even though you’re studying animals instead of businesses, you’re doing the same type of data work that consultants do every day.
You’re looking at trends, making projections, and drawing conclusions from numerical information. The context is different, but the mental processes are identical. During the game, McKinsey evaluates if your data interpretation skills are good enough for a consulting role.
The Report phase tests whether you can take complex analysis and present it clearly. The game requires to present this information properly within a strict time constraint.
McKinsey consultants spend huge amounts of time creating presentations for clients. They want to see that you can organize information logically and choose appropriate ways to visualize data.
With way more information available than you can possibly use, Redrock tests your ability to separate signal from noise. This mirrors real consulting work, where you often have mountains of client data but need to focus on what actually matters for solving their problem.
The way the Redrock Study section builds from Investigation to Analysis to Report mirrors how consulting projects typically flow. McKinsey wants to see that you can think systematically, building complex solutions step by step rather than jumping around randomly. They want to understand your thinking skills and if they match the requirements of a top consulting firm.
Understanding these skills will hopefully help you approach each section strategically and with more clarity. You’re not just playing a game about animals – you’re demonstrating consulting capabilities in a neutral context.
Now that you understand what you’re facing, let’s talk about how to get ready to solve the game. The good news is that Redrock preparation is more straightforward than you might think.
Make sure you’re comfortable with percentages, ratios, and basic statistical calculations like mean, mode and median. You don’t need advanced math, but you should be able to do percentage changes and simple projections quickly and accurately. Practice these calculations until they become automatic.
Since the Investigation involves processing lots of text quickly, improve your reading speed and comprehension. Practice scanning documents to find specific information rather than reading everything word-for-word. This skill will help you in both the Redrock Study section and Cases section.
Review different types of charts and graphs. Understand when to use bar charts versus line graphs versus pie charts. Look at examples of each chart type and think about what kinds of data they display most effectively.
Use practice tests to get comfortable with the 35-minute time limit. Many candidates are shocked by how quickly time passes. Practice allocating your time according to the 23-12 split between Study and Cases sections.
While you can’t predict the exact animals or scenario you’ll encounter, the types of questions remain consistent. Look for practice materials that involve population dynamics, growth rates, and environmental factors.
Get comfortable using basic calculator functions quickly. Practice dragging numbers between different game interface elements if possible, since Redrock uses an integrated calculator system.
If you want to practice all the areas mentioned before, you can do so with my McKinsey PSG guide here.
If you want to excel in the McKinsey Redrock game rather than just pass, you can find below a breakdown of some advanced techniques that separate top performers from average ones.
Before starting the Investigation, spend 30 seconds defining the most appropriate formula to answer the key question asked. Most Redrock scenarios fall into predictable patterns: population growth, predator-prey dynamics, or environmental impact studies. Having a formula ready helps you process information faster.
In the Cases section, use process of elimination on multiple choice questions rather than trying to calculate exact answers for everything. Sometimes you can eliminate obviously wrong choices and make educated guesses between remaining options, saving valuable time.
Many calculation errors come from mixing up units – percentages versus raw numbers, yearly versus monthly rates, etc. Always check that your units make sense throughout your calculations before submitting an answer.
If possible, practice with similar drag-and-drop interfaces before your test. The physical mechanics of moving data around can slow you down if you’re not comfortable with the interface.
When time gets tight, make educated guesses rather than leaving questions blank. Look for answer choices that seem reasonable given the context, even if you can’t calculate exactly.
Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and help you perform better. Here’s what the actual test experience looks like.
Redrock runs in your web browser, usually on McKinsey’s secure testing platform. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and test your browser compatibility in advance. The interface includes multiple panels that you’ll switch between during the test.
Remember, once you complete each Analysis question, you cannot go back. The system will give you a warning before making this transition. Make sure you’re truly finished with the relevant question you are analyzing, before moving to the next.
Expect to see a Research Journal where you save data, an integrated calculator for Analysis questions, text boxes for Report answers, and drag-and-drop functionality throughout. The interface is designed to be intuitive, but it helps to know what to expect.
Case questions come in multiple choice format (select the best answer from options) and numerical format (calculate an answer and type it in). Some questions might ask for answers as percentages, others as raw numbers.
The system displays a timer showing your remaining time. Most candidates recommend checking this every few minutes to stay on track, but don’t obsess over it to the point where it becomes distracting.
Honestly, it depends on your background. If you’re comfortable with data analysis and research work, Redrock might feel more natural than building ecosystems.
But here’s the thing – most people find the time pressure more intense in Redrock because you’re doing actual calculations and analysis rather than just placing animals or plants. The tricky part is that mistakes in early phases cascade through the rest of the game, so there’s less room for error.
Nope, and this trips up a lot of people. Once you move to the next Analysis question, you can’t go back to the previous question.
Same thing when you move from Analysis to Report – you’re committed to whatever calculations you’ve done. This is why being strategic in the Investigation phase is so crucial. Don’t rush through it, but don’t overthink it either.
The math questions are not complex – we’re talking basic arithmetic, percentages, and simple projections. You won’t need calculus or advanced statistics.
The challenge isn’t the calculations; it’s figuring out which numbers to use and how to set up the problems correctly. If you’re comfortable with percentage changes and basic ratios, you’ll be fine on the math side.
If time runs out during the Redrock Study game section, you will have less time for the Case section. This is why time management is so critical.
It’s better to have decent answers for all phases than perfect answers for just Investigation and Analysis. The Cases section has its own separate scoring, so you can still recover points there.
Actually, yes. While McKinsey claims you can’t prepare for the Solve games, Redrock is different because it involves actual analytical skills you can practice. Spend time working with data tables, practicing speed reading, and doing percentage calculations quickly.
The Investigation phase especially benefits from preparation since you need to rapidly identify relevant information. If you use my excel solver for the Sea Wolf, you will be able to spend much less time preparing for that as well.
Yes. However, the process to get to the right answer will also be considered, thanks to the process score part of the game.
This happens more often than McKinsey would like to admit. If dragging isn’t working, try clicking directly on the data point first, then dragging. Sometimes refreshing the page helps, though you might lose some progress.
Don’t panic if the interface is glitchy – work with what you have and focus on getting the core analysis right.
In most cases around 50% of the information provided is actually useful. Focus on data that directly relates to your research objective.
If you can’t immediately see how a data point helps answer the main question, leave it behind.
I recommend using McKinsey’s built-in calculator tool, because using external tools might affect the proccess score of the game (McKinsey won’t be able to record the steps on external tools).
The good news is that it integrates with your Research Journal, so you can drag data directly into calculations. Practice mental math and get comfortable with basic calculator functions beforehand.
Redrock is a screener, so you need to pass it to get to case interviews, but it’s not the final decision point. Think of it as a gateway rather than the destination.
Strong performance in Redrock won’t guarantee you an offer, but poor performance will definitely hurt your chances. Focus on doing well enough to advance rather than trying to achieve a perfect score.
McKinsey Redrock might seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually quite predictable once you understand the structure.
Remember the core strategy: spend your Investigation time efficiently by focusing only on data you’ll actually need. Use Analysis time to work carefully but steadily through calculations. Make Report time smooth by organizing information you’ve already processed in advance. Then tackle Cases with a 2-minute time limit.
Most importantly, remember that Redrock is just one part of McKinsey’s evaluation process. Even if it doesn’t go perfectly, strong performance on other parts of the interview can still get you the offer. Do your best, but keep the bigger picture in mind.
I hope you are now well-equipped with a good overview and the right strategies to pass the Redrock game and get a McKinsey interview.
If you want to go the extra mile with your preparation, have a look at my full video simulation, which comes with $400 in bonus materials, including a 230-page PDF guide, an Excel solver for the Sea Wolf to quickly find the final three microbes, 8 sets of past Redrock Analysis questions, 10 Redrock case question drills, a 62-page industry cheat sheet for your consulting case preparation and a free McKinsey Sustainable Futures Lab simulation. With the Combo, you can walk through each step of the games and be sure you know everything about the Solve test.
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Ah yes, and you will also get a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t pass within 60 days . Just send me the email indicating the test rejection or the test decile showing you are not in the top score quartile, and I will refund the course.
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