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November 5, 2026
McKinsey Sea Wolf Game:
How to Pass the McKinsey Solve in 2026
The complete guide to the McKinsey Ocean Game
Confused about the new McKinsey Sea Wolf Game?
I feel you.
The game was updated a few times in the last few months and there is very little (accurate) information about it online.
You might already know you have to select microbes to cleanse the ocean in this game (well, it is also commonly called “McKinsey Ocean Cleanup game”, so that’s sort of obvious 😅).
But what exactly should you do to get a great score?
Well, that’s exactly why I wrote this article.
With this blog post, in a few paragraphs, you’ll get clear instructions on how to prep effectively for the McKinsey Sea Wolf game and its game mechanics.
Think of it as your personal coach to learn everything about the game, with step-by-step strategies tailored to the new game.
Ready to learn everything you need to master the Sea Wolf game? Then let’s start!
Do You Want to Play the McKinsey Sea Wolf Game in Advance?
Have a look at the McKinsey Solve simulation I created, including constant updates to the very last version of the game and essential tips to excel in every part of the game. You will have lifetime access to the simulation, so that you can practice without constraints.
And as proof that it works, you will get a 60-day, 100% money-back guarantee, as indicated here. This is the ONLY simulation in the market offering such a guarantee.
89% Success Rate • 400+ 5-Star Reviews • 100% Money-Back Guarantee
🔽 NEXT: The most up-to-date overview of the McKinsey Sea Wolf for 2026 & detailed explanation for all 5 steps of the game (Part 1 of 3) 👇
What is the McKinsey Sea Wolf Game?
The McKinsey Sea Wolf game, also called McKinsey Ocean Cleanup, McKinsey Ocean Treatment or McKinsey Microbe game, is a new test McKinsey launched first in beta testing in 2024 and updated a few times in the last few months, and it is part of the McKinsey Solve recruitment process.
(The other games currently used during the Imbellus game are the McKinsey Redrock game and the Sustainable Futures Lab game. The McKinsey Ecosystem building game was also used when your test indicated 110 minutes in the past; however, it is being phased out and you will not get it if your test indicates 95 minutes. If you want to learn more about these games, you can check my McKinsey Solve game guide here).
⚠️ UPDATE ⚠️
In the last few months, our candidates have reported that they no longer had the Ecosystem game in their McKinsey Solve test. Their email stated they only had 65 or 85 minutes for the test.
If your email indicates 65 minutes for the game, you should have only 2 games in the test (Redrock followed by Sea Wolf).
If your email indicates 85 minutes for the game, you will likely face an additional new game called the Sustainable Futures Lab (new as of March 2026).
In this game, the last one in the McKinsey problem solving game series, you will have to perform an ocean plastic cleanup, by selecting a range of microbes for different sites.
You won’t have to deal with anything other than microbes in this game: no corals, terrain, carnivores, or herbivores are present in this test.
Your performance will be graded according to the site criteria, and you will receive a penalty deduction of 20% for each condition and trait parameter that you do not meet in the final selection. The maximum possible final score in each site is 100%, which should be your benchmark in terms of the assessment result; however, not all sites allow to get a score of 100%. Sometimes the maximum score will be 80%, or even 60%, because you will have to incur at least a penalty.
The game has a timer of 30 minutes (20 and 35 minutes in its older versions), which serves as the deadline to complete the cleansing of marine pollution at the 3 sites.
In the current game format, you will have the Redrock Island game first (and, only if your test is 110-minutes long, the Ecosystem creation one) and then the McKinsey Sea Wolf game.
If you made a search online on prep sites, you have probably struggled to find information about this new game and its gameplay structure. Plus, when any information is present, it’s often contradictory.
But since I offer the only video simulation on the market with 400+ 5-star reviews and 100% money-back guarantee, I have collected enough information to provide you with an accurate overview of this game.
In this article, I will cover for you:
- The real components of the McKinsey Sea Wolf game
- What is tested in the McKinsey Sea Wolf game, and how to maximize your score in each of the steps
- What to do to prepare in advance for the game
- The most common questions asked in the latest version of the McKinsey Sea Wolf game
Ready to start?
Then let’s dive in!
P.S. Do you prefer to watch step-by-step instructions on how to face all the McKinsey games? You can have a look at my video course below, including the best Excel Solvers and latest tips and tricks for all games as of November 2026 (and already updated for the 2026 version of the game).
89% Success Rate • 400+ 5-Star Reviews • 100% Money-Back Guarantee
McKinsey Sea Wolf (Ocean Cleanup) - Your Tasks Explained
The McKinsey Sea Wolf game is structured with 3 different sites, and your goal is to cleanse the ocean in all the contaminated sites in 30 minutes, by using microbes.
(Note: in the past, McKinsey was using 2 ocean sites in 20 minutes instead of 3 sites in 30 minutes. However, now there are 3 sites in this game. If you read somewhere about 2 sites only, that’s outdated information).
The final goal of each site is to select the 3 microbes that will be used to cleanse the ocean in a site.
In order to find the 3 microbes, you will have to go through up to 5 steps, and you will have to repeat the process for all sites. The steps are the following:
- First of all, you will have to pick 2 characteristics, from a possible total of 7, to help you with the final selection.
- Secondly, you will have to categorize 10 microbes that will be provided to you.
- Thirdly, you will have to choose 4 microbes out of a total of 12 available ones.
- Next, you will have to find the 3 final microbes that you should consider for the site.
- [End of Site 1 and Site 2 only] You will have to confirm if a group of Microbes should be allocated to Site 2 (or Site 3) or not.
Phew! That’s quite a bit of stuff to do in just 30 minutes!
Basically, you will have to repeat steps 1 to 4 three times, while step 5 will be required only for end of Sites 1 and 2. On average, that’s around 2 minutes to complete each step. Good timing and a correct mindset about what to do are key in this game.
Don’t worry, we will now analyze each step, so that you can understand what the Sea Wolf game involves, learn the best way to tackle each part, find out the decision-making skills involved and the game flow, and save time during your game.
Step #1 - Selecting the Characteristics
When you start the Sea Wolf game, the first task that you will have is to pick 2 characteristics out of a range of 7 possible ones.
The 7 characteristics are divided into 3 numerical attributes and 4 traits. You can see an example of them and their numerical values in the picture below (source: my guide):
As you can see, you also have some information on the right-hand side about the Site you are currently considering and its environmental conditions (have a look at the picture below).
You can see the attributes of the Site displayed with a range (for example, 4-6 for Rigidity).
On the other hand, the Site information will only show the desired and undesired traits (not all four traits).
As indicated in the picture above, in this example. Site 1 includes 4-6 for Rigidity, 6-8 for Mobility, and 2-4 for Size, with Heat Resistance as desirable trait and Hydrophilic as undesirable trait.
Your objective is to match the site characteristics when selecting the characteristics on the left-hand side. The issue is, you can select only 2 of them. In my course, I will show you how to find the right ones in just a few seconds.
After that, you can move to the following step and start categorizing the microbes.
Step #2 - Categorizing the 10 Microbes
In the second step, you will have to categorize a total of 10 microbes.
When you start in Site 1, you will have the option to categorize the microbe into Site 1, Site 2, or return the microbe. Then, when you move to Site 2, you will have the option to select Site 2, Site 3, or return. Finally, when you move to Site 3, you will have the option to select Site 3 or return.
The picture below shows an example of the game interface in Site 1, showing the microbe profile for Microbe 65 (source: my guide):
On the right-hand side, you will see the information about the current and next site that will help you to make a decision. Ideally, you want to choose the option that matches the most characteristics of the sites, based on the information available.
In my course, I will show you how to allocate the microbes in the minimum possible amount of time and in the best possible way, so that you have more time to complete the test and improve your score.
Once done, you can move to the next step, where you will have to pick 4 microbes for your site selection.
Step #3 - Choosing the 4 Microbes
In the third step of the game, you will be asked to pick 1 microbe out of 3 possible options, for a total of 4 times. Therefore, you will have to select 4 microbes overall.
You can see an example of the interface in the picture below (source: my guide):
You will also see some microbes preselected at the bottom, part of the so-called “prospect pool” or “microbe database” that you will use in Step 4, and that you can ignore at this stage.
Once again, you must select the candidate microbe that best fits the conditions of the site (in my course, you will have the chance to practice this multiple times, so that you can prepare in advance for the actual game).
Once you are done with the placement of the 4 microbes, you will move to the final selection of the 3 microbes for the ocean treatment.
Step #4 - Selecting the 3 Final Microbes
We are almost at the end! In this step, you must to select the 3 microbes needed for the ocean treatment out of a prospect pool of 10 microbes. Below you can see an example of the interface overview for this step (source: my course):
As you can see, the prospect pool of 10 microbes is made up of the 6 microbes that were already present plus the 4 that you selected during Step 3.
This is probably the step that will require more time.
The rules to follow to find your 3 microbes from the microbe set and maximize your score are the following:
- The average of the attributes of your chosen microbes should be within the range of the site attributes.
- There should not be an undesired trait in your selection.
- At least one microbe out of the three selected should have the desired trait.
This step will involve math, as you will have to calculate the average of the attributes for the microbes, to be sure it falls within the one of the current site.
For this reason, an Excel solver comes in very handy, and I have created one exactly to help with this step. With the excel solver, you should be able to complete this step in around 2 minutes and avoid starting your calculations from scratch each time.
The solver will take care of all the relevant variables, from the average of the attributes being within the target range to ensuring that at least one microbe has the desired trait. It will use the site information and automatically show the best score you can achieve with your selection.
You can see it in action below for the microbe selection. The Excel solver template is available for FREE with full functionality as part of my course at this link.
89% Success Rate • 400+ 5-Star Reviews • 100% Money-Back Guarantee
Once done, you will receive confirmation that the microbes have been submitted. You will then be able to move to the final step, which needs to be completed only twice (once for Site 1 and another for Site 2).
Step #5 - Confirming the Microbes
Wait, if we have already selected the 3 treatment microbes, why is there a 5th step?
Good question!
If you remember, in Step 2 we allocated the microbes to either Site 1, Site 2, or returned them. In this last step, you will have to confirm if the allocation for Step 2 was actually correct.
This last step is very similar to Step 2, you can see an example below (source: my course):
Unlike in Step 2, you will now see all the information for Site 2, so you can make a more informed decision. The logic to use for the microbe allocation is the same as in Step 2.
Once this step is completed, you will have to repeat the whole process again for Site 2 (Steps #1 to #5). And after that, do it again for Site 3 (Steps #1 to #4 only, as the last step won’t be needed there).
If the whole process sounds challenging, I totally understand! With just 2 minutes per step, you will have a strict time constraint if you want to finish on time.
For this very reason, I included a free PDF simulation of the McKinsey Sea Wolf game in my McKinsey Solve Combo for you to practice. Plus, if you want, you can add a real simulation to play the game at the checkout here.
Do You Want to Be Ready for the New Sea Wolf Game?
Have a look at my McKinsey PSG video simulation, where I go through each step and share the tips and strategies to beat the Solve game.
There is also an optional full playable simulation of the game available as an add-on if you want to bring your prep to the next level by practicing on the game before test day.
Furthermore, this is the ONLY McKinsey Solve game simulation on the market with a 60-day, 100% money-back guarantee!
Click on the link below to learn more about the McKinsey Solve game walkthrough.
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🔽 NEXT: My recommended approach to prepare for your McKinsey Sea Wolf game (Part 2 of 3) 👇
How to Prepare for the McKinsey PSG Sea Wolf Game
Looking for tips for the McKinsey Digital Assessment? I have prepared a list for you with the most important things to remember to approach the game in the real test. Here it is!
Tip #1: Leverage Excel During the Game
In Step #4 of the game, you will have a lot of parameters to check (10 microbes of the prospect pool with 5 characteristics for each = 50 data points in total). Many candidates find this step the most time-consuming of the entire Sea Wolf, in particular in the worst-case scenario of a maximum score of only 60%, and for sure it is the one testing the most your analytical thinking.
If you use an Excel file for it, your life will be much easier. You can build one in advance based on what is indicated in this article to calculate the average value of the attributes. Unlike Redrock, where there is an embedded digital calculator that I would recommend using, for this game you can perform all the calculations in Excel.
If you want to save time and immediately get a top-notch Excel Solver, you will find one already available for FREE with my course here. In the course, I will show every step needed to benefit from it and find immediately the right combination of microbes. This Excel file will ensure you have the right flexibility to adapt it to the different possible scenarios of Sea Wolf.
Ah, and for those wondering: yes, you can use excel during the game. Almost all our users use ours, and we have an 89% success rate.
Tip #2: Allocate 10 Minutes to Each Site
You will have 30 minutes in total to complete the game. Given that you have 3 contaminated sites, you will have to dedicate 10 minutes per site. This means you will need to move on to the next site if you feel you are stuck.
This might be daunting, but if you follow the video solution in my course, you will see how you can easily complete everything in just 7 minutes per site. I will also show you the recommended time limit for each of the steps of the game so that you don’t feel victim of time pressure.
Tip #3: Use the Break Between Sites
Surprise, surprise! You will have an untimed break between Site 1 and Site 2 and between Site 2 and Site 3. Guess what? You can use it to have a moment to relax before continuing.
You might be thinking, “Why is that needed?” Remember that Sea Wolf is currently the last game of the McKinsey problem solving test. This means you have already spent at least 35 minutes (the time for the Redrock game) with tough calculations and high pressure. If you relax for a few minutes before the last part, you will most likely perform better. This simple Sea Wolf tip could make a difference in the last minutes of the game.
Note: Make sure that the timer says “Time paused” or “Untimed” before taking the break, to avoid bad surprises. If you get a pop-up during the game it does NOT guarantee that there is a pause with the timer.
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McKinsey Imbellus Problem Solving Game Practice
If you want to practice more, I have created for you the first and only video simulation with 400+ 5-star reviews.
(You can check the reviews on Trustpilot).
In the video simulation, I will show you everything you need to know to prepare for the McKinsey Sea Wolf game and be ready for the big day.
You will get a detailed walkthrough of every part of the game, so that you can be perfectly prepared for the test.
The best part? You will have a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t pass the test, but only if you purchase via this link (please note that I cannot offer the guarantee if you buy from any other website apart from psgsecrets.com).
I have also created a full simulation of the Sea Wolf Game!
You will be able to play the game in advance for 3 sites with lifetime access (all 5 steps), designed to test every part of the game.
Here is a sneak peek from the simulation:
You can add the simulation to your cart during checkout at this link.
89% Success Rate • 400+ 5-Star Reviews • 100% Money-Back Guarantee
🔽 NEXT: Find answers to the most common questions asked regarding the Ocean Treatment Game (Part 3 of 3) 👇
McKinsey Sea Wolf Assessment Game FAQs
Need more help? Don’t worry, I have compiled for you some of the most common questions about the game below. Let’s get started!
Click on the tabs below to read more:
Why did McKinsey & Company introduce the Sea Wolf game?
McKinsey regularly updates the McKinsey Solve game with new games. In 2023, for example, they introduced the Redrock Study game.
Most likely, the key reason they change the games is to prevent candidates from becoming too familiar with a particular game. Sea Wolf, currently the newest game in McKinsey’s solve test, is not particularly difficult, but for sure quite different from the previous games used.
How common is the Sea Wolf game in the McKinsey Solve Assessment?
Since January 2025, this game appeared 100% of the time for the candidates we helped. In 2024, when it still included only 2 sites, it appeared around 20% of the time.
What is the time limit for Sea Wolf?
Candidates must now complete the test in 30 minutes for the three sites. In previous versions of the test, when Sea Wolf was the third game after the Ecosystem Building module and Redrock Study, there was a time limit of 35 minutes. As a consequence, it is now more important to prioritize time efficiency to move to the next phase of the selection process.
What are the common mistakes in Sea Wolf in the Imbellus game?
The most common mistakes based on the feedback of my candidates are:
- Skipping the instructions of the game during the tutorial (well, now you already know most of what they will explain from this article, but it is still a good idea to review it anyway).
- Allocating too much time to the 1st Site. You want to ensure 10 minutes per site to complete the game successfully.
- Not leveraging the breaks during the game. You will have sections during the Ocean Cleanup where time will stop, and you can take advantage of them.
What is the best way to prepare for the McKinsey Sea Wolf game?
As a first step, I would recommend studying in detail this blog post and the screenshots, and following the advice and strategies reported here. You might also want to build an Excel Solver tool in advance (or leverage the one I offer for free with my course at this link).
If you want to practice more, I include a free PDF simulation of the McKinsey Sea Wolf game in my course. I have also created the first McKinsey Ocean Treatment simulation in the market for you to play the game in advance; you can add it on our checkout on this page, and if you want, add the Red Rock simulation as well.
I read about different names as "McKinsey Seawolf", "McKinsey Ocean Treatment", "McKinsey Ocean Cleanup", "McKinsey Microbe Game", "McKinsey Ocean Game". Are they all the same game?
Yes, they all refer to the new game, the McKinsey Sea Wolf game.
Will the McKinsey Red Rock Study and Ecosystem game still be part of the digital assessment?
For Red Rock, the answer is yes. You will have to play the Sea Wolf game after the Red Rock test.
If you have 110 minutes to complete the test, you will have to play the Ecosystem Management game too, although that is being phased out. If your test indicates just 65 minutes, you will just have the Red Rock and Sea Wolf; if your test indicates 95 minutes, you will also need to play the new Sustainable Futures Lab game.
Other mini-games like the Plant Defense game, Disease Management, and Disaster Management, included in the Solve test in the past, are no longer used in the McKinsey PST. You can find more details in my free Solve guide.
Where can I find more information on the other games of the McKinsey's Solve game?
You can find a free, full guide detailing all the games at this link, including all games ever used by McKinsey, from the Ecosystem and Redrock games to the Sea Wolf one.
Are You Ready to Play the McKinsey Solve Game?
I hope you are now well-equipped with a good overview and the right strategies to pass the Sea Wolf game and get a McKinsey offer.
If you want to go the extra mile with your preparation, have a look at my full video simulation, which comes with $400 in bonus materials, including a 230-page PDF guide, an Excel solver for the Sea Wolf to quickly find the final three microbes, 8 sets of past Redrock Analysis questions, 10 Redrock case question drills, a 62-page industry cheat sheet for your consulting case preparation and a free McKinsey Sustainable Futures Lab simulation. With the Combo, you can walk through each step of the games and be sure you know everything about the Solve test.
Plus, now you can also play the Redrock and Sea Wolf games if you want! I have created for you a complete simulation of both games with unlimited usage which you can add to the Combo 😉
We have 600+ 5-star reviews for the guide, which you can verify on Trustpilot and PrepLounge .
Ah yes, and you will also get a 100% money-back guarantee if you don’t pass within 60 days . Just send me the email indicating the test rejection or the test decile showing you are not in the top score quartile, and I will refund the course.
The only reason I can offer this is because I know the course works and you will pass the McKinsey Digital Assessment and move to the case interview stage.
This is why you can be sure that this Combo is the best resource to pass the McKinsey game.
Right now, I have an 89% success rate (if you come across comparable claims: ask them why they don’t offer a full guarantee ;)).
Click here to access the course immediately and join the hundreds of successful candidates I have helped and who got offers from McKinsey.
Any questions? Drop me a message in the chat at the bottom-right and I will reply within 12 hours.
Master the McKinsey Game
I have designed the ULTIMATE guide to pass the McKinsey Digital Assessment. With this, you will learn EVERYTHING you need to MASTER the McKinsey Problem Solving Game!
What you get:
- 🏆 89% success rate (tracked)
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- 🦠 NEW: Ocean Treatment game and new 2026 McKinsey Sea Wolf Game
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$ 332 - 📺 35 videos constantly updated totaling 5h50m+
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89% Success Rate • 400+ 5-Star Reviews • 100% Money-Back Guarantee
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Anonymous
Verified Customer I was very satisfied with the course and its overall structure. Before taking it, I had little idea of what to expect from the McKinsey Solve or how to approach the different games. The course provided a clear understanding of the assessment format a...
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Verified Customer Would recommend - I thought this may be a scam, but tried anyways. Turns out its very helpful! I did not realize the intensity of the Solve game, so getting through this material beforehand definitely helped me prepare. The material is pretty spot o...
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Marcello
Verified CustomerGreat course: precise and clear through each step of. Makes candidates feel comfortable in facing selections!
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Verified Customerdid not pass
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User friendly. Watching videos gave me a better idea of what to expect and useful tips for solve.
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