McKinsey Redrock Game
Complete Guide & Strategy to Pass the Red Rock Study
The Redrock Study is a timed, four-phase interactive case combining research, quantitative analysis, and reporting. While the time pressure can feel intense, the underlying mathematics is straightforward. Success comes from solid fundamentals, disciplined time management, and familiarity with the format.
Contents
What is the Redrock Study
The Redrock Study is a 35-minute interactive case study that forms part of the McKinsey Solve assessment. It presents a scenario—typically involving ecosystem dynamics on a fictional island—where candidates must gather information, perform calculations, and deliver recommendations.
The assessment is divided into four sequential phases:
Investigation
The opening phase presents background information and data exhibits. Candidates use an interactive journal to capture and organise key facts. Important information is highlighted, making this more about selection and organisation than discovery.
Analysis
This phase involves answering several quantitative questions based on the collected materials. An on-screen calculator is available, and values can be pulled directly from the journal. Candidates can still navigate back to the Investigation phase if needed.
Report
The Report phase has two components: a written summary with fill-in-the-blank elements, and a visual component requiring chart selection and data input. Once this phase begins, returning to earlier phases is no longer possible—though previous answers remain visible in the journal.
Case
The final phase presents standalone quantitative questions that are independent of the earlier case material. These cover percentages, probabilities, chart interpretation, and basic data analysis.
Redrock Study Tips
Many candidates find the time pressure challenging, but the mathematical concepts themselves are accessible. Confidence with the following fundamentals is essential:
Core Arithmetic
Although a calculator is provided, mental arithmetic remains important for quick verification. Being able to spot obvious errors—like a result that's an order of magnitude off—prevents costly mistakes.
- Round number operations should feel automatic
- Decimal shifts when dividing by 10, 100, or 1000 should be instant
- Watch for transcription errors (e.g., reading 1,500 as 15,000)
Working with Percentages
Percentage calculations appear frequently. Key concepts include:
- Applying increases and decreases: a 15% increase means multiplying by 1.15; a 15% decrease means multiplying by 0.85
- Finding original values: if something is now 110% of its original, divide by 1.1 to recover the starting figure
- Compounding: consecutive 10% increases don't sum to 20%—they multiply (1.1 × 1.1 = 1.21, or 21% total)
- Symmetry is misleading: gaining 10% then losing 10% doesn't return to the original (you end up at 99%)
Probability Fundamentals
- Move fluidly between fractions, decimals, and percentages (1 in 8 = 0.125 = 12.5%)
- Always confirm what the total population is before calculating probabilities
- Match your answer format to what the question requests
Statistical Measures
Be comfortable calculating and interpreting mean, median, and mode—including from histograms. A common error is identifying the median as the middle value on the x-axis rather than the middle value in the ordered dataset.
Estimation for Verification
Quick mental estimates help catch calculator errors. For instance, 23% of 250 should be close to 25% of 250 (which is 62.5)—if the calculator shows 575, something went wrong.
Redrock Best Practices
Engage with the Provided Tools
The on-screen calculator and interactive journal exist for a reason. McKinsey has specifically designed these tools into the assessment, and how candidates engage with them may factor into evaluation. Use the calculator for non-trivial arithmetic. Organise the journal thoughtfully—rename generic labels, group related information, and highlight critical values.
Answer Every Question
There is no penalty for incorrect answers, so leaving questions blank only guarantees zero points. When time is short or uncertainty is high, make a reasoned guess and move forward.
Pause Before Submitting
Build a brief review window—even 10 seconds—before confirming each answer. This simple habit catches errors that become obvious immediately after submission, when correction is no longer possible.
Expect Ambiguity
Question wording is sometimes deliberately unclear. Spending excessive time trying to decode the "perfect" interpretation is counterproductive. Make a reasonable interpretation, commit to it, and proceed. The time cost of over-analysis typically exceeds the value of the marginal accuracy gained.
Watch for Assumption Resets
Questions that appear sequential may actually be independent. A follow-up question might look like it builds on the previous answer but actually reverts to baseline assumptions. Read each question on its own merits rather than assuming continuity.
Example scenario:
Given: Elk population is always triple the bear population. Elk grow 8% annually. Year 1 elk = 120.
- • Q1: Bear population in Year 1? (Answer: 40)
- • Q2: Elk in Year 3 if growth were 15% instead? (Answer: ~159)
- • Q3: Projected bear population in Year 3? (Uses original 8% growth, not Q2's modified assumption)
The trap is carrying forward Q2's hypothetical into Q3, when Q3 actually returns to the baseline scenario.
Redrock Study Best Preparation
Refresh Quantitative Fundamentals
If percentage calculations, probability concepts, or statistical measures feel unfamiliar, invest time in practice. The goal isn't mastery of advanced mathematics—it's fluency with basics so that execution is automatic rather than effortful.
Complete Realistic Practice Cases
The most effective preparation involves working through simulations that replicate the actual interface, timing, and question complexity. A good practice case should feel challenging and somewhat ambiguous—this accurately reflects what the real assessment is like.
Understand the Test Flow
After a few practice runs, the structure becomes familiar and less intimidating. One walkthrough of the overall format is typically sufficient—extensive video research offers diminishing returns beyond basic orientation.
Practice with Our Redrock Simulator
Full Redrock Case Library
Access multiple realistic Redrock case studies covering all four phases. Practice with interactive exhibits, the journal system, and timed conditions that mirror the actual assessment.
- • Multiple unique case scenarios
- • All four phases included
- • Interactive data exhibits
- • Unlimited practice attempts
Related: Sea Wolf Guide
The McKinsey Solve assessment typically includes multiple games. Sea Wolf (Ocean Cleanup) is another common component that tests optimisation and constraint-based reasoning through a microbe selection scenario.
Read the Sea Wolf Strategy Guide →Choose Your Package
Select the package that fits your preparation needs. All packages include 6 months access.
You only get one attempt at the McKinsey Solve Games. This costs less than a single interview coaching session — and prepares you for the actual filter.
Solver Only
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Perfect for learning the scoring logic and understanding optimal microbe combinations.
- Seawolf Solver (Phases 3 & 4)
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Seawolf Bundle
6 Months Access
Complete Seawolf training with simulator, solver, and unlimited practice.
- Seawolf Simulator
- Seawolf Solver (Phases 3 & 4)
- 6 Months Access
- Unlimited Practice Sessions
Redrock Cases
6 Months Access
10 full case studies with interactive simulation interface, detailed feedback, and analytics.
- 10 Full Case Studies
- Interactive Interface
- Detailed Feedback & Analytics
- 6 Months Access
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