Digital assessment
Gamified problem-solving assessments
Timed, game-style screens that test how you think, not what you know about business. McKinsey's Solve is the best-known example; most other firms use different online screens.
20 min1 lesson Last reviewed
Start the lesson What the games test, and how to prepare honestly
Key takeaways
- Build the skills the game measures rather than trying to learn the game: structuring a problem, reading data quickly, and deciding under time pressure.
- Spending too long on one part and running out of time, or trying to guess how it is scored instead of working carefully.
- Follow each firm's rules on AI: Bain's official assessment page says AI tools are strictly prohibited during its online test, including recording, screenshots, and any software that transcribes or gives feedback.
By the end you will be able to
- Know the current Solve format and what it measures
- Prepare the real underlying skills honestly
- Avoid the common mistakes under time pressure