MCKINSEY PRACTICE PST

The Problem Solving Test Experience

One of our team members has just taken the McKinsey Problem Solving Test (PST) last week. He has many interesting updates, insights, and tips on his experience. This is the notes coming straight from his keyboard to your screen.

 
Un-Perfect Testing Condition

mckinsey problem solving test pdf download My PST took place in a new established office building. So there were people coming in and out of the room while I was taking my PST. To make matter worse, I am the only one who takes the test at that moment. So it was extremely distracting and annoying to me.

My Tips: Don\’t expect a perfect testing environment! This does not happen everytime, but it can happen (as it happened to me)!Practice taking test in any environment so you are wel prepared no matter what!
 
Skip the Hard

I knew that I had to skip hard problem solving test questions and focus on those that I could score on. I knew it! But in the real PST, I still spent too much time on hard questions. At the end, I gave up 5 questions. If I really executed the teaching well, I could have scored 1 or 2 more questions. mckinsey passing score

My Tips: Execute the teaching in all practices you do. Otherwise, you will forget in the real test like I did.

 

Don’t Panic

mckinsey problem solving test average score When I reach the 50 mins benchmark with only 17 questions done, I thought to myself: Shoot! I am SO going to fail this. But I did not!

My Tips: Relax. Don\’t worry about the results, keep your head in the test and give your best!

 

Difficulty

I don\’t think it is any harder than the Practice PST on McKinsey website. Yes there are extremly hard questions, but there are some “15-seconds” questions.

However, I admit that taking the real PST is a lot more stressful than doing the practice PST.

My Tips: When you take the Official McKinsey Practice PST, do it as if you are taking the real PST.

 

Other Miscellaneous Things:
  • When I headed to the room, I was given 5 minutes to read an instruction. They have in it a sample case introduction and a sample question. Even though it doesn\’t count, I suggest you to do it as if it is a real question! It is a very valuable warm-up for your mind! Bring your watch! On my PST room, there was no watch. The lady was so nice to bring me a watch. But if that didn\’t happen, it would be messy!
  • I only have 59 and a half minutes. Expect that!
  • Don\’t worry about practicing filling circle! McKinsey answer sheet has very small circles. It is very easy to fill those!
  • Don\’t worry about fliping pages! All pages in the test are separated and one-side-printed! That was nice!