PST By Type

This practice package has been developed to provide a sample of the actual McKinsey Problem Solving Test used for selection purposes. This package assesses your ability to solve business problems using deductive, inductive, and quantitative reasoning.

There are 6 types of questions:

1. Client Interpretation
2. Fact-based Conclusion
3. Formulae
4. Reading Fact
5. Root-cause Reason
6. Word Problem

We suggest a study plan for the PST in two phases.

Phase 1 is to know how to get it RIGHT, without time pressure. The goal of this phase is to be able to answer all questions as close to 100% correct as possible.

The key to this is to break the test down into various question types. There are 6 question types. My suggested sequencing is:

1. Reading Fact

2. Root-cause Reason

3. Fact-based Conclusion

4. Word Problem

5. Formulae

6. Client Interpretation

Phase 2 is to get it FAST. Once you know how to answer all questions, it’s time to gear up for your speed. For this, I laid out 3 plus 1 building blocks:

1. Increase your reading speed

2. Increase calculation speed

3. Embrace test-taking hacks

4. And lastly, putting it all together in the full case practice

Of all four, item #2 and #4 takes the most time and requires the most effort from you.