Could using your own Calculator in the final part of the McKinsey Redrock Test affect your score or be considered cheating?

Question

I've practiced with a few redrock simulations and noticed that during the when I reach the 2nd part with the 6 individual cases, I’m significantly faster and more accurate when using my own calculator instead of the one provided in the platform. I can manage the initial section with their calculator, probably because the time pressure feels lower, but from the second case onward, I perform more efficiently with my own.

Would using my personal calculator only in that part, without inputting the calculations into the platform’s tool affect my process score, or could it even be considered cheating by McKinsey?

Answer 1

Hi there,

This is a common challenge for many candidates. While it’s unclear how strictly McKinsey evaluates the process score related to the on-screen calculator, external tools could affect your assessment since the platform is designed to track your reasoning and inputs.

To minimize risk, I recommend sticking with the on-screen calculator unless it significantly slows you down and prevents you from completing the test on time. If you use external tools (Excel, calculator), ensure all key calculations are inputted into the platform to maintain process visibility.

Good luck with your Solve assessment!

Best,
Vini

Answer 2

Hi there,

Q: Would using my personal calculator only in that part, without inputting the calculations into the platform’s tool affect my process score?

It's not exactly clear how the calculator impacts the process score, however if you are not running out of time, I would recommend using the embedded calculator for the following reasons:

Using an external calculator might indeed impact the process score.
There could be issues with the approximation of numbers if you use an external tool.

If you are running out of time, I would recommend switching to the option that is the fastest for you.

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 3

Hey!

Using your own calculator during the McKinsey Redrock Test is not recommended and could be considered a violation of the test's guidelines. McKinsey expects candidates to use the provided tools in the platform for consistency and fairness. While it’s understandable that you feel more comfortable with your own calculator, relying on external tools could lead to a situation where the integrity of the testing process is questioned, especially if it diverges from the official setup.

To ensure that you’re following the rules and to maintain fairness, it’s best to use the calculator provided within the platform. It’s designed to help you complete the test efficiently while ensuring consistency across all candidates. If you believe the platform's calculator is slowing you down, consider practicing with it more, so you become equally proficient with it as you are with your personal one. This will help avoid any potential issues with process scoring or integrity concerns.

Best, Alessa

Answer 4

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

First of all, from a logical perspective, the process score should not penalize you for using your own calculator, as long as you are allowed to use one. It should only measure any inconsistencies, such as correcting inputs or changing your approach completely in the middle of a game.
Moreover, based on the experience of my coachees, it does not seem to make any difference whether you use the in-game calculator or not.
Lastly, however, no one knows for sure, and it is kind of pointless to think about it.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming McKinsey pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen