Does McKinsey Solve track your mouse movements?

Updated 28 September 2026

It is one of the most repeated claims about the test, usually by people selling preparation. Here is what is actually known.

What is documented

• McKinsey says the test looks at how you reach an answer, not only the answer.
• The published research behind this kind of game-based assessment scores process from clicks, choices and their timing: which information you used, whether you worked systematically, how you handled mistakes. It deliberately discounts raw speed.
• The patents behind the test list mouse movement among many things that can be recorded. Recordable is not the same as scored.
• McKinsey's own FAQ says a mouse is optional, and a trackpad works. A score that depended on cursor paths would sit oddly with that.

What is not known

Nobody outside the company has shown that cursor movement, hesitation or hovering affects the score. Forum posts that say "they track 100+ parameters including mouse movement" do not cite a source, and several come from people who sell courses.

What it means for you

Play naturally. Do not slow down to move the mouse "cleanly", and do not worry about hovering while you think. What plausibly matters is what you click: opening the information that is relevant, working in a sensible order, not flip-flopping between answers, and finishing within the time.

CasesTrain is an independent practice tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to McKinsey & Company. McKinsey, Solve and the game names are used only to describe the test; they belong to their owners. What is written here comes from candidates' own public reports and McKinsey's public FAQ, and may change.