文档内容
6
T
H
MCKINSEY E
D
IT
IO
N
IMBELLUS
GAME
SECRETS
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR THE
MCKINSEY PROBLEM SOLVING GAME
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From the author
Thanks for purchasing this guide!
My name is Francesco, I am a tech entrepreneur, case interview coach and ex BCG.
I have done 3.000+ coaching sessions in the last 8 years and I found many
candidates need reliable information on the McKinsey Problem Solving Game
–also called Imbellus Test.
This guide wants to show you a step-by-step process to win the gameand help
you to move to the next round.
I will constantly update it and you will be able to download any further version for
free using the link on the next page –thus check it out!
You may feel there is something missing in this guide. If so, please feel free to
contact me here: bit.ly/ProfileFR. I will help you as much as I can to find what
you are looking for, for free. If you bought this guide, we are in this together.
Now let’s start our journey to hack the McKinsey Imbellus Test!
Francesco Rieppi
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A new way to assess candidates
Imagine yourself in a beautiful, serene forest populated by many kinds of wildlife. As you take in the flora
and fauna, you learn about an urgent matter demanding your attention: the animals are quickly
succumbing to an unknown illness. It’s up to you to figure out what to do—and then act quickly to protect
what you can.
Are you familiar with this paragraph? It isthe description of one of the scenarios of the McKinsey
Problem Solving Game. The new Test McKinsey designed to replace the PST in many offices worldwide.
McKinsey claims there is no way to prepare. However, thanks to consultations and feedback from tens
of candidates, you have now in your hands the ultimate guide to understand exactly what to expect
and how to hack the Imbellus test.
The goal of this guide is to give you all the tools to understand what the game is about,how you
should prepare and how to win it.
The guide is constantly updated and you can find its very last version at the link below (or here: bit.ly/L1brarY)
Find the last updated version HERE
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01
The Imbellus
Test: Overview
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 5Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) THE IMBELLUS TEST: OVERVIEW
The McKinsey Imbellus test is now the first step in the
interview process in several offices
Test Firstround Secondround
The Problem Solving Game
Structure Gamified testinvolving 1 or 2 one-to-one rounds 2 or 3 one-to-one rounds
different scenarios normally conducted by normally conducted by can be performed within 7
Engagement Managers or Junior Partners or Partners days after receiving the link
The test evaluates 5 key Junior Partners
areas: critical thinking, Candidates usually hear back
decision making, meta- The interview includes Fit The interview includes Fit
within 2 weeks
cognition, situational questions (10-15m), a case questions (10-15m), a case
awareness and system (30m) and your questions (30m) and your questions
thinking for the interviewer (5m) for the interviewer (5m) If candidates fail the test, they
usually have a ban for 1 to 2
It replaces the old PST years
Duration 60 to 75 minutes 45 to 60 minutes per 45 to 60 minutes per
The test is currently available in
interview interview
English, Spanish,
Portuguese and Japanese
Location At home. In few offices, the On-site (via video call On-site (via video call
test was conducted at the during COVID quarantine) during COVID quarantine)
office before the COVID
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Unlike the PST, the Game doesn’t require business knowledge and is graded
on both interim steps and final results
McKinsey Imbellus Game PST
Relevance of previous The game setting is a natural Simulation close to a business case
2business knowledge environment. Business knowledge interview. Favors candidates with
doesn’t provide any advantage previous business knowledge
Relevance of method The Game evaluates the intermediate The candidate is not assessed on the
to arrive to results actions to arrive to a solution, tracking intermediate stepsto arrive to a
the clicks and time spent by candidates solution
Relevance of final The outcome of the Game is relevant The final answer of a candidate is the
result to assess a candidate only criterion used for evaluation
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The last version of the test includes two common
scenarios and few variations
Most
common The tutorial doesn’t have time
constraints
Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario 4
Ecosystem Plant Disaster Disease
You cannot pause the game
Management Defense Management Management
once you start it
Situation Manage ecosystem Defend a plant Manage a Manage a
The game changes each time it
in either a coral from outside disaster affecting disease spreading
reef or a mountain invaders an ecosystem between animals is played. You cannot copy the
ridge exact strategy used by
previous candidates
Goal Make the Delay attacks Identify the type Identify the type
ecosystem from invaders ofdisaster and ofdisease and Candidates have to allocate
sustainable and defend the maximize the the next animals the time for each scenario–
plant survival of to be affected
there is no hard stop after the
animals
first one
Gameplay Dynamic, non Static, turn- Dynamic, non Dynamic, non
turn-based based turn-based turn-based
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There are 5 key areas tested in the Game
Critical McKinsey claims there is
System thinking no way to prepare for the
thinking game
However, since the game
is based on specific skills
it is possible to define an
Decision optimal preparation for each
Situational making area
awareness
In this guide, we will see
what the skills are about
Meta- and how to best prepare
cognition for each of them
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This guide will lead you to a complete understanding of the game, the skills
tested and the best way to prepare
Understand Identify what is Define an optimal
the game tested preparation
ü Part 2: The Origin of the ü Part 4: The Skills ü Part 5: Hacking the
Test Tested Scenarios
ü Part 3: The Game ü Part 6: Mastering the
Scenarios Skills
ü Part 7: Learning Tests
Best Practices
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02
The Origin of
the Test
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 11Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) THE ORIGIN OF THE TEST
McKinsey designed the Game in collaboration with the
startup Imbellus
Imbellus is a US company that McKinsey and Imbellus joined
creates immersive simulations forces to create a better way to
assessments assess candidates and replace
the PST The Game was initially
tested on a sample of
The goal of the company is to evaluate the Imbellus created the test score using its own candidates together
way candidates think during tasks problem solving structure which includes
The major novelty of their approach is more than 100 elementsand incorporating with the PST to refine
the use of telemetry data (iedata taken feedback from McKinsey the evaluation method
real time from the game) and create a Elements taken into account include users
new scoring system to assess actions and timestampsand their
candidates correspondence with the problem solving
After the initial positive
Imbellus aims to discount the high value structure
placed on memory and speed and The scores derive from actions during the results, McKinsey
increase focus on the cognitive whole game and the final results began to implement
process to reach a conclusion
the Game worldwide
"Imbellus assessments focus on evaluating how people think instead of what they know.
Through our scenarios that take place in our simulation-based environments, we observe
details of users’ cognitive processes, not just their end choices"
Imbellusand McKinsey Team -Constructing Cognitive Profiles for Simulation-Based Hiring
Assessments -2018
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The Imbellus Game aims to assess candidates better and to make the recruiting
process more efficient
Suitable for Agnostic to Apt to evaluate Adaptable to a Able to
different people the way larger number of improve
roles background candidates think candidates efficiency
McKinsey is constantly The performance in The Game final score The Game can be The Game makes the
expanding the type of the Game is not derives not only from performed at home. recruiting process
people hired. Unlike related to previous the final results, but This helps to make it easier to automate,
the PST, the Imbellus business knowledge. also from the accessible to more saving time to both
Game is applicable as The test is also more approach used to candidates and candidates and the
well to data scientists, difficult to prepare in reach that result increases the chances recruiting team
IT experts and digital advance compared to to find top talent
designers the PST
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After the initial test, the Game is now present worldwide
Number of countries and assessed candidates
Estimated candidates Estimated countries
Countries Candidates
2016 –Collaboration between Nov 17 – Game tested on Fall 18–Game extended to May 20 –Test reaches 30
McKinsey and Imbellus begins 527candidatesinLondon additional offices countries and 15k people
Fall 19–Test becomes
available online
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03
The Game
Scenarios
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The current version of the Game includes two Scenarios
in 60-75 minutes
Part 2 normally includes
Plant Defense or Disease
Management. In the past,
this section included a
game on Disaster
Part 1 Part 2
Managementinstead.
•Ecosystem Management •Plants Defense
The game used to include
•Disease Management three Parts in the past.
•Disaster Management (rare)
Remember: there is no
time limit between the two
parts. Avoid to use all the
time in Part 1!
60 to 75 minutes
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The typical scenario in Part 1 is Ecosystem Management
Goal of the scenario:create a Step 1 –Choice of species Step 2 –Choice of location
sustainable ecosystem on
either a mountain ridge or a
coral reef
Gameplay:there are no turns.
There is a time bar on the top
showing how much time passed
Structure of the game: there
are two main phases.
• First, you have to define the
8 speciesto populate the
• Candidates choose 8 species out of 39 • Candidates choose the location based on
ecosystem possible choices (9 plants and 30 7 ecosystem variables
• Second, you have to define species eating plants) • Each location is represented by a dot,
one ideal location based on • Species are divided in categories, with unique characteristics
including producers (egplants, corals) and • Mountain ridge variables include:
specific variables
animals altitude, cloud height, pH of soil, wind
• Variables for choice include: predators, speed, precipitations, sunlight, moisture
How to achieve success: food sources, calories needed, calories • Coral reef variables include: depth,
create an appropriate food provided, preferred environment water current, water clarity, temperature,
salt content, dissolved oxygen, wind
chain in a suitable location speed
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 17PART 1 Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) THE GAME SCENARIOS
Ecosystem Management – Choice of species
Species
categories Number of
species
selected out of
the 8 available
Species
variables
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Ecosystem Management – Choice of location
Time left
Species selected The 7 location
categories
Species
variables
Cursor -can be
moved to find
location
Button to select
species or
location
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 19PART 2 Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) THE GAME SCENARIOS
The typical scenario in Part 2 is Plant Defense
Goal of the scenario:defend a plant from the Step 1 –Allocations of barriers Step 2 –Reallocation of
attacks of invaders (rabbits, ferrets, mice and
similar animals) and defenders resources
Gameplay:the game is divided in 3 stages, each
made by 15+ turns. In each stage, the map
changes
Structure of the game.
• At the beginning of turn 1, 6 and 11, you
have to choose 5 resources (barriers or
animals) to defend the plant
• After choosing the 5 resources, new
invaders appear and approach the plant
in the center. Your first resource is
activated. You can then adapt your
strategy, changing the remaining 4
resources previously selected • Candidates choose 5 barriers (terrains) or • After each turn, invaders appear at the edge of
• With the new turn, new invaders appear. animals (defenders) at the beginning of turn 1,6 the mapin a defined number or move one square
Your second choice is activated. You can and 11 • If the invaders move in the area of influence of an
then change the remaining 3 resources • Barriers and animals are positioned on a grid. animal, their number decreases
• At the end of the 5 turns, you can choose The grid increases in size while the game • If the invaders move in the area of influence of a
new resourcesfor the following 5 turns progresses barrier, they slow down
• After the 15thturn, you won’t be able to • The plant to defend is located in the center of • If invaders reach the plant, they kill it
make additional moves, but invaders will the map • The number of invaders increases over time
continue to appearuntil the plant dies • Animals include wolves, eagles and snakes. • Each animal and barrier is apt to certain
Animals can kill invaders invaders,based on its specific information
How to achieve success: position the barriers • Barriers include mountains, bushes and trees. • After the invaders move, you can reallocate the
and animals to delay or eliminate the invaders Barriers can delay invaders resources
before they reach the plant
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Plant Defense – Turn 3 example
Invader
Area of
influence of a
defender
Actions to still Plant to
be activated defend
Actions
available.
Since we are
in turn 3, two
actions have
already been Animals and
used, the barriers
others can available
still be
modified
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Plant Defense – Turn 4 example
The invader
moved one
square
New invader
Action 3
Is now active
The actions
available
show Action 3
took place.
Only action 4
and 5 can
now be
modified
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 22PART 2 Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) THE GAME SCENARIOS
1st Alternative Scenario in Part 2: Disaster Management
Goal of the scenario:identify the Disaster Management
type of disaster and move species
in a new area to maximize survival
Gameplay:there are no turns.
There is a time bar on the top
showing how much time passed
Structure of the game: there are
two main phases.
• First, you have to identify the
type of disaster
• Second, you have to identify
the area more suitable to
move the animals
How to achieve success: select
the area more suitable based on
type of disaster, variables of the • The type of disaster can be identified looking at elements like temperature and
area and variables of animals rainfall
• The optimal area depends on elements including the presence of predators or
plantssustainable for the creation of a food chain
• Criteriafor the selection are similar to the ones of Ecosystem Management
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Disaster Management – Screenshot example
Survival
information
Species
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2nd Alternative Scenario in Part 2: Disease Management
Goal of the scenario:identify Disease Management
the type of disease and the next
animals that will be affected
Gameplay:there are no turns.
There is a time bar on the top
showing how much time passed
Structure of the game: there
are two main phases.
• First, you have to identify
what changed compared to
the past
• Second, you have to identify
the animals that are going to
be affected next
How to achieve success:
• There are two sources of information: variables of the species and changes
understand what links the
over time
infected animals and forecast the • Species information include name, age, weight, altitude and temperature
next that are going to be sick • There are usuallythree time periods to analyze
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Disease Management – Screenshot example
Species
information
Time periods
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04
The Skills
Tested
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Each of the 5 skills refers to a different ability
Critical thinking
• Derive rational conclusions
System thinking from facts, in situations where
you have large amount of
▪ Understand cause –effect
information
relationships
Decision making
• Make the best decision when
several options are available
and you have a limited
Situation awareness amount of time
• Determine relationships
between different factors and Meta-cognition
to project the outcome of a
• Develop strategies to make
scenario
absorption of information
faster, for example testing
different hypothesis
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Skills tested – Examples
Skill Key element tested Example
The scoring system is
based on telemetry data
Derive conclusions from Can Yellow Fish survive in
Critical Thinking facts the food chain? (data collected in real time)
for all the key skills
Should defenders or
Decision making Make the best decision barriers be used first in The skills are tested not
Plant Defense? only according to the final
result, but also on actions
Which are the relevant
taken, mouse movements
Meta-cognition Absorb information variables to consider for a
and time spentduring the
good ecosystem?
game
What happens if I put a
Situation awareness Determine relationships barrier close to the plant
The actions taken are
instead of far from it?
benchmarked with an
What happens to the food expert model built by
System thinking Understand cause-effect chain if we change Green Imbellus and McKinsey
Coral with Red Coral?
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Successful candidates show the highest average score in
critical thinking
McKinsey and Imbellus
created the score weighting
the performance of
candidates according to the
actions taken in the test
A percentile shows the
percentage of people who
scored at or below a
particular level. A 78%
percentile indicates therefore
that 78% of candidates
perform at or below the
median level needed to get
an offer
Source: Imbellus and McKinsey Team -Constructing Cognitive Profiles for Simulation-Based Hiring Assessments -2018
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05
Hacking the
Scenarios
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The first step to perform well in the game is to understand exactly what you
should do in each game
Scenarios Skills Test best
hacks mastery practices
Learn tips and Create routines Master general
tricks to optimize to improve in the good practices to
scores in the most 5 areas tested perform well
common scenarios during the Game in tests
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 32Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) HACKING THE SCENARIOS
Each scenario requires a specific strategy
Ecosystem Management Plant Defense
Disaster Management Disease Management
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Ecosystem Management: how to win the game (1/3)
McKinsey
recommends 35
minutes in this part.
However, you may use
less time and be
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4
successful anyway
•Identify the •Organize •Double •Identify the
ranges the food check if all location
common to chain the species
most plants can survive
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 34Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) HACKING THE SCENARIOS
Ecosystem Management: how to win the game (2/3)
1 Identify the ranges common to most plants 2 Organize the food chain
Key DownloadtheImbellusExcel(seeAppendix1atpage74).Learnhowto Eliminateplants/coralsnotfittingtheselectedranges.Youshouldhave3-4
categorizeinformationonthespecies plantsleft
activities
Whenthegamebegins,populatetheTemplatewiththevariablesofthe AddtotheExcelonlytheanimalsfittingtherangesidentifiedinStep1
plants/coralsonly.Includecaloriesaswell UsingtheFoodChainTemplate(seeAppendix2atpage91),startfromthe
Identifytherangescommontomostproducers.Ifthesamenumberof toppredatoravailableintherangesselected
plants/corals survive in different ranges, choose the ranges where Iftherearemultipletoppredators,startwiththeonerequiringfewercalories
plants/coralsprovidemostcalories Continuetop-downuntilyouhave8species,includingplants/corals.Follow
Avoid ranges including producers not eaten by anyone, even if they theRulesoftheGametobuildthechain(seeAppendix3atpage94)
providemorecalories!Lookatthepredatorsoftheproducertocheckthat
Key tip Inmostrecentversionsofthegame,thereare3possiblerangeselections, Ifmultipleoptionsareavailableforonelevel,prioritizethoserequiringfewer
eachwith3plants.Youcanchoosetheoneprovidingmorecalories caloriesandprovidingthemost
Example
Top predator Real sketch of a
You can use the Excel Animal chain used by a
template to identify the successful
ranges common to the Plant candidate. You can
majority of the plants/corals use the Food Chain
Template to identify
visually the right
chain
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Ecosystem Management: how to win the game (3/3)
3 Double check if all the species can survive 4 Identify the location
Key Once completed the food chain, double check if it is sustainable After creating the food chain, click on “Location” and move the cursor on
A chain is sustainable if the calories provided are ABOVE zero (not the screen. You will see different values appearing on the right for the 7
activities
EQUAL to zero) for every species and all calories needed are fully met variables.
Review Appendix 4 at page 102 for examples of sustainable and not Use the ranges identified in Step 1 for plants/corals to select a suitable
sustainable chains location. Take into account also the conditionsthat don’t vary across
species
Once chosen the location, click submit. The game will end and an
animation will show the different animals of the chain you built
Key tip Thetypicalfoodchainhas3to5levels,oneforplants/coralsandthe You can select up to 4 variables each time. Select the ones related to
othersforanimals. the ranges identified in Step 1
Example
Page 103 shows an You can select up to 4
example of a variables when you
sustainable chain have to choose the
location
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Plant Defense: how to win the game (1/3)
McKinsey
recommends 36
minutes (12 minutes
per round) in this part.
However, you may use
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4
less time and be
successful anyway
•Understand •Define a •Analyze the •Adjust the
barriers and strategy to invaders strategy
defenders place the
resources
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Plant Defense: how to win the game (2/3)
1 Understand barriers and defenders 2 Define a strategy to place the resources
Key Eachanimalandbarrierhasspecificvariables.Asanexample,in At the beginning of the game, place defenders with large areas of
activities somegames: influence close to the plant, creating a circular protection from all
o Eaglescoverthemostsquares,butinflictlessdamage sides
o Snakescoveronesquareonly,butinflictmoredamage Barriers can create bottlenecks to make defenders more effective
o Wolves cover 3x3 cross-shaped areas, and inflict the most Once placed, a resource is active for the whole game
damage Avoid to put defenders on the edge of the map. Part of the
o Barrierscanstopsomeinvadersbutnotothers sphere of influence will end outside and they will be useless for
attacks from opposite directions
Key tip Mostterrainsandanimalshavelimitations.Eg: Some defenders can be only placed on a specific barrier (eg
Forestscanbepositionedonlynearforests eagles on forests). This means you will need to “use” 2 turns to
Eaglescanbepositionedonlyonforests activate that particular resource
Example
Each Terrain and Defender
has specific variables, apt You will select 5 resources in
for some Invaders advance. You should predict
when the resource becomes
active, as invaders may have
already crossed its sphere of
influence
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Plant Defense: how to win the game (3/3)
3 Analyze the invaders 4 Adjust the strategy
Key Checktheinvaders’variablestounderstandthebestbarrierand Your strategy can be adjusted after invaders move
activities defenderstouse Unlessyouhavetoreacttoanimmediatethreatfortheplant,youare
o Eachinvaderissloweddownbyacertaintypeofterrain.A better off creating circular defenses around it so that you have
fox,forexample,canbesloweddownbyarockyarea protectionfromallsides
o Mountainsnormallycannotbecrossedbyanyinvader After turn 15th, you won’t be able to make additional moves, but
invaders will still appear and move. Define circular protections
before turn 15th to defend the plant as long as possible to
maximizeyourscore
Key tip If the areas of influence of two defenders overlap where an Eveniftheinvadersreachtheplantbeforeturn15,youmaystill
invaderislocated,theywillbothinflictdamage passthegame
Example
Invaders appear at the
end of each turn at the Resources can be
edge of the map adjusted after
invaders move
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Disaster Management: how to win the game (1/3)
This game is sometimes
present in Part 2
The winning strategy is
comparable to the one
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4
in Ecosystem
Management, with the
•Understand •Find •Identify the •Double
added task to
the type of similarities best check if all
understand the type of
disaster between location the species
disaster
species can survive
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Disaster Management: how to win the game (2/3)
1 Understand the type of disaster 2 Find similarities between species
Key Recognize the natural disaster occurring based on the There is a limited number of variables relevant for each
activities informationprovidedinthegame,outofarangeofoptions species
Youshouldidentify therangesthat applyto themajorityof
thespecies
TheapproachisthesameasinEcosystemManagement
Key tip Events give hints of what happened and how to identify a Somevariablesareuselessandtheironlyroleistoconfuse
disaster you
Example
As for ecosystem
management, the
new environment will
Events help to included multiple
identify the type of species
disaster
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 41Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) HACKING THE SCENARIOS
Disaster Management: how to win the game (3/3)
3 Identify the best location 4 Double check if the species can survive
Key Use the variables identified before to eliminate locations Verify if the species can survivein the new ecosystem
activities not offering survival The food chain will work if food sources and predators are
suitable for the species
Key tip Ifthevariablesareincontrastwitheachother,prioritizethem Not all the previous species may survive in the new
basedonthenumberofanimalsaffected environment
Example
As for Ecosystem Data on population
management, each help to identify if the
location will offer new ecosystem is
specific information sustainable
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Disease Management: how to win the game (1/3)
The game is divided into 2
parts. The first includes just
2 variables affecting the
species. The second is
more complex and includes
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 4 variables.
McKinsey recommends
•Familiarize •Understand •Formulate •Select the
11 minutes for the first
with the what hypotheses animals that
part and 25 with the
species happened on the will become
second part.
factors over time disease affected
However, you may use less
time and be successful
anyway
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Disease Management: how to win the game (2/3)
1 Familiarize with the species factors 2 Understand what happened over time
Key Understandthekeyvariablesoftheanimalsaffected Clickonthetimeslotsatthebottomofthescreenandanalyze
activities Usualfactorstounderstandtherulesarename,age,weight, whatchangedforthevariablesovertime
temperature,altitude Find a pattern between the change over time and the
variablesofthespecies
Key tip The relevant variables may increase during the game. There are usually 3 time periods to consider – use all of
Usuallyyoustartwith3andendwith5-6 themtoderivethepattern
Example
The initial key variable Selecting the
are usually name, age time slots,
and weight you can
understand
how the
illness
developed
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Disease Management: how to win the game (3/3)
3 Formulate hypotheses on the disease 4 Select the animals that will become affected
Key Based on the pattern between variables and changes over Once you are sure about your hypothesis, follow the
activities time,defineahypothesisonwhatleadstothedisease instructions and select the animals that are going to be
affected next
Key tip Verifyifhypothesisisconsistentwithalltheobservations After selecting the animals, you may have to do the game
againinanewmapincludingahighernumberofvariables
Example
The game will
You can check the lead you to
evolution of the select the
animal health to test if animals who
your hypothesis is will become
correct sick
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06
Mastering the
Skills
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 46Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) MASTERING THE SKILLS
The second step to perform well in the game is to identify how to improve
your skills
Scenarios Skills Test best
hacks mastery practices
Learn tips and Create routines Master general
tricks to optimize to improve in the good practices to
scores in the most 5 areas tested perform well
common scenarios during the Game in tests
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To master the skills you can work on multiple ones at the same time or
one-by-one
Practice type Description Slide example
Multiple Skills Strategies covering multiple skills at
the same time. Examples include:
• PST
• GMAT
• Games
Single Skill Strategies targeting one specific skill.
Examples include:
• Hypothesis-driven approach
• Diagrams
• Relationship testing
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There are 5 key ways to work on multiple skills
Skills covered
Description Critical Decision Meta- Situational System
Thinking Making Cognition Awareness Thinking
1 PST Practice on tests available online
2 Games Exercise on specific games
3 GMAT Work on the IR and CR sections
4 Case Practice Develop a case practice routine
5 Brainteasers Create a daily brainteaser routine
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 49PST Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) MASTERING THE SKILLS
A good performance in the PST is correlated with a high score in
the skills tested in the Game, excluding Decision Making
The correlation shows the
relationship between two
variables, ranging from -1 to
+1.
A value of +1 shows that total
positive correlation, a value of
0 no correlation and a value
of -1 total negative
correlation.
Data shows that reaching a
passing score in the PST is
correlated with a good
performance in the Skills
tested in the Game
Source: Imbellus and McKinsey Team -Constructing Cognitive Profiles for Simulation-Based Hiring Assessments –2018.
Correlation is statistically significant at p<.01
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Practical steps to improve with the PST
70%
1 Get the free 2 Track your 3 Identify the 4 Keep
PST performance mistakes going
Download the free PST offered The minimum typical score Understand the type of Allocate the tests at regular
by McKinsey at the following for the official PST is 70% errors you are making and intervals. You can find
links: (19 questions) work to improve that additional tests online here:
Test A: mck.co/39bUEuW particular area bit.ly/30BZzBi
Test B: mck.co/3fHgngu
Test C: mck.co/2Wu9F5S
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There are several games helping to replicate the skills
tested in the game
Food Fight shows a close
Videogames Boardgames resemblance to the food
chain of Scenario 1
Description A few videogames replicate Many boardgames involve Plants vs Zombies and
food chain and defense strategy skills similar to the Kingdom Rushshows the
mechanisms typical of the one of the Imbellus game
highest correlation to
Scenarios
Scenario 2. Other games of
the Tower Defense genre
work as well for that
Examples scenario
Download the Peak.netapp
if you want to do daily brain
games on mobile
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Practical steps to improve with games
1 Prioritize 2 Try different 3 Identify the 4 Keep
videogames games in the list improvements going
Start with the following free games: Move to Zoo Tycoon, Kingdom Rush Write down the mistakes you do and Create a regular game routine
• Scenario 1 -Food Fight: and other Tower Defense Game if understand if there is a pattern before the Imbellus Test
bit.ly/30rtYSI time allows
• Scenario 2 -Plants vs Zombies:
bit.ly/2CqLoH7
• General practice –Peak: peak.net
If you need, download FlashPlayer
here: adobe.ly/3hhGzih
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GMAT Integrated and Critical Reasoning questions help
to develop some of the skills
Not all the GMAT section
Integrated Reasoning Critical Reasoning are useful for the
Imbellus Game
Description Helps to improve in Helps to evaluate
assimilating data and arguments and formulate You should concentrate
identify useful and plans of actions on Integrated and
superfluous information Critical Reasoning only
Examples
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Practical steps to improve with the GMAT
1 Get free GMAT 2 Understand the 3 Define an 4 Keep
samples mistakes improvement plan going
Exercise on free resources Identify similarities between Work on the areas where Allocate the tests at regular
available online: wrong answers you do more mistakes intervals. You can find
IR Test 1: bit.ly/2OOfCqp additional tests online
IR Test 2: bit.ly/2CqHFJD
CR Test 1: bit.ly/2OAhwe7
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Candidates with good performance in cases interviews have high
median score in Critical Thinking and Situational Awareness
Although correlation doesn’t
mean causation, it is likely that
the better you become in
solving cases, the better your
score with the Imbellus, at
least in Critical Thinking and
Situational Awareness
Given you will have to prepare
for cases anyway, it makes
sense to start the preparation
before the Test to improve your
score
Note that Decision Making
doesn’t seem correlated with
improvements in case
Source: Imbellus and McKinsey Team -Constructing Cognitive Profiles for Simulation-Based Hiring Assessments –2018. performance
A percentile shows the percentage of people who scored at or below a particular level. A 78% percentile indicates therefore that
78% of candidates perform at or below the median level needed to get an offer
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Practical steps to improve with cases
70%
1 Define a regular 2 Practice cases both 3 Write down the areas 4 Refine
routine alone and with peers of improvement your prep
Organize a daily or weekly Rely only on good Understand the type of Practice with experienced
routine for cases casebooks and popular P2P mistakes you are making peers, experts or current
platforms to practice and work on improving that consultants to improve
particular area further
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Brainteasers can help to develop critical thinking
Favor brainteasers
related to decision
making between
multiple options and
math
There are many types of
brainteasers and not all
work well to improve
the skills
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Practical steps to improve with brainteasers
Logic
VS
Math
1 Select a daily 2 Identify 3 Master 4 Keep
routine patterns the solution going
Dedicate enough time to cover 1- See if there is a common Identify the logic behind the Keep momentum on your
3 brainteasers per day with the mistake you repeat mistakes. Many brainteasers daily practice
free links below: use the same logic for a
Source 1: bit.ly/3jzd79i solution
Source 2: bit.ly/32wnTHy
Source 3: bit.ly/3fASyXL
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The skills can be trained individually with a 3-step approach
Skill Question example Suggested approach Answer example
Critical Thinking Can Yellow Fish survive in 1. Define the objective 1. I want to check if Yellow Fish can survive
the food chain? 2. Identify components to reach the goal 2. Yellow Fish needs : (i) 10 calories for individual; (ii) low temperature; (iii) high
3. Verify if conditions are met salt.
3. Since condition (i) is not met, it won’t survive
Decision Making Should defenders or barriers 1. Define the objective 1. My goal is to delay the rabbits
be used first in Plant 2. Identify results of each option 2. The barriers can delay rabbits while defenders cannot. Moreover, I already
Defense? 3. Eliminate options if needed to reduce placed wolves as predators
the choices 3. I will choose the barrier. Now I have to identify the best one to use
Meta-cognition Which are the relevant 1. Define the objective 1. I want first to check if depth is relevant
variables to consider for a 2. Define a hypothesis that helps to 2. If all species share the same depth, then depth won’t be relevant to make a
good ecosystem? decrease the information needed choice
3. Verify the hypothesis and perform 3. 90% of species live in water depth equal to 0-30 m. Thus depth is relevant and
sanity checks I have to consider 0-30 m as relevant range
Situational Awareness What happens if I put a 1. Define the impact of a factor 1. A barrier can delay an invader only when they are close
barrier close to the plant 2. Understand the possible variations of 2. Effects are:
instead of far from it? the impact. Use diagrams if needed (i) Barrier is close àNo effect on invaders till turn 5
3. Choose options more favorable given (ii) Barrier is far àEffect on East invaders in turn 1
the projection 3. I will place the barrier far if East invaders are likely
System Thinking What happens to the food 1. Identify A àB relationship to test 1. I want to see if Red Coral makes the chain sustainable
chain if we change Green 2. Understand effects of A 2. Green Coral is a food source for Catfish and Jackfish. Red Coral is a food
Coral with Red Coral? 3. Identify if B can be impacted source for Clown Fish and Catfish.
3. I need Jackfish in my chain. I will make the chain unsustainable if I use Red
Coral
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07
Learning Tests
Best Practices
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The last step to master the game is to follow the test best practices
Scenarios Skills Test best
hacks mastery practices
Learn tips and Create routines Master general
tricks to optimize to improve in the good practices to
scores in the most 5 areas tested perform well
common scenarios during the Game in tests
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 62Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) LEARNING TESTS BEST PRACTICES
Best practices cheat sheet
Activity
q Learn the steps to follow for each Scenario
Before the Game
If you have to do the test
q Set routines to master the skills
q Try high frequency music to increase concentration (eg in the McKinsey office,
www.brain.fm). If beneficial, use it the day of the test you will have to stick to
the room setting present
q Set up a silent room
Preparing your location
q Check your internet connection there
q Prepare pen, papers and the printed templates in the Appendix
q Print the scenario hacks slides and place them in front of you
Please print the
q Read all the details of the introduction checklist to double-
During the introduction
q Review the steps to follow for the relevant scenario before check you are covering
starting
all the key areas
During the Game q Avoid to move the mouse when thinking -it is tracked
q Create structures and hypotheses to make decisions
q Write diagrams to understand cause -effect relationships
q Allocate the right time to Scenarios (max 35 min 1st, 25 min 2nd )
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08
FAQ and
Final Tips
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 64Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) FAQ AND FINAL TIPS
Putting it all together: your plan of action
1 Read again “The 2 Review the 3 Create routines to 4 Print and review
Game Scenarios” scenario hacks master the skills the Checklist
Make sure you understand the Study in detail “Hacking the Work on PST, GMAT, Apply the general steps to
objectives and layout of each Scenarios” and the methods games, cases and perform well before and
of the Game options to win the games brainteasers to improve your during the test
performance
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Frequently Asked Questions
Question Answer
Normally candidates receive an answer within 2
What is the usual response time for HR? If you have other
weeks
questions, please feel
Usually yes. In some countries though you are free to contact me
Is the test a go/ no go? invited to have both the first round and the test,
here: bit.ly/ProfileFR
in this case it won’t be a go/no go option
The Game has currently 2 Scenarios. This may
How many Scenarios will I have to face?
change in the future though
30+ countries, including: Colombia, Argentina,
Which regions are currently using the Imbellus? Japan, Italy, US, UK, Australia
Yes, some countries are still using the SHL and
Are other tests still used? PST tests –you can ask confirmation to HR for
your target office
How long is the game? It ranges between 60 and 75 minutes
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Final tips from previous candidates Complete
Candidate Suggestion Reference slide Slide Number
Don’t stick to one plant as basis of the food chain, you can have
36
multiple ones Please remember the
Game is constantly
Remember that a key rule to keep into account for the food chain changing, thus different
36
is that the species with the highest calories provided eats first rules may appear in the
future
Invaders don’t change direction if there is a defender in
38
front of them
Initially I didn’t notice that the effectiveness of barriers in Plant
Defense depends on the invader type. You should click on the 39
invader to understand if the barrier will be effective
You don’t have to stick to the same strategy in the Plant Defense
game. You can remove the animals and barriers that you placed 39
and position them again
I realized later that you can put both a barrier and an animal in
the same square in Plant Defense. This may help to create better 39
strategies
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 67Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) FAQ AND FINAL TIPS
Conclusion
Now you know what the Game is about, how to win each scenario and how to improve your performance with specific
routines. Well done!
I hope you found this guide useful. You may have felt there was something missing in it. If so, please feel free to
contact me at the link below –I will try to help you to find anything else that could be useful for you, for free. I will
also be sure you are one of the first to get any free bonus I offer to those who bought this guide.
Moreover, if you have any additional information on the test that you believe could be useful, please feel free to contact
me as well. If I can add the information to the guide, I would be happy to offer you a free 30 minute session -worth
€200 -on the topic you prefer ;)
Finally, if you liked this guide, I would like to ask you a favor -I would really appreciate your honest review for it here:
bit.ly/REviews. And to thank you and as a final gift, I would be happy to send you a free copy of my Consulting
Industry Cheat Sheet–including 43 pages with all the key information on the main industries in consulting.
To get the Industry Cheat Sheet and contact me, you can click on the link below (or here: bit.ly/ProfileFR), click on
the arrow near “Book a coaching” and click on “Send a message”, I will reply within 12 hours.
Click HERE to get the Industry Cheat Sheet and contact me
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Do you want to WATCH how to crack the Imbellus Game?
Would you like to learn:
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Looking for a proven way to land a top consulting offer?
Would you like to learn:
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Praise on coaching sessions and the GYM Program
These are some of the reviews for my sessions on PrepLounge. And yes, they are all real ;) You can check all of
them on my PrepLoungeprofile clicking here: bit.ly/GYMpro–I have 1.300+ reviewsthere...
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Praise on coaching sessions and the GYM Program
…and for those that want to double-check, here are some screenshots as well ;) You can find the full list here:
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About the author
Francesco is an interview coach, former BCG consultant and tech entrepreneur. He is the #1 coach on
PrepLounge.comfor meetings done, where he completed more than 3.000 expert sessions.
As a coach for consulting interviews, Francesco helped hundreds of candidates to land offers from McKinsey, BCG
and Bain. Since 2016, he organizes consulting bootcamps in some of the leading universities in Europe.
As a consultant, Francesco joined BCG in the Milan office, where he worked on projects in the energy, industrial
goods and consumer goods sectors. After BCG, he worked in venture capital in Germany as an angel fund associate.
As an entrepreneur, Francesco founded two companies in Europe and Asia in the entertainment and EdTech
sectors.He iscurrentlyleading a Singapore-based company and supporting startups as a strategic advisor.
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01
Scenario 1
Excel Tutorial
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Step 1: Download the Excel template from bit.ly/ImbExcel21
(password: Excel-Imbellus-8Ct1dF)
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Step 2: Start from the “Coral Reef Example” sheet
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Step 3: Get familiar with the different parts of the sheet
Table with
ideal ranges
Producers
values
Animals
values
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Step 4: Identify the species compatible with the selected range
Species
compatible
with ranges
selected
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Step 5: Click on the “Exercise” sheet
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Step 6: Identify the variables and values for the different plants/corals
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Step 7: Add the name of the plants and corals variables in the “Producers”
table
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Step 8: Fill in the “Producers” table with the required values
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Step 9: Identify the range common to the majority of producers
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Step 10: Fill in the ”Ideal ranges” table, using the ranges common for the
highest number of producers
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Step 11: Fill in the ”Animals” table, using the ranges common for the highest number of
producers. You will need to add ONLY the animals living in the selected range
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Step 12: Verify if you got the same results as in the sheet “Exercise Solution”
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Step 13: Remember that during the game you DON’T need to fill the
information for all the animals – just those fitting the range relevant for you
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Step 14: Use the “Template” sheet during the game to replicate the same thing
you have done in the “Exercise” sheet. Follow the tips at page 35
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Step 15: Remember that you may find the same number of plants in each
range – in that case, choose the one with plants providing more calories
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Step 16: Print the “Template” sheet or use it on a separate computer, to
simplify data entry during the Game
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02
Scenario 1 Food
Chain Template
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Food Chain – Food Pyramid Template
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Food Chain – Species Information Template
Name: Name: Name: Name: Name:
Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed:
Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided:
Name: Name: Name: Name: Name:
Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed:
Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided:
Name: Name: Name: Name: Name:
Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed:
Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided:
Name: Name: Name: Name: Name:
Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed: Cal. needed:
Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided: Cal. provided:
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03
Scenario 1 Rules
of the Game
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 94Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 RULES OF THE GAME
Rule 1: The Species with the highest calories provided eats first
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Yellow Fish
eats first Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 5000 Cal. provided: 1800
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Rule 2: It eats the food source with the highest calories provided
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
Yellow Fish
eats Brain Coral
first Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 5000 Cal. provided: 1800
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 96Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 RULES OF THE GAME
Rule 3: In case of a tie, it eats equally from both species
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
Yellow Fish Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
will eat 1500 cal
from Green Coral
and 1500 cal
from Brain Coral Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 1800
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 97Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 RULES OF THE GAME
Rule 4: When a Food Source is eaten, the calories provided decrease forever
by the same amount of the calories needed by the species eating
BEFORE AFTER
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Yellow Fish
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 2500
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 500 Cal. provided: 500
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 98Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 RULES OF THE GAME
Rule 5: If a Species needs more calories after eating, it will eat the next food
source with the highest calories provided
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Yellow Fish
Yellow Fish
will eat first Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
will eat first
Green Coral and
Green Coral Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
then Brain Coral
(2000 cal) and
then Brain Coral Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
(1000 cal)
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 1500 Cal. provided: 800
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 99Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 RULES OF THE GAME
Rule 6: After a Species eats, the next one to eat is the one with the second
highest calories provided, then the third highest calories, and so on
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Yellow Fish will
eat first and Big
Eyed Fish
second Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 5000 Cal. provided: 1800
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 100Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 RULES OF THE GAME
Rule 7: A Species survives if (i) Calories Needed are fully met and (ii) Calories
provided are above zero (NOT equal to zero)
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Yellow Fish
will eat first Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Green Coral,
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
which will NOT
survive Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 3000 Cal. provided: 1500 Cal. provided: 1800
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xidneppA
Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu)
04
Scenario 1 Food
Chain Examples
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 102Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 FOOD CHAIN EXAMPLES
Example 1 - Food Chain Working
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 5000 Cal. provided: 1800
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 103Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 FOOD CHAIN EXAMPLES
Example 2 - Food Chain Working
Name: Shark Name: Bigeye Tuna
Cal. needed: 1000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 800 Cal. provided: 1200
Name: Big Eyed Fish
Cal. needed: 2000
Cal. provided: 1200
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 5000 Cal. provided: 1800
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 104Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 FOOD CHAIN EXAMPLES
Example 3 - Food Chain NOT Working
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
There are not
Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
enough calories
provided to Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1000
sustain Big Eyed
Fish Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 2000 Cal. provided: 5000 Cal. provided: 1800
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 105Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 FOOD CHAIN EXAMPLES
Example 4 - Food Chain NOT Working (1/4)
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
Yellow Fish eats first as it is
the one providing more
calories (remember Rule 1,
page 94: the species with the
highest calories provided eats Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
first) Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 1000 Cal. provided: 3100 Cal. provided: 1400
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 106Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 FOOD CHAIN EXAMPLES
Example 4 - Food Chain NOT Working (2/4)
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
It eats Brain Coral first, as it is
the one providing more
calories (remember Rule 2
page 95: it eats the food
source with the highest Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
calories provided) Cal. needed: 3000 Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 1000 Cal. provided: 3100 Cal. provided: 1400
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 107Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 FOOD CHAIN EXAMPLES
Example 4 - Food Chain NOT Working (3/4)
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
After Yellow fish eats, Brain
Coral has just 100 calories left
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 1000 Cal. provided: 100 Cal. provided: 1400
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 108Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu) SCENARIO 1 FOOD CHAIN EXAMPLES
Example 4 - Food Chain NOT Working (4/4)
Name: Shark
Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 800
Name: Big Eyed Fish Name: Mosasaurus
Cal. needed: 2000 Cal. needed: 1000
Cal. provided: 1200 Cal. provided: 900
Turtle doesn’t have enough
calories to survive
Name: Yellow Fish Name: Turtle
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: 1600
Cal. provided: 2500 Cal. provided: 1100
Name: Green Coral Name: Brain Coral Name: Seaweed
Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: - Cal. needed: -
Cal. provided: 1000 Cal. provided: 100 Cal. provided: 1400
Copyright © 2020-21 CaseMasterPte. Ltd. 109Transaction ID: 88498 (diyaliu@brandeis.edu)
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