• C++ Programming for Financial Engineering
    Highly recommended by thousands of MFE students. Covers essential C++ topics with applications to financial engineering. Learn more Join!
    Python for Finance with Intro to Data Science
    Gain practical understanding of Python to read, understand, and write professional Python code for your first day on the job. Learn more Join!
    An Intuition-Based Options Primer for FE
    Ideal for entry level positions interviews and graduate studies, specializing in options trading arbitrage and options valuation models. Learn more Join!

U Waterloo Quantitative Finance Admission Test

smartbing

Joined
11/16/09
Messages
13
Points
11
Hey Guys:
Anyone knows anything about the University of Waterloo Quantitative Finance Admission Test?

Recently got invited to take the test, been out of school for a while. Anyone knows what subjects they will test you on? Level of difficulty?

Thanks.
 
Did they not tell you what it is about?

On www.mfinance.ca

Recommended Reading


<!-- Page content starts below this line --> The following information is presented for prospective students with 2 purposes in mind.

  • First, it outlines the appropriate background for applicants to the program.
  • Second, it can assist in preparation for the diagnostic test which is part of the selection process.
Finance


  • Phelim P Boyle and Feidhlim P. Boyle, Derivatives, The Tools that Changed Finance, (free download on-line)
  • "Enjoy the Free Lunch" Derivatives: The Tools That Changed Finance
  • John Hull, Options, Futures and Other Derivative Securities.
  • David G. Luenberger, Investment Science, Oxford University Press.
  • Sheldon M. Ross, An Introduction to Mathematical Finance: Options and Other Topics. This is a very accessible introduction.
Probability and Statistics Topics:


  • Distribution of random variables
  • Conditional probability and stochastic independence
  • Some special distributions
  • Distributions of functions of random variables
  • Limiting distributions
  • Estimations
  • Markov Chains
  • Brownian Motion and Markov Processes
Robert Hogg and Allen Craig, Introduction to Mathematical Statistics , chapters 1-6. Also helpful: S. Ross, Stochastic Processes , chapters 4-6.
Econometrics

Familiarity with multiple regression would be helpful. Almost any econometric textbook will cover this topic. For example: J. Johnston, Econometric Methods or W.H. Greene, Econometric Analysis .
Analysis Topics:


  • The real number system
  • Elements of set theory
  • Numerical sequences and series
  • Continuity
  • The Riemann integral
  • Sequences and series of functions
These topics can be found in the classical book by W. Rudin, Principles of Mathematical Analysis, Chapters 1-7.
Calculus Topics:


  • Techniques of integration
  • Partial derivatives
  • Multiple integrals
  • Vector calculus
  • Optimization of multivariable functions
  • Ordinary differential equations
Most concepts in univariate differential and integral calculus will be used routinely. There are many books that cover these topics, for example J. Stewart, Calculus , (Third Edition)
Linear Algebra Topics


  • Matrix algebra
  • Determinants
  • Vector spaces and linear transformation
  • Orthogonality and projections
  • Eigenvalues and eigenvectors
There are many excellent books on linear algebra that cover these topics, for exaple: T Lawson, Linear Algebra . In addition, any good econometric textbook will have a chapter on the required matrix algebra. See Econometrics , above.
Click to expand...
 
Hey, I also wrote that admissions test, I was wondering how you found it.

Personally, I thought it to be substantially harder than I expected.
 
hi,
could u plz tell me more about the test. which part of Finance is questioned more!
which subjects are questioned in Analysis and Calculus!
regards
 
Back
Top