Undergraduate seeking advice on Sell-Side Quant Interviews

[kij]

Hi all,

I'm a sophomore studying Financial Mathematics and Computer Science at Baruch College, looking for guidance on what to study for 2027 summer quant analyst interviews, which open at most investment banks in January. By then, I will have completed courses in Multivariable and Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, Python, and C++. I'll also be ready to discuss past coding projects in depth (some quant-related, some not).

To prepare further, I’ve been studying the following (in order from most to least):

• Coding interview questions
• Basic probability and statistics
• Options pricing theory
• Macroeconomic concepts
• Sales & Trading fundamentals

My impression is that bank quant intern interviews are more market-oriented and less heavy on brain teasers and pure math than those on the buy-side. Is there anything I am missing or misprioritizing? I'd be grateful for any insight or specific guides, thank you.

 

[MikeLawrence]

Brainteasers are still very important, buy the green book and Dan's books.

 

[kij]

Brainteasers are still very important, buy the green book and Dan's books.

Got it, thanks for the clarification.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Here is an excellent guide written by a Baruch undergrad.

 

[kij]

Here is an excellent guide written by a Baruch undergrad.

Thanks Andy. Looking through this it appears to be a general guide (albeit very helpful) — in terms of recruiting specifically for ib quant as an undergrad, would you say I have my technical bases covered with the content above?

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Have you also looked at this?

Thread 'Master reading list for Quants, MFE (Financial Engineering) students'

7/1/07

QuantNet International Guide to Financial Engineering Programs

DOWNLOAD GUIDE​

FREE QUANT CAREER GUIDES

• What do quant do ? A guide by Mark Joshi. (see attachment)
• Paul & Dominic's Guide to Quant Careers (see attachment)
• Paul & Dominic's Guide to Getting a Quant Job (see attachment)
• Career in Financial Markets 2024-2025, a guide by efinancialcareers.
• Interview Preparation Guide by Michael Page: Quantitative Analysis. Download
• Interview Preparation Guide by Michael Page: Quantitative...

• Andy Nguyen
• Replies: 307
• Forum: Books

• 

 

[kij]

Have you also looked at this?

Thread 'Master reading list for Quants, MFE (Financial Engineering) students'

7/1/07

QuantNet International Guide to Financial Engineering Programs

DOWNLOAD GUIDE​

FREE QUANT CAREER GUIDES

• What do quant do ? A guide by Mark Joshi. (see attachment)
• Paul & Dominic's Guide to Quant Careers (see attachment)
• Paul & Dominic's Guide to Getting a Quant Job (see attachment)
• Career in Financial Markets 2024-2025, a guide by efinancialcareers.
• Interview Preparation Guide by Michael Page: Quantitative Analysis. Download
• Interview Preparation Guide by Michael Page: Quantitative...

• Andy Nguyen
• Replies: 307
• Forum: Books

• 

I will certainly take a look, I'm just trying to discern what portion of this content should be prioritized when recruiting as a 2nd year undergraduate student, as I have yet to take stochastic calculus or differential equations. I will focus on the guides written specifically for interview preparation. Thank you again for the resources.