Why the 400 IB Questions isn’t Going to Cut It

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Common pitfall that myself + many other students make is thinking that reading the 400 IB questions over & over will prepare you for high finance interviews

However, from personal experience + multiple students who actually broke in

More preparation is required

If you rely on the 400 questions, you will miss out on the following:

1) Understand Concepts > Memorizing Answers

Flipping through a questions & answer sheet prompts your brain to memorize the Q&A as opposed to actually learning & understanding the fundamental concepts

Just like how you study for university exams not by relying on a textbook but rather learning from your professor in class and doing practice problems / exams

Many interviewers change up the question such as $10 increase in depreciation → $10 decrease for the 3 financial statements and students trip up

2) Common guides only cover 60-70% of actual interview questions

I got asked multiple questions outside the common guides like M&A, debt ratio questions, etc.

• 3 Ways a change in tax rate impacts a DCF 

• What would impact the DCF valuation the most? $1 change in rev, COGS, or Capex?

• $10 decrease in depreciation. Walk me through the 3 financials

There are additional questions / concepts that get tested however I wasted a ton of time trying to figure out those extra concepts / questions alone

Work smarter > Work harder

PS. Want to speed up your technical knowledge to nail your next interview? Apply for a free 1-1 mock interview below (3 spots only)

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