Morgan Stanley ER 1st Round - Writing and Modeling Test

Hi Everyone,

I've applied to an equity research associate position at Morgan Stanley and as part of the initial screening, I was told that I need to complete a writing and modeling exercise. Does anyone know what this entails? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I have no clue what this is about.

Thanks!

5 Comments
 

The modeling test will probably have you update an existing financial model. You might have to update it for the latest quarter.

The writing test will then probably have you interpret those results and write it out in a note (a research report). Or you might write about something else, but it'll be in a research report that's meant for your clients to see.

 
Best Response
cob5

The modeling test will probably have you update an existing financial model. You might have to update it for the latest quarter.

The writing test will then probably have you interpret those results and write it out in a note (a research report). Or you might write about something else, but it'll be in a research report that's meant for your clients to see.

Having done these tests elsewhere (not at MS), cob5 is probably right. When I did it at another firm, I had three hours to do the whole thing (modeling and writing).

That being said, I’ve also had employers ask me to do an actual initiation report (not in the interview, mind you, but as a get-it-done-in-two-weeks kind of thing). That’s much less likely though.

"There's nothing you can do if you're too scared to try." - Nickel Creek
 

I'd say make sure you know financial modeling and that your writing skills are up to snuff. They probably won't have you building a model from scratch but you should definitely know how to do that.

"There's nothing you can do if you're too scared to try." - Nickel Creek
 

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