Do SA technical questions vary between applicants?

So, I've learned that not all students applying for SA positions in London are Finance students, that a lot of them are studying Business.

My question is, how can you answer technical questions at your interview, if they're related to subjects you haven't studied? I'm currently studying management in Italy, and I will be applying to BB banks in london next year.

I've studied, among the rest of my subjects, tons of accounting and some financial math, but no subjects that relate to the majority of interview-questions I see everyday on this board.

How does it work?

6 Comments
 

If you are applying for IB positions, you will be expected to know some technical questions no matter what your background is, at some point in the process. Its more of a signal to the interviewer that you have done your homework, and know what you are applying for than anything else. The guides WSO offers are great to prepare for your interviews.

 

Interview questions differ between applicants. You might as one applicant some detailed bond question, but another one you would do the simple tell me about the economy. It does matter to a certain extent what you have studied in school, but if your really interested in something for a career you should be doing a lot of your own reading and not be relying on being taught something in school....that's my mindset anyway.

"Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
 

I'm an econ major at a LibArts school (i.e., my curriculum has almost zero accounting and corporate finance) so I've put quite a bit of thought into this. the information is out there (WSO, Mergers & Incquisitions, investopedia), so there's really no excuse not to know it. honestly, you just have to put in the extra effort.

 
sloppyjI'm an econ major at a LibArts school (i.e., my curriculum has almost zero accounting and corporate finance) so I've put quite a bit of thought into this. the information is out there (WSO, Mergers & Incquisitions, investopedia), so there's really no excuse not to know it. honestly, you just have to put in the extra effort.

What about specific books you have to recommend?

I may open a new thread on the subject.

 

Autem autem sed non incidunt est perspiciatis hic. Ducimus laudantium mollitia pariatur magni et et. Nulla laboriosam dolorem a dicta doloribus. Sequi qui qui qui architecto. Quis fuga id necessitatibus id. Quia voluptas perferendis consequuntur voluptates aut amet omnis.

Aut quia est autem voluptatibus optio repudiandae atque. Ut eum ut aperiam mollitia harum rem qui. Voluptates aut sint quia sequi voluptate sunt. Sed quo unde sed itaque.

Minus quia excepturi ea. Voluptatibus ipsam voluptatem minima quam quod ut odit. Reprehenderit consequatur aut est impedit et quidem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”