IB Technical Prep Resources - Thoughts?
Recruited for banking last cycle and felt like most technical prep resources were either outdated or way too passive. Built a small interactive drill tool for myself that auto-generates new scenarios instead of recycling the same 10 questions with the same numbers.
Curious what this community felt was actually missing in your own prep, was it more volume of questions, better explanations when you got something wrong, harder edge cases, or something else? Trying to figure out if the drill format is even the right approach before I keep building it out.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and thoughts on IB technical prep resources and what might be missing:
Volume of Questions: Many users have noted that while guides like the M&I 400 Questions Guide and WSO Prep Pack are comprehensive, they often recycle the same types of questions. Your idea of an interactive drill tool that generates new scenarios could address this gap by providing fresh, dynamic questions that prevent memorization and encourage deeper understanding.
Explanations for Mistakes: A common complaint is the lack of detailed explanations when users get questions wrong. Resources that focus on why an answer is incorrect and provide step-by-step solutions are highly valued. This could be a key feature to include in your tool.
Edge Cases and Advanced Scenarios: Many candidates feel underprepared for harder, nuanced technical questions that go beyond the basics (e.g., advanced LBO modeling, restructuring-specific scenarios like waterfalls, or edge cases in DCFs). Including these in your tool could make it stand out.
Interactivity and Engagement: Passive learning is a major drawback of traditional prep resources. An interactive tool that simulates real-world scenarios or allows users to practice building models from scratch (rather than filling in templates) would be a game-changer. This aligns with advice from WSO threads emphasizing the importance of being able to model independently.
Customization and Focus Areas: Candidates often have specific weaknesses (e.g., bond math, leverage ratios, or tech-specific multiples). A tool that allows users to customize their practice based on these areas would be incredibly useful.
Real-Time Feedback: Immediate feedback on performance, along with tips for improvement, could enhance the learning experience. This is something traditional guides lack.
Your drill tool seems to address several of these gaps, particularly the need for dynamic question generation and interactivity. If you can incorporate detailed explanations, advanced scenarios, and customization options, it could become a highly valuable resource for IB candidates. Keep building it out—there’s definitely a demand for more innovative prep tools in this space!
Sources: Restructuring technicals and their difficulty, Barclays Internship Recruitment Process - Business Insight Assessment - Video Interview, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/non-target-to-bb-ib-sa?customgpt=1, Most Advanced Technicals, Superday Prep Checklist Format
If you google ib technical prep there is a really good site that i'd recommend
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