Urgent: Have a modeling test for an EB in 3 days. Am I cooked?

Got a surprise modeling test invite for a boutique (think Moelis/Lazard tier). They said it’s a 90-minute 3-statement build + DCF. I’ve only ever done paper LBOs and verbal technicals. 

I’m decent at Excel but slow without the mouse. Is there a way to cram 'speed reps' for this? Or should I just accept I’m going to run out of time?

11 Comments
 

Find a Youtube video, follow the steps, and practice at least 3 times with each time checking less and less the video itself

Then find some other practice materials (~2), and build from scratch on your own

That's what I did to prepare my first modeling test

 
Most Helpful

90 minutes for a full 3-statement + DCF is standard, but if you will 100% run out of time if you use a mouse.

The only way to cram for speed is brute force repetition. Honestly, I’d stop looking at static guides right now. I used WSO and Cook’d for this exact fire drill before my SA stint. The latter has timed simulations that force you to build the schedules (Debt, PP&E, etc.) repeatedly. It’s basically speed drills for Excel.

If you spend the next 48 hours grinding those sims until you stop looking at the keyboard, you can probably shave 20 minutes off your build time.

If you run out of time in the test, hardcode the projections to force the model to finish. A finished model with hardcodes is better than a perfect model that stops at the Balance Sheet. Good luck!

 

It's bullshit, it's just people advertising for the stupid ib prep website they created and that costs more than a Ivy League degree.

Go on youtube, find free resources online, or ask friends for interview feedback. I would stay away from these "miracle" interview prep tools/websites if you don't want to lose a couple hundred bucks for a humbly disappointing experience

 

Associate 1 in IB-M&A

Laz interview process is actually easy as fuck. Moelis / EVR is very technical. PJT / PWP is a mix of hard technical and creativity. CVP skull fucks you from every possible direction as they see fit.

can you please DM me? going thru lateral process w one of these banks and would love to know what your process was like

 

Itaque accusantium sed veritatis sit nihil. Magnam quo delectus aut quis. Eaque quod fuga eum molestiae natus. Quo alias dicta cupiditate nemo.

Sit est quas voluptatem. Amet eveniet accusamus dolorum maiores quia. Neque reiciendis neque cupiditate dolorem voluptatibus ipsam voluptas. Natus quibusdam ut sed blanditiis in. Qui numquam saepe quia veniam eligendi quis provident.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”