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?
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if you know how a paper lbo works you should be fine, given a 3 statement model is just about how things flow + maybe some debt logic / how you think about assumptions. DCF is easiest part and I'd assume you know how to do this, but that should take you ~25 minutes max. Wouldn't stress
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
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!
What’s Cook’d? Can’t seem to find anything online.
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
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Adventis Financial modeling course is literally this
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
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