Winter Break IB Interview Prep — What I’d Actually Recommend

Prepping over winter break is tough, but key is to not stress and be very focused with your time.

A few tips from my interview cycle a few years ago that landed 5+ offers from top EB/BBs:

1. Know the 400-question guide cold
All the "basic" questions should be automatic — no fuzzy answers, know this like the back of your hand.

2. Understand Concepts Behind Advanced questions
For the "advanced" questions and follow-ups, focus on why things work.
If you can reason through changes, you’ll be fine even if the wording is new. Know DTA/DTLs, but most concepts here I was never tested on.

3. Do paper LBOs
Paper LBOs trip up a lot of people; good weed-out question. Google practice questions.
Practice setting them up cleanly, explaining assumptions, and doing them under time pressure.

4. Say answers out loud
This is where most people fall short in their practice. Rehearsing responses in your head ≠ saying it aloud. Use ChatGPT to generate follow-ups or re-phrase questions so you truly understand concepts rather than just memorizing answers. GET UR FRIENDS TO MOCK INTERVIEW YOU!!!!

5. Use additional resources + past interview questions

Look for past interview question banks online or from ur upperclassman friends (banks often reuse a few questions YoY)

400 questions guide BIWS

Wall Street Prep GUide

For past interview questions, would recommend this tool (600+ old questions)

For TMT banking specifically

Let me know if I missed anything and hope this is helpful