3 Comments
 

Hey there!

Based on the most helpful WSO content, preparing for a case study interview in M&A Investment Banking can be quite a task, but don't worry, I've got your back!

Typically, you might encounter two types of case studies: Finance and Business. For instance, at the J.P. Morgan investment banking assessment center in 2011, the case study was about a golf company seeking to grow through M&A. Candidates were given three acquisition targets and had to make a recommendation on which company to buy. After 45 minutes, they were required to present their recommendation to a J.P. Morgan assessor and answer his follow-up questions about the case study.

One common problem here is that many candidates get stuck on the guiding questions and do not make it clear which company they actually recommend to buy. So, you need to make sure that you clarify your answer from the very beginning and back it up for the rest of your presentation. Knowledge on valuation multiples such as EV / EBITDA, EV /Sales and EBITDA margin is also required.

As for the Business case study, it's more about understanding the business model, the market, and the competitive landscape.

In terms of preparation, start early and practice as much as you can. Understand the basics of M&A, get comfortable with financial modeling, and brush up on your presentation skills. And remember, it's not just about getting the right answer, but also about how you communicate it.

Good luck! You're going to do great!

Sources: How to prepare for an assessment center?, NE M7 to MBB: What I wish I knew, observations, and ask me anything, Beginner Interview Prep Tips, M&A Interview Questions - Beginner to Advanced Questions

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Sed odio sint omnis sed facere perferendis voluptas nihil. Eum non tempora incidunt voluptate velit. Quam quam iusto omnis facere.

Ut voluptas earum et quo minima id. Totam ab nobis qui. Consequuntur excepturi sunt recusandae.

Fuga excepturi distinctio ut libero molestiae. Totam ab placeat illum soluta.

Sed totam sed exercitationem dolorem sit illum quidem dolorem. Sit in perferendis et est exercitationem dolores. Aliquid aut adipisci sit molestias iure. Ipsam amet earum ut dolorem sapiente excepturi laborum omnis.

 

Magnam assumenda doloremque dolorum saepe nulla optio harum maiores. Maiores ipsam aut necessitatibus aut inventore. Non tempora et perspiciatis dolores. Sint alias tempore quis accusamus similique tenetur et. Qui iure mollitia nam similique.

Hic consectetur eum adipisci magnam est velit. Sapiente ut iste modi voluptatum. Quibusdam sequi pariatur ea voluptas odit rerum et. Sit et aut ea non iure.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”