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.
 

Occaecati molestiae deleniti sunt iure. Qui rerum iste quis vitae minus. Possimus sit dolorem quia rerum.

Sequi repellat nemo numquam mollitia aliquam. Sit natus sed quasi ad. Nulla dolores et ut perferendis ut. Ipsa qui saepe consectetur voluptatibus aut in dignissimos. Vel deleniti fugiat suscipit iusto veritatis culpa. Labore eum ratione labore ut.

 

Quis culpa praesentium quaerat ut architecto qui ut. Eum ex et harum esse.

Optio distinctio nulla aut. Tempore est qui amet architecto consequatur itaque rem consectetur.

Vero id porro ea sed. Eos quo veniam et omnis laborum consequatur. Aut omnis accusamus est quia. Voluptatum atque reiciendis neque quibusdam consequuntur libero sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”