Navigating Modeling Tests from A Template

I've been using a prep course that's constantly talked about on this forum (think PF, PF, & PF). Primarily practiced modeling from scratch, and a couple runs with the templates provided in the PF course. When I'm practicing cases with a model from a template, I notice that I'm having a hard time navigating the layout and linking things correctly (specific example: net debt in the balance sheet summary). When I do a FCF check, I can't get it to equal 0. Lastly, the walk to FCF, balance sheet summary, and a couple other items in the model aren't present or are different, which throws me off since I've practiced following the PF course. Does anyone have any recommendations on navigating/practicing modeling tests from a template? 

TL;DR: I have been finding that model tests from templates have been throwing me off regarding proper linking, layout, etc. Does anyone have any recommendations on navigating/practicing modeling tests from a template? 

2 Comments
 
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If you can do an LBO from scratch quickly, doing it in a template should be significantly easier. You might be falling into the trap of assuming that whatever is given in the case template is the only room you have to work with and that you must only fill in the given cells and nothing else. I don't see any reason why you can't add helper rows and formulas and then link that to whatever's in the template. The template is a guide and an output, do what you need to do to get to the correct answer / function. This isn't first-year banking analyst shit where you're mindlessly filling in a comps template

 

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