Prep materials for PE

I am an incoming MBB entry level and have been reading about PE prep/reading the on cycle 2023 threads, and was wondering what the best materials are to prep for PE technicals/modelling tests. Obviously consultants don’t do a lot of financial modelling, so want to make sure I am as good as I can be. 

thanks! 

42 Comments
 

I used peak frameworks this year. Split with another analyst so was like 200 and was super helpful. I’m in a group that doesn’t model much and had no issues for on cycle modeling tests.

You can probably get by with scrounging around for old tests online without spending money, but personally liked the ease of just using the peak frameworks materials and their guides/videos are really good too

 

Analyst 1 in IB-M&A

I used peak frameworks this year. Split with another analyst so was like 200 and was super helpful. I'm in a group that doesn't model much and had no issues for on cycle modeling tests.

You can probably get by with scrounging around for old tests online without spending money, but personally liked the ease of just using the peak frameworks materials and their guides/videos are really good too

I have materials for PE from good websites, but wanted to do PeakFrameworks, if we could exchange?

 

hey, would you mind sharing the materials you found from good websites? Thanks! 

 
Most Helpful

The 3 things I used to prep were

1) "Version 1" LBO that's been floating around banking analysts for the last 10 years

2) Lv 3-5 of Peak Frameworks

3) https://www.wallstreetprep.com/knowledge/advanced-lbo-modeling-test-4-h…

Doing those a few times each from scratch (full 3 statements) will set you up well, total of 20-30 hours of prep. They cover all the bells and whistles my friends and I encountered in UMM/MF interviews, including FF, OID, add-on acquisitions, various sensitivities, IS projection assumptions, PIK debt, mandatory/optional cash sweep, management rollover, management promote, dividend recap, etc. 

 
[Comment removed by mod team]
 

Peak frameworks is very solid. It's also helpful just to take a step back and think about the broader fundamentals of an LBO so that modeling is more of just an intuitive way to show the deal, rather than just cranking out memorized templates. These two links give some helpful walkthroughs, and the lbo section from Rosenbaum and Pearl book is very good too 

(Note that Macabus models are overkill with being a little too complex, but are still helpful to broadly understand)

https://macabacus.com/lbo-model/introduction 

https://mergersandinquisitions.com/lbo-modeling-test/

 

Youll get real on the job experience. dont spend too much time prepping in advance or youll risk burning out

You got the job, enjoy the time off!

 

ahh misread! i would say just google "lbo modeling test" and watch some detailed youtube videos from wall street prep. i wouldnt spend thousands on courses that will ultimately show you the same content. get training the street's course (its less than $200 i think) and definitely worth. learn basic excel shortcuts (with macabacus). other than that dont over stress. as i say were not saving lives :) its important work but no need to spend every spare minute studying esp if you dont know what you might get for an interview case study. 

When i helped with interviews we were well aware that consultants dont have the same technical background (and most firms either train you or you can reference old models on their drive in the early days) so we really looked for intellectual curiosity, culture add, and signs that you did your basic research on the firm / industry 

all the best!

 

Nesciunt quod iusto omnis atque. Cupiditate voluptates explicabo repellendus impedit dolorum itaque. Qui neque nihil est aut. Fuga beatae eaque veniam consequatur vel recusandae.

At laudantium in occaecati eum error eius et maiores. Deserunt laboriosam sit tenetur necessitatibus. A consequatur magni a officiis nihil.

Nihil debitis ratione est ea tenetur et suscipit. Voluptates qui voluptas natus soluta reiciendis reiciendis.

Officiis rem explicabo iusto ex. Non modi eos adipisci corrupti repellendus.

 

Aliquid non numquam voluptatum eos. Ullam vitae voluptas est accusantium doloribus ex a. Beatae debitis quis delectus eveniet suscipit esse perspiciatis.

Excepturi consequatur tenetur dolorem voluptatum ex delectus eaque. Qui et fugiat ipsam laboriosam harum et ratione.

Omnis sit debitis vero doloremque expedita neque quo est. Aliquam atque et sequi rerum consequatur necessitatibus. Dicta voluptatem repellendus molestias in sit commodi culpa. Et nostrum sapiente excepturi fugit. Quam corporis eius consequatur et in velit. Id minima et aliquid aperiam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”