CBRE Modeling Exam

I’m currently interviewing at CBRE for a Debt Analyst role and I have modeling exam next week. I was told it will be 2 hours and done remotely. I’ll have access to the internet but that’s pretty much all I was told.

I’ve seen some YouTube videos about this but is anyone here familiar with it? How do I prepare? I have excel basics down but I want to know if there is a specific course or something that could help me prepare. Any tips or resources would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

11 Comments
 

For a CBRE Debt Analyst modeling exam, preparation is key, especially since it’s a 2-hour remote test. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s how you can prepare effectively:

1. Understand the Likely Focus Areas

  • CBRE’s Debt Analyst role likely involves real estate financial modeling. Expect tasks like:
    • Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) calculations
    • Loan amortization schedules
    • Cash flow projections
    • Sensitivity analysis (e.g., interest rate changes)
  • Brush up on real estate-specific Excel modeling, as this will likely be the core of the test.

2. Recommended Courses and Resources

  • WSO Real Estate Master Program: This program includes 12 courses and over 50 hours of content, covering real estate modeling theory and mechanics. It’s tailored for roles like yours.
  • Excel Modeling Course: If you’re confident in Excel basics but want to master shortcuts and advanced techniques, this course is a great foundation.
  • Private Equity Master Package: While not real estate-specific, it includes LBO modeling and other financial modeling techniques that could be useful.

3. Practice with Templates

  • WSO offers 27 financial modeling templates in their swipe file. These templates can help you practice building models from scratch or refining your skills in areas like DCF, LBO, and comps analysis.

4. Key Preparation Tips

  • Time Management: Practice completing models within a 2-hour timeframe to simulate the test environment.
  • Internet Access: Since you’ll have internet access, familiarize yourself with reliable resources for quick lookups (e.g., formulas, definitions).
  • Focus on Accuracy: Ensure your calculations are precise, as errors in financial modeling can cascade.

5. Additional Practice

  • If you’re new to real estate modeling, consider practicing with loan amortization schedules and cash flow projections. These are common in debt-related roles.
  • Use YouTube or forums like WSO to find walkthroughs of real estate modeling tests for additional insights.

By leveraging these resources and focusing on real estate-specific modeling, you’ll be well-prepared for the CBRE exam. Good luck!

Sources: Interview at CBRE and have to take test, advice?, Excel Master Bootcamp (4-Hour) OPEN NOW - July 23 - Only 15 Seats, Analyst debt/lending at top CRE firm - 2018, REMOTE INTERN— will I actually do something this summer?, Real Estate Modelling Test Practice

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

Build a multifamily historical inputs and a proforma with a DSCR calculation at the bottom. Build a 5-year proforma with configurable income and expense growth rates. This will need a debt schedule with assumptions for base borrowing rate + a spread. Create a sensitivities analysis that sensitizes revenue growth and expense growth to result in a DSCR sensitivities table. Create a sensitivities analysis that sensitizes rate + spread to result in a DSCR sensitivities table.

That should cover it.

 

Sorry I assumed this was for Multifam. If not multifam or hotels, disregard. I dont know anything about other asset classes.

 

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