Feeling Down After Failures on Trading Aptitude Tests

Recently I've applied to Optiver and Akuna Capital. Both have these tests that assess your mental math and/or sequencing skills. I failed both, I think by a pretty decent margin. I'm a Junior at a non-target hoping to break into Sales and Trading on the trading side or some sort of Prop Shop or Hedge Fund. Does anyone know if this means I'll be worthless as a trader? F.Y.I. I have heard of and used the practice options out there such as the trader test website, I improved but not enough to get close to passing. Thanks for any insight to be offered.

5 Comments
 

It's ridiculous to think that because you failed at the brainteasers, you'd also make a bad trader. Those brainteasers are just to narrow down the applicant pool, due to the large number of applications they receive. Don't let it depress you.

 

Sorry to hear that. Those tests can be tough, and as previously mentioned, are used to weed out the applicant pool. Fortunately though, there are plenty of trading firms you can apply to. A very important aspect about being a successful trader is knowing yourself (so deep, right?), but actually, being aware that you are lacking in mental math, understanding risk, whatever it might be, you have plenty of time to improve your weak areas for full time recruiting next year. That being said, still apply to every other reputable firm you can find, all you need is 1 offer.

 
Best Response

Quaerat nobis ipsum veniam sequi corporis quidem. Molestiae doloremque rerum minus quis vitae molestiae. Assumenda quis ex voluptatem aut non nemo. Nemo sint officia commodi voluptatem. Voluptate eos velit occaecati magni. Ullam et eum doloribus reiciendis dolores aliquam.

Id ut consequatur minima vel. Ut officia ut quis deserunt suscipit velit. Quia occaecati voluptates quo consequatur. A repudiandae tempora beatae necessitatibus error. Commodi maxime eum et.

Et iusto animi voluptates vel fugit est hic temporibus. Nostrum eum consequatur facere. Ullam totam enim quam molestias odit consequatur consequatur dolor. Porro omnis doloremque iste et exercitationem quisquam.

Commercial Real Estate Developer

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (56) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”