How can I get really good at IB concepts?

.

The above user already covered technicals comprehensively so I'll address developing a broad understanding of IB. I recommend reading up on deal announcements and try and understand the rationale behind the deal. Also, a lot of websites post free quarterly/annual updates on the market that are very informative about dynamics and trends (i.e. Pitchbook, Mergers & Acquisitions, Refinitiv, etc.). I've listened to a few Refinitiv podcasts with industry professionals that have been very insightful, I'm sure there are other really good podcasts out there as well. Finally, if there are particular industries you are interested in, banks will often post quarterly or monthly industry updates about trends that can be very informative. There's a wealth of information out there and it's not that hard to find as long as you know what it is you're looking for.

I wouldn't worry too much about modeling, just focus on learning the technicals and understand the concepts behind modeling since most banks have templates anyways. 10x EBITDA has some sample Pitchbooks that you can look at if you want to try and replicate those in PowerPoint. I know WSO is introducing a PPT course soon, might be worth a look for the right price

Person above gave great answer. It takes time, and it will slowly happen without fully noticing. You'll start using certain vocabulary/terms (assuming you are networking/interviewing often)

All good points from the previous posters, the one thing I would add is really try to get the logic behind the concepts. Don't just learn the technicals because in such questions, you may get the right answer if the guy asks the same question, but if its a curve-ball then it would become very difficult to understand. Also, IB (and specially certain groups in IB) is very dynamic, so it's important to keep up with the markets and what you think of it. Always have a view on everything that's backed up by some logic, they don't want a view that agrees with theirs but they want to see something that shows you can critically think and make a case for whatever it is you are saying. Other than that, for deals look at merger proxies for the bigger deals, they go into depth and talk about the rationale side of things but also the numbers sides of things (when they ask about a deal, its important to talk about both).

Also, talking to people who work in IB is gonna be great because that way you can also start picking up on lingo (for example I used to say C.I.M. the same way you read the abbreviation FBI but people in the industry actually say SIM so stuff like that). I think using lingo that people in IB use, and showing that you know your stuff is key. Finally, I was honestly a bit disappointed by the IB processes a bit lol. I basically spent a great deal of time on technicals and understanding the logic behind those things, but almost all the interviews I had (including 1 superday each at a BB, EB, and MM and numerous other interviews) were mostly behavioral questions. One round at one of these banks was technical but what I realized was they want to see if you can pass the airport test (would they want to spend more hours with you at an airport after a busy day because of a flight being cancelled?). The one superday where I ended up getting an offer from, we ended up talking about travelling about football, movies, and travelling (this was across multiple interviews that day). At the ones that I got rejected from, one of the superday had some of the most basic technicals, which I am sure everyone got right since people were really qualified, so it came down to fit and personality. I am sure there are some banks that are really technical and so definitely prepare on that part, but keep in mind that at a superday almost everyone is going to be qualified and will answer those correctly, so it'll come down to who they like the most. So, make sure you are comfortable with those questions and being able to be personable as well (I had my interests on my resume (and these weren't the usual golf, fishing, hiking) but almost all my interviews had at least one question about them which then led to us connecting. Let me know if you have any other questions. 

Lots of good resources here. One thing I'd caution on is trying to learn all of this and coming off as too obsessed with IB or as a finance hardo.

It's great to want to learn everything but that won't really help for recruiting and can even be a negative if you present as weird or totally IB obsessed. Definitely learn technicals but your incremental time is better spent networking or developing other parts of your resume. I only mention because you note you're low on interests to begin with.

Read this forum

Work