Brain teasers are a common type of question asked in investment banking interviews. They test a candidate’s logical thinking and problem-solving abilities under pressure. While brain teasers can seem intimidating, they can be mastered with the right preparation. This article will provide an overview of investment banking brain teasers, tips for tackling them, and examples of common brain teasers asked in interviews.
Understand the purpose of brain teasers in interviews
Investment banks ask brain teasers for a few key reasons: 1) To test analytical and quantitative skills: Brain teasers evaluate how you think through complex, ambiguous problems and analyze information logically. 2) To assess critical thinking: Interviewers look at how you break down problems, identify key insights, and articulate your thought process. 3) To evaluate behavior under pressure: Brain teasers are timed and test how you perform under pressure and with incomplete information.
Practice frequently asked brain teaser types
Common categories of brain teasers include estimation questions, logic puzzles, lateral thinking riddles, and unconventional math problems. Get familiar with each category and practice sample questions. For estimation, practice fermi questions that require approximating values. For logic puzzles, work through Sudoku, matchsticks, and river crossing questions. Lateral thinking riddles require you to think creatively from various angles. Math brain teasers test mental math without calculators.
Master a step-by-step approach to solving
Having an approach is key to tackling brain teasers efficiently. Outline the key steps: 1) Listen carefully and repeat the question back to confirm your understanding. 2) Ask clarifying questions if anything is unclear. 3) Think through the problem out loud to show your process. 4) Solve systematically and don’t rush. 5) Walk through your reasoning and how you arrived at your solution. 6) Provide the final answer clearly. 7) Follow up with related interpretations and insights.
Practice frequently asked examples and variations
Review common brain teaser examples and practice testing yourself on different variations: – Estimation: How many golf balls fit in a Boeing 747? – Logic: You have 8 coins, one of which is defective and a different weight than the others. Using a balance scale only 3 times, how do you identify the defective coin? – Lateral thinking: A man walks into a bar and asks for a glass of water. The bartender points a shotgun at the man. The man says thank you and leaves. Why? – Math: If a toy store sells teddy bears for $5 less than tigers and makes $4000 selling 100 tigers and 100 bears, how much do tigers cost?
With targeted preparation, brain teasers can be mastered. Focus on understanding the purpose, practicing common types, following a step-by-step approach, and rehearsing sample questions. Preparation will build confidence to tackle brain teasers efficiently in investment banking interviews.