Introduction
Brain teasers, or non-traditional interview questions, have become increasingly prevalent in investment banking interviews. These questions are designed to assess critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities rather than specific financial knowledge. While they may seem daunting, with proper preparation and a strategic approach, you can ace these questions and demonstrate your aptitude for success in investment banking.
Approaching Brain Teasers Effectively
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Understand the Purpose: Brain teasers are not designed to trick you but rather to gauge your ability to think logically, approach problems systematically, and communicate your reasoning effectively.
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Stay Calm and Composed: Don't let the unfamiliarity of the question unsettle you. Take a moment to collect your thoughts, analyse the question carefully, and formulate a plan of attack.
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Break Down the Problem: Divide complex questions into smaller, more manageable components. Identify key information, relationships, and patterns to simplify the problem-solving process.
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Explanation Matters: Even if you arrive at the correct answer, articulate your thought process clearly and concisely. Demonstrate your ability to break down problems, consider different angles, and reach a logical conclusion.
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Practice Makes Perfect: Familiarize yourself with common brain teasers and practice solving them under timed conditions. This will enhance your analytical skills and confidence in answering these questions during interviews.
Examples of Brain Teasers Encountered in Investment Banking Interviews
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The Tower of Hanoi: A mathematical puzzle involving disks of different sizes that must be moved from one tower to another with specific limitations.
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The Two Hats Problem: A logic puzzle about two individuals wearing different coloured hats, with the goal of determining the colour of their own hat based on limited information.
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The Monkeys Problem: A scenario involving monkeys and bananas, where the objective is to determine the maximum number of monkeys that can be fed without any monkey having more than two bananas.
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The Coins in a Jar Problem: A mathematical puzzle involving coins of different denominations and the probability of finding a specific combination of coins in a jar.
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The Light Bulb Problem: A logical puzzle involving light bulbs and switches, where the goal is to determine the state of the light bulbs after a specific sequence of switch operations.
Summary
Brain teasers may seem like an unexpected challenge in investment banking interviews, but they provide valuable insights into your problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and communication skills. By approaching them with a calm, analytical mindset, practicing problem-solving techniques, and effectively communicating your thought process, you can demonstrate your aptitude for success in investment banking and make a strong impression on your interviewers.
