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Investment Banking Technical Interview Cheat Sheet
The essential formulas, frameworks, and quick answers — condensed into one reference page for 2026 recruiting.
This investment banking technical interview cheat sheet covers the core concepts tested across first rounds, superdays, and coffee chats. It is designed as a condensed reference you can review quickly before an interview — not a replacement for deep preparation. Every formula, framework, and sample answer below reflects what interviewers at top banks actually ask. Bookmark this page and use it alongside our complete interview guide for a thorough review.
1. Valuation Essentials
Equity Value + Net Debt + Preferred Stock + Minority InterestShare Price x Diluted Shares OutstandingTotal Debt - Cash & Cash EquivalentsEnterprise Value / EBITDAMost common valuation multiple. Typical range: 6-12x depending on industry.
Share Price / Earnings Per ShareEquity-level multiple. Affected by capital structure unlike EV/EBITDA.
“Walk me through a valuation” — Three methods: Comparable Companies (range from similar public companies), Precedent Transactions (range from past M&A deals), and DCF (intrinsic value based on projected cash flows). Comps and Precedents give relative value; DCF gives intrinsic value. Most bankers triangulate across all three to arrive at a valuation range.
Enterprise Value vs. Equity Value — Enterprise Value represents the value of the entire business to all capital providers (debt + equity). Equity Value represents the value to shareholders only. EV-based multiples (EV/EBITDA, EV/Revenue) are capital-structure-neutral. Equity-based multiples (P/E) are affected by leverage.
2. DCF Framework
EBIT x (1 - Tax Rate) + D&A - CapEx - Change in Working Capital(E/V x Re) + (D/V x Rd x (1 - T))Weighted average cost of capital. Blends cost of equity and after-tax cost of debt.
Risk-Free Rate + Beta x Market Risk PremiumFCF x (1 + g) / (WACC - g)Perpetuity growth method. Long-term growth rate (g) is typically 2-3%, near GDP growth.
Final Year EBITDA x Exit EV/EBITDA MultipleMore commonly used in practice. Exit multiple should align with comps.
Terminal value typically accounts for 60-80% of total DCF value. This is why sensitivity analysis on terminal assumptions (growth rate and exit multiple) is critical. Interviewers often ask what drives the DCF the most — the answer is almost always terminal value assumptions and the discount rate ( WACC). See our DCF modeling guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.
3. Accounting Fundamentals
Current Assets - Current LiabilitiesIncrease in WC = cash outflow. Decrease in WC = cash inflow.
Revenue - COGS - SG&A + D&AOr equivalently: EBIT + D&A. Proxy for operating cash generation.
Net Income + D&A - CapEx - Change in WCLevered FCF (includes interest). Different from Unlevered FCF used in DCFs.
Three statements connect: Net Income flows from the Income Statement to the top of the Cash Flow Statement. The ending cash balance from the CFS feeds into the Balance Sheet. Retained Earnings on the Balance Sheet increases by Net Income minus Dividends, linking back to the Income Statement.
Classic Question: “$10 increase in depreciation” — walk through all three statements
4. M&A Concepts
Purchase Price - Fair Market Value of Net AssetsEquity Value + Transaction Fees + Debt RefinancingAccretion/Dilution: A deal is accretive if the combined company's EPS exceeds the acquirer's standalone EPS. In an all-stock deal, if the acquirer's P/E is higher than the target's P/E, the deal is generally accretive (you are buying earnings at a cheaper multiple than your own).
Synergies: Revenue synergies (cross-selling, expanded distribution, pricing power) and cost synergies (headcount reduction, duplicate facility closures, systems consolidation). Cost synergies are considered more reliable and achievable — they are within management's control. Revenue synergies depend on market reception and are harder to forecast.
Strategic vs. Financial Buyer: Strategic buyers (corporations) pay higher premiums because they can realize synergies. Financial buyers (PE firms) rely on leverage, operational improvements, and multiple expansion for returns — they typically pay lower multiples.
5. LBO Framework
Exit Equity Value / Initial Equity InvestmentMultiple of Invested Capital. PE firms target 2.5-3.0x+ MOIC.
Sources (Debt + Equity) = Uses (Purchase Price + Fees + Cash to B/S)LBO = acquire company using significant debt, improve operations, sell for profit. Returns are driven by three levers: (1) debt paydown using the company's cash flow, (2) EBITDA growth through revenue increases or margin expansion, and (3) multiple expansion if you sell at a higher EV/EBITDA than you bought at. PE firms typically target 20-25%+ IRR over a 3-7 year hold period.
Good LBO candidate: Stable and predictable cash flows, low capital expenditure requirements, strong market position with defensible moat, opportunities for cost cutting or operational improvement, and asset-heavy balance sheet that can serve as debt collateral. Cyclical businesses with volatile revenues are poor LBO candidates because debt service becomes risky during downturns.
Quick LBO Math: Paper LBO Shortcut
1. Start with purchase price (e.g., 8x EBITDA on $100M EBITDA = $800M EV).
2. Determine debt vs. equity split (e.g., 60/40 = $480M debt, $320M equity).
3. Project EBITDA at exit (e.g., 5% annual growth over 5 years = ~$128M).
4. Estimate debt paydown from cumulative free cash flow.
5. Exit equity = Exit EV - Remaining Debt. MOIC = Exit Equity / $320M.
6. Quick Behavioral Answers
“Why investment banking?”
Three parts: (1) genuine interest in finance, deals, or capital markets, (2) specific skills you want to develop (financial modeling, client advisory, due diligence), (3) how IB fits your long-term career goals (PE, growth equity, industry, or staying in banking). Be specific and authentic — generic answers are easy to spot.
“Walk me through your resume”
Use the Present → Past → Future format. Start with where you are now (school, major, recent experience), then cover what led you here (prior internships, relevant coursework, pivotal moments), then end with why this firm and role are the logical next step. Keep it under 60 seconds.
“Why this firm?”
Cite specific deals the firm has worked on, people you have spoken with (informational interviews, networking events), and the firm's culture or group focus that resonates with you. Avoid generic praise. Show you have done your homework by referencing something you cannot find on the first page of their website.
Situation (set the scene in 1-2 sentences) → Task (your specific responsibility) → Action (what you did, with detail) → Result (quantified outcome if possible). Keep the entire answer to 60-90 seconds. Spend most of your time on Action and Result.
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Cheat Sheet FAQ
How should I use this cheat sheet?
Use it as a final review before interviews, not as your primary study material. Read through the formulas and frameworks the night before, then do a quick scan on the morning of your interview. If any formula feels unfamiliar, go deeper with our full question guides and drills to build real understanding.
What are the most commonly tested topics in IB interviews?
Valuation, accounting, and DCF are tested most frequently. Nearly every first-round interview includes a question about enterprise value vs. equity value, the three financial statements, and the basics of a DCF. LBO and M&A concepts appear more often in superdays and later rounds. Behavioral questions appear in every round.
How long should my technical answers be?
30 to 60 seconds for most technical questions. Your answer should be structured and concise. Start with the direct answer or formula, then add one or two sentences of context or explanation. Interviewers want to see that you understand the concept clearly, not that you can deliver a five-minute lecture.
Should I memorize all these formulas?
Understand the concepts behind the formulas rather than memorizing them mechanically. If you understand why unlevered free cash flow starts with EBIT and adds back depreciation, you can reconstruct the formula even under pressure. That said, the core formulas for enterprise value, UFCF, and WACC should be second nature.
What if I get a question not on this sheet?
This cheat sheet covers roughly 80% of the technical questions asked in investment banking interviews. For less common topics like restructuring, sector-specific questions, or advanced LBO mechanics, check our full library of 150+ technical question guides with detailed model answers.