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Quant Job Interview Questions (2009) [pdf]

math.kent.edu

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Re: Quant Job Interview Questions (2009) [pdf]

#41

Post by phee »

mrchicity wrote: post #35
pkaye wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Serious question... do people really enjoy working on this stuff? Do most quants go to work thinking it is fun to work on mathematical models to optimize financial transaction. Or is it just a job that pays really well towards long term financial independence to do what they really want?

Yes it's an awesome job, and not just because of the money. I've worked for small shops that weren't very profitable and didn't really make a lot those years, but still loved the work. I could see derivatives pricing being boring, not as much room for creativity there. The strategy/trading quant work is like a super open-ended science problem with a constant stream of new challenges as you try to outperform yourself…

About questions not being great, do they match what you could expect in a real world interview for a strategy quant position?

Re: Quant Job Interview Questions (2009) [pdf]

#42

Post by WhitneyLand »

chollida1 wrote: post #29

I wrote about this a long time ago here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8698986#8699260 I think most of what I wrote is still valid. I believe the below reference: http://www.decal.org/file/2945 and the book Heard on teh street are also great refresher's for the type of material you'll need. https://www.amazon.ca/Heard-Street-Quantitative-Questions-In... To be honest most of this won't matter, the number one qu…

You stress the importance of having a Phd - How much of that is because it's really needed and how much of it is a filter / credibility signal?

Re: Quant Job Interview Questions (2009) [pdf]

#43

Post by jxm262 »

thess24 wrote: post #26
jxm262 wrote: post #12

I'm partway through the ML class on Coursera and have only recently rekindled my interest in Math. However, my background is in Accounting (undergrad and did a full years as an accountant), and Software Engineering (masters in SE and full time now for some years). Is there a path to actually move into a Quant Job given a software background, to someone who's mathematically inclined? My fear is that I load up on extra…

It's definitely possible with a masters in SE. There are many types of quant (see the markjoshi.com link above) - it will be easiest for you to become a quant developer with your background in software engineering. This will be much more focused on the software development side of things rather than the math/modelling side of things, but depending on the firm will give you large exposure to how the modelling side wor…

Thanks. You're reply gave me a boost of inspiration. I'm working now to learn more of the Math and modeling side of things, but I know it's going to be a _long_ hard road. Thanks for the link, that site seems to have some great info - I particularly like this http://www.markjoshi.com/downloads/advice.pdf.

I'm curious what sort of side projects I could try that others could take notice on.

Re: Quant Job Interview Questions (2009) [pdf]

#44

Post by rahrahrah »

minimaxir wrote: post #36
rahrahrah wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't be discouraged. I just had a look and parts 1 - 4 are simple maths, and everyone should know those maths anyway. Then part 5 is application of simple arithmetics (except questions 8 and 12) to options, which means if you already know arithmetics you only need to learn what an option is. What I mean is that you should be learning basics maths anyway, and when you know a bit you can solve all those questions…

You are getting downvoted because "everyone should know those maths anyway" is dismissive (I think you meant "everyone [who is applying for a quant position] should know those maths anyway," which is more fair)

No, I did mean everyone. Or everyone who cares about understanding the world. Or rather, everyone who cares about understanding the world they themselves should be wanting to learn more maths than just sums and multiplications.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

Re: Quant Job Interview Questions (2009) [pdf]

#46

Post by wildlogic »

rahrahrah wrote: post #3
20161112 wrote: post #2

Sigh...I guess I'll be sticking with web dev.

I wouldn't be discouraged. I just had a look and parts 1 - 4 are simple maths, and everyone should know those maths anyway. Then part 5 is application of simple arithmetics (except questions 8 and 12) to options, which means if you already know arithmetics you only need to learn what an option is. What I mean is that you should be learning basics maths anyway, and when you know a bit you can solve all those questions…

Hello, I'm hoping for a suggestion for some math courses that will help me understand these questions.. I only took algebra in high school and didn't go to college. Since, I've looked at a couple things (basic proofs, lambda calculus) but quickly was overwhelmed. What is a good starting point for someone who can reverse and exploit all sorts of binaries but does not know what a derivative is? Just start on Coursera? My other question is - what can I achieve with this knowledge? What use is it? What problems can I solve? I think one thing that kept me progressing learning code was I could see what I was looking to achieve and I reached it. I learned it because I wanted to understand it. When I look at math, I see something that I will never be able to understand... There is a part of me that has a strong desire to learn it but the other half tells me to leave it alone. Is it understandable in the same way programming is understandable? By learning the syntax?

Re: Quant Job Interview Questions (2009) [pdf]

#47

Post by _lzell »

rahrahrah wrote: post #44
minimaxir wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are getting downvoted because "everyone should know those maths anyway" is dismissive (I think you meant "everyone [who is applying for a quant position] should know those maths anyway," which is more fair)

No, I did mean everyone. Or everyone who cares about understanding the world. Or rather, everyone who cares about understanding the world they themselves should be wanting to learn more maths than just sums and multiplications. Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

| everyone who cares about understanding the world.

Those fluent in math really need to drop this egocentric view. If you can't do matrix manipulations you aren't curious about the world? Give me a break. The breadth of topics that yield understanding of various parts of our world is vast. Do you have an early university understanding of history, politics, math, sociology, psychology, economics, law, capitalism, etc. etc. etc.

Re: Quant Job Interview Questions (2009) [pdf]

#49

Post by kbumsik »

daleroberts wrote: post #48

Perhaps useful if you are interviewing, this is what I give to my undergraduate students. Mathematical Finance Cheat Sheet: https://github.com/daleroberts/math-finance-cheat-sheet

Thanks sharing this. I actually see some equation needed for my last midterm lol

Re: Quant Job Interview Questions (2009) [pdf]

#50

Post by evanpw »

phee wrote: post #41
mrchicity wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes it's an awesome job, and not just because of the money. I've worked for small shops that weren't very profitable and didn't really make a lot those years, but still loved the work. I could see derivatives pricing being boring, not as much room for creativity there. The strategy/trading quant work is like a super open-ended science problem with a constant stream of new challenges as you try to outperform yourself…

About questions not being great, do they match what you could expect in a real world interview for a strategy quant position?

Everything in sections 1-3 looks like pretty standard entry-level strategy quant questions.
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