Crack Investment Banking Exams: Prep Guide 2025

How to Pass the Investment Banking Exams Subject-Wise

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    How to Pass the Investment Banking Exams Subject-Wise

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      How to Pass the Investment Banking Exams Subject-Wise

      Last Updated On 29th August 2025
      Duration: 4 Mins Read

      Table of Content

      Investment banking exams test practical finance skills like valuation, risk, and financial modelling. Passing them shows competence and opens career opportunities.

      Introduction to Investment Banking Exams

      So let’s start simple. What is investment banking?  Let’s say a business wants to seek capital or even purchase another company. Investment bankers intervene to provide direction. They examine the figures, determine whether the agreement is reasonable, and offer guidance. It sounds big and exciting because it is.

      But here’s the truth. Before you ever land one of those jobs, you need to clear some very tough investment banking exams. They’re not like school tests where you just memorise a few things. These exams want to know if you can actually apply finance in real life. Employers use them as proof. They show that you’re serious, that you understand financial statements, valuation, risks, and even financial modelling.

      If you’re in India, you might have already heard of NISM or NSE tests. These investment banking exams in India are required for many finance roles. Around the world, people aim for CFA, CPA, or CIMA. All of these are considered important exams for investment banking. And yes, every one of them takes effort and serious investment banking preparation.

      Importance of Certification in Investment Banking

      Let’s be honest. You can’t just say “I love finance” and expect a bank to hire you. Passing an exam gives you a certificate, but more importantly, it shows you can handle pressure. It tells employers that you:

      • Understand accounting and reporting
      • Know how to value companies
      • Can manage risks and follow compliance
      • Are able to build financial models

      That’s why so many students work hard to pass investment banking exams. The certificate becomes your ticket to better jobs and career growth.

      There isn’t one single exam for everyone. You choose based on where you want to work. A few examples:

      • CFA or Chartered Financial Analyst. Probably the toughest and most respected exam worldwide.
      • CIMA or Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Great for combining finance with management.
      • CPA or Certified Public Accountant. Essential in the US for corporate finance roles.
      • NISM and NSE certifications. These investment banking exams in India are mandatory for many jobs in Indian capital markets.
      • And don’t forget the many investment banking courses offered by institutes. They might not be global exams but they give strong practical exposure.

      Subject-Wise Preparation Strategy for Investment Banking Exams

      The smart way to handle these exams is to prepare one subject at a time. Let’s break them down.

      • Financial Accounting and Reporting

      This is the foundation. You need to read balance sheets, income statements, and cash flows. You should know IFRS and GAAP. Ratio analysis and adjustments are common too.

      How to prepare: Do at least a few problems every day. Reading theory is not enough. The more you solve, the faster you’ll get.

      • Corporate Finance and Valuation

      This is where you learn to value businesses. You’ll deal with capital budgeting, cost of capital, and DCF models.

      How to prepare: Pick a real company, maybe one you know well, and try a simple valuation in Excel. When you practice with real numbers, you understand concepts better.

      • Mergers and Acquisitions

      This is what most people picture when they think of banking. Large deals often involve large sums of money, and you get to learn about deal structures, synergies, due diligence, and the legal aspects that come with them.

      How to prepare: Read about recent mergers. See why they happened and whether they succeeded. Real cases stick in your mind more than theory.

      • Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management

      This subject teaches you how to choose the right investments. Topics include equity and bond analysis, portfolio diversification, and balancing risk with return.

      How to prepare: Create your own sample portfolio. Track it weekly. Nothing teaches better than watching how markets actually move.

      • Risk Management and Compliance

      Here you learn about different types of risk. Market, credit, operational. Plus, you’ll cover Basel norms, anti-money laundering, and corporate governance.

      How to prepare: Follow financial news. When a crisis happens, ask yourself what risk was ignored. For investment banking exams in India, keep an eye on SEBI updates. Consistent news tracking is the secret to good investment banking preparation.

      • Financial Modelling

      This subject pulls everything together. You’ll build Excel models, forecast revenues and expenses, and test different scenarios.

      How to prepare: Don’t copy someone else’s model. Build your own, even if it’s simple. That’s the only way to gain real confidence.

       

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      General Tips to Ace Each Subject

      A few habits can help across all subjects.

      • Create a Study Plan with Subject Priorities

      List your strong and weak subjects. Spend more time on the tough ones, but still revise the easy ones. Maintain a daily schedule.

      • Use Industry-Recognised Study Materials

      Use official sources like CFA books, NISM study material, or resources provided by your desired exam body. Jumping between too many resources just wastes time.

      • Practice Case Studies and Mock Tests

      Case studies make you think like a banker. Mock tests show you where you stand. Review mistakes carefully. That’s where learning happens.

      Common Mistakes to Avoid During Preparation

      There are a few traps that students fall into.

      • Ignoring Difficult Subjects Until the End

      It feels tempting to leave the hard ones for later, but that only builds panic. Face them early while you have time.

      • Not Practicing Numerical Problems Regularly

      Most investment banking exams are calculation heavy. Reading theory without solving numbers will not help you during the real thing.

       

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      Final Advice for Passing Investment Banking Exams

      Here’s the truth. To pass investment banking exams, you don’t need shortcuts. You need consistency. Even two hours daily beats ten hours of panic before the exam.

      Whether you are aiming for CFA or investment banking exams in India, the formula is the same: break it into subjects, practice steadily, and take mock tests. Keep your health in check too. A calm and rested mind always performs better. Smart and patient investment banking preparation is what really makes the difference in the end.

       

      FAQs on Investment Banking Exams Subject-Wise

      Which subjects are difficult in investment banking exams?

      Most students find financial modelling and valuation difficult because they bring theory and real skills together.

      How much time should I dedicate to each subject?

      It varies. CFA students often spend 250 to 300 hours for each level. Indian exams usually take two to three months of steady preparation.

      Are mock tests necessary for investment banking exam success?

      Yes, they are. Mock tests give you practice under exam conditions and show you where you’re weak.

      Can I prepare for investment banking exams while working full-time?

      Yes, plenty of people do. Use weekdays for short study slots and weekends for longer sessions. Discipline makes it possible.

       

      Anant Bengani, brings expertise as a Chartered Accountant and a leading figure in finance and accounting education. He’s dedicated to empowering learners with the finest financial knowledge and skills.

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