If you’ve applied to a quantitative trading or market making firm, you might get invited to a business course after the first online assessment and HR call.
Business courses are usually 2-3 day in-house events where you’ll engage in multiple activities together with other candidates and employees of the firm. Business courses are both a chance for you to learn more about the company and for the company to evaluate you. Think of it as a shortcut past technical rounds, but with the same level of expectations. Often, you’ll still face a final round interview afterward, so it’s crucial to prepare well.
Table of Contents
What to Expect
During the business course, you can face a wide mix of activities:
- 🧩 Brain teasers and quick-thinking puzzles
- 🎲 Probability questions and games
- 📈 Derivatives applications
- 🏦 Market making games (often in group settings)
The market making games are usually the highlight. For example, you may encounter the Market of Cards game (learn more here), where the scoring rules can change, but the essence is about reacting quickly, pricing well, following the market dynamics and managing risk.
Have a look at our courses to review the theory, and at the interview questions to practice different problems.
How to Prepare
Here are some tried-and-true ways to get ready:
1. Be Technically Ready
Treat the business course as if it’s a final technical round.
- Revise probability basics (expect dice, coin flips, cards, expected values, etc).
- Review derivatives theory (option theory, ETFs, arbitrage basics, etc).
- Practice mental math — speed matters when trading.
👉 You don’t need to be perfect, but you should be sharp and comfortable under pressure.
2. Train for Market Making Games
The games are designed to simulate life on a trading floor.
- Practice beforehand: the games on the Market Making Games page are a good resource.
- Focus on being both competitive and collaborative when needed. Firms want to see that you can make decisions, but also work as part of a team.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to speak up. Silence can be interpreted as passivity — and that’s not what firms look for in traders.
3. Ask Questions — Lots of Them
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is staying too quiet. Remember:
- If you don’t ask questions, the evaluators won’t get to know you.
- On the trading floor, unclear communication leads to costly mistakes. Showing that you’re not afraid to clarify things is a big plus.
💡 It’s always better to ask five follow-ups than to nod along and then slip up later.
4. Take Care of the Basics
You’ll be in a high-intensity environment for 2–3 days. Small things make a big difference:
- Get proper rest before the course. Fatigue kills performance.
- Be open and approachable — firms look for people they’d want to work with long-term.
- Stay calm under stress. A steady, thoughtful response often beats a rushed one.
Final Thoughts
A business course is both a test and an opportunity. It’s the firm’s way of asking:
👉 “How would this person perform on the trading floor?”
So prepare like it’s a technical interview, but also bring your energy, curiosity, and willingness to engage.
If you’re well-rested, proactive in asking questions, and ready for the mix of games, theory, and teamwork, you’ll leave a strong impression.
Good luck, and don’t forget to practice some market making games in advance!
✅ Business Course Prep Checklist
Before the Course
- Revise probability basics (dice, coins, cards, expected values, etc)
- Review derivatives theory (option theory, ETFs, arbitrage basics, etc)
- Practice mental math — speed + accuracy
- Try some market making games
During the Course
- Speak up — silence can be misread as passivity
- Ask questions — better to clarify than to guess
- Show you can work in a team and take initiative
- Stay calm under pressure (don’t rush your answers)
Personal Prep
- Be well rested before day 1
- Eat and hydrate properly — stamina matters over 2–3 days
- Stay approachable and professional — evaluators notice
