- Your Logic and Deductive Reasoning Skills: How many gas stations are there in the United States?
- Your Math Skills: How many times a day do a clock’s hands overlap?
- Your Knowledge in a Particular Field: What is the best valuation method to use when evaluating a technology company?
Quant Interview Questions: Expected sum of distances in a triangle
1. Why did you pursue a career in quantitative analysis?
Answering this question reveals your opinion on the value of quantitative analysis, which the interviewer may compare to their companys mission statement to help them decide if youre a good fit for the role. Your response can also show a hiring manager how positively you feel about your career, which may affect their hiring decision. When answering this question, you can explain what you enjoy about the field of quantitative analysis and why you think its important.
Example: “When I took my first statistics course in high school, I became fascinated with how mathematicians use numbers to understand the systems that govern our society. As I continued my education, I discovered quantitative analysis and decided I wanted to use mathematics to help clients make effective financial and investment decisions. I also enjoy using my skills to help my clients keep their resources safe.”
2. How many degrees are there between the hour and minute hands on an analog clock at 3:15 a.m.?
This is a common quantitative interview question for quantitative and technical roles because it may allow the interviewer to assess both the quantitative and logical abilities of a candidate. Some may visualize a clock at 3:15 a.m. and think that the minute and hour hands overlap, so the number of degrees that separate them is zero. To answer this question correctly, consider the path that each hand takes around the perimeter of the clock and then use your knowledge of angles to find the answer.
Example: “The circumference of a circle is 360 degrees. At 3:15, the minute hand has moved exactly one quarter of the way around the clock. One quarter of 360 is 90, so the minute hand has moved exactly 90 degrees from a vertical position. This means that its pointing directly at the 15-minute mark on the clock.
At 3:15, the hour hand of a clock is exactly one quarter of the way between three and four because the time 3:15 indicates that exactly one quarter of an hour has passed. Each hour on a clock contains 30 degrees because there are 12 hours in total, and 360 divided by 12 equals 30. One quarter of 30 is 7.5, so at 3:15, the hour hand of a clock has moved 97.5 degrees from its vertical position. This means that theres a 7.5 degree gap between the minute and hour hands at 3:15 a.m. or 3:15 p.m.”
quantitative interview questions
If they only get items 1 to 3 correct, this is a person qualified for a junior-level position. This job candidate has some quantitative research knowledge but is not yet able to manage an entire project. They will likely be able to contribute to questionnaire design and programming, but they will need data analysis support.
If they get all 10 correct, your job candidate has some solid quantitative research knowledge and just may be a research rock star. You may still want to test them for hands-on data analysis (if that is required). But at minimum, you know they have appropriate knowledge and will be able to hold their own when working with colleagues, clients, and data analysis partners.
