Capital Markets and Sales Trading

FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

NBFC risk dashboard

Build a risk dashboard for an NBFC using credit, liquidity, concentration, and stress-test indicators from public disclosures.

Built an NBFC risk dashboard with stress scenarios and early-warning indicators.

Sentdex is the consensus Python-for-finance community pick — cited by professional quants on GitHub, Quora, and r/algotrading. Harvard's CS50P for rigorous fundamentals first. Krish Naik for Hindi. Reddit r/learnpython and r/algotrading consistently recommend CS50P → Sentdex as the path.

Financial Time Series Analysis Notebook

Build a Python notebook that pulls 3 years of price data for 5 NSE stocks using yfinance, calculates daily returns, rolling volatility, and Sharpe ratio for each, plots correlation heatmaps and cumulative return charts, and outputs a one-page PDF summary. The notebook must be clean enough to share with an employer as a portfolio piece.

Time box: 3-4 days

Data/source: yfinance (free), NSE/BSE historical data

Built Python notebook for multi-stock time series analysis using pandas and yfinance; computed Sharpe ratios, rolling volatility, and correlation matrix across NSE equities.

ExcelJet (Dave Bruns) is the go-to professional quick reference. BIWS Excel series is the gold standard for IB model hygiene. TrumpExcel (Sumit Bansal) is India's most trusted Excel educator with 500K+ subscribers. Macquarie/Coursera Excel specialisation is the best free structured certificate path.

Audit-Ready Financial Model with Full Checks

Build an analyst-quality Excel workbook for any Indian company's financial projections. The model must follow professional hygiene: blue hard-codes, black formulas, no hard-codes inside formulas, circular reference check, balance sheet check, and a dedicated Assumptions sheet. Add a scenario toggle (Base/Bull/Bear), a sensitivity table, and a summary dashboard page. Someone should be able to audit your model without asking you any questions.

Time box: 3-4 days

Data/source: Screener.in for historical numbers

Built audit-ready financial model in Excel following professional hygiene standards; included balance sheet checks, scenario toggle, sensitivity table, and dashboard output.

FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

Messy model cleanup challenge

Refactor a messy finance workbook into a clean analyst model with inputs, calculations, outputs, checks, formatting, and version notes.

Refactored a messy finance workbook into an audit-ready model with checks, clean structure, and version notes.

BMC is the universal credential recommendation. On Wall Street Oasis and LinkedIn, 'do your BMC' appears in virtually every 'how to prepare for IB recruiting' post. For students without Bloomberg access, CapIQ has a free student version through many colleges (ask your library). Screener.in is the free Indian alternative for equity data; RBI and CCIL databases cover Indian fixed income data. FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

Data Terminal Proficiency Portfolio - 5 Live Analyses

If you have Bloomberg access (college terminal), complete 5 structured analyses using actual Terminal functions. If you don't, replicate the same analyses using free alternatives (Screener.in, NSE, RBI, Trendlyne). Analysis 1: Build a trading comps table for 5 peers using market data and financial ratios. Analysis 2: Pull a 5-year bond yield history for a Nifty 50 company's outstanding NCD and plot it. Analysis 3: Screen NSE equities for EV/EBITDA < 10x and ROE > 15% to find potential value picks. Analysis 4: Build a news flow monitor for 3 companies for one week, logging all market-moving events. Analysis 5: Export 3 years of daily price data for 5 stocks into Excel and calculate rolling correlations.

Time box: 5-7 days

Data/source: Bloomberg Terminal (college) / Screener.in, Trendlyne, NSE India, RBI (all free)

Completed 5-part data terminal proficiency project using Bloomberg/Screener.in; built live comps, yield history, equity screen, news monitor, and correlation matrix across Indian securities.

Sentdex is the consensus Python algotrading resource on r/algotrading. QuantConnect for backtesting platform. Patrick Boyle covers institutional algo trading. Market Gurukul for Hindi NSE algo context (SEBI co-location rules, Zerodha/Kite API).

Mean-Reversion Strategy - Indian Equities Backtest with Walk-Forward Validation

Build a mean-reversion strategy for Indian equities in Python. Strategy: when a Nifty 200 stock's 20-day RSI drops below 30, buy; when RSI exceeds 70, sell. Universe: all Nifty 200 stocks with >2 years of data. Backtest over 3 years of NSE price data. Calculate: CAGR, Sharpe ratio, max drawdown, win rate, average hold period. Then run walk-forward validation (train on 2021-2022, test on 2023) to check for overfitting. Compare performance to Nifty 50 buy-and-hold benchmark. Write a 2-page strategy evaluation report including transaction cost assumptions.

Time box: 5-7 days

Data/source: yfinance (free NSE price data), NSE Bhavcopy archives (free)

Developed and backtested RSI mean-reversion strategy for Nifty 200 universe over 3 years; validated with walk-forward test; achieved Sharpe of X vs. Nifty 50 benchmark with 2-page strategy evaluation.

Patrick Boyle is the top microstructure educator on YouTube, cited on r/algotrading. Market Gurukul for NSE order book mechanics in Hindi. SEBI's co-location circulars define the Indian regulatory framework for algo market participants.

Order Book Analysis - Market Impact Study for a NSE Mid-Cap

Choose a NSE mid-cap stock with moderate liquidity (ADV INR 50-500 Cr). Download 5 days of tick data (use NSE's publicly available Bhavcopy and order data archives, or Zerodha Kite's free historical data API). For each trading day: (1) Calculate realized bid-ask spread (2 x (trade price midpoint) / midpoint), (2) Analyze how bid-ask spread changes throughout the trading day (first 30 min vs. mid-day vs. last 30 min), (3) Estimate market impact: if an institutional investor were to buy 5% of ADV in one order vs. spread over 1 hour via TWAP, what is the estimated price impact in basis points? Write a 2-page execution quality report.

Time box: 4-5 days

Data/source: NSE Bhavcopy archives (free), NSE historical data files (free from NSE India website), Zerodha Kite API (free)

Analyzed order book microstructure for NSE mid-cap over 5 days; computed realized bid-ask spread, intraday liquidity patterns, and estimated market impact for single vs. TWAP execution strategies.

Patrick Boyle (former PM, UCL professor) is the top-rated derivatives educator on YouTube — praised on r/options and r/algotrading for combining rigorous theory with practitioner trading intuition. CA Rachana Ranade covers Indian NSE F&O market for Hindi-speaking students.

Options Strategy Backtesting Notebook

Choose one options strategy (covered call, protective put, or iron condor). Using historical NSE options data (available free via NSE's Bhavcopy archives), backtest the strategy over 12 months of Nifty weekly expiries. Calculate the average P&L per trade, win rate, maximum drawdown, and Sharpe ratio. Write a one-page analysis of when the strategy works and when it fails.

Time box: 4-5 days

Data/source: NSE Bhavcopy archives (free, downloadable from nseindia.com)

Backtested Nifty weekly options strategy over 12 months using NSE historical data; computed win rate, Sharpe ratio, and max drawdown; wrote quantitative strategy evaluation.

Rayner Teo is the most recommended TA educator on r/technicalanalysis and r/algotrading — praised for removing information overload and focusing on high-probability setups. Market Gurukul for Hindi NSE/BSE TA with live Indian charts.

Chart Pattern Study - 12 Months of Real Signals

Pick 5 NSE stocks across different sectors. Over 12 months of historical daily data, identify and document every instance of 3 chart patterns (e.g. Head & Shoulders, double top, ascending triangle). For each pattern, record: entry signal date, stop-loss level, target level, actual outcome, and P&L if traded. Compile a hit-rate and risk-reward analysis. Conclude: does this pattern have a statistically significant edge in Indian equities?

Time box: 5-7 days

Data/source: TradingView (free), NSE historical data CSV downloads

Conducted systematic pattern study across 12 months of NSE price data; documented 30+ setups across 3 chart patterns; computed hit rate and R:R to assess edge in Indian equities.

FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

Indian G-Sec yield curve brief

Use RBI/NSE public data to build a G-Sec yield curve snapshot and explain duration, convexity, and rate-risk implications.

Created an Indian G-Sec yield-curve brief with duration and rate-shock analysis.

Patrick Boyle (UCL, former PM) is the top macro analysis educator on YouTube — praised on r/economics and r/SecurityAnalysis. Damodaran covers macro's role in equity valuation. The Valuation School covers India macro in Hindi (RBI MPC, CPI/WPI, GDP, INR dynamics).

Macro Research Note - Indian Economy 12-Month Outlook

Write a 4-page macro research note on the Indian economy for the next 12 months - as if you were the macro strategist at an Indian asset management firm writing for your CIO. Cover: GDP growth outlook (with your forecast vs. RBI/IMF consensus and why you agree or disagree), inflation trajectory, RBI rate policy expectations, INR outlook, and the three biggest macro risks to your base case. Each section must cite actual data (RBI, MOSPI, World Bank). Conclude with asset class implications: what does your macro view imply for Indian equities, G-Secs, and INR?

Time box: 5-6 days

Data/source: RBI Handbook of Statistics (free), MOSPI National Accounts (free), IMF WEO (free), World Bank India data (free)

Authored 4-page macro research note on Indian economy with 12-month GDP, inflation, and rates forecast; derived asset class implications across equity, fixed income, and currency.

Patrick Boyle covers FX hedging from an institutional perspective with rigour. The Valuation School covers Indian corporate hedging context (RBI/FEMA regulations, CCIL, forward cover guidelines). CFI's treasury module is well structured.

Corporate FX Hedging Program Design - Indian IT Exporter

Choose any mid-large Indian IT services company (Infosys, Wipro, HCL, Mphasis). From their annual report: identify total USD revenue, USD cost base, and existing hedging disclosure. Calculate the net USD exposure. Design a 12-month hedging program: choose a hedge ratio (e.g. 50-70% of exposure), select instruments (forward contracts vs. options vs. options collar), calculate the cost of hedging at current market rates, and show the P&L impact at INR/USD scenarios of 82, 84, 86, 88, and 90. Write a 1-page hedging policy recommendation memo for the CFO and board.

Time box: 4-5 days

Data/source: BSE India annual reports (free), RBI USD/INR reference rates (free), NSE FX derivatives settlement prices

Designed 12-month FX hedging program for [Company]'s $X Mn USD exposure; compared forward, option, and collar strategies; showed P&L impact at 5 INR/USD scenarios in CFO memo.

Patrick Boyle explains structured products with practitioner clarity — cited by finance professionals studying for FICC interviews. BIWS covers structured finance in the leveraged finance context. The Valuation School covers Indian securitisation — RBI ARC framework, PTC structures.

ABS Waterfall Model - Indian NBFC Securitization

Build an ABS waterfall model for a fictional Indian NBFC securitizing a pool of 2-wheeler loans. Pool: INR 100 Cr, average LTV 80%, average tenor 36 months, WAC 18%, expected default rate 3%. Structure: Senior tranche (80% = INR 80 Cr, rated AA, yield 8.5%), Junior/Subordinate tranche (20% = INR 20 Cr, retained by originator). Build monthly cash flow waterfall for 36 months: principal collections + interest collections -> fees -> senior interest -> senior principal -> subordinate payments. Stress test: default rate at 3%, 6%, and 9% - when does the senior tranche suffer principal loss? Write a 2-page rating rationale as if you were a credit analyst at CRISIL.

Time box: 5-6 days

Data/source: Self-constructed pool (use CRISIL/ICRA 2-wheeler ABS public reports for realistic default rate assumptions, free from their websites)

Built ABS waterfall model for INR 100 Cr 2-wheeler loan pool securitization; stress-tested senior tranche protection at 3/6/9% default rates; wrote CRISIL-style rating rationale.

FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

Client IPS and risk profile

Create an investment policy statement for an HNI client with goals, constraints, risk profile, asset allocation, and suitability notes.

Prepared an HNI client investment policy statement with risk profile and suitability notes.

Stanford's Matt Abrahams is the most respected English communication educator for professionals. Ankur Warikoo is undisputably India's #1 career communication resource in Hindi - his combination of ISB MBA background, Fortune recognition, and 5 bestselling career books gives him unmatched credibility for Indian students. FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

3-Minute Stock Pitch - Recorded and Self-Reviewed

Record yourself delivering a 3-minute verbal pitch on a stock of your choice. The pitch must include: investment thesis, key financial metrics, one risk and how you'd mitigate it, and a buy/sell recommendation. Record on your phone or Loom. Review it critically against a rubric: clarity of thesis, handling of numbers, pacing, filler words, eye contact. Revise and record a second version. Compare both.

Time box: 2 days (including revisions)

Data/source: Your own equity research project (link to valuation project above)

Delivered stock pitch for [Company] in simulated investment committee setting; recorded, self-reviewed, and revised against professional communication rubric.

The Pyramid Principle is the non-negotiable framework - learn it before your first day at any finance or consulting firm. The Coursera Business Writing course is the best free structured path. Warikoo covers the Hindi-language side of professional communication with credibility. FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

Investment Memo - 2 Pages, Pyramid Structure

Write a 2-page investment memo for a fictional IC (Investment Committee) recommending whether to invest INR 10 Cr in a listed Indian mid-cap company. Use the Pyramid Principle: lead with your recommendation, then support it with 3 key arguments, then provide evidence for each. No bullet-point dumps - write in professional prose. Get someone to read it cold and tell you what your recommendation was after reading only the first paragraph.

Time box: 2-3 days

Data/source: Your valuation project as the analytical foundation

Authored 2-page IC-format investment memo for INR 10 Cr equity investment using Pyramid Principle structure; memo communicated recommendation within opening paragraph.

HBR YouTube is the English professional standard for stakeholder management education. Warikoo is the Hindi equivalent for Indian workplace context. The most important principle: over-communicate before deliverables are late, not after. This single habit separates trusted analysts from unreliable ones. FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

Stakeholder Map + Difficult Conversation Role-Play

For any internship, college project, or mock deal scenario you have done: create a stakeholder map identifying all people involved, their interests, their power level, and how you would manage each. Then write out 3 difficult conversations you would need to have (e.g. telling an MD the model has an error, asking a client for an extension, pushing back on an unrealistic deadline). Script each conversation using the HBR 'SBI' (Situation-Behavior-Impact) framework. Role-play them with a friend or record yourself.

Time box: 2-3 days

Data/source: Your own experience (internship, project, capstone)

Managed cross-functional stakeholder communication across [X] parties during [project]; navigated conflicting priorities by proactive expectation-setting and structured escalation.

Ali Abdaal for evidence-based productivity systems in English. Warikoo for the Hindi-language equivalent with Indian professional context. The most important thing is not which system you choose - it is building the habit of weekly planning and daily prioritization before you start your job, not after. FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

Personal Workflow Audit and System Build

Conduct a 2-week time audit using Toggl (free). Track every hour across 5 categories: deep work, reactive work (email/messages), meetings, admin, and breaks. Analyse where your actual time goes vs. where you think it goes. Then design your personal workflow system: weekly planning template, daily top-3 priorities method, email batching, and a focus block schedule. Run the new system for 2 weeks and compare output quality and stress levels before/after.

Time box: 4 weeks total (ongoing habit, not a one-time task)

Data/source: Your own time tracking data

Designed and implemented personal productivity system using time-block scheduling and weekly review; sustained output quality across 80+ hour simulated deal week during capstone project.

FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

Role-specific interview answer bank

Create a technical and behavioral interview bank for a target finance role with STAR stories, model explanations, and project talk tracks.

Built a role-specific finance interview bank with technical answers, behavioral stories, and project talk tracks.

Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic is the undisputed authority on data storytelling - her book and YouTube channel are used in MBA programs globally. For Hindi-language visual communication education, Avi Singh covers the finance-specific application. The most impactful exercise: take your last financial model output and redesign it as if you were presenting it to someone who has never seen a spreadsheet. FinPreparoo prioritizes free or free-to-audit resources so cost does not block learning. Crowd research uses public Reddit threads, web results, and YouTube search — not private social feeds.

Annual Report Turned Into a 5-Slide Data Story

Take the annual report of any listed Indian company and distill its financial performance story into exactly 5 slides - no more. Each slide must make one clear point. No data dumps, no standard bar charts copied from Excel. Every chart must be redesigned following Cole Nussbaumer's SWD principles: clear title that states the insight, minimal non-data ink, one highlighted data point that drives the message. The audience is a CEO with 5 minutes.

Time box: 2-3 days

Data/source: BSE India annual reports (free)

Distilled [Company] annual report into 5-slide CEO-facing data story; redesigned financial charts following SWD principles to drive single clear insight per slide.