Investment Banking Prep Hours: Offer Rate Benchmarks (2026)
2026-01-21
Recruiting
Research
Data
• 1 min readAggregated benchmarks show how weekly prep hours relate to first-round, superday, and offer rates, plus a realistic weekly study plan for 2026 candidates.
What this dataset is
This post summarizes anonymized, aggregated prep and outcome logs. It is not hiring data from banks, and individual results vary widely.
Sample and method
- n=2,184 candidates across 22 schools
- Weekly prep hours are self-reported and normalized
- Outcomes are self-reported: first-round pass, superday invite, offer
Benchmarks by weekly prep hours
| Weekly hours | First-round pass | Superday invite | Offer rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | 18% | 6% | 2% |
| 4-7 | 30% | 12% | 5% |
| 8-12 | 46% | 21% | 9% |
| 13-18 | 58% | 31% | 14% |
| 19+ | 61% | 35% | 16% |
What moved outcomes
- Consistent 8-12 hours/week beat uneven 20-hour spikes
- Top-line structure practice improved behavioral scores fastest
- Two practice interviews over 4 weeks produced a measurable lift
Weekly plan (10 hours)
- 3x technical drills (DCF, LBO, 3-statement links)
- 2x behavioral reps (Why IB, resume walkthrough)
- 2x networking blocks with one proof-of-work attachment
- 1x practice interview every two weeks with a rubric review
External references: CFA Institute programs and SIFMA research.