QUANT GRAD RESEARCH
Baruch MFE Admissions - Quantitative Background Assessment (QBA) Test
By Quant Grad
Baruch MFE Admissions: Understanding the Quantitative Background Assessment and Interviews
Applying to Baruch College’s Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program? The admissions process includes a Quantitative Background Assessment (QBA) and, for selected applicants, two technical interview rounds.
What Is the QBA?
All applicants take the QBA as the first step in having their application evaluated. It provides a snapshot of their quantitative background at the time of applying.
Baruch states that no specific preparation is necessary, and there is no minimum QBA score required to be considered for admission. Applicants who want to review the subject areas can consult the official QBA review topics.
What Does the Assessment Cover?
The QBA contains eight questions, with 45 minutes to complete them:
Two Calculus questions
Two Linear Algebra questions
Two Probability questions
One Finance question
One Brainteaser
The questions are not multiple choice, and all answers are integers.
What Resources Are Allowed?
The assessment is open book, but internet searches, ChatGPT, and other AI engines are prohibited. Applicants cannot communicate with anyone during the assessment, including other candidates.
An honor code must be signed to acknowledge these requirements.
When Is the QBA Offered?
The assessment takes place online within one week after each application deadline. Applicants receive the date, time, and detailed instructions by email.
To accommodate different time zones, Baruch offers two sessions on the same day: 7–8 a.m. and 7–8 p.m., New York time. These are the scheduled session windows; the assessment itself lasts 45 minutes.
What Happens During the Interviews?
Before an admission offer is made, selected applicants complete two interview rounds via Zoom. The interviews are primarily technical and include questions on mathematics, finance, and C++ programming.
Questions asked during second-round interviews from 2023 to 2025 are available in Admissions IQ: MFE Interview Edition.
The Admissions Committee contacts selected applicants by email to arrange interviews. Applicants cannot request an interview.
For prospective students, understanding both stages helps clarify what Baruch evaluates: foundational quantitative knowledge through the QBA, followed by deeper technical discussions during interviews.
Source: Baruch MFE Application Process
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