Da Vinci

Role: Graduate Trader

College: Not Specified

Interview Date: March 2021

Interview Type: Full-Time

Result: No Offer

Difficulty: Hard

Rounds: 3 rounds

Topics Asked: Mental Math, Probability, Motivational Fit, Puzzles, Market Making Game, EV, Game Theory

Experience:

The interview process for the Graduate Trader role at Da Vinci Derivatives was described as good but challenging.

Round 1: Online Math Test
This round was "quite tough" and required practicing math problems beforehand. It consisted of "around 50 tough questions in 10 minutes," which was noted as much tougher than typical Optiver screening tests. No calculator was allowed, emphasizing speedy calculations. The candidate managed to complete around 35 questions with approximately 95% perfection, which was sufficient to proceed.

Round 2: HR Interview
This round focused on "motivational fit." It also included rapid-fire mental math questions, such as "What's your favorite color?", "What's 6 * 76?", and "What's the product you got minus 263?". Another mental math question involved calculating "8/17 till 4th precision" and then a follow-up asking for the "5th decimal along with previous 4," testing both precision and memory.

Round 3: Technical Interview (with Senior Trader)
This round involved "some puzzles and a market making game." The interviewer asked "multiple estimations, market making questions" and questions about "open position and PnL." The candidate discussed their interest in Chess. A specific market-making question involved determining the "Total number of moves played from both sides in last GM championship Vishy Anand vs Magnus," across 11 games. Another puzzle involved "4 Cards (2 Red + 2 Black)" and betting money on four outcomes of picking cards one by one under different scenarios (e.g., "Bet on 1 = Red. Opposite info for 1 given (Black). Now bet on 2 = Red"). The candidate mentioned making a mistake by switching from a "Variance minimizing strategy" to a "Mean maximizing strategy under pressure and improper calculations" during a market-making/betting game, which they believed prevented them from advancing.

The overall procedure was described as "well defined and good."