If the Optiver SWE OA is "algorithmic engineer under pressure", the Trader OA is "math-olympiad calculator under pressure" — 80 questions, 8 minutes, with each wrong answer subtracting from your score and a high cutoff. This article aggregates Optiver Trader OA reports from 1point3acres + Wall Street Oasis and adds a practical VO coaching / mock-interview plan.
Optiver Trader OA at a Glance
| Module | Duration | Count | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculations (mental math) | 8 min | 80 | Add / sub / mul / div, decimals |
| Sequences | 6 min | 12-15 | Pattern recognition |
| Maths | 30 min | 12 | Probability + expectation + geometry |
| Market Maker Game | 30 min | Simulation | Quoting under inventory risk |
Recurring report on 1point3acres / WSO: the Calculations module's interview cutoff is at least 70/80.
Module 1: Mental Math (Calculations)
Distribution
- Two-digit × two-digit (~30%)
- Three-digit ÷ two-digit (~25%)
- Decimal arithmetic (~20%)
- Fractions ↔ decimals / percentages (~15%)
- Simple compound (~10%)
Training Plan
| Phase | Tool | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Arithmetic Zetamac | 60 in 4 minutes |
| Mid | TradingMaster / Optiver 88 | 70 in 8 minutes |
| Sprint | 5× timed mocks per day | 80 in 8 minutes |
Speed Tricks
- Two-digit × two-digit: use
(a+b)(a-b) = a² - b², e.g., 47 × 53 = 50² − 3² = 2491 - Three-digit ÷ two-digit: estimate quotient, multiply back to adjust (832 / 26 ≈ 32)
- Decimal division: shift to integer division, then re-place the decimal point
- Percentages: memorize 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.125% as 1/8, 1/16, 1/32
Module 2: Sequences
Sample
Given:
2, 5, 11, 23, 47, ?
Differences are 3, 6, 12, 24 — doubling each step — so the next difference is 48 and the next term is 95.
Training
- Brilliant's "Pattern Recognition" track
- Official Optiver sample problems on careers.optiver.com
Module 3: Maths (Probability + Expectation)
Sample 1: Expected First Red-Card Position
Shuffle a 52-card deck. What's the expected position of the first red card? Answer: 53/14 ≈ 3.786.
Sample 2: Dice Betting
Roll a 1-6 die. Pay c to roll; win R on a 6. What c/R is breakeven?
Idea: expected cost is c, expected gain is R/6. Breakeven at c ≤ R/6.
Training
- Green Book ("A Practical Guide to Quantitative Finance Interviews") ch.1-3
- "Heard on the Street" classics
- Design 20 variants of your own (change conditions / constraints)
Module 4: Market Maker Game
In Optiver's simulator, you:
- Receive market info (implied bid/ask + volatility)
- Quote your own bid / ask
- Trade against bots, avoiding adverse selection and inventory blow-up
- End with PnL > 0 inside the time limit
Intuitions
- Wider bid-ask spread protects against adverse selection
- Skew quotes when inventory drifts, so the other side helps you flatten
- Risk aversion near close — drive inventory to zero
VO Loop
After OA, the Optiver Trader VO typically runs 5-6 rounds:
- HR phone: motivation, market intuition (25 min)
- Trader 1: mental math + probability + projects (60 min)
- Trader 2: extended Market Maker Game (60 min)
- Sales / researcher round: macro / asset understanding (45 min)
- Hiring manager / team fit: behavioral (45 min)
- Superday: full-day integrated loop (some batches)
VO Coaching / Mock Interview Roadmap
Practical patterns
- Daily mental-math drills: 1 Zetamac session each morning, afternoon, evening
- Probability drilling: Green Book + 50 high-frequency problems from 1point3acres
- Market Maker Game recording: record every simulation; debrief minute by minute
- Behavioral playbook: Optiver emphasizes "Pursuit of Excellence + Integrity" — prepare 3 stories
oavoservice's combined VO Proxy + VO Coaching package
For Optiver Trader's 5-6 round VO (including the Trading Game), oavoservice offers:
- VO Coaching: daily Zetamac drills + probability / expectation problem sets + Market Maker Game recorded debrief + Sequences mocks
- VO Proxy: real-time answer assistance during the live interview — Maths (probability / expectation / geometry), Sales / Researcher rounds, and the Hiring Manager behavioral
- Behavioral playbook: 3 stories shaped around Pursuit of Excellence + Integrity
Reach out on WeChat Coding0201 for the full plan and pricing.
14-Day Sprint
| Day | Task |
|---|---|
| D1-D7 | Zetamac 4 min × 6 daily; target 60 → 80 |
| D8-D10 | Optiver 88 mocks; target 70 in 8 minutes |
| D11-D12 | Probability drilling: Green Book + 1point3acres high-frequency |
| D13 | Market Maker Game: 3 simulator sessions |
| D14 | Behavioral STAR + full mock recording debrief |
FAQ
What's the minimum Calculations score?
Reports on 1point3acres / WSO consistently report a cutoff of 70/80. Some hiring batches push to 75.
Is 80 in 8 minutes really achievable?
Yes. A solid Zetamac 4-minute / 60-question level roughly maps to 70+ in 8 minutes. 2 weeks of 6 × 4-minute daily drills typically gets you there.
Who fits the Trader track?
Math-olympiad background (IMO / Putnam) + solid probability + fast arithmetic. Software-engineering-heavy candidates lean SWE.
Cooldown after a failed Optiver Trader OA?
Usually 12 months. Switching tracks (e.g., Trader → SWE) typically resets it.
Preparing for Optiver Trader OA / VO?
oavoservice provides mental-math specialty coaching, probability walkthroughs, Market Maker Game recording debriefs, behavioral playbooks for Optiver / Jane Street / IMC / Five Rings and similar market makers. Our mentors come from frontline market-making teams and can build a 2-4 week sprint for the Trader track.
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Contact
Email: [email protected]
Telegram: @OAVOProxy