AKUNA CAPITAL Sales and Trading Analyst interview questions & guide 2026

Our interview process is designed to test your ability to think under pressure. Questions are representative of our actual loops and focus on core competencies relevant to a trading desk.

Mental Math and Sequences

These questions test your speed, accuracy, and ability to perform under tight time constraints, which are critical for high-frequency environments.

• What is 19% of 270?
• What is 15% of 235?

Success at AKUNA CAPITAL requires a mix of raw numerical aptitude and structured thinking. Do not rely on memorization; focus on building a framework for how you approach unknown problems.

Numerical Aptitude – We expect near-instant arithmetic and pattern recognition. Practice daily using mental math tools to ensure you can perform basic operations and sequences without hesitation.

Probability and Expected Value – You must be able to calculate the Expected Value (EV) of any game or trade instantly. Practice translating real-world scenarios into mathematical models.

Market Awareness – While we value quantitative skill, you must demonstrate an understanding of how markets move. Follow current events, understand basic arbitrage, and be ready to discuss why certain assets are priced the way they are.

Resilience and Communication – You will be pushed with follow-up questions to test the limits of your logic. Stay calm, articulate your thought process clearly, and be willing to pivot if a new constraint is introduced.

The hiring process at AKUNA CAPITAL is rigorous and focuses on identifying candidates who can thrive in a fast-paced environment. It typically begins with a series of online assessments (OAs) focused on mental math, sequences, and sometimes basic programming. If you progress, you will move through a series of technical interviews—often over the phone or via Zoom—that test your ability to solve probability problems and engage in market-making games.

Final rounds are intensive, often involving a "Superday" format where you will meet with multiple traders. The focus remains heavily on your ability to process information quickly and justify your decisions. We value candidates who treat the interview as a dialogue; we want to see how you think when presented with new, incomplete, or changing information.

The visual timeline shows the progression from initial screening to final evaluation. Candidates should use this to pace their preparation, ensuring they are fluent in mental math early on, while saving their energy for the deep-dive technical and behavioral rounds at the end of the process.

Mental Math and Numerical Speed

This is the baseline requirement. If you cannot perform arithmetic quickly, you cannot trade effectively. We evaluate this through speed drills where you must solve as many problems as possible in minutes.

Be ready to go over:

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals.
• Geometric and arithmetic sequences.

As a Sales and Trading Analyst, you are expected to be hands-on from day one. Your primary responsibility is to support the trading desk by identifying profitable trade ideas and managing existing positions. You will monitor market data feeds, perform rapid analysis on market movements, and communicate findings to senior traders.

Collaboration is essential. You will interact with developers to improve the tools the desk uses and work with other analysts to ensure the desk's risk exposure is within mandate. You are expected to contribute to the desk’s P&L by being sharp, diligent, and proactive in identifying inefficiencies in the market.

We seek candidates who are naturally quantitative and highly competitive. You do not need a background in finance, but you must demonstrate a high "math IQ" and a logical, disciplined approach to problem-solving.

• Must-have skills: Exceptional mental math speed, strong grasp of probability theory, and the ability to explain complex logic under pressure.
• Nice-to-have skills: Experience with programming (Python), knowledge of options theory, and participation in trading competitions or courses.
• Soft skills: Humility in the face of market data, clear communication, and the ability to remain composed when a trade goes against you.

Q: How much should I prepare for the mental math portion? A: Treat it like an athlete training for a race. You should be practicing daily until your speed and accuracy are second nature.

Q: Does it matter if I don't have a finance degree? A: Not at all. We value raw intellectual capability and the ability to learn over existing financial knowledge. We can teach you the markets; we cannot teach you how to think quickly.

Q: What is the culture like at AKUNA CAPITAL? A: It is an environment of constant feedback and high performance. We are direct, data-driven, and focused on collective success through individual excellence.

Q: How long does the process take? A: Timelines vary, but expect a multi-week process involving several stages of testing and interviews.

• Prioritize speed: In our assessments, if you hit a hard question, move on. Do not let one difficult problem sink your overall performance.
• Explain your logic: Even if your math is correct, we want to know how you got there. If you don't know an answer, show us your thought process so we can see how you break down problems.
• Use the resources: We often recommend online trading courses or mental math trainers. Use them. They are the best way to understand the "language" of our interviews.
• Stay curious: Ask your interviewers thoughtful questions about the specific desk they work on. It shows you are genuinely interested in the mechanics of the trade.

A career as a Sales and Trading Analyst at AKUNA CAPITAL is an opportunity to test your intellectual limits in one of the most dynamic environments in finance. By focusing on your core numerical speed, mastering the fundamentals of expected value, and maintaining a calm, analytical demeanor, you can significantly improve your chances of success.

We encourage you to explore additional interview insights, practice questions, and preparation resources on Dataford to refine your approach. Remember that every interview is a chance to demonstrate your potential, so prepare with intensity and approach the process with confidence.

The salary data reflects the competitive compensation for this role, which is structured to align your incentives with the firm's performance. Candidates should view the base salary as a foundation, with total compensation often heavily weighted toward performance-based bonuses based on individual and desk contributions.