Trading Games vs Market Making Interviews
Trading games vs market making interviews explained: what overlaps, what differs, and how to split preparation between game state, quotes, risk, and communication.
Candidates comparing quant trading-game rounds with market-making interview formats.
The overlap
Both formats test decisions under uncertainty. You estimate value, update from new information, manage downside, and explain choices while the state changes.
The difference
A trading game may emphasize score, state tracking, and strategy. A market-making round usually turns the same reasoning into bid, ask, spread, size, and inventory decisions.
Concrete example
In a trading game you might decide whether to buy a risky ticket at 52. In a market-making version, you might quote 49 at 55, then update after a customer trades.
How to split practice
Use trading-game drills for state, timing, and rule clarity. Use market-making drills for fair value, spread, skew, fills, and quote updates.
Common mistakes
Candidates often prepare only puzzle math and skip the decision layer. In both formats, the interviewer wants to hear why the action follows from the current state.
Practice the pattern
Use the LeetQuidity curriculum and calibration to turn this topic into a focused practice plan.