Last Updated: March 2026

Goldman Sachs Placement Papers 2026 - Complete Preparation Guide

Company Overview

Goldman Sachs is one of the world's leading investment banking, securities, and investment management firms. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world. Goldman Sachs provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals.

Eligibility Criteria 2026

Criteria	Requirements
Degree	B.Tech/B.E./B.Sc./BCA/M.Tech/M.E./MCA (CS/IT/ECE/EEE branches preferred)
Academic Percentage	60% or above throughout academics (10th, 12th, Graduation)
Backlogs	No active backlogs at time of application
Year of Passing	2024, 2025, 2026
Experience	Freshers (0-1 years)

CTC Package for Freshers 2026

Component	Amount (INR)
Base Salary	₹12-15 LPA
Joining Bonus	₹2-3 Lakhs
Performance Bonus	₹3-5 LPA (variable)
Stock Options (RSUs)	₹5-8 Lakhs (vested over 4 years)
Total CTC	₹22-31 LPA

Note: Figures are indicative and may vary based on role, location, and performance.

Goldman Sachs Exam Pattern 2026

Section	Number of Questions	Duration	Difficulty Level
Aptitude (Quantitative)	15-20	25 mins	High
Logical Reasoning	10-15	20 mins	High
Verbal Ability	10-15	20 mins	Medium-High
Technical (CS/Programming)	20-25	30 mins	High
Coding Round	2-3 Problems	60-90 mins	Very High
Total	~70-80 + Coding	~150-200 mins	Very High

Section 1: Aptitude Questions (Quantitative)

Question 1: Profit & Loss

A trader sells two articles at the same price, making a profit of 25% on one and a loss of 25% on the other. What is his overall profit or loss percentage?

Solution: Let the selling price of each article be ₹100.

For the first article (25% profit): Cost Price = ₹100 / 1.25 = ₹80

For the second article (25% loss): Cost Price = ₹100 / 0.75 = ₹133.33

Total Cost Price = ₹80 + ₹133.33 = ₹213.33 Total Selling Price = ₹100 + ₹100 = ₹200

Loss = ₹213.33 - ₹200 = ₹13.33 Loss % = (13.33/213.33) × 100 = 6.25% Loss

Shortcut: When same SP with x% profit and x% loss, always results in loss of (x²/100)% = (25×25)/100 = 6.25% Loss

Question 2: Time & Work

A can complete a work in 20 days, B in 30 days, and C in 60 days. If A is assisted by B and C on alternate days, in how many days will the work be completed?

Solution: A's 1 day work = 1/20 B's 1 day work = 1/30 C's 1 day work = 1/60

Day 1 (A+B): 1/20 + 1/30 = 5/60 = 1/12 Day 2 (A+C): 1/20 + 1/60 = 4/60 = 1/15

Work done in 2 days = 1/12 + 1/15 = (5+4)/60 = 9/60 = 3/20

In 12 days (6 cycles): 6 × 3/20 = 18/20 = 9/10 work done

Remaining work = 1/10

Day 13 (A+B): They do 1/12 work Since 1/12 > 1/10, work completes on Day 13

Time needed on Day 13 = (1/10) / (1/12) = 12/10 = 1.2 days

Total time = 12 + 1.2 = 13.2 days

Question 3: Probability

Two dice are thrown simultaneously. What is the probability of getting a sum of 9 or 11?

Solution: Total outcomes = 36

Sum of 9: (3,6), (4,5), (5,4), (6,3) = 4 ways Sum of 11: (5,6), (6,5) = 2 ways

Favorable outcomes = 4 + 2 = 6

Probability = 6/36 = 1/6

Question 4: Compound Interest

The difference between compound interest and simple interest on a certain sum for 2 years at 10% per annum is ₹525. Find the principal amount.

Solution: Difference between CI and SI for 2 years = P × (R/100)²

525 = P × (10/100)² 525 = P × 0.01 P = 525/0.01 = ₹52,500

Question 5: Ratio & Proportion

The ratio of boys to girls in a school is 4:5. When 100 girls leave the school, the ratio becomes 6:7. How many boys are there in the school?

Solution: Let boys = 4x, girls = 5x

After 100 girls leave: girls = 5x - 100

New ratio: 4x/(5x-100) = 6/7

28x = 30x - 600 2x = 600 x = 300

Number of boys = 4 × 300 = 1200

Question 6: Speed & Distance

A train 240m long passes a pole in 12 seconds. How long will it take to pass a platform 480m long?

Solution: Speed of train = 240/12 = 20 m/s

To pass platform: Total distance = 240 + 480 = 720m Time = 720/20 = 36 seconds

Question 7: Permutations

In how many ways can the letters of the word "LEADING" be arranged so that the vowels always come together?

Solution: Word: L,E,A,D,I,N,G (7 letters) Vowels: E, A, I (3 vowels)

Treat 3 vowels as one unit: (EAI), L, D, N, G = 5 units

These can be arranged in 5! = 120 ways Vowels among themselves can be arranged in 3! = 6 ways

Total arrangements = 120 × 6 = 720

Question 8: Partnership

A, B, and C start a business with investments in ratio 3:4:5. After 6 months, A invests additional amount equal to his initial investment. If the total profit at year end is ₹92,400, find C's share.

Solution: Investment ratios: A:B:C = 3:4:5

A's investment: 3x × 6 + 6x × 6 = 18x + 36x = 54x B's investment: 4x × 12 = 48x C's investment: 5x × 12 = 60x

Ratio of profits: 54:48:60 = 9:8:10

C's share = (10/27) × 92400 = ₹34,222.22

Question 9: Averages

The average weight of 8 persons increases by 2.5 kg when a new person comes in place of one of them weighing 65 kg. What might be the weight of the new person?

Solution: Total weight increase = 8 × 2.5 = 20 kg

Weight of new person = 65 + 20 = 85 kg

Question 10: Number System

Find the remainder when 2^100 is divided by 7.

Solution: Using cyclicity: 2^1 = 2 (mod 7) 2^2 = 4 (mod 7) 2^3 = 1 (mod 7)

2^100 = (2^3)^33 × 2^1 = 1^33 × 2 = 2

Question 11: Mixtures

A vessel contains 60 liters of milk. 12 liters of milk is taken out and replaced by water. This operation is repeated once more. How much milk is left in the vessel?

Solution: Using formula: Final quantity = Initial × (1 - x/n)^k

Where x = 12, n = 60, k = 2

Final milk = 60 × (1 - 12/60)² = 60 × (4/5)² = 60 × 16/25 = 38.4 liters

Question 12: Boats & Streams

A boat covers 24 km upstream in 6 hours and 36 km downstream in 4 hours. Find the speed of the boat in still water.

Solution: Upstream speed = 24/6 = 4 km/h Downstream speed = 36/4 = 9 km/h

Speed in still water = (9 + 4)/2 = 6.5 km/h

Question 13: Calendar

What was the day of the week on 15th August 1947?

Solution: Odd days calculation: 1600 years = 0 odd days 300 years = 1 odd day 46 years = 35 ordinary + 11 leap = 35 + 22 = 57 = 1 odd day

Days from Jan 1 to Aug 15, 1947 = 31+28+31+30+31+30+31+15 = 227 days 227 = 32 weeks + 3 days = 3 odd days

Total odd days = 0 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 5

5 = Friday

An article is marked 50% above cost price and sold after two successive discounts of 20% and 10%. Find the profit percentage.

Solution: Let CP = 100 Marked Price = 150

After 20% discount: 150 × 0.8 = 120 After 10% discount: 120 × 0.9 = 108

Profit % = (108-100)/100 × 100 = 8%

Question 15: Time & Distance

Two trains running in opposite directions cross a man standing on the platform in 27 seconds and 17 seconds respectively and they cross each other in 23 seconds. Find the ratio of their speeds.

Solution: Let speeds be v1 and v2, lengths be L1 and L2

L1 = 27v1, L2 = 17v2

Crossing each other: (L1+L2)/(v1+v2) = 23 (27v1 + 17v2)/(v1+v2) = 23

27v1 + 17v2 = 23v1 + 23v2 4v1 = 6v2

v1:v2 = 3:2

Section 2: Technical/CS Questions

Question 1: Data Structures

What is the time complexity of searching in a balanced BST?

Explanation: In a balanced Binary Search Tree, each comparison eliminates half of the remaining nodes, similar to binary search, resulting in logarithmic time complexity.

Question 2: Algorithms

Which sorting algorithm has the best average-case time complexity?

Explanation:

QuickSort: O(n log n) average, O(n²) worst
MergeSort: O(n log n) always, requires O(n) extra space
HeapSort: O(n log n) always, in-place sorting

Question 3: Database

What is the difference between INNER JOIN and LEFT JOIN?

INNER JOIN returns only matching rows from both tables
LEFT JOIN returns all rows from the left table and matching rows from the right table (NULL for non-matches)

Example:

-- INNER JOIN
SELECT * FROM Employees e
INNER JOIN Departments d ON e.dept_id = d.id;

-- LEFT JOIN
SELECT * FROM Employees e
LEFT JOIN Departments d ON e.dept_id = d.id;

Question 4: Operating Systems

What is the difference between a process and a thread?

Process	Thread
Independent execution unit	Lightweight process
Has its own memory space	Shares memory with other threads
Context switching is expensive	Context switching is cheaper
Inter-process communication needed	Direct memory sharing

Question 5: Networking

Explain the TCP 3-way handshake.

SYN: Client sends SYN to server
SYN-ACK: Server responds with SYN-ACK
ACK: Client sends ACK to establish connection

This ensures both parties are ready for data transmission.

Question 6: OOP

What are the four pillars of Object-Oriented Programming?

Encapsulation: Bundling data and methods together
Inheritance: Creating new classes from existing ones
Polymorphism: Same interface, different implementations
Abstraction: Hiding complex implementation details

Question 7: System Design

What is the CAP theorem?

Consistency: All nodes see the same data
Availability: Every request receives a response
Partition Tolerance: System continues despite network failures

Question 8: Programming

What is memoization and where is it used?

Question 9: Database

What are ACID properties?

Atomicity: All or nothing (transaction is indivisible)
Consistency: Database remains in consistent state
Isolation: Concurrent transactions don't interfere
Durability: Committed data survives system failures

Question 10: Data Structures

Explain the difference between Stack and Queue.

Stack: LIFO (Last In First Out) - Push and Pop from same end
Queue: FIFO (First In First Out) - Enqueue at rear, Dequeue from front

Section 3: Verbal Ability/English

Question 1: Synonyms

Choose the word closest in meaning to "EPHEMERAL":

A) Eternal B) Transient C) Permanent D) Stable

Explanation: Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time, similar to transient.

Question 2: Antonyms

Choose the word opposite in meaning to "VENERATE":

A) Respect B) Worship C) Despise D) Honor

Explanation: Venerate means to regard with great respect. Despise means to regard with contempt.

Question 3: Sentence Correction

Identify the error in the sentence: "Each of the students have completed their assignments."

Explanation: "Each" is singular, so it takes singular verb "has".

Correct: "Each of the students has completed their assignments."

Question 4: Fill in the Blanks

The company's profits have _______ significantly since the new management took over.

A) declined B) increased C) remained D) fluctuated

Question 5: Reading Comprehension

Read the passage and answer:

"The financial markets have evolved dramatically over the past decade. Algorithmic trading now accounts for over 70% of all equity trades in developed markets. This shift has brought both benefits and challenges. While it has increased liquidity and reduced bid-ask spreads, it has also introduced systemic risks and flash crashes."

Question: What is the main concern regarding algorithmic trading mentioned in the passage?

A) It reduces market liquidity B) It increases bid-ask spreads C) It introduces systemic risks D) It decreases trading volume

Question 6: Analogies

BOOK : LIBRARY :: ? : MUSEUM

A) Artist B) Painting C) Visitor D) Building

Explanation: Books are found in a library, paintings are found in a museum.

Question 7: Para Jumbles

Arrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

P: The financial crisis of 2008 was a watershed moment Q: It led to significant regulatory reforms worldwide R: Many banks faced insolvency S: Governments had to bail out several institutions

Question 8: Idioms

What does "to leave no stone unturned" mean?

A) To be very lazy B) To try every possible way C) To give up easily D) To work superficially

Question 9: Error Spotting

Identify the error: "The data indicates that the stock market have been volatile."

Explanation: "Data" (plural of datum) is often treated as singular in modern usage, taking "has".

Question 10: Critical Reasoning

Statement: All investment bankers work long hours. Some long-hour workers are stressed.

Conclusion: All investment bankers are stressed.

Is the conclusion valid?

Explanation: This is the fallacy of undistributed middle. While all investment bankers work long hours and some long-hour workers are stressed, we cannot conclude all investment bankers are stressed.

Section 4: Coding Questions

Question 1: Two Sum

Given an array of integers and a target sum, return indices of two numbers that add up to the target.

def two_sum(nums, target):
    """
    Time Complexity: O(n)
    Space Complexity: O(n)
    """
    hash_map = {}
    
    for i, num in enumerate(nums):
        complement = target - num
        if complement in hash_map:
            return [hash_map[complement], i]
        hash_map[num] = i
    
    return []

# Test
test_nums = [2, 7, 11, 15]
target = 9
print(f"Input: {test_nums}, Target: {target}")
print(f"Output: {two_sum(test_nums, target)}")  # [0, 1]

Question 2: Reverse a Linked List

Reverse a singly linked list.

class ListNode:
    def __init__(self, val=0, next=None):
        self.val = val
        self.next = next

def reverse_list(head):
    """
    Time Complexity: O(n)
    Space Complexity: O(1)
    """
    prev = None
    current = head
    
    while current:
        next_temp = current.next
        current.next = prev
        prev = current
        current = next_temp
    
    return prev

# Helper to print list
def print_list(head):
    current = head
    while current:
        print(current.val, end=" -> " if current.next else "\n")
        current = current.next

# Test
head = ListNode(1, ListNode(2, ListNode(3, ListNode(4, ListNode(5)))))
print("Original list:")
print_list(head)
reversed_head = reverse_list(head)
print("Reversed list:")
print_list(reversed_head)

Question 3: Longest Substring Without Repeating Characters

Find the length of the longest substring without repeating characters.

def length_of_longest_substring(s):
    """
    Time Complexity: O(n)
    Space Complexity: O(min(m, n)) where m is charset size
    """
    char_map = {}
    left = 0
    max_length = 0
    
    for right in range(len(s)):
        if s[right] in char_map:
            left = max(char_map[s[right]] + 1, left)
        
        char_map[s[right]] = right
        max_length = max(max_length, right - left + 1)
    
    return max_length

# Test
test_strings = ["abcabcbb", "bbbbb", "pwwkew"]
for s in test_strings:
    print(f"'{s}' -> {length_of_longest_substring(s)}")
# Output: 3, 1, 3

Question 4: Merge Intervals

Merge all overlapping intervals.

def merge_intervals(intervals):
    """
    Time Complexity: O(n log n) due to sorting
    Space Complexity: O(n)
    """
    if not intervals:
        return []
    
    # Sort by start time
    intervals.sort(key=lambda x: x[0])
    
    merged = [intervals[0]]
    
    for current in intervals[1:]:
        last = merged[-1]
        
        if current[0] <= last[1]:  # Overlapping
            last[1] = max(last[1], current[1])
        else:
            merged.append(current)
    
    return merged

# Test
intervals = [[1, 3], [2, 6], [8, 10], [15, 18]]
print(f"Input: {intervals}")
print(f"Merged: {merge_intervals(intervals)}")  # [[1, 6], [8, 10], [15, 18]]

Question 5: Valid Parentheses

Check if a string containing just '(', ')', '{', '}', '[' and ']' is valid.

def is_valid(s):
    """
    Time Complexity: O(n)
    Space Complexity: O(n)
    """
    stack = []
    mapping = {')': '(', '}': '{', ']': '['}
    
    for char in s:
        if char in mapping:
            top = stack.pop() if stack else '#'
            if mapping[char] != top:
                return False
        else:
            stack.append(char)
    
    return not stack

# Test
test_cases = ["()", "()[]{}", "(]", "([)]", "{[]}"]
for test in test_cases:
    print(f"'{test}' -> {is_valid(test)}")

Interview Tips for Goldman Sachs

1. Master Financial Concepts

Goldman Sachs is a finance-heavy company. Be prepared with:

Time value of money
Basic accounting principles
Financial markets knowledge
Understanding of derivatives and risk management

2. Strong Programming Fundamentals

Practice coding daily on LeetCode (Medium-Hard level)
Focus on data structures: Trees, Graphs, Heaps, Hash Tables
Know common algorithms: DP, Greedy, Backtracking

3. System Design Preparation

Study distributed systems concepts
Understand microservices architecture
Know database scaling strategies

4. Behavioral Questions

Be ready with STAR format answers for:

Leadership experiences
Team conflicts and resolutions
Failures and learnings
Why Goldman Sachs?

5. Market Awareness

Read financial news daily
Know current market trends
Understand recent M&A deals
Be aware of economic indicators

6. Quantitative Aptitude

Practice mental math
Speed up calculations
Learn estimation techniques
Master probability and statistics

7. Mock Interviews

Practice with peers
Record yourself
Get comfortable explaining your thought process
Time your responses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the selection process at Goldman Sachs?

Online Assessment (Aptitude + Coding)
Technical Interview (1-2 rounds)
Managerial/HR Interview
Final Offer

Q2: Is prior finance knowledge required?

Q3: What programming languages should I know?

Q4: How difficult is the Goldman Sachs interview?

Q5: What sets successful candidates apart?

Best of luck with your Goldman Sachs placement preparation! 🎯

Practice consistently, understand concepts deeply, and stay confident!