Process for the preparation of a hydrocracking catalyst

A process for the preparation of a hydrocracking catalyst, which comprises the steps of:

• (a) mixing a zeolite Y, having a unit cell size in the range of from 24.42 to 24.52 Å, a bulk silica to alumina molar ratio (SAR) in the range of from 10 to 15, and a surface area of from 910 to 1020 m2/g, with an alumina binder component, a first Group VIB metal component, and a first Group VIII metal component, which at least one of the metal components is contained in at least one first metal-containing acidic aqueous solution, to thereby provide a mixture, wherein the zeolite Y is present in the mixture in an amount of 40 wt. % or greater, based on the total weight of the zeolite Y and the alumina binder component;
• (b) extruding the mixture to provide an extruded mixture;
• (c) drying the extruded mixture to provide a dried and extruded mixture;
• (d) calcining the dried and extruded mixture to provide a calcined product;
• (e) impregnating the calcined product with a second Group VIB metal component and a second Group VIII metal component, which at least one of the metal components is contained in at least one second metal-containing solution to provide an impregnated product;
• and
• (f) calcining the impregnated product at a temperature in the range of from 350° C. to 850° C.