MBB GMAT Cutoff from MBA

MD8:

Also depends on a variety of factors: 1) which school you attend 2) work experience (career switching vs previous consulting background) 3) networking 4) how good you are 5) luck

The median at those schools is like 710-730.

right, but if i am accepted at one of these schools with a 660+, would I still be competitive for MBB interviews?

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I don't work at an MBB but someone here mentioned earlier that there's actually a cut-off at 730. Also, when we at our non-MBB screen MBA CVs, a below-700 GMAT often raises first question marks, which doesn't help.

Remember that b-schools do not use gmat scores as a strong filter. They could easily fill their classes with 750+ people. They don't, of course, because they care about people's work history and other factors. And consulting firms want smarter than average people.

I'd aim for at least 750. I personally would summarily ding a sub-700, absent some other compelling evidence of raw intellectual horsepower.

I had a sub 730 score (though above 700) and received interviews with 2/3 of the MBB for their respective summer internships. While it's not a hard and fast rule, just about everyone that I know that got close listed for interviews had above 700s, but if you network well, compete in some of their case competitions and do somewhat well, etc. it's definitely something that can be overcome.

MBB is looking for raw smarts, but they also want sound judgement, ability to see the big picture, ability to juggle multiple tasks, and people skills. MBB wants the whole package, and the way they filter for it is: how well you've networked (what insiders say about you to the recruiting team), pedigree (internship/prior work experience, where you went for undergrad if MBA candidate), and then things like GMAT. There are people who can get through with less than 700 if there's something else very compelling on the resume. There are people with 750+ that don't get an interview slot because they blew networking and have nothing else going for them on their resume (they'll be labeled "book smart" -- you don't want this label).

That said, if your GMAT is sub-700, for Pete's sake do yourself a favor and buy the Kaplan coursebook off eBay (the one they only sell you if you sign up for their paid courses, NOT the one you can buy new at a bookstore), set aside a week or two and practice the heck out of it, then retake your GMAT. If you want consulting or finance jobs, that score will be an ace in the hole or a millstone around your neck for the rest of your life.

I can tell you I didn't have problems getting interviews at consulting firms with a 720 (similar split), mediocre GPA from a non-target undergrad, non-m8 b-school, and couple of years of not that relevant (but fairly prestigious) work experience. I'm currently at one of MBB in a major office. Getting an interview is much more about how well you connect with the people related to the the firms (former interns, sponsored folks, and current employees). Now, improving all of those things would probably help, but you can certainly do it without them.

One more thing. If you're at a top 5 b-school, the HR automatons have virtually no say in whether or not you get an interview. You'll be evaluated by everyone that meets you and they will generate the interview list based on those interactions and your application (mostly the interactions, though).

720 is a good enough score that I could understand you not retaking even if the split was weird - just don't tell people you took it twice. Not sure if you have grade non-disclosure, but good grades in quant classes in UG/B-school and some quant at work before MBB is probably good enough, especially if people like you (Seconding MiRaj). If you were an English major and a lawyer before business school, I might say otherwise.

I had almost the exact same split, was not at a top 5 b-school, did not work at a firm they had ever heard of, and had no problems. My grades also weren't anything great. The on campus fall networking sessions and attending any pre-mba summer programs the might have (Bain has one that allows white people, which is rare) were bigger factors (assuming you meet their minimum metrics,.,which you do if I was any indicator).

In the interest of disclosure, I cancelled my interviews once I decided to do banking, but I did get 1st rounds.

Thanks guys, didn't expect such directly relevant first hand experiences. Think I'll forget about the GMAT for good then and just focus on doing a good job networking when the time comes.

I don't think the GMAT is a big deal at all, many undergrads don't even take it until they are ready to go to Bschool. Unless you are required to report your score I wouldn't volunteer anything under 700 as it would likely be seen as a negative. There are many many things more important than gmat score that they look at so I don't see it as a make or break but you don't want to offer up anything that looks bad if you don't have to.

Thanks judowned. I am starting grad B school next fall at a top 15. I've heard that a lot of schools don't permit firms that recruit on campus to ask about GMAT. But, I've also heard that top firms do ask about GMAT as a screening measure. I wonder if anyone could offer any more details?

no i know ppl below 700 at my MBB

but ofcourse there are more ppl over 700 than under

Yes, 750 is embarrassingly low. Definitely retake until you get 790 at least.

At my MBB, you will be mocked and berated for a piss poor score like that. In fact, we have a special resume reading robot that puts every resume without an 800 in the bin.

You're fine. There's a chance you'll do worse.

Over 700... you are more than fine.

You just got dinged for asking this

Haha hear me out. What I'm getting to is the quant score. I'm an American, non-engineer. GMAC puts Q47 at 94th percentile for American test takers (40th for Chinese). Up to a 49 seems doable based on practice exams, and should have no trouble keeping verbal static (want to continue killing the curve for the non native speakers who have destroyed quant). Worth retaking before getting to campus to go from Q47 to Q49? Have A's in classic quant classes (calculus, etc.) and CPA / CFA. Thoughts? How much does top consulting focus on the score break out? If they just look at total score, obviously my question is pretty absurd, but I'm trying to gauge their expectations around quant. Anyone on the inside have thoughts?

Ok, in all seriousness - I think your score will definitely get you past the resume screen, and no one will look at it again after that. Partners aren't sitting around in the decision meetings debating who to take based on test scores.

Great insights, guys. I will stop thinking about it starting this second.

http://www.whitewhine.com

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i think you misspelled the title, you probably mean 620

thay might want to hire you or not