So I know variants of this have been asked before but I'm hoping for a more direct, general answer.
- Is it ever ok to leave test scores off your resume for MBB?
- Is it ok to have it off the resume but still on the online application form?
- Is it ever ok to leave it off of both?
- If I can leave them off my resume then what would you recommend the percentile cutoff for doing so be? (In my case, I have 97% reading, 95% math for SAT and 93% reading 96% math for GRE).
Test Scores on Resume?
When applying for a job, it’s best to follow the instructions as accurately and completely as possible. While common practice is to only list your GPA on your resume, some applications do ask for test scores. A few WSO members shared their advice from working in the industry:
From WSO user @Workhardplayhard"
- The question was about MBB, all of which note on OCI postings that resumes should have GPA and SAT scores on them. So yes, you'd always be failing to follow directions.
- It does matter, because consultants (who actually review the resumes and make interview decisions) don't receive the info that you enter into the online system. We only get a book of resumes/cover letters/transcripts, so may not have your info from the entry portal handy.
- Unless your resume is really really impressive, I'm probably going to ding you if you don't include test scores. It's plenty legitimate. Maybe you're hiding crap scores. Maybe you can't follow directions and have poor attention to detail. Maybe you don't really want to do consulting and didn't spend any time on the application/reading instructions.
From Certified Consulting Professional @2x2Matrix"
I use them when I screen, but I get a spreadsheet with the data from everyone's application, so quite frankly I don't think it's a dealbreaker if you put it on the app but not on your resume. But if the instructions say to put it on your resume, you might as well do it. And if you decline to give it at all, you're just hurting yourself.
Recommended Reading
- Should I Include My Verbal Score on Resume?
- Test Score Section of LinkedIn Profile
- GMAT Score on Resume
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As long as your GPA is on your resume (and it's good), no need for other test scores. And please don't list the percentiles.
No. If the directions say to list your test scores (and at least in the US, they do), don't leave them off. I will assume you have crap scores anyway, so all it really shows is that you're either deceptive or can't follow directions.
The one possible exception to this is if you have crap scores but the rest of the resume is gold (3.9 from a target, good grades in quant classes, great leadership/WE). In that case you might get an interview anyway (we'd assume you forgot/they're good enough and run the risk), though its still a risky play b/c of the "incapable of following directions" item.
There are written directions for resumes? Where? Where can I find these golden words of which you speak?
/endsarcasm
What I mean is, that doesn't answer his question. I would know, because I have the same question.
http://www.mckinsey.com/careers/apply/before_you_apply/improving_your_r…
Sarcasm only works if you know what you're talking about...
"Applicants who have taken standardized tests such as the GMAT, LSAT, SAT, etc. should also include their scores. Provide as much detail as possible here."
Even if you don't put them on your resume, you are asked to submit test scores separately - very little chance you can sneak all the way through the process without someone asking for your scores.
I believe he's asking for a general answer - if you're already submitting your SAT scores on the application section, leaving them off the resume frees up valuable space on the page.
The idea I suppose is that if they've already got the information, why be redundant on your resume when you might not have to? No sneaking involved.
If I was applying to McKinsey and I read this, the question would be answered for me. But I can't imagine they'd dock you for "inability to follow directions" just because you didn't follow every tip they give on their particular website to craft a general resume. Perhaps they would, but I personally think it would be insane of them to throw out a possibly very good candidate just because they have a distaste for redundancy.
1) Lets be clear. The question was about MBB, all of which note on OCI postings that resumes should have GPA and SAT scores on them. So yes, you'd always be failing to follow directions.
2) It does matter, because consultants (who actually review the resumes and make interview decisions) don't receive the info that you enter into the online system. We only get a book of resumes/cover letters/transcripts, so may not have your info from the entry portal handy. HR/recruiting can share that, but it's kind of a pain.
3) What you can or can't imagine isn't particularly relevant. The way the process actually works is that unless you're resume is really really impressive, I'm probably going to ding you if you don't include test scores. It's plenty legitimate. Maybe you're hiding crap scores. Maybe you can't follow directions and have poor attention to detail. Maybe you don't really want to do consulting and didn't spend any time on the application/reading instructions. Whatever. Regardless, I can afford to be picky, since there are plenty of other people vying for that same slot.
I use them when I screen, but I get a spreadsheet with the data from everyone's application, so quite frankly I don't think it's a dealbreaker if you put it on the app but not on your resume. But if the instructions say to put it on your resume, you might as well do it. And if you decline to give it at all, you're just hurting yourself. The bar isn't that high - people just want to see that you don't have a 2000 total or something (sorry, everyone who has a 2000).
More to the point, what are your scores? Most people don't communicate their scores by percentile, because they don't mean anything - 95th and 97th percentiles sound better than 720+720=1440, which is what I think your score is. A 1440 won't pop off the page and say "genius", but if everything else looks good it's more than good enough.
Ok thanks for all the advice everyone. Sounds like I'll be including my test scores (and not in percentile format). I was underestimating the importance of following the application instructions thoroughly but as long as having good/average scores (you're right its 720,720 and similar for GRE) won't hurt my application then I'm not going to risk leaving them off.
My background includes working at an MBB and I would advise leaving it off. Your score is adequate but on the low end for those they actually hire - leaving it off preserves a bit of mystery from the interviewers standpoint and will force them to rely on your interview performance to score you (vs. preconceptions based on your test score). Imagine you scored a 1600 - it would certainly precondition an interviewer to assess you favorably - conversely a score in the low/mid 1400s could do the opposite (it certainly won't impress them).
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