Never took SAT – Important for PE recruiting?
Current senior just starting to connect with headhunters. Understandably, almost all ask for an SAT score. Unfortunately, I was lazy in high school and went test optional. Is this a big deal? Hoping the absence of a score isn't as bad as a poor score, and that headhunters just evaluate my other credentials.
Not an outstanding candidate otherwise but go to a target school and have solid banking offer / experience. Appreciate the help.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, not having an SAT score can be a hurdle in private equity (PE) recruiting, as headhunters often use it as a quick filter for intellectual horsepower. However, the absence of a score is generally better than having a poor score. Since you attended a target school and have solid banking experience, these factors can help offset the lack of an SAT score.
To navigate this situation effectively: 1. Leverage Your Target School and Banking Experience: Highlight these credentials prominently, as they are strong indicators of your capabilities. 2. Focus on Networking: Build direct relationships with PE professionals and alumni from your school to bypass reliance on headhunters. 3. Consider Taking a Standardized Test: If you feel the absence of a score is holding you back, you could take the GMAT or GRE. These scores are often viewed as substitutes and can demonstrate your intellectual ability. 4. Tailor Your Story: Be prepared to explain why you went test-optional and emphasize how your other achievements compensate for it.
Ultimately, while the lack of an SAT score might raise questions, your target school background and banking experience should still make you a competitive candidate if you position yourself well.
Sources: Lying about SAT score for PE Recruiting, PE Recruiting Failure, PE Recruiting as a Lateral Analyst w/ Weak Academic Profile, Is the SAT important? Wall Street Says Yes., ACT/SAT is more important than GPA
If you were one of the people who cracked a target test optional and got ib at a top firm tbh don’t worry about it if not idk bro might be cooked
Hoping on cycle being a bit later gives me time to talk about experience rather than have them just evaluate my profile. Have a 4.0 at a target and working for solid but not top bank so hoping that’s enough
If you're at a HYPSMW + other Ivies it will be fine
He said Cornell so he’s good. And he’s not aiming for mf not really worth any more discussions since everything else is cake walk
True but huge difference between humanities major vs econ/cs/math/stats
Sure, but Cornell is Cornell at the end of the day. Like above, its not like they are coming from a school that generally has an insane spectrum of intellectual abilities
how are you connecting with HHs? Have they been reaching out to you?
Just one big event over the summer and one through a club I’m in. Very basic info sessions - don’t think anything meaningful starting for a while.
Has any PE or IB ever verified these lmao? Never got asked to verify any test scores
Would you say 1540 is good enough for all firms?
yea guess i could've lied but it's too late for that so and the negligible chance they check might not have been worth the risk anyways
were u responding to me lol
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