SAT/ACT as a determinant for recruiting?

Hello, I used the search function, but didn't really get an exact answer to my questions, so I figured I would ask away. How much emphasis is placed on the SAT/ACT during recruitment for college? My friend is quite worried (he goes to my school as well, which is a non-target) because his SAT score was quite low (he wouldn't tell me exactly, just said in the 1250 or so range) but his ACT score was a 33.

In an interview, do the interviewers actually care about these scores? If so, are they willing to accept an ACT score rather than an SAT score and he can just shift the emphasis of any SAT question back to his ACT's?

The cards are already stacked against him because of his undergrad, but he has a solid GPA (near a 4.0) and some good EC's. I'd hate for him to miss out on any opportunities because of a score he didn't take too seriously during his high school years.

So what is your input on the matter. Will this hold him back at all, or is his ACT an okay substitute, or should he even retake the SAT's and take them seriously this time by studying and such. (he is only a freshman, going to be a sophomore)

According to him, and I believe him, he put in little studying to both the ACT or SAT, and therefore explains his bad SATish grade because I believe, and am credible because of my higher score, that the test is mainly studyable to a certain extent whereas the ACT is more or less actual knowledge you have and quick wit.

Thanks for your help!

8 Comments
 
Best Response

As far as our program at our school has has detailed, some banks will ask for these scores. They could most definitely be wrong.

I am asking for 'my friend' (which is lame in quotations, this is a question for MY FRIEND, I mean come on... this is an anonymous forum, what do I care what you guys think of me. I wouldn't use a 'friend' as an alias for a forum which does not reveal my identity. Search my previous post, I've posted my score in past threads. Sure that is no way to prove I am not lying, but for once some people should take a post at face value. This actually is for a friend, and if you don't believe me, I don't really care. Go ahead and assume it's for me, I'd just appreciate a couple of answers from credible sources who have been through this before.)

So now that's out of the way, does anyone have any input on the question?

Thanks so much!

P.S. I never took the ACT.

 

I've heard that SATs/ACTs aren't necessary after sophomore year, unless they ask for it. ACTs are fine as a substitute, I know people who have never taken the SATs.

His bigger problem is (potentially) that his score of 1250 would mean that he probably didn't get into a target school or even, maybe a top 50 school (Sorry for the assumptions, I worked in college consulting for 2 years so numbers came naturally to me).

 

A lot of midwest high schools don't offer the SAT, only the ACT, as mentioned above, so it's not like they haven't seen people exclude the SAT from their resume before. Put the 33 on the resume, don't put the SAT, and if they ask for it (unlikely), be truthful and have a story. If appropriate, mention that the 33 is equivalent to an SAT score of about 1450-1500 range (for the old SAT, not sure about the new).

 

As an analyst, I think it's odd to see a resume without SAT scores, just because everyone knows that you should have them on there when looking at banking and consulting jobs. A 1250 definitely would not give him/her a leg up, but I personally wouldn't rule him/her out. That's just me, though, not institutionalized practice. You'd be amazed at how much it varies by the person looking at your resume. Plus, it all depends on the rest of the resume.

I looked at a stack of 20 resumes the other day and probably spent 20 seconds on each. If I saw a great SAT score then good for that guy; I probably subconsciously thought a little better of him, but I really didn't delve that much into it. I was more curious to see schools/grades and previous experience (i.e. did you sell life insurance for Northwestern Mutual or did you have a real job/internship). Plus, you'd be amazed at how much formatting matters to people that spend 50% of their time formatting shit. DO NOT screw up the formatting on your resume, have it look amateur, or do anything else stupid with it (I saw one resume for a 22 year old that was 3 pages); that is the easiest way to have your resume immediately ignored. I cannot emphasize that last point enough.

 

Hey guys,

Sorry to revive an old thread.

But I have a dilemma--on the Goldman Sachs online-application, it (optionally) asks for your ACT or SAT scores. I didn't take the SAT, but I got an 28 on the ACT. This puts me in the 92nd percentile, but I know it's not great, and I'm worried it may hurt me. Should I include my ACT score in my application?

Also, should I include it on my resume? I've never been told to put my ACT/SAT score on my resume before, but based on what Car Ramrod said, it sounds like I am expected to.

Thanks

 

Quo eligendi sed corrupti possimus quasi distinctio. Non aut reiciendis necessitatibus modi non. Adipisci rerum voluptas autem assumenda debitis dolor. Magni adipisci deserunt deleniti et. Sint vero tempore et pariatur expedita. Et molestias cum omnis ut vel nam est porro.

Voluptates suscipit aperiam molestiae quis est modi sed eum. Libero aliquid nostrum molestias reiciendis aliquid molestiae. Ut porro eum quam delectus et magnam animi provident. Qui iste id perspiciatis nesciunt deleniti.

Qui distinctio architecto unde in. Odio rerum aut culpa. Enim ea est excepturi facilis non. Debitis praesentium ut voluptate perspiciatis enim vitae.

Architecto similique ducimus doloremque qui aut eaque nulla. Deleniti culpa rerum culpa debitis aut veniam nulla. Aut dolor laborum reprehenderit natus sapiente quia nam.

CompBanker’s Career Guidance Services: https://www.rossettiadvisors.com/

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”