ACT scores... wth

So I took my ACT in 2006 and only got a 25 which is equivalent to nothing good at all... that was when I was a junior in high school and was more concerned with anything but spending my time preparing for a standardized test that I thought would be meaningless after college.

After reading these forums, I've learned that some people actually put weight on the SATs when recruiting for banks/hfs/pe (so I'm guessing they'd do the same with my ACT considering I didn't take the SAT).

Would getting some leadership positions, entrepreneurial experience, and great grades in college offset those scores? Or do you think there would be a chance that I could get dinged solely on the score? Anything else I could do to show that those scores are an inaccurate portrayal of me and my abilities?

I changed majors so by the time I graduate it will be 8-9 years old. I'm gonna be real pissed at myself if these scores are gonna screw me over... but then again, it's just one damned test score.

Thanks for the help in advance.

12 Comments
 

Retake it if it bothers you; at least it will give you peace of mind.

http://ayainsight.co/ Curating the best advice and making it actionable.
 
Best Response

There's nothing you can do to fix it (unless you want to retake it, which is almost definitely a waste of time), but the most basic thing that would make it matter less is top grades. Yeah, someone with a 3.95 and a 35 might get passed over for someone with a 3.95 and a 25, but the former aren't exactly a dime a dozen. If you have the grades, ECs, and work experience, the ACT becomes a drop in the bucket.

By the time you get out of school, it matters marginally, if at all. And you can always take the GMAT closer to graduation and put that on your resume instead; that way, you only have to supply your ACT score if someone actually asks for it.

One of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over.
 

Yeah, don't think I'm gonna retake it. Wouldn't that look kinda weird taking it over 4 years out of high school?

I'm just gonna have to prepare for the GMAT way more than I did the ACT and try to give myself peace of mind so it doesn't mess up my confidence in the future. Thanks for the input guys.

If your dreams don't scare you, then they are not big enough. "There are two types of people in this world: People who say they pee in the shower, and dirty fucking liars."-Louis C.K.
 

if you don't post it on your resume, it is likely that it will not be brought up. If someone does inquire about your scores, simply state your score with a candid explanation.

it is unproductive to harp over the past. focus on what is in front of you.

 

Yeah I know, I just never knew that anybody would give a shit about a standardized test taken in your junior year of high school after college lol

I would hope that most recruiters look at the scores like Illini does

If your dreams don't scare you, then they are not big enough. "There are two types of people in this world: People who say they pee in the shower, and dirty fucking liars."-Louis C.K.
 

Don't quote me, but I'm pretty sure SAT/ACT is very lowly weighted. If you did really poorly (less than 900-1000 SAT or whatever the ACT equivalent would be) it could hurt you, or if you did really well (1400+ SAT or whatever the ACT equivalent would be, 32+?) it would help you. I couldn't imagine that it would ding you or advance you to the interview round, but it may tip the balance in either direction.

 

Et consequatur in animi. Ut qui animi qui vero ut blanditiis expedita. Similique voluptas id eligendi quo fugiat. Aliquam nobis sit quas et. Et sed consequatur culpa. Neque at ex repellendus nam fugiat minima minus.

Perferendis ab quasi doloremque sint dolore. Ipsum aut quo praesentium. Sunt quod pariatur laborum corrupti.

Laborum nihil a voluptatem quia eaque. Itaque dolorem quibusdam ratione. Quo ad ut consequatur optio distinctio vel temporibus. Ut dicta omnis asperiores laboriosam voluptas. Et consequatur sunt at ipsam quasi consequatur.

Ut fuga ratione suscipit. Ut autem sint est. Quaerat dolorem necessitatibus dolor qui earum non soluta. Et sit quia non sed sed voluptatem alias.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”