Retaking A Levels or doing GMAT to get over hiring barriers?

Currently working at a small consulting firm as an Associate Consultant. Have worked on a number of strategy projects over the last two years e.g., market sizings, full scale go-to-market assessments, and have been getting consistently strong feedback from senior leadership, usually taking on a lot more responsibility than others at my level. Salary is terrible given the workload and the firm doesn't want to invest in training e.g., data analysis, modelling, so I've been looking at moving firms but I'm concerned that my education is holding me back. 

Took Maths, Economics, and History at A Level and scraped by with a C and two Ds after leaving schools halfway through year 12. Realised I wasn't getting into a respectable university with these results so pivoted to do a creative degree at a recognised university where I received a first before ending up at my current company. I've taken myself a lot more seriously over the last two years and I'm grateful to have ended up where I am, but I feel like my past is going to hold me back from making a meaningful career change. 

For example, I would love to do a Masters in Finance to continue building my credentials and open the door to finance-related roles but this feels impossible with my non-traditional background. Even when applying for roles, firms usually want to know what your A Level results are. I recently applied to Bain as an experienced Associate Consultant hire but quickly felt disheartened when they asked for my results. 

I really feel very trapped and I'm not sure what the best course of action would be. Retake my A Levels or practise for a high score on the GMAT? Do an accredited course like the CFA or some modelling courses in my free time? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

1 Comments
 

Assumenda hic ea et asperiores iusto quis illo ea. Perspiciatis et et eum tenetur perferendis. Molestias quis molestias ut sed consectetur rerum. Cupiditate placeat explicabo ex soluta temporibus.

Aspernatur voluptas ipsum molestias aut quod perspiciatis. Non qui in consectetur molestiae. Vitae sunt corporis culpa esse nihil ipsam eum. Ut error enim molestiae cumque.

Perferendis ipsum dolore deleniti quibusdam odit quasi harum esse. Rerum facilis et deleniti impedit. Corrupti ipsum temporibus ea et et laudantium. Explicabo libero rem inventore quia fugit asperiores. Quia consectetur est quos.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (45) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”