GMAT (For PE Recruiting Only)

I have been studying a fair amount, but feeling like this is a complete waste of time. Like my time would be better spent studying for off-cycle PE interviews than the GMAT. My rationale for taking it was due to my SAT (1270 SAT, because I was 16 at the time and still addicted to video games) scores being so low and PE headhunters wanting to see that (they have asked in numerous questionnaires, I hate these questionnaires). I have a fair undergrad GPA though. The caveat is that I have pretty much next-to-zero intention of doing an MBA and am just taking the GMAT for PE recruiting and pretty much nothing else.

Am I wasting my time? (Please be gentle)

Profile:
first-year (pretty much second-year at this point) investment banking analyst

NYC regional boutique (~40-70 employees)

Target School (3.7-3.8 GPA)

1270 SAT

5 Comments
 

What are you scoring? If getting from where you are now to a 740 or higher (I'd say 750 really but others will disagree) would be a significant undertaking, I'd say you're wasting your time. If that's no sweat and you can do it w/ 1-3 months of nighttime and weekend studying, I'd think it would be worthwhile.

If you can you should also focus on alternative channels for sourcing opportunities where you won't be asked about your SAT score, like from within your network.  

 

I have a problem that's similar to OP's and many headhunters I've encountered have asked about missing scores during phone screens. I've actually had this come up during interviews with the on-board team as well, but the guy who asked was someone I wouldn't want to work with to begin with (or even stand next to in a subway car, really).  

 

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