How much do standardized test scores matter?
A lot of the firms that I have been applying for require that you include your standardized test scores with your application (i.e. SAT and ACT). My question is how much do these scores matter?
For background, I don't attend a target school and never took these tests seriously. I entered college in the age of covid when nearly all of these schools stopped requiring these scores. I'd imagine that getting a referral tromp's an average sat score, but wondering how much that score is going to hinder me. Thanks
How low is it? You’re right about a referral mattering a lot but that’s usually in the case of gpa, test scores, or even going to a target school being a prerequisite. It also definitely depends on the bank but I would say that gpa matters more once you’re actually in college and recruiting.
Either way, you may have to answer to it during an interview, so it is helpful that if you have a low test score that your gpa is high. For reference, I had a low gpa but high test score and always got asked about the gpa. I was able to spin it by pointing to a 99th percentile score so they knew it wasn’t an Intellect issue but rather an effort one. I then followed it up with actual experiences and internships after the fact to solidify my effort in more recent times. If you’re still feeling bad about it and get the sense it is affecting you, you can also just take the test again. I know it sounds silly but there’s no rule saying a college student can’t take the SAT and you could just throw that on your resume, hope this is helpful!
Thanks for the reply it is quite helpful. Sitting at a 1270 for the sat but a high GPA for undergrad. Curious to hear if you think that these scores matter on a firm by firm basis with fund such as APO/ Warburg Pincus/ KKR putting more emphasis on them.
I think the GPA is probably more important given that it is a more recent data point. However, if you do have extra time on your hands it wouldn’t hurt to take a standardized test like the GMAT. I’m assuming you’re trying to go to one of those firms straight out of undergrad?
apply to 1000 jobs and draw a statistical conclusion
or an easier one but more inaccurate, apply to multiple jobs and when you hear back from your application draw a line and build the conclusion 1 offer after X apps = 1/x%
lots of overthinking and philosophizing instead of being willing to try it and test it empirically.
Take the GMAT now. You can use the score for 5 years
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