IB and Consulting recuiting: GMAT vs. GRE

All,

I'm in the process of applying to bschool and have been getting this conflicting opinions on how gmat and gre are viewed when it comes to recruiting.

I'm not sure if I'll develop an interest in IB later along the application process but I know I'm very interested in Consulting and some elements of Finance/Marketing.

My question is this, if I end up applying with VERY high GRE scores (say, equivalent of 720+GMAT), will that keep me out of the door when it comes to both Consulting and IB recruiting? Will recruiters stop talking to me as soon as they out that I took the GRE and not the GMAT? Do people in the industry look down upon GRE candidates?

Please be specific and share what you know as this is going to a big life changing decision for me. If you've had an experience with my situation, even better!

Thanks!

 
shorttheworld:
GMAT. MBB requires 700+ to be interviewed
Where did you hear this? I've talked to MBB associates directly... Paraphrasing my conversations, consensus is they don't give a shit about GMAT once you're already in a good b-school program.

GPA cutoffs exist, GMAT cutoffs maybe... But from what I've heard not 700+.

Anyone else can confirm?

 

I'm going to have to agree with gibbons here. I would think upon completion of a top 10 MBA program, combined work experience, internships etc. - that gmat scores would be pretty much irrelevant when looking at MBB. The bottom line being, if your GRE score was good enough to land you in a top 10 bschool, then why the hell would you fork over the extra cash to take a test that quite frankly will not benefit your position. I would say, it might be worth taking if you land at bschool outside the top 10 due to circumstances outside of test scores (lower GPA). But even coming from a semi-target, if they were asking for test scores, I would assume GRE would be sufficient.

 

shorttheworld,

thanks for your response. beside applying to top-10 bschool i'm also applying to top engineering school programs. given that gmat is only good for bschool whereas gre is good for all the top mba programs that i'm interested in plus all the top graduate engineering programs, i figured it will be in my best interest to go gre route?

yeah, so that's my reasoning. am i completely insane? anyone else has something to share on either MBB or consulting?

thx

 

MBB say they have GMAT requirements, I believe. You might want to email them and ask if a GRE works.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

I was in a GMAT class with a guy who deferred his acceptance to a bschool by a year because he was told he need to retake and get like a 720+ to have a shot at getting interviewed by MBB [he was planning on attending a top 20-30 program]

[Edit - deleted incorrect info]

Also - watch out they are changing the GRE in august to make it harder (and more like the gmat)

 
Best Response

I don't believe you will get automatically dinged for taking the GRE, but most people screening your resume will be less familiar with it. Thus, if your GRE score is "equivalent" to a borderline GMAT score, it could potentially hurt you.

I don't think we have an automatic GMAT cutoff. My understanding is that, given the recruiting agreements with the top bschools (where we are required to keep a certain nmber of interview slots for "bid" in addition to our own preferred candidates), it is not at all hard to get a first round interview with MBB from a top 5 program.

That being said, it is absolutely not true that the GMAT score is entirely meaningless. It is specifically requested in the online application process and not having one listed (or having a low one) on a resume definitely hurts.

 
signposts:
I don't believe you will get automatically dinged for taking the GRE, but most people screening your resume will be less familiar with it. Thus, if your GRE score is "equivalent" to a borderline GMAT score, it could potentially hurt you.

I don't think we have an automatic GMAT cutoff. My understanding is that, given the recruiting agreements with the top bschools (where we are required to keep a certain nmber of interview slots for "bid" in addition to our own preferred candidates), it is not at all hard to get a first round interview with MBB from a top 5 program.

That being said, it is absolutely not true that the GMAT score is entirely meaningless. It is specifically requested in the online application process and not having one listed (or having a low one) on a resume definitely hurts.

Great input!

Could you please define a low GMAT score?

 

Never seen anyone put GRE on their resume or any bank/consulting firm ask for it instead of GMAT. That being said, I don't think my school accepted GRE. GMAT matters more for consulting than for banking. I know people with BB's and MBB so it's not a dealbreaker, but it does make your life a little more difficult. Not sure there's a significant difference though between 720 and 780. Your ability to network and hit the interviews will have much of of an effect on the possibility of you getting the job than your gmat score. That being said, I think it would be difficult to land an interview with something below say 670 (just an estimate). AskAlex has some good posts about this, if you can find them.

 

GMAT Score can be included in your resume id you wanted. If you going in Relevant sector which require an education degree like MBA(comes under Gmat). Now if you go for technical Feild which ask you GRE based Degree there you can show Score of GRE but it is optional...it is depend on the industry you applying weather they need it or not...

 

i think some of you have deviated a bit from the question :) but thanks for the numerous response. let me add a little bit to the question.

let's say, i'm going to apply to b-sch with very high gre scores. what are my chances of getting IB or MBB interviews? will they shut the door in my face?

besides signpost, anyone else with recruiter insights?

 

Consequatur tempora aspernatur id et ut sit. Fuga quae autem sapiente consequatur et. Et eum ut fugit ut id accusamus. Sit rerum vitae quis illo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”