Is This True: PE/IB Firms Ask Your for Your SAT Scores?
I've read this I think once or twice on WSO and many other times on random places on the internet. Clarifications from anyone who is actually in PE would be much appreciated.
If they do ask, could one just lie, or do they go through the trouble of requesting evidence?
Also, is it possible this is true only for people from non-targets (not that it matters for me; my alma matter is a target school)?
Yes, they ask this at both the IB and PE level for targets and non-targets a like.
Not sure if they check but not something to lie about
What IB firms ask?
Depends on which place you interview for at.
Moreso seen this in PE Process than IB.
Went through FT recruitment last fall. About 50% asked about SAT scores but then never brought it up again throughout the interview process. Would highly recommend you never lie about it even if they're low.
Even if you lie... Best case scenario you get the job and then have to maintain a lie with that firm the entire time you work there. Worst case scenario they find out and it becomes apparent you think a score is worth more than your integrity. Honesty really is the best option for most things in your professional life.
Wouldn't they though find out if he was lying when they perform the background check?
Or you can just exclude it altogether on your resume. That's what I've been doing. I don't really see how a test when you're 16-17 determines whether or not you're adequate for Blackstone.
Because it's an easy way to filter out candidates. When there are hundreds/thousands of applicants who are capable of doing the work, they can have their cake and eat it too. Instead of looking through 5000 resumes, it's easy to whittle it down to a very solid 20 if you're looking for Harvard or Wharton/2350+/3.8+/GS TMT/FIG, MS M&A or BX RX. There's also academic literature suggesting that reasoning abilities (using SAT or something similar as a proxy) stay pretty constant over time. It falls under the heading of "life is unfair."
Many do, and many HF's will request SAT scores sent directly from ETS. (Happened to me as part of the background check.)
I had many ask as a pre-application screen. Firms background check you before hiring you so they'll probably look into that then, not during the interview process. I wouldn't lie about it.
Ditto. It never was brought up after I got in.
Is it also true that some funds require a certain score or above? If so, what is it usually?
That is true. Some well-known hedge funds won't look at you if you don't have a 2300+. I'm sure same can be said for mega-fund PE shops.
Am I screwed if my SAT score was a 2240? I go to a HUGE target, mind you, and I'm aiming for a 3.7-3.8 GPA. What's annoying is that my score is 2-3 questions away from being a 2300.
Also, currently I'm not at all interested in HF's
Perfectly fine for IB. Most HF analysts don't have 2300+ anyway. There technically aren't that many people out there with super high SAT's and a very small % go to a HF anyway. The most selective ones will be picky and ask for near-perfect, in addition to elite undergrad, elite IB, top GPA, etc. b/c they can.
But just don't lie b/c they can ask you to validate. If they don't then obviously it wasn't that important to them in the first place.
Does having a high GMAT make up for a low SAT?
Do you know the answer to this question ma boi?
PE and SAT scores (Originally Posted: 09/05/2011)
So I'm in kind of a dilemma here. As it turns out, most PE firms want to see your SAT scores according to some head hunters that I have spoken with. The problem is that I have never taken the SAT, and I'm not planning on taken it at this moment. I would rather take the GMAT and get that out of the way. Have you guys ever witnessed anyone getting hired from a BB without any SAT scores?
What if you only took the ACT?
how did you get into college without an sat?
act scores are fine alone too if that's all you took, or at least i never had a problem going that route.
On a side note, sorry to steal the thread, but will average test scores (for the industry) continue to hurt you in the future? Would a high gmat or gre make up for a 2150 sat score?
Hey Frank,
Since I'm an immigrant, I started in community college before I transferred to a four year University. All I needed was 30 credit hours to transfer, so I didn't need to take the SAT.
I got into college with an SAT score from 7th grade, but I have since taken the GMAT. When people ask for my SAT scores, I explain that I recently (~1 year ago) took the GMAT and it is a better representation of my abilities. I never report my SAT scores, and I've never had a problem with it.
^^I did something similar. My SAT was dated as well, so I took the GMAT and now list that score on bank applications. Most i-bankers have taken or have at least considered taking the GMAT, so they are familiar with it.
You said PE, then you said BB. Are you trying to get into PE or IB? If you've done your time as an analyst at a reputable IB, then no, we don't care about your SAT score.
I said hired from a BB, which means second year analysts leaving to PE. To be honest, I don't trust what you are saying. Have you been through the recruiting process?
Whoops, re-read and I got it. Again, most places won't care about SAT score unless you're a) going for an entry level job or b) have no prior experience worth talking about. I'm pretty sure no PE firm hired or didn't hire a guy because of his SAT score. In fact, I've seen many resumes without an SAT score and never bothered to ask why. Leaving something like GPA off will raise eyebrows, but SAT? No one cares after entry level.
PEguy,
I'm not too sure that no one cares about SAT's after entry level, that's a bold statement. I was told this by an headhunter, so in some way or the other it's legit information at least for megafunds. My question is though, does all private equity firms focus on whether you've taken the SAT's or not? If you are saying that your shop doesn't, then I guess that answers my question. Are you in a middle market shop?
When you go in for a PE pre-MBA associate interview, whether you have taken your SAT's or not could come up if you leave it off your resume, but not everyone will ask because it simply isn't a priority. From my experience both as an interviewee and interviewer (I am currently at a middle market $2bn+ PE shop in the Bay area and have been in charge of associate recruitment for 2 years now), if you're already at a stage where you've done a couple years of IB at a respectable bank, SAT score falls in the same bucket as college internships and extra-curriculars.
At the end of the day, if you are a strong candidate, you interview well, you have solid experience and your referrals check out, not having taken the SAT's will not hurt you at all, especially if you explain the situation to the interviewer. I can almost promise you that.
Hey thanks a lot for the advice PEguy, I really appreciate it.
BB/Consulting Firms Verifying SAT Test Scores (Originally Posted: 11/19/2016)
Do top-tier consulting firms/BB actually verify SAT test scores? I did pretty well on the ACT but awful on the SAT. Would leaving out my SAT score hurt my application? Also which companies put a high emphasis on the test scores?
@onelifetolive32" - Yes, it helps.
Sushiology - Your total score is good enough to report the entire one. It'd raise questions why your score is only out of 1600, like when people put "Major GPA" or "Junior Year GPA."
@jackdonaghy26" - Then, report your ACT. I've had friends go through PE recruiting with only an ACT score, and it didn't hurt him.
I think just the ACT is fine. Personally I've never been asked for it but my friends have told me MS/GS/JPM do (at the very least). Your title says "Legal", what type of role is this for?
I worked at a BB and had an SAT score (1500ish/2400) and no one ever commented on it. I did have very high grades but standardized test taking wasn't my thing.
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Sorry to keep on asking, but aside from SATs, do they ask for high school GPA? I feel as though college GPA would be way more important
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