Low ACT Score and PE
Hi All,
I am a senior at a non target and will be going to the lower-tier BB that I interned at this past summer in a non NY office, I did pretty bad on my ACT (22) and I am worried that this will affect my PE recruiting. I know head hunters all request it and not sure if taking the GMAT and not reporting my ACT will help. I have a good GPA (3.8+) and have 2 good quantitative majors (Finance + Pure Math). I received great feedback and was told that if I keep my performance from my internship up I will likely be top bucket. If that doesn't help, would it be better to lateral to a NY EB (Moelis. Centerview, Evercore, etc) after a year?
This is going to sound like hardo advice, but I suggest you take the SAT before you start working. A few reasons: 1. PE recruiters definitely do ask. Not reporting any score looks weird, and reporting a 22 ACT will probably hurt your chances. It's a check the box thing, but one you don't want raising any red flags 2. If you study for it, you can probably get an elite score on a test designed for 16 year olds, which will help offset the fact that you're from a non-target (nobody will ask WHEN you took it). I would also recommend SAT over ACT because ACT will test you on a bunch of stuff you've probably forgotten from high school, whereas SAT is more logic based so you can't "forget" it 3. Since SAT is logic based, studying for it will help you with GMAT prep. You could kill two birds with one stone and study for/take both tests before you hit the desk. Trust me, you won't have time to study for the GMAT once you start 4. At the end of the day, it's $50 and 4 hours on a Saturday to improve your candidacy for a job that pays $250K+ a year and over 7 figures later in your career. Sounds like a good trade to me
What would be considered a good score for the SAT? I haven't taken any of the material since Sophomore year in HS lol
You will be competing against IB kids of whom almost all have an ACT/SAT score in the 99th percentile. therefore, a competitive ACT/SAT score would be in the 99th percentile. Think 1480+ for SAT and 34+ for ACT
What about if your ACT is a bit lower (30-32)? would anytime advise taking it again in this case if considering PE recruiting down the road?
Absolutely not. Life is too short to retake some stupid high school level test that you already have a fine score on
Think about the time you’d spend restudying for a high school test that some headhunters MIGHT care about. Would that time be better spent preparing for interviews or studying for the GMAT (which fulfills the same purpose and more)? Definitely
And you would look like an idiot if they ask you to verify scores and they find out you took it SAT your senior year of college haha
wouldn’t it be worse to have a 22? I think that’s like 60-70th percentile. I’d suggest taking the gmat and not reporting the ACT
Would you think a 1970/2400 would be a concern for someone recruiting for PE from a top BB?
Just wanted to throw it out there that this shouldn't be a concern really if you're doing MM and LMM PE recruiting. Those shops care more about more important things and don't really ask for them nor would they think it's weird if it's not on your resume. Idk about MFs, might be a different story.
Take the GMAT before you start working at the BB this summer. You have plenty of time to study in the next 5 months and that will be useful for 5 years assuming you plan on doing 2 IB / 2 PE, then business school. If / when recruiters ask about your ACT, give them your GMAT score as it is more relevant / recent. If its a good score, there won't be much push back.
I'd consider you quite an odd-ball if i was interviewing you and found out you re-took the ACT at 22 years old. Focus your energy elsewhere.
can i only provide my GMAT and not my ACT/SAT? I expect my GMAT to be good but my ACT was pretty average
You can do whatever you want. A headhunter doesn’t really give a shit at the end of the day how you did on some high school test, they’re just looking for data points to build candidate profiles. Just refuse to give them an ACT / SAT and provide the GMAT
How strong is your undergrad? Target school?
I'd echo the above which is, if anything go back at take the GMAT or GRE and do well enough on that so you can just give those scores and it can serve the dual purpose of being useful for business school.
Also, I feel like nowadays there are a bunch of universities that don't even require you to take the SAT or ACT to get in. Any chance you could just tell recruiter's that you actually didn't take the test, but have a GMAT/GRE?
Top 50-70. My school has my ACT and requires it.
does 32 act hurt your chances?
No
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