What to do about a low SAT score?
Hello All,
I am currently a senior in high school and will be attending a semi-target next year for college. I would like to do IB down the road, preferably at a BB. One thing that has been concerning me is my SAT score. My Reading and Writing scores are fine, but my Math score is atrocious (560). Basically, I am not a great test taker. I think the admissions people were willing to overlook it, but I am worried about it coming up when I apply for SA or FT jobs. At this point, it seems like I have 3 options:
1) Leave it as is and hope it doesn't come up or that the rest of my resume makes up for it.
2) Study over the summer (10-15 hours a week) on improving it. Retake the test sometime during freshman year. However, no guarantee that it will improve all that much.
3) Lie about it and hope no one checks up to make sure it is accurate.
What do you think I should do? Is it a waste of time to keep working on it seeing as I've already gotten into schools and am about to graduate? Also, if I kept it as is, how much would it hold me back? This is assuming I have a good GPA and leadership positions.
Thanks very much
No one is going to check on your SAT score. Don't lie, just don't put it down.
Goldman Sachs requires summer candidates to put down their SAT scores.
.
Option 1. You are in high-school. Don't fret. Go to your school- get very good grades and start the internship cycle early. If you have a solid freshman summer, sophomore internship, do you think anyone will question omitting your SAT score when you are applying for SA ? You're missing the forest for the trees.
Nobody will care.
Out of all the people I talked to on the grind my junior year I only got asked about test scores once. This was a a superday for a BB where I had an interviewer whose first question asked what my sat scores were. Mine were not great by any means and this interviewer ended up being the one who got me my internship. SAT scores won't get you a job and they won't prevent you from getting one, there's many more important things to worry about.
Yes, but wouldn't scores as bad as mine be an automatic ding?
Most people won't even know what your SAT score is. I never listed mine on my resume and was never asked about other than that one time. Some places have you fill it out on the online application, and yes maybe you will get auto dinged by the online application for it if you have no contact at that bank. But if you are relying on the online app you most likely won't get an internship anyways. Get good grades in college, do some relevant extra curriculars, and network effectively and you will be fine. I was at a non target with a low SAT and got interviews at 6 BBs. Point being, if you do everything else well it absolutely will not hold you back in my mind.
These guys pretty much said all that needs to be said, but I just had to say this....how can you get a 560 on math and think you're cut out for banking? I know we all say that IB isn't rocket science, but a sub-600 math component...I don't think I've ever seen that. Have you taken calc/stats/etc? Did you get good grades in them?
I am not trying to be demeaning (I promise). I am more shell shocked than anything, as I got a 660 on the math when I took it in 7th grade before I had even taken algebra/geometry/algebra ii (I think the highest it covers is alg2). And I know you say you're a bad test taker, but I have a buddy who is the worst test taker I have ever seen (he has really bad anxiety and simply cannot pick b/w MC and ends up only answering 40-50% of test questions usually) and I think he was around 650 or so.
Well, hmmmm... Not sure if you want an actual answer or you are just trying to make me feel bad. Don't think I haven't beaten myself up enough about it already. All I can say is that the SAT wasn't my strong suit. I did very well on SAT subject tests and AP tests. In fact I self studied for AP Macro and Micro, which originally gave me the idea to pursue a career in banking. Also, I will be graduating in a few weeks as valedictorian of my class. However, I scored very badly on the SAT, studied a lot, and scored slightly less badly. Not sure what explanation to give you except I just don't have an aptitude for it. For the record, I took all the recommended math classes during high school and got all As with one B+. You might be right that banking isn't for me, but I'd rather figure that out after spending a summer doing an internship instead of drawing that conclusion from a subsection of a test I took a year ago.
He's being a tool. Banking isn't rocket science. Doesn't take a genius to type =WHATEVER into excel. Let him jack off to his SAT score. Focus on your grades (as you have been.)
Isn't the sat structured so 500 is the median score?
560 is relatively low, but no need to be a douche - and it definitely doesn't mean you're not cut out for banking. When was the last time you had to find angle c in a set of financial statements?
But to be constructive and prove that I wasn't trying to be demeaning....absolutely do NOT lie. NEVER lie. Stretch the true (maybe), but NEVER lie. And numbers are one of those things that you cannot stretch very easily (at all).
Just do not put it on your resume. There is no need for it. I never put my ACT score (never retook SAT after 7th grade) on my resume because I was not proud of it. The only time it may come back to haunt you is if you are trying to go buy-side (specifically PE). There are certain firms who look at test scores, as meaningless as you would think they would be 6+ years after you took the SAT. Is that something you are thinking of possibly?
Thanks for your input. I understand what you are saying about not lying but . . . theoretically how could they verify? Usually when people get busted for lying on their resumes, it has to do with degrees they didn't actually receive, or places they hadn't worked, or other things that can easily be checked up on. Not really thought about buy-side. I'm more interested in working at a BB than doing PE. Out of curiosity, why do buy-side firms care about SAT scores? I understand for banks recruiting right out of undergrad, but most people come to HF or PE after a few years of work experience. Scores don't seem terribly relevant at that point.
Is it necessary you put the scores on your resume? I'm a 3rd year analyst in a top group at MS/GS/JPM and I've interviewed many intern and full-time candidates over the years. I do admit that I see the SAT scores on the resume a lot, but I can recall many times where students didn't even list them. When I recruited for my summer internship in 2011, I didn't have my SAT scores on my resume. I didn't even add them for PE recruiting. When we sit as a junior team in my group to discuss who we'll extend intern/full-time offers we have never once discussed SAT scores. When I interview candidates I never ask or give a shit about the score. Based on my experience recruiting for an analyst role and being an interviewer, I see no harm in leaving it off your resume.
Dude this isn't consulting. Nobody will bring up your SAT. You do not bring up your SAT. Keep it of the rezi and you'll be fine. Take care of your college GPA, get solid internships, stay involved and network. You follow that and you're good.
So it sounds like the consensus is that I keep my SAT score as is and hope it doesn't come up. If it does, like in the case of GS SA as ramenmonkey1 pointed out, I state it truthfully and move on, expecting to not get the offer/invitation for the next round of interviews?
Isn't the sat format changing again with scoring? It's changed so much most people won't know what your score means. Also who cares what you did in high school other than for freshman or sophomore internships. I laugh when I see resumes with them on it trying to show it off with something that's 4 or 5 years old
I did two years of OCR at a target school and then re-recruited before senior year on my own to switch banks for FT.
SAT scores came up in exactly 0 of the interviews I've been on and in 0 of the networking conversations I've had.
No need to lie, just do not disclose your scores on your resume. I guarantee nobody will ask about them. Worry about GPA like the others here have said, this is a non-issue.
I've actually been asked a few times about my SAT score in interviews but it didnt seem to be a major point of inquiry. There are employers who will also request you put SAT scores on your resume. Still, I wouldnt worry about it and never lie about it on your resume.
SAT scores won't matter for banking but they come up in every headhunter interview and most buyside places ask them
Yeah, that's what I'm worried about and why I am even considering retaking the test. I have no plans at the moment for buy side recruiting since I'm still in HS, but should I get to that point I don't want it to come back and screw up my chances of getting a job in 6+ years.
To take a slightly different tone here (especially since you noted you thought about banking after studying economics - not really the same thing, although a common path to banking for sure) I would consider re-taking the test purely for optionality. You may get to college and realise you'd really rather do consulting, in which case your sat scores will have quite a large role in your application (I believe).
Disregard f you know you'd never do consulting
Thanks for your comment. I actually have been considering consulting. It seems like it might be more interesting in some ways than banking and have some good exit ops. I've been reading some books on corporate strategy and I am a big fan of thinkers like Prahalad and Porter. When you mention the importance of SAT scores, what kind of score are recruiters generally looking for? 2200+? When you say consulting, I assume you mean MBB because my understanding is that Big4 firms will hire anyone who can fog a mirror.
Wrong person to ask, sorry - I am in IB. Perhaps the consulting section of wso will have more specific data. However I have read consulting firms look for extremely high sat and gmat scores when recruiting from college and post MBA. If you're considering consulting I would definitely retake to be safe.
Shouldn't matter
Will my low SAT math score hurt me? (Originally Posted: 11/24/2015)
I'm a freshman at UNC right now, and I'm looking to pursue NYC IB. Will having a low SAT math score (630) hurt me? I'm good at math, I got all As in advanced/AP math classes in high school, and I currently have an A in Calc Multi-Var, so I'm not concerned about my actual skill, but if I will be perceived to be lacking math skills due to my score. As I'm sure most of you know, SAT math doesn't test practical math skills as much as it tests how well you can answer SAT-specific math style questions, which aren't really applicable to real life or college-level math. Any ideas?
What's your composite score? If it's 2250+ report it. If not, just don't put SAT info (hopefully your GPA will be good enough). If you are crazy concerned, go take the GMAT or GRE.
Most places (in my experience) don't care too much for SAT scores. More importantly: high overall GPA, solid (finance-related) outside activities, strong networking (beginning sooner aka as a freshman is better), and solid corporate skills will matter MUCH more than any standardized test.
Will it hurt you in terms of screening for interviews? Probably not.
But c'mon, the SAT is like 9th grade math. If I were interviewing you, I'd be concerned about your facility with numbers and would test you on it.
You would call into question my mathematical abilities because of an incredibly flawed test I had taken likely 5-6 years prior and ignore any of the mathematical achievements or grades during my actual time in school?
Please note that the difference between a 630 and a 700+ is maybe 3-4 questions of the ~55 that are on the test.
Tbh, if you get more than one wrong on the Math section you're an idiot.....
I blew the math part of the SAT section...
But I've destroyed every math class in college so far, including the upper level engineering classes. SAT is BS.
Agree with others above saying the math section is easy/the easiest. Isn't a perfect math score only like 97%ile? I'm now more concerned with your attitude than your score. Someone is giving you criticism yet you're making excuses. Guarantee some of the people interviewing you will have made an 800 in math, and would look down at that score as an ineptitude. SAT is meant to give a comparable outlay of problem solving skills and logical reasoning through statistical measurement - that's standardization. You seem to be convinced that this standardization is flawed or doesn't fairly represent you and that your awards/grades in school more accurately define your quantitative intelligence. If that's the case I suggest you take a humble approach, opposite your current, and admit your prior weakness. Then use your grades to show that you made the effort to address your shortcoming. Either that or retake SAT/don't report SAT.
By the way, don't tell your interviewers you think that SATs only test how well you can answer SAT type questions. You're not really in a position to say, "as I'm sure you all know." Good math grades in school good quant ability, not necessarily. Intelligence doesn't really qualify you for IBD, it's more of a distinctive competency. Strong work ethic does qualify you, which you seem to have from your good grades, so that's more important. Best of luck
Whatever. I think it is all bullshit anyway. A test that so clearly favors the wealthy (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/03/05/these-four-chart…) should never be considered and indicator of one's own personal ability. OP, keep doing what you are doing and get top grades. Fuck any recruiters/interviewers that actually ask for your SAT scores.
Honestly sub-700 on any section is something that stands out a bit to me. Won't be a make it or break it factor but I'll definitely have to scrutinize your app a bit more than usual.
bump
Your math ability I'm sure is adequate, but you need to relax the attitude. Like you, I was not from a wealthy family and had a poor SAT. The lesson that I learned is that you are responsible for your score no matter the circumstances. I have sympathy for you because you are young and there were periods in my life where I also felt slighted, but I took responsibility for my shortcomings and ameliorated the situation. Remember, this is the bankers' screening mechanism and, since you want to play their game, you must therefore play by their rules. I wouldn't normally be so frank but I do truly hope that some of what I'm saying sinks in and sticks with you, because I believe it can be a help to you.
In my experience with recruiting the SAT scores are almost a non-factor. Sub-700 as a red flag is a tad strict, as if i recall 800 is a perfect score. I think I got a 770 and it was almost never brought in job interviews, even if I wanted it to be.
How to Work Around Subpar SAT Scores? (Originally Posted: 05/18/2011)
I am currently an undergraduate student at a non-target and I want to do nothing more than transfer to a target school. However, it appears that most targets still look at SAT scores for transfer students, even after the first year of schooling. Unfortunately for me, after taking the SAT's three times, I was only able to score 1600/2400 and I truly believe that it is the best I can do. I received a 3.5 my fist semester in college and expect to receive a 4.0 for the current semester and hope to transfer somewhere good.
I truly believe that I am capable of excelling at any school I attend and have aced every college course I have taken thus far, excluding a course, with a delusional philosophy professor who gave me a C my first semester. Are there any target schools that don't look at SAT scores for transfer students, or will subpar SAT scores prevent me from taking the easy route to Wall Street?
I know what people are going to say. "If you can only score a 1600/2400 SAT score, your only shot on Wall Street is in the back office." But I strongly disagree, I have been fascinated with high finance since I was 12 and have broken the curve on every finance and economics course I have ever taken. My weak points are that I am a slow reader, take too long to write essays, and can't remember when to use which formula for all the mathematical problems on the SAT's. I am beginning to think that I have some sort of disability, because I excel at almost every subject in school, but for some reason, just can't beat the clock on the SAT's, yet my IQ score says otherwise. Why can't I beat the SAT?!?!?
some banks ask for an SAT score when you are applying - it is merely a way for some human resources troll to filter out the 50,000 applicant database.
You're fine... why would you want to intern/work at a place that had second thoughts hiring you because of your SAT score.
Just do your best at your current school now, there is nothing stopping you from excelling where you are now and moving up. Being at a target is not a end all be all.
the SAT math is like elementary school lvl... you should get checked
A 3.8-4.0 from a non-target won't make hiring managers think "oh this guy is an idiot, he didn't go to a target, who cares that he has a high gpa". Instead "heres a guy with a great gpa, even better than the guy who went to a target, he must have a great work ethic, maybe I should interview him".
My advice would be to apply to all the schools you want, write good essays, show the adcom that you will be able to excel with the students there but if it doesn't work out stay focused at your current school, get excellent grades, become an officer of different clubs, start looking early for internships (cold call, do whatever it takes). Just show initiative. There are plenty of people on this website that have subpar gpa's from non-targets and are now working at reputable firms. Just take a glance at the success stories forum and you'll see for yourself.
Thank you for the reply. I have been lurking here for a while and have read the success stories, but I am also trying to take the path of least resistance. There are a lot of semi-targets I can easily transfer into, that don't look at SAT scores for transfer students after the first year, so if I can't get into a target, a semi-target would be better than a non-target.
My main question is, are there any targets that don't look at SAT scores for transfer students, or at least not give them too much consideration? My other flaw is weak EC's, but I am applying to a ton of clubs at the very beginning of the fall semester and trying to become an officer in at least one of them, so I can combine that with my strong GPA from the last two semesters, when I apply to transfer for the spring semester.
You have shitty SATs, weak ECs and a mediocre GPA for a freshman. Seems like you'll need to reevaluate your ambitions., because based on that your chances of getting into a target is pretty damn low, much less getting a BB front office position. I'd say the best thing you can do now is to network your ass off.
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