GMAT Scores, Big 3 and Etiquette

Question

I have a friend who recently graduated from Kellogg. She scored in the low 600s on her GMAT. She could not get an interview with the Big 3. She was told it was her score. She got a job with Deloitte who gave her a hard time about her GMAT in the interview. I also heard that students regularly include their GMAT scores on their resumes. Can anyone explain or shed more light in to this. What is the minimum score management consulting firms require? Is really appropriate to list your GMAT score on your resume? Thanks.

TraderAK · Answer

In my view, GMAT score should not be included in the Resume, unless it's a very good score (750+).

nink · Answer

GMAT score is one of the factors they use to assess candidates at top consulting firms. (And it's not just Big 3. Pretty much all management consulting firms, regardless of the size, look at GMAT scores)

When you apply, you have to fill out their online apps as well, and there's always a section to report your GMAT score. So even if you choose to list your GMAT score on your resume or not, it's a question that is bound to come up sooner or later.

That being said, GMAT score is only one factor. IMO, your answers during the case interview is more important than the GMAT score but low GMAT score is certainly going to count against you when they are looking for one way or another to knock you out of the applicant pool. But even GMAT scores don't guarantee anything. I've seen kids with 750+ GMAT scores baffled during consulting interview.

I think it's okay to list your GMAT score on your resume if it is at least 700. It doesn't have to be 750+ for you to list it.

rbriscoe · Answer

Yea but it looks like you can't even get an interview unless your hitt'n at 700 or above.

Jerz · Answer

Well let's be honest, in this employment market, where the supply of people who want to go into consulting is much higher than the number of available positions, and especially at Kellogg or another school where the  average  GMAT is above 700, it's going to be hard to get onto a closed list with a consulting firm with a low GMAT score since the competition is so tough. However, that's what open lists are for. And like nink said, once you're in the interview, how you perform on the case is much more important than GMAT score.

As for whether to put GMAT on your resume, it depends whether you're recruiting for an industry that cares about it. Banking or consulting? Yeah you should probably put it on there. Marketing, General Management, etc., probably not. In fact, I'm recruiting for pharma/biotech and I was told flat out by 2nd years and our career office not to put mine on my resume, since recruiters don't care about it. Most companies I recruited at didn't even ask for my GPA at Kellogg.

ezekiel2517 · Answer

I gave my GMAT in June 2007, so my score will be 4-5 years old (but still <5) when I'm applying for internships and jobs in the MC field. Anyone have an idea whether that will cause a problem?

3underscore · Answer

They don't ask the date from what I recall - it is more "what gmat got you in", as it is a required metric.

sm332 · Answer

+1

jeprince112 · Answer

I never knew how much the GMAT would affect one after being admitted to BSchool, but that makes sense and is great to know

naema1230 · Answer

appreciated

3underscore · Answer

I mean, it depends on the events and who you meet as well. I for one don't care about your GMAT, a whole lot of other folk think it is the greatest defining factor known to man. Consultancy firms certainly have a rep for judging off this, Banks a bit but with a lot more sense (IMHO) that you can work past it by letting folk know.

For the useless survey of one, if your GMAT isn't above 780 I don't want to know. And then I probably am really worried my dog has more social skills (my dog could have had me date way more people that an intro 780+ GMAT candidate could manage, easy)

Anonymous · Answer

It's funny how a 780 and above and people start to wonder about your social skills... I think a few conversations with the candidate (interview) should be enough to gauge his ability to interact with others... But the lesson here is to have above a 700 and below a 780 (Still going to shoot for an 800)... but I forgot where I read that some top business schools privately emailed certain students letting them know they would accept them in the condition that they retake the gmat and get at least a 700... I think it's more for improving your recruiting chances (see school's image) and also for increasing the average GMAT score of the institution. I know McKinsey highly favors at least a 700 GMAT.

refurb · Answer

This is slightly off topic, but the point you made above is something a lot of people don't understand.

Business schools, in and of themselves, are a business. How do they attract students? One way is through outstanding job placement stats.

So although schools want to create a class "mix" that makes attending the school fulfilling, they also want to make sure the students they admit will get jobs and boost employment stats.

RF

mrblack · Answer

Forget about management consulting. Go to a company that's in _real_ trouble and help it get back into profitability. Knowing how to do pie charts and powerpoint aren't real business skills. Now, you may ask, how would you gain those _real_ skills? By working in a company that's in turmoil! You learn the most in those situations and you quickly find out who you really are - whether you are just a "consultant" or someone who really owns the project and is willing to put their reputation on the line.

Turbonash6 · Answer

Those companies in turmoil hire consulting companies to get them out of turmoil...I'm pretty sure you will get business skills by going into consulting.....

3underscore · Answer

Careful getienne. I wouldn't say "people" start judging your social skills at 780. Just this dickhead here (me). But if you have seen my interview style, you should know that is only one of many ways in which I can be a bit unconventional (or prepared to throw things out there).

3underscore · Answer

As for consulting vs being in a firm. I think you need to remember that an MBA consultant basically sits and applies the model prescribed by the senior guys in the consulting team. An associate consultant gets to sit in a conference room in the troubled firm grinding through a lot of work - I would question if they ever get a real feel for what the firm itself is like.

I am not saying that going to the firm and getting hands on is the best idea (for one, you are still an associate), but the world where consultants get to see it all and experience so many firms? That is good marketing of the job. Same as IBanks sell you on doing deals. Buyer Beware.

reapplicant · Answer

Consulting recruiting is a likeability contest. It is a client facing job. So firms want who are presentable - very tight filter. GMAT scores, Prolem solving, raw smarts etc - light filters. Look at how many people does each firm hire from each school. It is not possible that all of these people will be working on devising investment strategy for Buffet. There is LOT of work out there that does not need brilliance.

vgutsc · Answer

was the GMAT score specifically required by the firms? During networking session or info session, it would be a great opportunity to find out. Otherwise, only put the GMAT score on your resume if it is outstanding. If the score is low, better have other things to make up for it

GMAT Scores, Big 3 and Etiquette

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