Messed Up Bain TestGorilla Numerical Reasoning – Should I Reach Out or Wait It Out?

Hi there,

It’s usually not helpful to email the recruiter or OCR to explain or justify the test. They can’t adjust the score, and drawing attention to it can backfire. Just imagine if everyone reached out to HR whenever candidates feel like they did not perform well in the test... Unless there was a genuine technical issue during the assessment, the best approach is to wait for the official outcome.

A weaker performance on the numerical reasoning section can matter, but it does not automatically mean rejection, especially for MBA internship recruiting. Bain looks at the assessment together with your resume, school, and overall profile. 

Wait for Bain to reach out and give the process time. If the rest of your profile is solid, you still have a real chance of advancing.

Hi there,

Unfortunately, the TestGorilla numerical section is a meaningful filter for Bain’s internship process, so a weak performance can impact the outcome — but it’s not an automatic rejection, especially for MBAs from top programs. Bain looks at the whole profile, and strong grades, leadership, and a solid CV can still carry weight.

Reaching out to the recruiter won’t help unless there was a clear technical issue during the test. If you simply feel you underperformed, it’s better not to draw attention to it. Recruiters can’t override the assessment score based on a message, and emailing them risks coming across as anxious instead of confident.

Your best move now is to wait it out.

Best,
Evelina

Sorry to hear. Honestly, whatever you'd write to them explaining the situation wouldn't matter. They have lots of candidates and the competition is already tight, so I doubt anything would convince them to change their decision. 

I think now it's just a waiting game for their decision. And in the meantime, start working on other applications so you can improve your chances. 

Fingers crossed!
Best,
Cristian

hey

Usually, messing up the numerical test does make rejection likely, especially at Bain where the assessments are strict. It’s generally better to focus on your next steps rather than emailing—they rarely reconsider based on a note. Use this as practice for next applications and prep more for numerical reasoning, they come up at every MBB firm.

best, Alessa :)

Hi there,

Bain TestGorilla can feel rough for a lot of people but one imperfect section doesn’t automatically mean a rejection as they look at your profile holistically. Otherwise, unless it's a technical issue, they're unlikely to resend the test for retakes.

What situation are you trying to explain? You didn't provide a justification, only described that you expect to have a bad result. They do the test to filter those who mess up from those who don't. Reaching out to explain that you messed... doesn't really change a thing.

But let's say you had a good explanation - some underlying external reason that would explain a poor result. It wouldn't make a difference. Otherwise, they would start being flooded with emails from all potentially rejected candidates providing "good reasons" why they messed up. 

Either you have a good reason before - and you inform them by then - or you don't have a reason at all.

Hopefully you'll get a good score and get the interview invite. But if you don't... there's really nothing you can do at this point.

Hi there,

Sorry to hear it didn't went as expected. 

Unfortunately there is nothing much you or the recruiting team can do if the assessment didn't go well. They have to follow recruiting protocol as well. What you can do is focus on what else you can do better, e.g., prepare for other firms for internship opportunities, or strengthen your digital test capabilities for next year's full time recruiting etc. 

Best,

Emily

What situation?

You did poorly on the test...

They use it for a reason: screening.

What's done is done. You might still get in (due to 5-8 other directly correlated factors), but you cannot change the test results.

Make sure to not let this happen for the BCG CAsey and McKinsey Imbellus - prep diligently! (Feel free to message for materials)