How important is GMAT while applying for MBB?

Bain GMAT MBB
Edited on Sep 05, 2021
10 Answers
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matteo asked on Nov 10, 2019

Hi everyone, recently I've heard some rumours on a GMAT threshold below which is pointless to apply for an MBB firm. In particular, someone told me that below 700 recruiters at MBB won't consider an application. I'd like to understand whether this kind of cut-off truely exists or it's just a rumour.

Thanks in advance for your help.

N.B.: to give some more context to my question, I'm a mechanical engineer with 4+ years in Project Management in an important italian company and I'm doing an MBA at HEC Paris. My GMAT is 690 and I'm planning to apply for a summer internship in management consulting (mostly Bain in Milan).

(edited)

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Antonello
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replied on Nov 10, 2019
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Ciao Matteo,
I confirm that you should not worry about it. 690 is a good score (most of the MBB consultants do not have a better one), but showing it in your resume is not mandatory. Working experiences and MBA will be the only aspects really assessed in the screening.

Best,
Antonello

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Federico
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updated an answer on Nov 10, 2019
Former Bain (4+ years, UK & Italy) | Ardian (France) | Specialized in Case Structuring, Case Cracking and Non-verbal Comm.

Hi Matteo,

you can check at this page the application materials required for the Bain Milan office. There is no explicit reference to GMAT. https://www.bain.com/careers/roles/consultant/

Having an MBA makes you an interesting candidate. GMAT helped you get into the MBA (where having a good GMAT score definetly counts). Therefore, I would not worry too much about explicitly reporting it for the consulting application.

Hope my answer helped you. You can check out my profile page for more help.

Good luck with your preparation!

Federico

(edited)

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Francesco
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replied on Dec 01, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Matteo,

there is no cut-off for GMAT, if you have a score which is not particularly high (say 700 or lower) I would recommend to just avoid to add the GMAT in the CV.

Best,
Francesco

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Deniz
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replied on Nov 12, 2019
5+ Years at BCG & Kearney Dubai & Istanbul | 400+ Trainees | Free 15-min Consultation Call

Hi,

GMAT score is not a prerequisite whilst applying for MBBs, however if your GMAT score is above 700, you can mention this in your CV to showcase your academic performance. If it is below this, you don't need to mention this in your CV (and no one will ask).

Best,

Deniz

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Marco-Alexander
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updated an answer on Sep 05, 2021
Former BCG | Case author for efellows book | Experience in 6 consultancies (Stern Stewart, Capgemini, KPMG, VW Con., Hor

(edited)

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Anonymous replied on Nov 10, 2019

Hi,

GMAT is one of the factors that they take into consideration when evaluating your CV, but there is no specific threshold below which they reject your CV. Of course the higher the better, but 690 is not that bad.

Therefore, they are only rumors, don't worry about them and apply wherever you prefer!

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Clara
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replied on Jul 16, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Nope, does not matter, only for MBA

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Vlad
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replied on Nov 11, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

there is no GMAT Cutoff. You either put a good score in your resume to make it stronger or don't put it at all. I would not put anything below 710

Best

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Anonymous replied on Nov 10, 2019

Hey,

For Pre-MBA, GMAT isn't looked at, nor is it necessary.

For Post-MBA positions, GMAT score is ranked from 0-3 points, out of a total of 12. So it doesn't work as a "cut-off" - but is just one of many factors that goes into evaluating your applications.

However there is definitely no sort of cut-off below 700, as that sounds to be only a rumour and unhelpful conjecture.

Hope that helps,

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Adam
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replied on Nov 10, 2019
Ex Bain/ A.T. Kearney: Principal with >10 years global consulting and recruiting experience and >150 interviews

There is no specific threshold but you will be disadvantaged with a low score. There are multiple criteria that are screened for and academic achievement (degrees plus GMAT) is a key indicator.

690 is towards the low end for MBB but would not rule you out.

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Antonello gave the best answer

Antonello

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