Is it worth it to retake GMAT for MBB?

Hi there, 

I think you'll get a significantly higher ROI from doing a CV review with a coach. 

They'll help you make the application documents shine so much more than a higher GMAT score would. You might be overestimating how much recruiters care about the GMAT.

Best,
Cristian

Hello A,

Retaking the GMAT to get a higher score can certainly help strengthen your resume and increase your chances of being considered by top consulting firms such as MBB. A high GMAT score can demonstrate your quantitative and analytical skills, which are highly valued in consulting.

That being said, a high GMAT score alone may not be sufficient to secure a job at MBB. Your work experience and demonstrated impact, as well as your communication and interpersonal skills, are also critical factors in the consulting hiring process.

Before investing the time and effort in retaking the GMAT, it may be helpful to reach out to individuals in your network who work at MBB or have successfully transitioned from your current company to consulting firms. They may be able to provide insights into the recruiting process and what qualities and experiences MBB looks for in candidates.

Additionally, consider other ways to enhance your resume and improve your chances of being considered by MBB. For example, you can seek out additional leadership opportunities in your current role or outside of work, engage in networking and informational interviews with individuals in consulting, and focus on developing your consulting-specific skills, such as problem-solving, structured thinking, and communication.

Good luck with everything!

Hi there,

Here are my thoughts on your situation:

Will a strong GMAT score strengthen your resume?

• Certainly a strong GMAT score will be seen as an indicator of your intellectual capabilities
• Especially if your undergrad grades were not good and your bsch was not a top one, it might help somewhat to ‘counteract’ that

Is it worth spending the time/effort to retake the GMAT?

• I don't think there is one specific answer to this, and not to be a consultant, but it really depends
• I'd say if you can get a 720+ easily, and say within a few weeks, then it might not be a bad option
• If however it would take you several months, then I think that effort could be better redirected towards
  1. Networking
     • A strong referral will imo play a much bigger role than getting a 700 score
  2. Improving your actual work experience now
     • Once you start work, your actual work experience matters more than your grades
     • If you are able to focus your energy on achieving something truly exceptional at work, this will help a lot
     • Or if you spend the time outside of work doing something else meaningful, it could also beneficial
  3. Focusing on your core interview skills

All the best!

Hi there,

Q: From your experience, is it worth it to retake GMAT and get a 700+ score on the resume in my case? 

It depends on the opportunity cost – meaning, how would you use the time for that otherwise. In most cases, there are better alternatives.

A great GMAT score will make your CV better. However, if the goal is to get an invitation, there are usually better ways to use the time you would dedicate to get that score.

You will likely get better results by doing the following:

1. Finding a referral
2. Crafting a great CV/ Cover 
3. Expanding your current work/extracurricular activities to show skills relevant to consulting

You can find more on that below:

▶ How to Get a Consulting Interview Invitation

Best,

Francesco

Hi there,

No, I don't think so.

The amount of work you have to put in to increase your score is not worth the minimal upside that MIGHT come from a higher score. On top of that, there is also a risk that your score decreases.

Rather, focus on other things with a better input/output ratio that firms actually look for:

• Gain additional work experience with a target employer in a relevant strategy role
• Improve your grades
• Take on leadership roles and start initiatives that help others
• Do some of the things above in a context that allows you to gain experience abroad

Cheers,

Florian

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• While a high GMAT score is certainly a valuable asset in strategy consulting recruiting, it is not the only factor that these companies consider when evaluating candidates. They typically look for a combination of factors, such as academic excellence, relevant work experience, interpersonal skills, and fit with corporate culture.
• As such, I would advise you not to worry too much about your GMAT score and instead focus your time and efforts on improving the other factors I mentioned.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Look, a higher GMAT certainly won't hurt. In some instances (depends) it might be the difference between automatically being screened out and not.

However, there are two really important considerations:

1) Can you really assume you'll score better?

2) What is the alternative use of that time/energy?

I took the GRE in college because I figured after college I would score worse and I'd “proably” want a master's degree at some point.

4 years later when applying to MBAs I studied for months and months for the GMAT. My scores were fine, not great. I remembered my much stronger GRE score and realized I could use that!

Point being: Test taking gets harder and harder the longer you're in the workforce.

Alternative use of time/energy: Getting a promotion. Building up actual skills (Python, R, Tableau, Alteryx, MS Project, Excel, etc.). Getting consulting experience (pro bono, part time, on the side). Networking

When you internalize that time is limited then you need to look at how to optimize your time to maximize impact.

Hey there,

I don't think that GMAT will make any significant difference.

While a high GMAT score can certainly strengthen your application, it's not the only factor that MBB firms consider when evaluating candidates.

Instead, I would invest more time into the following:

Utilize your network: Leverage your personal and professional network to gain insights and connections to MBB employees. Attend industry events, connect with alumni from your undergraduate or MBA program, and reach out to your LinkedIn network to see if anyone can offer advice or a referral.

Build your skills: Even without a top MBA or high GMAT score, you can still build the skills MBB firms look for. Show your professional achievements, seek out extracurricular projects or volunteer work that showcase your abilities.

Look for alternative paths: MBB often announce specific hiring programs for people with specific backgrounds and skills, keep an eye on such programs, see where and how you can fit and work on improving that particular area

I personally would not recommend retaking the gmat to get into mbb because that is not a measure they look at when deciding whether to interview you or not. 

Your best bet is to network extensively with people at the firms and offices you are interested in to get an interview. The other thing to do is to build a specialized skill or knowledge base that is hard to find in mbb and which would make you an attractive candidate to them. 

All the best, 

Udayan 

Yes! Even more so if you know you could do better and get a 720+ score.