We are frequently asked if the GMAT can be excluded from graduate admission requirements. We get it. Sometimes in our busy professional life, it is hard to focus and ace GMAT before applying to MBA programs in the USA. If you are looking for GMAT waiver, some schools might be willing to offer you one based on your strength in other areas such as work experience and holding a leadership role.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test used globally by many countries such as USA, UK, Australia and many European countries. Often times your GMAT score works as an indicator to the graduate programs that you can handle the rigorous courses in business schools.
This waiver became more popular when COVID-19 hit us and many of us couldn’t take the test due to safety concerns. But as the covid ban and fear lifts off, things might be going back to normal when schools start asking for GMAT scores. During the pandemic, many disciplines could see why the GRE/ GMAT score is not a good metric for evaluating a potential candidate. Like life sciences programs in the USA no longer requires standardized tests like GRE. This is a good advancement. But not all schools/disciplines agree with it. What do business schools now think about GMAT waivers?
Let’s look at top B-schools in the USA and see if they offer waivers even post-pandemic.
MIT Sloan School of Management: Sloan school of Management will only consider waiver if someone cannot attend GRE/GMAT due to safety reasons. If the in person test does not work for you, you can still take the test virtually. The waiver request is processed in three business days.
Stanford Business School: This business school also does not offer GMAT/GRE waivers. Interestingly, the class of 2023 had an average GMAT score of 738, the highest than most business schools. You can check this blog post to get really helpful tips on how to get into Stanford Business schools if you have lower GMAT score.
Wharton MBA: Wharton MBA in University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is in the top 3 business schools in USA according to the recent US news ranking. Around 30% of total intake is international students. As you can guess, Wharton also does not waive GRE or GMAT for admission requirement. They do allow flexibility for home test.
Northwestern Kellogg School of Management: Regardless of experience and advanced degree, applicants from Fall 2023 are required to submit either GMAT or GRE scores. They also allow online in-home test. One good thing about this program is the business school is allowing standardized test waiver for recently laid-off tech workers.
NYU Stern School of Business: Stern school of business grants waiver for GRE and GMAT if you show academic readiness based on undergraduate/ graduate major, specially quantitative and analytical skills, professional work experience. They also value professional certificates like CFA, CPA etc. while granting the waiver. This business schools consider standardized test as an addition to your competitive admission profile.
Ross School of Business: Michigan Ross also wants applicants to submit GRE or GMAT test results. This test requirement can be waived for those who demonstrate academic readiness. For this waiver, as an applicant, you need to show both academic and professional excellence. Some of the waiver criteria includes master’s degree in quantitative area, professional certificates like CPA, CFA etc., professional accomplishments. The criteria list for waiver can be found here.
Stanford Business School: After the pandemic, the school no longer grants waiver to standardized tests. Details about the requirements from Standford Business School can be found here.
Kelly School of Business: Kelly MBA does offer GRE/ GMAT waiver for competitive candidates. You need to submit your professional resume, undergraduate transcripts and an essay mentioning why you should be allowed a waiver. Having professional leadership experience definitely helps with this waiver request. The steps to request this waiver can be found in this link.
GMAT exemptions are no longer available at many schools for MBA programs. Contact the graduate program administrators and request a waiver if you believe you have considerable work and leadership experience. Also, if the GMAT or GRE is not your strongest suit, attempt to construct a strong and impressive profile. If you want to avoid taking the GMAT, schools like Kelly, Ross, and NYU MBA may be a better fit.
