If you are planning to apply to business school early next year, with MBA application deadlines ranging from January to approximately May 2024, you might be wondering which programs currently offer “test waivers.” And is this an option you should consider? Read on for more information about GMAT/GRE test waiver opportunities for full-time MBA programs.
Which top full-time MBA programs currently offer GMAT/GRE test waivers?
Standardized test waiver offerings are fluid, so the best way to stay up-to-date on current policies and requirements of the MBA programs you are considering is to regularly check their websites and applications. However, as a starting point for candidates interested in this option, we have collected the latest indicated test policies for the top 25 U.S. full-time MBA programs here. As of the writing of this post, 15 of the top 25 business schools are offering test waivers for the 2023–2024 season, including MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, UVA Darden, and Dartmouth Tuck.
What types of GMAT/GRE test waivers are available?
Many MBA programs, including UVA Darden, Cornell Johnson, USC Marshall, and UNC Kenan-Flagler, are offering optional GMAT/GRE test waivers to candidates who feel they can sufficiently demonstrate their quantitative and analytical abilities through alternative evidence, which could include academic study, qualifications (such as the CFA charter), recent additional coursework, and/or professional examples. Some schools, such as UT McCombs, have a minimum work experience requirement for consideration for the waiver (three years in the case of UT).
In past MBA application seasons, many programs required pandemic-related reasons for requesting a test waiver. However, as of the writing of this post, only MIT Sloan continues to base an applicant’s need for a GMAT/GRE test waiver on their “situation prevent[ing them] from taking an exam.” All other top programs that offer waivers indicate that the decision to grant one is based solely on the applicant’s profile and evidence of academic ability and readiness.
Be sure to read each school’s instructions thoroughly and carefully, because guidelines and requirements vary across programs and applications. You could be eligible for a waiver at one school but not at another.
Who is eligible for a GMAT/GRE test waiver?
Typically, to be eligible for a GMAT/GRE test waiver, you need to show extensive evidence of academic achievement and readiness as proof of your ability to succeed in business school. The specific requirements can vary by MBA program, but generally, schools seek candidates with strong undergraduate grades (especially in quantitative and analytical subjects), certifications such as the CFA charter or CPA, a graduate degree in a quantitative area, and/or experience using quantitative and analytical skills regularly in their professional role.
If you meet a school’s eligibility requirements and/or are struggling to take or sufficiently demonstrate your abilities via the exam, you might want to consider pursuing a test waiver. For programs that are offering waivers to applicants who can provide alternative evidence of their abilities, if you feel confident in your evidence—and you either cannot take the test or score below the school’s average—the option to request a waiver is worth exploring.
Who should not consider applying for a test waiver?
If you have achieved a test score that is higher than your target MBA program’s average for the exam in question—or if you anticipate earning such a score—you would not be an ideal candidate for a waiver. Scoring above a program’s average would be a strength of your candidacy, so you should submit those strong results.
On the other hand, if you have a weak academic record, including a lack of quantitative coursework and/or poor grades either in quantitative subjects or across the board, applying for a test waiver would not be a positive strategic move. Most likely, your waiver request would not be approved, and more importantly, you need to show the admissions committee that you can handle the MBA program’s challenging academic requirements. You should therefore aim to take an exam, whether the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (if your program accepts it), and do your best to achieve the strongest test score possible for you, to offset your poor academic record.
When should applicants apply for GMAT/GRE test waivers?
Some business schools request that you apply for a waiver before you submit your MBA application, and if your waiver is not granted, you will need to take the exam before finalizing your application. Other programs include the waiver request within the application, which means you can submit your application in full before determining whether you still need to take the test. As always, read each school’s instructions fully, and do your research well in advance, because some waiver requests must be submitted weeks ahead of the application deadline.
Will submitting a waiver request hurt an applicant’s chances of acceptance?
No. Every MBA program that offers GMAT/GRE test waivers is very clear in stating that applying for one will not have any negative impact on an applicant’s admissions chances. And being granted a waiver likewise does not affect one’s chances of acceptance. Schools make their admissions decisions holistically, taking into account all aspects of a candidate’s profile and application.
What else should an applicant consider when deciding whether to apply for a test waiver?
Consider your ability to take an exam before your target MBA program’s deadline, as well as what alternative evidence you might be able to provide that would sufficiently demonstrate your quantitative and analytical skills. In addition, if you have taken an exam in the past but were not happy with the result, think about whether a different exam might better showcase your abilities. For example, you could take the GRE if you have already taken the GMAT, or perhaps the Executive Assessment, if your chosen program accepts it.
Finally, keep in mind that some top MBA programs—including UW Foster, Texas McCombs, UVA Darden, and Carnegie Mellon Tepper—state that a strong test score will increase your chances of success in pursuing scholarship and fellowship opportunities. So the waiver option would not give you the best possible chance of financial rewards at those programs. Other schools, such as USC Marshall, indicate that waivers do not influence an applicant’s scholarship chances.
Ultimately, to make the best decision for your personal situation, you must determine whether you feel your exam score would (or does) appropriately showcase your abilities and demonstrate your potential to excel in an MBA program. If not, you should consider whether a GMAT/GRE test waiver might be a fitting option, given the policies of the programs that interest you.
Without a doubt, applying to business school demands a substantial commitment and can potentially feel overwhelming. mbaMission consultants are experts at navigating the process and can help you improve your odds of a successful outcome. Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation to learn more about our services and to discuss your specific applicant profile. Check out this video to learn more about what you can expect during your free consultation. We look forward to meeting you!