If you are planning on submitting your application to business school by one of the upcoming fall or winter deadlines, or really anytime between now and spring 2025, you might be wondering which MBA programs offer test waivers. In this post, we explore the current GMAT/GRE test waiver opportunities for candidates applying to U.S. full-time MBA programs.
Determining Which MBA Programs Offer 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 the schools’ 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, 16 of the top 25 business schools offer test waivers, including MIT Sloan, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, UVA Darden, and Cornell Johnson.
Test Waiver Eligibility
Typically, to be eligible for a GMAT/GRE test waiver, you will need to show extensive evidence of academic achievement and readiness as alternative proof of your ability to succeed in business school. The specific requirements can vary from one MBA program to the next, but generally, schools seek candidates who have strong undergraduate grades, especially in quantitative and analytical subjects; a certification or designation, such as CPA or the CFA charter; a graduate degree in a quantitative area; and/or a professional role that requires the regular use of quantitative and analytical skills.
If you meet a school’s eligibility requirements, or if you are struggling to take the exam or to sufficiently demonstrate your abilities via the exam, you might want to consider the test waiver option. 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.
When Not to Consider 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 go ahead and submit your results.
In addition, 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 strategic choice. You are unlikely to have your waiver request approved, and more importantly, you need to show the admissions committee that you can handle the school’s challenging academic program. So, you should aim to take an exam, whether that is the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (if your program accepts it), and earn the strongest score you can.
Applying for a Test Waiver
Some business schools request that you apply for a waiver before you submit your application, and if your waiver request is not granted, you will then need to take the required admissions exam before finalizing your application. Other programs include the waiver request within the application, which means that you can submit your application before determining whether you need to take a test. Always read the instructions fully for your chosen schools, and do your research well in advance, because some waiver requests must be submitted weeks ahead of the application deadline.
Be assured that applying for a test waiver will not have a negatively effect on your chances of being accepted to your target school. Every MBA program that offers GMAT/GRE test waivers is very clear on this point. And being granted a waiver likewise will not affect your chances of acceptance. Schools make their admissions decisions holistically, taking into account all aspects of a candidate’s profile and application.
Other Considerations
When deciding whether to apply for a test waiver, determine first whether you will have sufficient time to take an exam—and perform well on it—before your target MBA program’s application deadline. Then, think about what alternative evidence you might be able to provide that would effectively demonstrate your quantitative and analytical skills. In addition, if you have taken an exam in the past but were not happy with the result, consider whether taking a different exam that might better showcase your abilities would be worthwhile. 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 be ideal in giving 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 an exam score would appropriately showcase your abilities and demonstrate your potential to excel in an MBA program. If not, a GMAT/GRE test waiver might be a fitting option, given the policies of the programs that interest you.
