Until recently, GMAT has been an indispensable component in an application to MBA programs. A high GMAT score can significantly improve the chances of admission to highly-ranked MBA Schools. However, there is an increasing number of business schools removing the GMAT test from their admission requirements. This change in the admission process means that there are more options of pursuing an MBA degree than ever before. In this article, we will find out what are the best MBA programs without the GMAT requirement right now.
1. What is GMAT?
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is a business school standardized exam administered through a computer adaptive test (CAT).
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is a business school standardized exam administered through a computer adaptive test (CAT). It is required as part of the application to many MBA programs around the world. It lasts nearly three and a half hours, and includes the following four components:
- An analytical writing assessment, which measures critical thinking and communication skills.
- An integrated reasoning section, which shows how well students can analyze data and interpret information displayed in varied formats.
- A quantitative reasoning section, which determines whether students have strong mathematical abilities and numerical literacy.
- A verbal reasoning section, which evaluates reading comprehension skills, editing abilities and whether someone can make sense of written arguments.
The GMAT is used and trusted by top-notch business schools to make admission decisions. It measures your academic readiness for MBA programs and helps admission officers quickly identify potential candidates for their intake. It can also compensate for lower-than-ideal components in your applications. For example, if you have a below-average GPA or come from a non-target undergraduate institution, a high GMAT can testify for your academic capabilities and professional excellence.
However, more business schools are opting out of GMAT as a requirement for their MBA programs in recent years.
While GMAT can show that a candidate has demonstrated the ability to ace an exam, it does not necessarily translate into in-class performance or whether the person is able to become a successful business executive post-graduation. Additionally, GMAT does not measure interpersonal and networking skills that are necessary for students to succeed in the classroom and in the business world. Therefore, more schools are de-emphasizing the role of GMAT in their admission process.
2. What is an MBA Program without GMAT Looking For in Your Profile?
With the removal of GMAT scores in the admission process, admission officers will take into account a host of criteria and requirements. Here are the top requirements that MBA Programs not asking for GMAT scores will emphasize in each applicant’s profile:
Work experience shows admissions offices how a candidate handles themselves in professional settings and whether they have progressed in their careers. Most programs require 2-8 years of professional work experience.
Students who already successfully navigated the rigors of graduate school are more likely to succeed in an MBA program. If you already have a master’s degree or doctorate, you can often bypass GMAT requirements.
A high GPA demonstrates that you can handle tough classes without letting your grades suffer. Many schools require a 3.0-3.5 GPA to waive GMAT requirements.
Many business-related positions require licensure and/or certification (e.g., CFA, CPA, Six Sigma) to practice. Licensure demonstrates that candidates possess the skills and qualifications needed to pass industry exams. Some schools may use existing licenses/certifications to determine whether to waive GMAT scores.
Letters of recommendation can help an admissions office decide whether or not to admit a student without GMAT scores. Choose recommenders who can speak well about your abilities and your potential.
The essay or personal statement provides you with a chance to demonstrate — in your own words — why you deserve a place in the program and how you plan to ensure your success. Use this document to highlight academic and professional accomplishments and clearly outline how you hope to use your MBA in meaningful ways.
3. Top MBA Programs You Can Apply Without GMAT
MBA Programs Offerings without GMAT
Apart from the full-time MBA, there are certainly other types of MBA programs that do not require a GMAT score, irrespective of the choice of university or country. These are:
- Executive MBA: MBA programs designed for professionals with 5 or more years of experience. Business schools abroad offering EMBA courses do not ask for GMAT scores as a part of their admission applications.
- Accelerated MBA: Fast-track MBA courses at many universities do not require students to have a GMAT score when applying for the program.
- Part-time MBA: Many part-time MBA courses offer GMAT waivers or do not have enough weightage of GMAT score in their application process. This makes it easier for students without GMAT to get admissions to MBA programs.
Top MBA Programs You Can Apply Without GMAT
Below is a curated list of business schools that have dropped or waived GMAT requirements in their MBA program’s admission process. In alphabetical order, you can find business schools, their available program types, location, and their statement regarding GMAT.
|
Program Name |
Program Type |
Location |
Details |
|
Ashridge Business School |
EMBA |
UK |
The GMAT is not compulsory for Ashridge’s EMBA program, but may be requested by the Program Director at his discretion. |
|
Babson College |
Blended Learning MBA, fast track MBA |
Babson Park, MA |
Babson College offers a special Blended Learning MBA program, which has no GMAT score required for acceptance. Based on the fact Blended Learning students have extensive work experience, Babson is able to waive the GMAT test requirement for this program for qualifying applicants. The fast track MBA does not require GMAT as well. |
|
Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business |
EMBA |
New York, NY |
Zicklin’s Executive MBA Program doesn’t require the GMAT. |
|
Boston University School of Management |
EMBA |
Boston, MA |
BU’s Executive MBA Program does not require the GMAT. |
|
Cambridge-Judge |
EMBA |
UK |
If you feel that the skills covered by the GMAT can be demonstrated elsewhere in your application (through previous qualifications or work experience) then you may request a waiver; this may be granted at the discretion of the Executive MBA Director. |
|
CEIBS |
Full time |
China |
The CEIBS Admission Test is an option that CEIBS provides to applicants in lieu of the GMAT. The CEIBS Admission Test is similar in style to the GMAT except that it does not have the AWA Section and IR Section. |
|
Colorado State university |
Full time |
Fort Collins, CO |
GMAT requirement is waived for candidates with 8+ years experience |
|
Cornell Executive MBA Americas |
EMBA |
Ithaca, NY |
GMAT/GRE not required for admission. |
|
Darden |
Full time |
Charlottesville, VA |
We also accept the Executive Assessment (EA), MCAT or LSAT. If you have already taken one of these tests, we encourage you to reach out to our office to discuss if submitting your EA, MCAT or LSAT score is the best course of action. |
|
DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business |
Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Weekend MBA |
Chicago, IL |
Applicants to Kellstadt’s Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA and Weekend MBA may receive a GMAT waiver if they have completed an M.D., Ph.D or J.D. or demonstrate clear evidence of quantitative analysis skills. |
|
Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business |
EMBA |
Philadelphia, PA |
GMAT waiver requests are considered on a case-by-case basis for LeBow’s Executive MBA program. |
|
Florida international university |
flex and professional MBAs |
Miami, FL |
|
|
Foster-Washington |
GEMBA |
Seattle, WA |
If a candidate is nominated and sponsored by their organization, GMAT will be waived as a requirement. |
|
Georgetown |
Full time |
Washington DC |
The GRE/GMAT requirement is waived for Georgetown students who earned at least a 3.2 cumulative undergraduate GPA and for non-Georgetown students who earned at least a 3.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA. |
|
Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business |
Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA |
Washington, DC |
McDonough’s Executive MBA and Global Executive MBA don’t require the GMAT or GRE for admission. |
|
Henley Business School-University of Reading |
UK |
The GMAT® may or may not be required for the Full-Time MBA, Executive MBA, and Flexible Executive EMBA, dependant on individual applicants’ prior academic grades and work experience. |
|
|
Hofstra University’s Zarb School of Business |
EMBA |
Hempstead, NY |
Zarb’s Executive MBA Program does not require the GMAT for admission. |
|
Howard university |
Full time |
Washington, DC |
GMAT is not required |
|
Full time |
Boston, San Francisco, London, Dubai |
The MBA requirement for GMAT will be waived if the applicant has proven to have more than 5 years of managerial work experience. |
|
|
IE Business School |
International MBA, Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA |
Spain |
At IE we accept three entrance exams the IE Global Admissions Test, GMAT and GRE. |
|
Imperial College Business School |
Executive MBA, Global MBA |
UK |
The GMAT is not a requirement for the Imperial Executive or Global MBA Program. |
|
INSEAD |
EMBA |
France |
Candidates for INSEAD Executive MBA can take the INSEAD’s In-House EMBA admissions test instead of the GMAT. In addition, from March 2016 the new “Executive Assessment” is accepted instead of the GMAT. |
|
Kellogg |
EMBA |
Evanston, IL |
The Executive MBA Program does not require GMAT scores for most program applicants. Occasionally, applicants may be asked to take the GMAT if the initial review of their transcripts reveals specific areas of concern or question. The admissions committee will make this request only in special circumstances. |
|
La Salle University |
Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, One-Year MBA, Saturday MBA |
Philadelphia, PA |
Some students with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better may be admitted into the first semester of the Full-Time MBA, the Part-Time MBA, the One-Year MBA and the Saturday MBA programs without taking the GMAT®. |
|
Lake Forest Graduate School of Management |
Immersion MBA and Leadership MBA |
Lake Forest, IL |
No test scores are required for admission to Lake Forest’s Immersion MBA and Leadership MBA programs. |
|
LBS |
EMBA |
UK |
In exceptional cases, the GMAT or GRE can be waived. We will consider GMAT waivers for candidates whose work experience, professional status or prior degree/training indicates a high level of analytical or quantitative ability. Please note that GMAT waivers are rare, and are only given to candidates with a suitable level of seniority. Requests for waivers will be considered after candidates have submitted their online application, as part of the application review. The Admissions Committee may require any candidate to take the GMAT or GRE at its own discretion, and may also ask that a candidate complete an alternative test or an online course in order to meet the conditions of admission. In addition, from March 2016 the new “Executive Assessment” is accepted instead of the GMAT. |
|
Leavey School of Business – Santa Clara University |
EMBA |
Santa Clara, CA |
For Leavey’s Executive MBA Program, the GMAT or GRE may be waived on a case-to-case basis. |
|
Loyola Marymount University |
EMBA |
Los Angeles, CA |
Applicants to the Executive MBA program do not have to submit a GMAT score provided they can demonstrate, either through past academic performance or work experience, sufficient strength in the areas of quantitative and analytical reasoning. |
|
Loyola University Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business |
EMBA |
Chicago, IL |
Applicants to Sellinger’s Executive MBA program don’t have to take the GMAT or GRE exams. |
|
Loyola University Quinlan School of Business |
EMBA |
Chicago, IL |
Applicants to Quinlan’s Executive MBA program don’t have to take the GMAT or GRE exams. |
|
Michigan State University – Eli Broad College of Business |
Full time |
East Lansing, MI |
The Broad MBA program is conducting a pilot this year (2018) to accept domestic candidates with strong work experience and other admission criteria in lieu of the Standardized test. |
|
MIT Sloan School of Management |
Executive MBA, Sloan Fellows |
Cambridge, MA |
MIT Sloan’s Executive MBA Program and Sloan Fellows Program do not require the GMAT. If you’re a seasoned executive who just doesn’t have the time to prep for exams, you don’t have to cross this prestigious school off your list. |
|
Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business |
EMBA |
Boston, MA |
Northeastern’s Executive MBA Program does not require the GMAT. |
|
NYU Stern School of Business |
EMBA |
New York, NY |
The NYU Stern Executive MBA program does not require GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment scores to complete the Formal Application. However, if elsewhere you have not demonstrated sufficient academic or quantitative ability, you may wish to consider submitting GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment scores. |
|
Pace University’s Lubin School of Business |
Full-Time, Executive MBA, Part-Time MBA |
New York, NY |
Applicants to Lubin’s Full-Time and Part-Time MBA programs who already hold a business-related master’s degree can request a GMAT® waiver. Lubin’s Executive MBA Program doesn’t require the GMAT® at all. |
|
Ross |
Full time |
Ann Arbor, MI |
We accept the MCAT and LSAT in place of the GMAT or GRE. We will continue offering candidates the option to request a waiver of our standardized test requirements for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle. |
|
Rotman |
Full time |
Toronto |
GMAT requirement is waived for applicants who have passed all 3 Levels of the CFA designation. Please request from the CFA confirmation of your CFA level 3 pass, which can be sent via email to mba@rotman.utoronto.ca. |
|
Rutgers Business School, Newark and New Brunswick |
Full-Time MBA, Flex MBA, Executive MBA |
Piscataway Township, NJ |
GMAT® waivers are available for the school’s Full-Time MBA, Flex MBA and Executive MBA programs. |
|
Saïd Business School – University of Oxford |
EMBA |
UK |
Candidates for the Executive MBA Program with at least 10 years of management experience who also currently have a role which requires a high level of quantitative and/or analytical skills, may be granted exemption from the GMAT requirement. This will be at the discretion of our Admissions Committee, upon the submission of a written request together with a full application for a place in the program. |
|
Saint Joseph University’s Haub School of Business |
One-Year Executive MBA, 20-Month Executive MBA, the Executive Food-Marketing MBA, Executive Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Marketing MBA |
Philadelphia, PA |
The Haub School of Business has numerous programs that don’t list GMAT or GRE scores as admissions requirements. These include the One-Year Executive MBA, the 20-Month Executive MBA, the Executive Food-Marketing MBA, and finally the Executive Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Marketing MBA. |
|
San Francisco State University College of Business |
EMBA |
San Francisco, CA |
Though SFSU College of Business’s Executive MBA Program generally requires the GMAT, but it may be waived for applicants who have earned a terminal degree before applying to the program. |
|
SDA Bocconi |
Full time |
Italy |
As an exception, and for very specific reasons, candidates can ask Admission Services for authorization to take the SDA Test as an alternative to the GMAT/GRE. The SDA Test is organized by SDA Bocconi, and assesses quantitative, logical, and verbal skills. Enrollment for the test is organized directly through Admission Services after submission of the application for admission. |
|
Seton Hall University Stillman School of Business |
EMBA, Part-Time |
South Orange, NJ |
Applicants can request at GMAT waiver for Stillman’s Part-Time MBA Program. |
|
Suffolk University’s Sawyer School of Business |
Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Global MBA and Executive MBA |
Boston, MA |
GMAT® and GRE® requirements can be waived for Sawyer’s Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Global MBA and Executive MBA programs provided that applicants meet certain conditions. |
|
Temple University’s Fox School of Business |
EMBA |
Philadelphia, PA |
GMAT and GRE waivers are available for Fox’s Executive MBA Program |
|
Texas A&M |
Full time |
College Station, TX |
GMAT is only required if candidate doesn’t meet minimum GPA |
|
The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business |
EMBA |
College Park, MD |
Smith’s Executive MBA does not require the GMAT or GRE for admission. |
|
UCLA Anderson School of Management |
Global Executive MBA for Asia Pacific, Global Executive MBA for the Americas |
Los Angeles, CA |
Anderson’s Global Executive MBA for Asia Pacific and Global Executive MBA for the Americas don’t require the GMAT or GRE exams. |
|
UNC Kenan-Flagler |
Full time |
Chapel Hill, NC |
Candidates may be eligible for GMAT waiver if they either have an advanced degree or work in tech |
|
University of Delaware’s Lerner College of Business |
Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA |
Newark, DE |
Applicants to the Full-Time/Part-Time MBA who hold a terminal degree or possess four or more years of professional experience may fill out a GMAT waiver request form. LSAT and MCAT scores may also be considered in place of GRE® or GMAT® scores for this program. |
|
University of st Thomas |
Full time |
Houston, TX |
GMAT is not required |
|
USC Marshall |
MD/MBA dual degree program |
LA |
The only exception are those candidates who are applying to the MD/MBA dual degree program. |
|
USC Marshall School of Business |
Global Executive MBA |
Los Angeles, CA |
Marshall’s Global Executive MBA does not require the GMAT or GRE exams. |
|
Villanova School of Business |
EMBA |
Villanova, PA |
Villanova’s Executive MBA doesn’t require either the GRE or GMAT exams for admission. |
|
Warwick |
Full time |
UK |
The Warwick Test may be available as an alternative for certain candidates dependent upon circumstances. |
Source: Aringo
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