One of the most popular requirements for admission into an MBA program is a GMAT or GRE score. It requires a huge amount of investment in time, emotions, and money. It is interesting to know that as popular as the need for a GMAT or GRE score is, not all MBA programs do require them.
Several schools do not request any standardized examination to score to gain admission into an MBA program. These schools rely on other parameters like GPA, Statement of Purpose, proof of experience, and some other means of evaluation.
The reality of COVID-19 is another factor that has recently made more schools relax their requirement of a GMAT or GRE score since many are not able to sit for the in-person test. This must be good news for several prospective MBA students. You can completely avoid the stress that comes with sitting for GMAT or GRE by opting for an MBA program that doesn’t require them.
In the US, 112 ranked online MBA programs are reported to not require the GMAT or GRE. Here is a list of schools that offer MBA programs (full-time, part-time and online) that do not require the GMAT or GRE.
Top 9 Schools with MBA Programs that do not require GMAT or GRE
Some top schools offer MBA programs without requesting GMAT or GRE scores. This is against an impulsive thought of lower-ranked schools being expected to be in this category. Here are some top names:
Sloan School of Management, MIT
For the year 2022, the Sloan School of Management has made the GMAT and GRE optional. This means that students can gain admission into the MBA program without sitting for the GMAT. Due to the COVID-19 situation, students can apply for a test waiver.
Colorado State University
The Colorado State University offers online, part-time, and evening MBA programs. All of these do not require applicants to submit GMAT or GRE scores.
Marshall School of Business University of Southern California
The Marshall School of Business has made GMAT and GRE an optional requirement for all applicants for their Executive MBA program. This means that you can apply without the GMAT and GRE and still get admitted.
Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University
The school offers an Executive MBA that does not require a standardized test score for most students. There may be a request for a GMAT score if other requirements do not match up with their expectation.
Fox School of Business at Temple University
At the Fox School of Business, both the full-time and online MBA do not require the GMAT or GRE once the applicant has GPA above 3.0. Any applicant with a GPA of 3.0 and lower must provide the test score.
Kenan-Flagler Business School at University of North Carolina
At the University of North Carolina, the Kenan-Flagler Business School offers a full-time MBA that allows GMAT waiver for applicants with GPAs of 3.2 and above. For their online MBA, a professional experience of up to 5 years qualifies an applicant for GMAT exemption.
College of Business Florida International University
There are two MBA programs at the Florida International University College of Business. The Healthcare Management MBA program does not require the GMAT or GRE. For the professional MBA, applicants with over 4 years of experience can waive GMAT or GRE.
Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University
The Sawyer Business School at Suffolk offers an Executive MBA program that does not require the GMAT or GRE. But the admission instead requires a minimum of 7 years of professional experience.
Kogod School of Business at American University
This institution offers both full-time and online MBA programs. Both programs do not require a GMAT or GRE. The full-time program requires an essay instead of standardized tests.
Other MBA Programs not Requiring GMAT or GRE for 2022 Admissions
Imperial College Business School, London
For its weekend and online MBA programs, the Imperial College does not require the GMAT or GRE for 2022 admissions.
University of Arizona, Tuscan
The Eller College of Management offers an evening MBA program that does not require submission of GMAT or GRE scores.
McMaster University, Toronto
The DeGroote School of Business of McMaster University does not require the GMAT or GRE for full-time and part-time MBA programs.
Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University
At Loyola University, both full-time and part-time MBAs do not require the GMAT or GRE for the 2022 admissions.
University of South Florida
This university’s Muma College of Business offers a full-time MBA that does not require a GMAT or GRE for admission.
Pace University’s, Lubin School of Business
The school offers Full-time, Executive and Part-time MBA programs. The Executive MBA does not require a GMAT/GRE score. Applicants for the full-time and part-time programs can apply for a test waiver if they have any business related masters degree already.
Henley Business School, University of Reading
Students with good academic backgrounds and solid work experience are not required to supply any test score.
China Europe International Business School, CEIBS, China
The CIBS offers student its Admission Test in place of GMAT or GRE to applicants. The admission test is similar to GMAT but does not have the AWA and IR sections.
Ashridge Business School, UK
GMAT or GRE score is not a compulsory requirement for the executive MBA at this institution. The program director may request for the score from any applicant at his dicretion.
SDA Bocconi School of Management, Italy
Applicants can ask to take the SDA Test as an alternative to the GMAT. The test is organized by the SDA Bacconi School of Management.
What does this mean?
It is a pleasant development in many regards that some schools have relaxed their requirements of a test score due to COVID-19. Some other programs have always made the option of GMAT or GRE optional and there are varying programs like online, weekend, and part-time. As good as this sounds, it is still imperative to consider all options. It is best to submit a GMAT/GRE score in case to supplement an average GPA.