Question: Are There Online MBA Programs that Do Not Require GMAT Test Scores?

Answer: Yes, there are online MBA programs that do not require applicants to submit GMAT test scores as part of the admission process. GMAT scores remain a requirement for many of the more competitive online MBA programs. However, it is becoming more and more common for online MBA programs to waive the GMAT requirement for qualified applicants who have prior professional experience in business management, a master’s degree in another field, and/or a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, was originally designed to assess the analytic, verbal, and quantitative skills of applicants to MBA programs, and it has traditionally been a requirement for admissions to MBA and other business programs. However, many business schools, including schools that offer online MBA programs, now waive the GMAT for qualified applicants, and some online MBA programs do not require the GMAT at all. There are also online MBA programs that will consider GMAT test scores as part the application process only if a candidate opts to submit those scores. It is important to note that GMAT scores are just one of several factors that admissions boards weigh, along with factors such as cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA), letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and prior work experience.

How to Get a GMAT Waiver

Online MBA programs that require the GMAT for some candidates while waiving it for others generally have a clearly stated policy on who is eligible to waive the GMAT requirement. There are three factors that are typically taken into consideration for applicants who would prefer not to submit GMAT scores: prior work experience, advanced degrees, and cumulative GPA. Applicants who have accrued two or more years of professional experience in business and applicants who already hold an advanced degree at the master’s or doctoral level may be eligible for a waiver. And, students who have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and have filled certain undergraduate course prerequisites in business, finance, and/or economics may also qualify for a waiver.

Ultimately, the GMAT is just one tool among many that MBA programs may rely on to assess the qualifications of an applicant. Online MBA programs are generally looking for applicants who can demonstrate that they are adequately prepared to handle the academic challenges of an MBA curriculum. Applicants who have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree program, have attained passing grades in preparatory coursework, and can then demonstrate their proficiency in areas like critical thinking and written communications should qualify for admissions to some MBA program without submitting GMAT scores.

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