Standardized tests have long been an essential component of the MBA application process. Alongside academic coursework, professional achievement, and leadership potential, adcoms worldwide use test scores to assess a candidate’s academic readiness for the rigors of the MBA program.
However, you might be surprised to learn that in the 2024-2025 MBA admissions cycle, 14 of U.S. News & World Report’s top 25 MBA programs are offering the option to apply for a test waiver (see table below). This trend underscores the evolving landscape of MBA admissions and provides applicants greater flexibility in demonstrating their ability to succeed academically.
| School | 2024 U.S. News Ranking | Test Waiver Conditions | Tests Accepted |
| MIT Sloan | 5 | Only if the candidate’s circumstances prevent them from safely accessing a GMAT or GRE exam | GMAT, GRE |
| NYU Stern | 7 (tied) | Candidates who prove strong academic readiness. Dual-degree applicants may not request waivers. | GMAT, GRE, EA, LSAT, MCAT, DAT |
| UVA Darden | 10 (tied) | Particular regard will be given for indicators of academic and professional accomplishment | GMAT, GRE, EA, LSAT, MCAT |
| Michigan Ross | 12 (tied) | Candidates who can demonstrate academic readiness without a test | GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT |
| Cornell Johnson | 15 | Candidates who have demonstrated analytical and/or quantitative abilities through their academics, work experience, etc. | GMAT, GRE |
| Carnegie Mellon Tepper | 16 (tied) | Candidates who demonstrate academic readiness | GMAT, GRE, EA |
| University of Texas McCombs | 16 (tied) | Minimum of three years of work experience and either an undergraduate or graduate program with a strong academic record, preferably in an analytical or quantitative nature. Waiver applicants are highly advised to have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. | GMAT, GRE, EA, Expired GMAT, GRE, EA |
| USC Marshall | 18 (tied) | Candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, including math preparedness. Waived for USC medical students applying to the MD/MBA. | GMAT, GRE |
| Emory Goizueta | 18 (tied) | Candidates who can show evidence they are prepared for graduate-level business coursework based on their academic background and work experience | GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT |
| UCLA Anderson | 20 (tied) | Waived for UCLA School of Law and UCLA Geffen School students | GMAT, GRE, EA |
| Vanderbilt Owen | 20 (tied) | Candidates who demonstrate multiple examples of academic and professional accomplishments are more likely to receive a waiver. | GMAT, GRE, EA |
| Indiana Kelley | 20 (tied) | Candidates who submit other evidence of academic potential | GMAT, GRE |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | 20 (tied) | Available for new applicants who can build a strong case for admission based on based on but not limited to the following criteria: – Applicants who graduated with a 3.2 GPA or above and coursework in STEM, business, economics, or analytical fields from a U.S. institution – Earned an advanced or terminal degree in JD, MD, or a PhD or MS degree within a STEM, business, or economics academic field – 5+ years of professional experience in a quantitative or analytical field – Hold a CFA or U.S. CPA professional certificate – Strong test results from the Executive Assessment, LSAT, PCAT, or MCAT | GMAT, GRE (strong EA, LSAT, MCAT, or PCAT can be used to build a case for a waiver) |
| Georgetown McDonough | 24 | Candidates who demonstrate an above-average level of quantitative aptitude | GMAT, GRE, EA |
Two other well-respected programs also offer the option of a test waiver, though they did not place among the top 25 in the 2024 U.S. News ranking. Washington Foster (#27) accepts the GMAT and GRE and considers waivers for candidates “who demonstrate strong quantitative skills through their prior academic work and recent professional experiences.” Notre Dame Mendoza (#30) – which also accepts the GMAT and GRE – places more weight on other factors, such as a candidate’s undergraduate GPA and the rigor of courses taken.
In general, most applicants to top full-time MBA programs will take the GMAT or GRE, and we continue to field many questions about them, including the following:
- Is there an advantage to taking one exam over the other?
- What are the secrets to studying effectively and beating test anxiety?
- How can I get the best possible score?
We will address these questions a little later in this post, but first, let’s lay out the broader set of options and discuss the circumstances under which it might make sense for you to either apply with an alternative standardized test accepted by a given program or submit a test waiver request.
Which Standardized Test to Take
As a general guideline, Accepted believes that candidates whose profiles are on the weaker side should plan to take the GRE or GMAT unless they are poor test takers. The reason is simple: the strongest candidates are able to win the confidence of the adcoms with their academic stats and work records. Weaker candidates need to do more to prove themselves. Scoring well on one of these tests helps show the school that you can manage the MBA coursework. The quant portions of both tests are solid predictors of academic success in the core classes.
Of the 14 programs ranked in the U.S. News top 25 that provide candidates the option to apply for a test waiver, seven indicate that they will also accept the Executive Assessment (EA), an exam originally developed for executive MBA programs. Additionally, some of these schools are open to one or more of a broader set of standardized tests, including the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), the Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®), the Dental Admission Test (DAT), and the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT).
Applicants who have notably strong academic track records and excellent professional experience don’t necessarily need a standardized test to demonstrate that they will perform well in the MBA program. If they are good test takers, though, they might want to take an exam to further reinforce their profile and perhaps improve their chances of receiving a merit-based scholarship. In some cases, they might decide to apply for a test waiver rather than dedicating time to preparing for a test.
If an applicant’s waiver request is approved, their application will continue through the review process. The adcom might not approve a candidate’s test waiver request if their previous academic work or professional experience doesn’t adequately demonstrate their ability to handle the program’s quantitative coursework. In such cases, the admissions office will notify the candidate, and the applicant will have the opportunity to submit a test score for the adcom as part of their application.
Candidates who are weak test takers and whose undergrad records don’t reflect their true academic abilities often ask us what they should do. Fortunately, MBA applicants can prove themselves to the adcoms in other ways, such as by taking Harvard Business School’s Credential of Readiness (CORe) program. If doing so is relevant to their career goals, they could also pursue or the Certified Financial Planner. Another possibility, especially for applicants for whom these other options are not feasible, is to simply take additional relevant graded courses. Consider contacting your target school’s admissions office to learn whether there is a preference for how you could demonstrate the quantitative skills necessary to handle the rigor of the school’s MBA program.
Choosing Between the GMAT and GRE
Most business schools now accept the GRE in addition to the GMAT, which means you can weigh your options and choose the exam you believe will increase your chances of acceptance.
When to Consider the GMAT
The GMAT is likely the better choice for you if at least one of the MBA programs you’re applying to doesn’t accept the GRE, you have scored higher on GMAT practice tests than on GRE practice tests, and/or the wording on one of your target schools’ websites indicates (if you read between the lines) that even though the GRE is accepted, the GMAT is preferred. (Most schools have moved to a test-agnostic stance.)
When to Consider the GRE
You should opt to take the GRE instead of the GMAT if you’re fresh out of college and aren’t sure exactly what to do next, but feel prepared to take the GRE. You might as well go ahead and take it, given that your scores will remain usable for up to five years. You might later use those scores to apply to business school, or you might use them for a different grad program.
The GRE is also the better option if you want to save money, will have trouble getting to a GMAT testing center, and/or can’t or don’t want to take the online GMAT. The GRE is cheaper, there are more testing centers throughout the world, and it offers an at-home option.
Finally, you might want to opt for the GRE if you have scored higher on practice GRE tests than on practice GMAT tests. Of course, you’ll want to first confirm that your target schools accept the GRE.
Preparing for and Taking the Exam
Some applicants set themselves a specific amount of preparation time to get their best score, then choose target programs based on their qualifications at that point (including their test score). Other applicants select programs first and then determine a target test score based on the programs’ averages. With this strategy, the candidate prepares for the test with that target score in mind, scheduling the exam when their scores on practice exams are close to that target.
When the time comes to start studying for your chosen exam, you have a lot of text prep options to choose from. Which route is best for you depends on your learning style and the study areas you need to strengthen. If you tend to experience test-taking anxiety (or have struggled with standardized tests in the past), adequate preparation is especially important.
As you consider the study options listed below, factor in the level of score improvement you are looking for, your budget, and your personal preferences. If you only need to improve your score slightly over what you’ve achieved on practice exams, self-guided study might be enough. If you need to significantly boost your scores, consider taking a course or pursuing tutoring.
- Self-guided study, using traditional books and online study aids (e.g., sample questions, practice exams)
- Online courses, which offer a structured approach and usually incorporate videos and instructional guides, in addition to self-paced study
- Traditional test prep classes, which tend to work well for individuals who have historically learned best in a classroom environment
- Tutoring – either in person or online – which is a good choice for candidates who respond best to individual interaction or have very specific areas they need to focus on and strengthen
Whichever preparation method you choose, study consistently and steadily to achieve your goals!
As the former executive director of admissions at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School and assistant dean of admissions at Georgetown’s McDonough School and the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School, Kelly Wilson has 23 years’ experience overseeing admissions committees and has reviewed more than 38,000 applications for the MBA and master’s programs in management of information systems, computational finance, business analytics, and product management. Want Kelly to help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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