Top global MBA programs with GMAT and GRE waivers to watch out this year

The coronavirus pandemic has affected every nook and cranny of the world, and the education sector is no exception. Due to the spread of the Covid-19 virus, many B-Schools around the world are waiving the GMAT and GRE scores that were earlier required to be taken for an MBA program. The closure of centers and the need to maintain social distancing has made them arrive at making policies to keep it optional for the student to take the test. GMAT and GRE waivers were much needed in these testing times. Instead, they are focusing more this year on other attributes of the candidate to ensure that the academic qualifications required for admission are not compromised.

GMAT and GRE have shifted to online mode, thus, can only be taken at home. This has also put a lot of students at a disadvantage, given the region-wise constraints on internet facilities, and other required infrastructure. Without a shadow of a doubt, these GMAT and GRE waiver policies might work for the better for MBA aspirants which would otherwise have required months to prepare for these tests.

Work experience & other factors gain weightage

GMAT and GRE, although difficult to take during the current scenario, is also a way of improving the chances of many students who have not had a very impressive record in the past with reference to their course, academic scores, and work experience. With GMAT and GRE waiver options, more weight will be attached to the above factors. This is to ensure that the students have the required analytical and quantitative skills for a rigorous MBA program. Texas A&M University, for instance, required students to take the GMAT only if they do not meet the required GPA while Colorado State University has opened waivers for students with 8+ years of work experience.

The criteria for a waiver also differs from school to school. In some, waivers can be applied by anyone who wishes to do so, with more importance given to the no. of years they’ve worked for, the GPA during their undergraduate studies, and other professional certifications. In the others, however, waivers are only applicable to students directly affected by the pandemic. Many schools are also offering to conduct standardized tests for the students to judge their suitability for the course. For example, SDA Bocconi, offering the full-time MBA program, has allowed students to take SDA tests instead of GMAT and GRE that judges their logical, verbal, and quantitative skills. CEIBS, China is also offering the students to take the CEIBS Admission test instead of GMAT for their full-time MBA program.

Top B-Schools join the list of offerers of GMAT and GRE waivers

Some of the major players around the world are now offering waivers of GMAT and GRE tests. These names include MIT Sloan, Carnegie Mellon, UVA Darden, Michigan Ross, UNC at Chapel Hill. Even then, there’s a reluctance shown with regard to waivers by the top Universities. Only 9 of the best in the world have instituted the option of waivers yet. Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, Case Western Reserve’s Weatherhead School, and Boston University’s Questrom School, like MIT Sloan and UVA Darden, are giving test options to students.

Here’s a list of B-Schools and the details regarding their test waiver policies:

B-School	Details of the waiver
MIT Sloan	Will review submitted material without negative inferences for this session
UVA, Darden	Previous SAT & ACT scores will be considered as criteria for a waiver
Johnson, Cornell	100-word essay
Tepper, Carnegie Mellon	Proof of knowledge of calculus, linear algebra and statistics through advanced quant classes
Kenan Flagler, North Carolina	Requires 3.2 GPA in STEM, business, economics or analytics or advanced or terminal degree 5+ years of work experience in a quant or analytical field, a CPA or CFA, or EA, LSAT, PCAT or MCAT
McCombs, Texas	Only for applicants unable to take the test due to Covid-19
Kelley, Indiana	500-word statement on the applicant’s reason and applicability for a waiver
Jones, Rice	Min. 7 years of work experience STEM Masters’ degree a CPA or CFA, or EA, LSAT, PCAT or MCAT
Owen, Vanderbilt	Strong performance in quant and analytical subjects in undergraduate Min. 5 years of work experience a CPA or CFA, or EA, LSAT, PCAT or MCAT
Smeal, Penn State	PhD, MD or DO degree 5 or more years of military service Or other master’s degrees or “extraordinary work or leadership experience"
Michigan Ross	MCAT and LSAT
Warwick	Warwick Test instead of GMAT and GRE
Rotman, Toronto	Waiver for those who’ve passed all 3 levels of CFA
SDA Bocconi	SDA test
CEIBS	CEIBS Admission test
Kellogg	If an initial review of the applicant’s application raises questions or concern, then he/she may be asked to take GMAT
UCLA	No GMAT and GRE
Stern, New York	GMAT and GRE optional to improve one’s selection chances
Imperial, London	No GMAT and GRE
Saïd, Oxford	For the executive MBA program, the applicant’s with 10+ years of work experience may be granted a waiver on submission of a written request
INSEAD	INSEAD’s in-house EMBA admission test instead of GMAT
Cambridge	For the executive MBA program, it may be granted on application
Carlson, Minnesota	GPA of 3.2+ 5+ years of work experience a CPA or CFA, or EA, LSAT, PCAT or MCAT
UC Davis, California	3.2 or more in a quant subject 5+ years of work experience 4+ years of military duty or other masters’ degree CPA or CFA
Eller, Arizona	3.0+ GPA Vets, Peace Corps volunteering
Caroll, Boston	3+ years of work experience 3.0+ GPA in undergrad Or JD, MBA, PhD, or CPA, CFA
Smith, Maryland	Industry certification, including Six Sigma, CFA, CPA & min. 3.0 GPA MCAT or LSAT
SMU Cox	Test optional for fall 2021 programs
Terry, Georgia	Only applicable in case of inability to take the test due to the pandemic
Simon, Rochester	3.2+ GPA in undergrad
Katz, Pittsburgh	Exceptional undergraduate or graduate quant coursework & significant work experience
Marriott, Brigham Young	To all

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