Full Time MBA Programs that Don’t Require a GMAT, GRE or EA Test Score

Traditionally most full-time MBA programs required a standardized test score (GMAT/GRE/EA) as part of the application process.  However, over the past several years full-time MBA programs have relaxed this requirement by either offering test waivers or not requiring the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) test.

Full-time MBA programs can be organized into four categories:

• MBA Programs with no GMAT/GRE/EA Test Required
• MBA Programs that require a GMAT/GRE/EA Test but also offer test waivers
• MBA Programs that require a GMAT/GRE/EA Test and only offer test waivers on a limited basis
• MBA Programs that require a GMAT/GRE/EA Test and do NOT offer test waivers

MBA Programs with No GMAT/GRE/EA Test Required

Here is a list of leading full time MBA programs that do NOT require applicants to submit a GMAT, GRE or EA test score:

• Babson Olin
• Georgia Tech Scheller
• Michigan Ross
• Rochester Simon
• SMU Cox
• UCLA Anderson
• Washington Foster
• Washington U Olin

Note:  Ross asks applicants to either submit a test score or submit a Statement of Academic Readiness.   They do not offer test waivers.

MBA Programs that require a GMAT/GRE/EA Test but also offer test waivers

While these MBA programs do encourage and officially require applicants to submit a test, they do offer test waivers for applicants who meet certain academic and work experience requirements.

• Arizona State Carey
• Boston College Carroll
• Carnegie Mellon Tepper
• Cornell Johnson
• Emory Goizueta
• Georgia Terry
• Indiana Kelley
• Johns Hopkins Carey
• Maryland Smith
• Michigan State Broad
• Minnesota Carlson
• Notre Dame Mendoza
• Ohio State Fisher
• Rice Jones
• UNC Kenan Flagler
• USC Marshall
• UT Austin McCombs
• Vanderbilt Owen

MBA Programs that require a GMAT/GRE/EA Test and only offer test waivers on a limited basis

Unlike the first two categories above, the following MBA programs both require a standardized test and only provide test waivers on a limited basis.

• Brigham Young Marriott
• Dartmouth Tuck
• Georgetown McDonough
• MIT Sloan
• NYU Stern
• UC Irvine Merage
• UVA Darden

MBA Programs that require a GMAT/GRE/EA Test and do NOT offer test waivers

These MBA programs both require a test score and do not offer any test waiver options. If you want to attend one of these top-ranking programs, be prepared to submit a test score.

• Berkeley Haas
• Chicago Booth
• Columbia Business School
• Duke Fuqua
• Florida Warrington
• Harvard Business School
• Northwestern Kellogg
• Stanford GSB
• Penn Wharton
• Yale SOM

In summary, most full-time MBA programs still require applicants to submit a GMAT, GRE or EA test score.  In addition, MBA admissions officers welcome applicants to submit a standardized test score because it does provide more information about an applicant’s academic ability.  Having said this, a number of full time MBA programs either do not require a test score or provide test waiver options for those MBA applicants who would prefer to not submit a test score.