The GMAT exam is one of the exams dreaded by most MBA students. This is basically because of how difficult it is. But what if I told you there are some business management programs you can do without writing the GMAT? Yes.
In this article, I’m going to show you some of the top MBA programs that waive the GMAT exam.
What is a GMAT Waiver?
A GMAT waiver allows an MBA program applicant to avoid submitting a test result if he or she meets specified criteria, such as job experience, degrees earned, or other requirements.
Many bright individuals postpone or even refuse to apply to business school because they believe that all universities demand GMAT or GRE scores. This is a sad truth.
Many applicants fear the prospect of taking one of these lengthy and difficult admission exams due to months of study and the aggravation of standardized assessments.
Furthermore, any student with a 3.0 or better undergraduate grade point average may be exempt from taking the GMAT.
The GMAT may also be waived for applicants with a graduate degree. A doctorate in law, medicine, or science, such as a JD, MD, or Ph.D. CPA or Six Sigma Black Belt certifications are examples of professional qualifications.
What is GMAT Fee Waiver?
The GMAT registration fee is $250, and you will be made to pay it each time you elect to take the exam.
However, not everyone who takes the GMAT is a working professional (or has previously worked), and the $250 GMAT price can be a significant financial strain for them.
Because this fee enters the picture before you know whether or not you will be accepted into your desired MBA program, you may want to seek ways to reduce the financial load.
The GMAC can assist you in overcoming this obstacle by reducing or waiving your GMAT registration fee.
Can You Apply For a GMAT Fee Waiver?
Yes, you and everyone else can ask for a fee waiver for the GMAT.
The applicants, on the other hand, are unable to apply for this waiver directly. Instead, GMAC defers to the schools (undergraduate and business schools) to request exam fee waivers on behalf of their students.
GMAC gives schools the option of deciding which applicants are eligible for a fee waiver or reduction. In a 12-month period, schools are able to ask for ten fee waivers.
They encourage schools to select pupils for a test fee waiver who will be able to overcome financial hardship as a result of it.
GMAC also allows institutions to choose their own criteria for determining a student’s financial need. This implies that if you want a fee waiver, you’ll have to provide your school proof of your financial need.
Steps On How To Get a GMAT Waiver MBA
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) has long been regarded as one of the most significant — and feared — prerequisites for admission to business school.
When it comes to the admissions process, however, many MBA programs recognize the relevance of professional employment experience.
In such cases, applicants who meet the criteria may be awarded a GMAT waiver. If you choose to go this way, there are four steps you can take to get there:
#1. Find out what alternatives there are to the GMAT.
Business schools that provide GMAT waivers do so because they believe the criteria being assessed can be proved through other means, such as professional — and sometimes military — experience.
While you may be pleased that you won’t have to sit and take the exam, you should appreciate why so many colleges value it.
You’ll be better prepared to construct your application process to highlight your talents if you know what topics the exam covers and adopt a GMAT attitude.
Furthermore, several business schools offer their own assessments that you can take.
#2. Compose a fantastic letter
One of the most significant things you’ll need to do if you want a GMAT waiver is draft a letter requesting one.
There are numerous websites that may assist you with this process, but there are a few things to bear in mind:
- Understand the formatting criteria of the program to which you’re applying.
- Begin by stating the letter’s goal clearly.
- Clearly illustrate that you have the talents that would be reflected on the GMAT through your professional work experience.
- Back up your claims with specific instances.
- Look out various GMAT waiver letter examples that others have used successfully.
Read this: GMAT or GRE for MBA Admission: Which one is best?
#3. Make your professional experience stand out by incorporating it into your resume.
Work experience that demonstrates good analytic and quantitative aptitude is valued by online MBA programs that offer a GMAT waiver.
In fact, by opting out of the GMAT, they’re admitting that practical experience may be more essential than a numerical score.
Present your professional experience in a way that illustrates how you used your finely tuned skills in the roles you’ve held during the application process.
#4. Demonstrate your personal growth
It’s critical to demonstrate how you’ve progressed throughout your career while applying to an MBA program after years on the job. We offer a few pointers to consider:
- Demonstrate a clear career trajectory that shows your professional development. It should be represented on your CV, which should only cover your most important roles and the responsibilities that came with them.
- Demonstrate great leadership, which should be reflected in your request for a waiver. “You may demonstrate that you always strive to do more than a good job and leave your stamp on whatever scenario you find yourself in.”
- Select a curriculum that is appropriate for both your professional and personal needs. “Make sure all of those wonderful skills stand front and center in your MBA application,”
Top 10 MBA Programs That Waive The GMAT Exam.
#1. MIT Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: 100 Main Street, Building E62
Cambridge, MA 02142
United States
Tuition: $154,336
This is one of the GMAT waiver MBA programs. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, MIT Sloan School of Management is waiving the GMAT/GRE for newly enrolled students.
Rather, applicants are urged to produce other forms of proof, such as online course diplomas or professional credentials like the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), one of the most difficult tests in finance.
#2. University of Virginia (UVA) – Darden School of Business
Location: 100 Darden Boulevard
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States
Tuition: $137,280
For full-time MBA admissions, UVA Darden takes a variety of standardized examinations, including the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, MCAT, and LSAT. For the application cycle 2024/23, candidates can submit a test waiver as a pilot.
Certain candidates should consider seeking a waiver, according to the school, such as those who can demonstrate academic achievements, such as a great undergraduate GPA or seven or more years of progressive professional experience in an analytical sector.
In addition, this is one of the GMAT waiver MBA programs.
#3. University of Michigan – Ross School of Business
Location: 701 Tappan Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
United States
Tuition: $142,096
Students with more than four years of full-time professional job experience can petition for a GMAT/GRE waiver to reflect any Covid-19-related issues, according to Michigan Ross.
Students must also meet two additional requirements: they must have a master’s degree and have received outstanding grades in at least four quantitative courses. In addition, this is one of the GMAT waiver MBA programs.
#4. Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
Location: 5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
United States
Tuition: $140,000
For the current academic year, Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School is offering a test score waiver to address concerns about access to testing centers and potential disparities in online testing, according to the school.
Waivers are offered on a case-by-case basis to qualifying individuals who complete the Tepper School’s “Calculus Fundamentals” online course and demonstrate their mathematical readiness.
#5. Georgetown University – McDonough School of Business
Location: Rafik B. Hariri Building
3700 O Street NW
Washington, DC 20057
United States
Tuition: $121,788
If prospective MBA candidates are unable to access the online exam due to testing capacity limitations in some countries, Georgetown McDonough will provide a waiver.
They cannot, however, have taken a GMAT, GRE, or EA exam in the previous five years. If they have, they must submit those scores and will not be eligible for a waiver. In addition, this is one of the GMAT waiver MBA programs.
#6. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
Location: 300 Kenan Center Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
United States
Tuition: $133, 680
For those with a 3.2 GPA in a business, economics, analytics, or STEM advanced degree, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School is offering a GMAT waiver.
Those with five or more years of managerial experience in a quantitative discipline, as well as those with a certification like the CFA or CPA, can request a waiver.
To allow for processing time, applicants are recommended to submit their waiver requests as soon as possible. In addition, making the school one of the GMAT waiver MBA programs.
#7. Professional MBA at College of Business at Florida International University
Location: University Park, Florida, United States
Tuition: $42,000.00
So, this is one of the GMAT waiver MBA programs. The GMAT or GRE are not required for students pursuing a Healthcare Management MBA at Florida International University.
However, the admissions committee may advise you to take it in order to boost your application package.
Applicants to the Professional MBA program who can show that they have more than four years of professional experience may be granted a waiver from taking the exam.
Also, check this: What is the Highest GMAT Score?
#8. Cornell University – Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management
Location: 111 Sage Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-6201
United States
Tuition: $148,052
In response to the challenges created by the Covid-19 outbreak, Cornell University’s Johnson School is proposing a waiver that is free of bias.
The business school, on the other hand, requires applicants to submit a 100-word essay.
Candidates must discuss their personal circumstances and make a clear and convincing case for why they will thrive in a tough academic setting, according to the institution.
#9. Rutgers Business School – Newark and New Brunswick
Location: 1 Washington Park
Newark, NJ 07102
United States
Tuition: $96, 192
Standardized tests are also being waived at Rutgers Business School, with priority given to Rutgers alumni as well as those who can establish a solid academic track record through GPAs or significant professional leadership experience.
In addition, this is one of the GMAT waiver MBA programs.
#10. F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College
Location: 231 Forest Street
Babson Park, MA 02457-0310
United States
Tuition: $114,572
This year, Babson College does not require the GMAT or GRE. Instead, additional MBA application items such as a CV or letters of recommendation are used to evaluate past academic performance, written and verbal communication, and professional potential or advancement.
In addition, this is one of the GMAT waiver MBA programs.
Conclusion
GMAT waivers MBA may be more tempting to prospective students. You can save hundreds of dollars for each application if you can save money on studying for the exam, taking the exam, and sending the exam results (which already cost money).
Furthermore, if you’re frightened of taking a high-pressure test, it’s advisable to minimize the stress and apply to institutions that enable you to skip the exam.
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