Business Schools without GMAT Requirement

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score is used by various Graduate Business Schools worldwide to evaluate the candidature of applicants who want to pursue their graduate studies from universities abroad. In this article, we will cover details of an MBA without GMAT in countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, etc.

Most of the overseas education aspirants prefer taking this exam; however, there are some applicants, who face a conflicting situation regarding appearing for the exam. The common questions they raise are:

1. Is it compulsory to take GMAT for Business and Management programmes?
2. Is the GMAT Score required in all the B-schools?
3. Is it true that International B-schools do not offer any GMAT Waiver?

You would be glad to know, that the answer to all these questions is ‘No’. While most of the top B-schools require a GMAT score, many other recognised business institutions consider your profile without a GMAT score for applying to their Business and Management programme. Such universities usually focus on relevant hands-on experience in the field of management or intense scholarly research that has contributed largely to enhancing the potential of candidates. So for many schools, a student's experience in the management domain, college's personal evaluation system, or relevant academic research keeps more weight than mere numbers obtained in a test.

GMAT Waiver at Top Universities Abroad

As we all know the validity of the GMAT Exam Score is 5 years, an MBA aspirant whose score validity has lapsed would need to appear for the exam again. However, several renowned institutions give GMAT Waivers. With a good old score and suitable profile like relevant work experience, these institutions may also offer you a GMAT Waiver.

MBA in USA without GMAT

Here is a list of top US Universities offering MBA in USA without GMAT under exceptional cases:

• Kenan-Flagler Business, the University of North Carolina, where GMAT score is waived off in certain cases for MBA at UNC, given the candidate submits an application requesting for the same, along with the required educational and professional transcripts, one month before the admissions process. 
• MIT Sloan School of Management, the B-school of the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also offers a GMAT waiver. The full-time MBA at MIT admissions can exempt applicants from submitting GMAT scores if they furnish enough convincing reasons not to be able to sit for the exam.
• Questrom School of Business, Boston University offers a GMAT waiver for its MBA program. The waiver is applicable if the exam has not been taken. Boston University's admission committee will approve further waivers at its discretion. Check out more at MBA at BU.
• Whitman, Syracuse University offers an Online MBA Programme that allows candidates to pursue this full-time course without relocating or even appearing for the GMAT for that matter. Completed within a span of 24 months, this is the best management program for qualified career-driven professionals.
• Northwestern University also offers an MBA without a GMAT requirement. Applicants applying for an MBA at Kellogg School of Management can get a GMAT waiver based on their work experience level and leadership. 

Apart from the above given universities, some other US B-schools which offer a GMAT waiver are as follows:

A few more universities offering a GMAT score waiver in USA are as follows:

• The University of Tampa
• Pace University
• New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Applicants must note, that the admission criteria and requirements will vary per se. A GMAT score is not mandatory to apply for UTampa's MBA though it accepts the score. At Pace University, aspirants who hold a Business-related Master's or Doctoral Degree may request a GMAT Waiver. The NYIT's MBA requires its applicants to submit GMAT scores only if their GPA is below 3.0. Apart from this, there are MBA colleges in USA that offer MBA programs without GMAT.

MBA in Canada without GMAT

Check out the Canadian Universities with no GMAT requirement:

• Ivey Business School, Toronto offers an Executive MBA program where one has to attend classes four consecutive days once every month and complete the course in 15 months, alongside their career. Although GMAT is not required, a well-detailed resume is mandatory for the application.
• Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University offers a GMAT waiver in its Masters in Finance course, where the applicants have to submit the required transcripts after successful completion of their four-year university degree course.
• Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University offers a Part-time Alternate Weekend MBA that does not require a GMAT score, except for students who completed their undergraduate degree outside of Canada.
• Schulich School of Business, York University’s Executive MBA Program does not require a GMAT score, apart from valid academic credentials and other compulsory transcripts.

Various business schools in Canada offer MBA programs without GMAT. Apart from universities, there are various MBA colleges in Canada without GMAT. Other than MBA, Canadian universities also offer GMAT waivers for different business programs.

MBA in Australia and New Zealand without GMAT

Given below is the list of Australian Universities that offer MBA or business courses without GMAT:

• Australian National University, Canberra offers a Master of Management (Advanced) and gives candidates a fabulous opportunity to hone their skills in the field of management, without a GMAT score.
• Melbourne Business School, the University of Melbourne requires a minimum of 2 years of credible work experience.
• Monash University, offers Management Courses with a low score of 550 or even no GMAT. Although a work experience of three years is mandatory, with one year of experience in the management field.
• Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Macquarie University states that all you need is a Bachelor’s degree with the required proficiency in English language and a GPA of 5.00 (out of 7.00).

As mentioned earlier, academic credentials and transcripts are a must, even though the GMAT is not. Hence, candidates need to have immense work experience, even more than 8-12 years in case of a few Executive MBA programmes. An informative yet concise resume is also essential detailing an individual’s academic and professional experience till then. One more important part of this package is a minimum of 2-3 recommendation or reference letters from previous employers that are a must, to judge your credibility, character, potential, and work ethics.

Top MBA Colleges without GMAT

GMAT is an essential tool for giving admission to business and MBA programs by business schools across the world. However, certain top business schools do not include GMAT in their application process for MBA and other business programs. Below are some of the top schools that offer an MBA without GMAT.

However, having well-proven facts, one can not deny the fact that preparing for and taking the GMAT helps one achieve great heights of success. Irrespective of whether a university requires a GMAT score or not, taking the exam alerts people around the globe and hence, increases your chances of getting admission. After all, who can deny that taking the GMAT helps in getting admission in one of the top B-schools in the world, thereby validating your ambition and potential at large, governed by your conscientious nature? Be it the complex mathematical functions or preparing for the verbal section, the GMAT surely grooms an individual’s personality at large.

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