{"id":15713,"date":"2025-07-03T11:17:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T15:17:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/?p=15713"},"modified":"2025-07-03T11:22:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T15:22:13","slug":"5-reasons-to-take-an-mba-admissions-test-even-if-its-not-required","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/5-reasons-to-take-an-mba-admissions-test-even-if-its-not-required\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Skip the GMAT for Top MBA Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The global coronavirus pandemic disrupted standardized testing, making it challenging for MBA applicants in some parts of the world to secure a seat in a testing center. As a result, test takers could also opt to take an online (at-home) version of the GMAT, GRE, and Executive Assessment (EA), but this was not an option for applicants with unreliable Internet access. Consequently, the top MBA programs have become a lot more flexible with their expectations regarding standardized tests.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business schools have had a chance to observe and evaluate the students who were accepted without submitting a standardized test. Interestingly, Michigan Ross noted that students in the Class of 2022 who didn\u2019t submit a test score were more likely than their peers to place out of core classes\u2014and they were among the \u201cstars\u201d with respect to career placement. Therefore, the school has continued to offer applicants the option to apply without taking a test. However, rather than requesting a waiver before the submission deadline and having it approved, any applicant can submit their application without a test score and provide incremental information to give the admissions committee confidence in their ability to succeed both in the program and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every week, I speak with a handful of MBA hopefuls\u2014many of whom have not achieved a standardized test score that they can be at peace with. For some, testing is a challenge. For others, the idea that they could apply to the business school of their dreams without submitting test results motivates them to apply. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, during this past admissions cycle, I worked with a client who was on the verge of separating from the military. He had intended to apply in the 2025<\/span>\u2013<\/span>2026 application cycle but would have needed to find a job after leaving the military to fill the 18-month gap before matriculation. At the time, this candidate was deployed and was unable to take a standardized test. Therefore, I suggested that he focus on programs that offer test waivers so he could matriculate in fall 2025. After all, he had attended a strong liberal arts school, majored in economics, and had a 3.9 GPA. His initial business school target list included NYU Stern, Texas McCombs, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Michigan Ross, and Georgetown McDonough. I suggested that he add MIT Sloan, which offers test waivers to applicants who are unable to take an exam. His deployment certainly qualified him! He was accepted to three schools with significant scholarships and will be attending MIT Sloan this fall.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the end, however, every admitted applicant must demonstrate their ability to handle the rigor of the MBA program. Here are some points to consider as you decide whether to take a standardized test when you apply to MBA programs:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n