MBA Programs That Don’t Require the GMAT or GRE

Welcome to MetroMBA's No GMAT and GRE Guide. As the world's best business schools continue to evolve, traditional methods of entry begin to change. For many schools, that means admitting students that have not taken the GMAT or GRE test.

Below, we've outlined some of the best business schools in the world that do not completely require prospective students to take the GMAT or GRE for admissions (for Online programs see our Online no GMAT/GRE guide): a list that continues to grow year by year. But first, what are the GMAT and GRE tests?

Why Do I Need To Take The GMAT?

According to the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), which administers the test, more than 7,000 business school programs at 2,300-plus world universities utilize the GMAT in some form to help with the admissions process. While several business schools do not explicitly require GMAT scores from its applicants, the majority either accept or specifically require completion of the exam for admission.

The exam isn't just for business schools students, either. Those who wish to earn a Masters in subjects such as accounting and finance usually have to take the GMAT in order to gain admission.

While the GMAT is not the only admissions test offered for potential MBAs, it is by far the most preferred among business schools and applicants.

What Does The GMAT Exam Consist Of?

The GMAT consists of four sections: an analytical writing assessment, an integrated reasoning portion, a quantitative section, and, finally, a verbal section. The sections vary in time and the amount of questions asked.

In 2017, GMAC modified the order in which test-takers must complete the exam. Previously, those taking the GMAT had to take it in the traditional order listed above. However, now those who take the GMAT have three options:

• Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, Verbal
• Verbal, Quantitative, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment
• Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, Analytical Writing Assessment

Where Do I Take The GMAT?

The GMAT is administered year-round at various test center facilities, which can be found here.

How Much Does The GMAT Cost?

The GMAT currently costs $250 USD. Partial refunds are offered for those who cancel their examination with more than seven days notice before the examination. No refunds are offered within seven days of originally scheduled test time. Likewise, their is a partial fee for re-scheduling the exam with more than seven days of notice. However, if one needs to reschedule within seven days of the original exam time, they will have to pay the full $250 USD.

Additional fees are required to acquiring extra score reports, score cancellations, and more. Applicants may retake the GMAT if they are not satisfied with their original score.

Several organizations, like the Fulbright Foundation and the The Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program, offer potential fee assistance for those who wish to take the GMAT.

Where Can I Register For The GMAT?

You can register any time to take the GMAT at the official GMAC website, which provides more in-depth information on the exam, schools the require scores, and much more.

What Does The GRE Consist Of?

The GRE consists of six sections: the analytical writing section, which is always administered at the beginning, is broken up by timed issue and argument tasks. This is followed by two separate verbal reasoning sections, two quantitative sections, and either a experimental section at the end that consists of either math or verbal questions. After the analytical writing section, the following sections five may appear in any order.

The GRE is considered a multi-stage exam, where the performance of the test-taker determines the difficulty of the following sections. The entire exam is three hours and 30 minutes long on paper, or, three hours and 45 minutes long on a computer, with separate one minute breaks after each section except for after the third section, which is 10 minutes in length.

Should I Take The GRE or GMAT?

Taking either the GRE or GMAT examination is usually a requirement for entry in all business schools. Compared to the GMAT, those who take the GRE generally agree that the math portion is easier, with test-takers allowed to use a calculator. Students that excel more at verbal, written portions may argue the GMAT is a preferable option.

For those who wish to obtain multiple degrees that are not exclusively business-center, the GRE may be a better option. There are six subject-specific GRE exams, with topics in biology, chemistry, English literature, math, physics, and psychology.

The GRE examination is also slightly cheaper ($195 USD) than the GMAT ($250). You can read more about the differences here.

How Are GRE Scores Calculated Compared to the GMAT?

The GRE gives you a score based on your essay (0-6), your verbal section (130-170) and your math section (130-170). The GMAT gives you a score based on your essay (0-6), an Integrated Reasoning subscore (1-8), a math subscore (0-60), a verbal subscore (0-60), and a total score (200-800) based on your verbal and math subscores. Because the metrics vary considerably, the best way to find out the score you should be aiming for is to simply call the admissions office at the schools of your choice and ask.

Where Can I Take The GRE?

According to the Educational Testing Service, “The GRE General Test is available at more than 1,000 test centers in more than 160 countries. In most regions of the world, the computer-delivered test is available on a continuous basis throughout the year. In Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, the computer-delivered test is available up to three times per month. In areas of the world where computer-delivered testing is not available, the paper-delivered test is available up to three times a year in October, November and February.”

You can register with ETS here.