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Prepare for your GMAT with our GMAT tips, while keeping up with the latest developments in GMAT news.
Published: August 24, 2026
MBA Testing Policies and Waivers 2026-2027
The GMAT and GRE have long been flagships of the MBA admissions process. Due to the Covid pandemic, schools adapted their policies around these tests–particularly with flexibility and accessibility. For many, this looks like the introduction of test waivers—or even test-optional policies.  Throughout this article, we’ll explore the changing landscape of MBA testing, looking at the schools that offer waivers, the schools that don’t, and the schools that are bringing in test-optional policies. We’ll take a look at why these test changes are occurring and what they mean, and share our advice on whether a test Read more
Published: August 20, 2026
A Guide to Test Waivers: Should You Request a Waiver for Submitting a GMAT or GRE Score?
It is no secret that standardized tests are not the part of the MBA application process that applicants most cherish. Some applicants simply aren’t good at standardized testing; others feel they do not have the time to invest in studying properly. Due to COVID-19 and the related impact on testing centers and availability, test waivers became a more prevalent option in b-school admissions in the 2020s. Whether you’re hesitant or excited about the GMAT or GRE, what are valid reasons to request a test waiver? Even if you have a valid reason, does it make sense to request a test Read more
Published: June 15, 2026
GMAC Introduces GMAT Superscore
Starting in August, MBA applicants can put their best GMAT score forward with a new feature from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC): the GMAT Superscore. The GMAT Superscore is an automatic calculation of a test taker’s best aggregate performance across their GMAT attempts. With no additional cost, this feature presents a more holistic view of the applicant and ensures admissions sees their strongest performance.​ According to GMAC, the GMAT Superscore is calculated using a candidate’s highest section scores from all valid attempts of the latest edition, whether taken at a test center Read more
Published: December 16, 2025
A Guide to Test Waivers: Should You Request a Waiver for Submitting a GMAT or GRE Score?
It is no secret that standardized tests are not the part of the MBA application process that applicants most cherish. Some applicants simply aren’t good at standardized testing; others feel they do not have the time to invest in studying properly. Due to COVID-19 and the related impact on testing centers and availability, test waivers became a more prevalent option in b-school admissions in the 2020s. Whether you’re hesitant or excited about the GMAT or GRE, what are valid reasons to request a test waiver? Even if you have a valid reason, does it make sense to request a test Read more
Published: September 9, 2025
A Guide to Test Waivers: Should You Request a Waiver for Submitting a GMAT or GRE Score?
It is no secret that standardized tests are not the part of the MBA application process that applicants most cherish. Some applicants simply aren’t good at standardized testing; others feel they do not have the time to invest in studying properly. Due to COVID-19 and the related impact on testing centers and availability, test waivers became a more prevalent option in b-school admissions in the 2020s. Whether you’re hesitant or excited about the GMAT or GRE, what are valid reasons to request a test waiver? Even if you have a valid reason, does it make sense to request a test Read more
Published: June 16, 2025
MBA Myth Busters: You Need a Perfect GMAT/GRE Score
Welcome to MBA Myth Busters: the series in which we review and disprove the popular myths surrounding graduate business education. Myth: In order to get into a top MBA, candidates need a perfect score on their GMAT or GRE. Is it true? Of course it isn’t!  This isn’t to say that a high GMAT or GRE isn’t a good thing—having one will help you stand out in the admissions process, demonstrate your quantitative and verbal abilities, and nudge your application further towards success. Plus, GMAT averages influence how a school ranks, which means they Read more
Published: May 24, 2025
Examining the Changes in MBA Testing Policies and Waivers
The GMAT and GRE have long been flagships of the MBA admissions process. Due to the Covid pandemic, schools adapted their policies around these tests–particularly with flexibility and accessibility. For many, this looks like the introduction of test waivers—or even test-optional policies.  Throughout this article, we’ll explore the changing landscape of MBA testing, looking at the schools that offer waivers, the schools that don’t, and the schools that are bringing in test-optional policies. We’ll take a look at why these test changes are occurring and what they mean, and share our advice on whether a test Read more
Published: March 3, 2025
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores for Top European Business Schools
We’ve compiled the average GMAT scores for the top European business schools in the chart below. See where your GMAT score lands or, if you have yet to take the GMAT, get a sense of what score you need to target to be competitive. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic abilities and a high score can help you stand out in admissions. Also, average GMAT scores play a role in schools’ rankings. Review the average GMAT scores for the top European business schools below. European School Avg. GMAT Cambridge Judge Read more
Published: February 26, 2025
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores at Top U.S. MBA Programs
See where your GMAT score lands among the top U.S. MBA programs, as we report the average GMAT scores in the chart below. If you have yet to take the GMAT, you can also get a sense of what score you need to target. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic abilities and a high score can help you stand out in admissions. Also, average GMAT scores play a role in schools’ rankings. If you completed the GMAT Focus edition, with a score ending in 5, please refer to Coming Read more
Published: February 5, 2025
GMAT Practice Exams: How To Use Them
Applying to an MBA program takes hard work and preparation—and the GMAT is no small part of that. Known to be challenging due to its extensive testing of quantitative and qualitative ability, nabbing the necessary score for your dream business school is no mean feat. That’s where practice exams come in; effective, measurable, and structured ways to prepare for the GMAT.  What is the GMAT? The GMAT is a standardized business school entrance exam. While not every school requires it—many allow the GRE Read more
Published: January 26, 2025
Comparing Old and New GMAT Scores: Conversion Chart
In 2023, an updated version of the GMAT exam was released. The old GMAT (now known as the “10th Edition”) and the new GMAT (briefly known as the “Focus Edition”) differ primarily in length and structure. The newer exam, now just called the GMAT Exam, is nearly an hour shorter, has scrapped its writing component, and has become more flexible than ever. Alongside these changes comes a new scoring system; to help you when comparing scores between the old and new GMAT exams, we’ve sharing a score conversion chart.  Read more
Published: December 19, 2024
The GMAT and GRE: What Test is Right for You?
Both the GMAT and the GRE were updated in 2023 (the former in November, the latter in September). With both of the updated exams accepted by many business schools, how can you know which of them is right for you? To help you answer this question, we’ve put together this article. We’ll walk you through the structure of each exam, compare key differences between the two, and discuss how to decide whether the GMAT or the GRE is the exam you should take. Overview: What is the GRE and Read more
Published: August 27, 2024
MBA Programs Without GMAT or GRE Requirements in 2024
Pursuing an MBA without the GMAT or GRE has become more accessible in recent years as many business schools have lifted this requirement from their admissions process. For many prospective students, avoiding the stress and cost associated with standardized testing is a major advantage. Below is a list of reputable MBA programs that do not require GMAT or GRE scores, making them ideal for candidates who excel in other areas of their application, such as professional experience and academic achievements. Quick List of MBA Programs Without GMAT or GRE: Babson College – F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business Georgia Tech Read more
Published: June 12, 2024
Coming to Grips with the New GMAT Scores
In late 2023, the GMAT got an overhaul. It got an overhaul that changed it completely – scrapping a section, ramping up flexibility and cutting completion times by nearly an hour. Along with the altered format and edited content came a new scoring system, meaning that both the number of marks available and the number of marks scored on the exam shifted.  What does this mean for you as an applicant? Well, anyone taking the GMAT is likely to be comparing their own performance with the average GMAT scores that students in Read more
Published: February 27, 2024
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores at Top U.S. MBA Programs
If you completed the new GMAT Focus edition, now simply referred to as the GMAT, with a score ending in a 5, please refer to Coming to Grips with the New GMAT Scores. The analysis below refers to the traditional GMAT test. See where your GMAT score lands among the top U.S. MBA programs, as we report the average GMAT scores in the chart below. If you have yet to take the GMAT, you can also get a sense of what score you need to target. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic Read more
Published: October 11, 2023
Episode 315: GMAT Focus Edition Q&A with GMAC’s Manish Dharia
Manish Dharia We welcome a special guest to the Clear Admit MBA Admissions Podcast to review what’s on many MBA hopefuls’ application checklist: The GMAT. In particular, we’re going to dive deep into the new GMAT Focus format with Manish Dharia, Director, Product Development at Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC). Manish has been at GMAC, the non-profit organization that owns and produces the GMAT, since 2015 and served in a number of product management roles while making his way to the director role. Since he is currently in charge of all product development, he knows pretty much everything there is Read more
Published: April 12, 2023
How Hard Is the GMAT?
So, you’ve decided to attend business school and pursue your MBA. You’ve updated your resume or CV, contacted mentors who’ve agreed to write you a recommendation, gathered your academic transcripts from your undergrad days, and now it’s time to prepare for…the GMAT. As with any standardized exam, the GMAT’s difficulty level may vary for different test takers. In general, it’s considered challenging. But how hard is the GMAT, really? If you’ve read Clear Admit’s Real Humans of the MBA series, you’ll notice the number one response to the question, What is one part you would have skipped Read more
Published: April 3, 2023
GMAT vs. GRE: Comparing MBA Admissions Exams
When evaluating whether to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) vs. the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), it’s important to know the key differences between them and what your results tell admissions teams about you, the applicant.  The GMAT and the GRE are the go-to standardized assessments used in the MBA admissions process. While the GMAT started as the standard for MBA applications, most schools have evolved to also accept the GRE to appeal to more applicants. Here are the differences and purposes behind the GMAT vs. GRE to Read more
Published: March 19, 2023
GMAT Score Chart & Why Your Score Matters
If you completed the new GMAT Focus edition, now simply referred to as the GMAT, with a score ending in a 5, please refer to Coming to Grips with the New GMAT Scores.  The analysis below refers to the traditional GMAT test. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized test that measures the abilities of prospective MBA students in analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. Your GMAT score provides business schools with a standardized measure of your academic skills and aptitudes that can be compared to those of other applicants and indicates Read more
Published: March 9, 2023
GMAC Announces New GMAT Format: GMAT Focus Edition
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) will be rolling out a new format for the GMAT later this year, as shared in an email update from the CEO, Joy Jones. The revamped test is called the GMAT™ Focus Edition. In explaining the decision-making process for the changes, the GMAC CEO shared, “…over the past two years, we have been working collaboratively with business school professionals representing a wide mix of program types and sizes from around the world and conducted in-depth concept testing with candidates globally representing a mix of demographic characteristics.” What will change? “Redesigned with candidates and business Read more
Published: October 20, 2022
Webinar: To Test or Not to Test: An Open Conversation About the Role of a GMAT Waiver in MBA Admissions
“Should I request a GMAT waiver?” A common question in today’s MBA Admissions environment along with “Can I get admitted if I request a test waiver?” and “Can I still get a job if I have an MBA without GMAT?” Clear Admit partnered with Carnegie Mellon Tepper to discuss these topics and more in an open conversation about the role of test waivers in MBA Admissions.  J.R. McGrath, the Executive Director of Masters Admissions at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business and Mike Tarantino from the Clear Admit team led the conversation and took plenty of questions from Read more
Published: June 28, 2022
Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores for Top European Business Schools
If you completed the new GMAT Focus edition, now simply referred to as the GMAT, with a score ending in a 5, please refer to Coming to Grips with the New GMAT scores. The analysis below refers to the traditional GMAT test. We’ve compiled the average GMAT scores for the top European business schools in the chart below. See where your GMAT score lands or, if you have yet to take the GMAT, get a sense of what score you need to target to be competitive. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic Read more
Published: May 31, 2022
What Are M7 Business Schools?
In U.S. graduate management education, the M7 business schools are considered to be the seven best in the space. They offer elite MBA programs and are known for their highly selective admissions processes—it’s no wonder the “M” stands for “magnificent.” Which Business Schools Comprise the M7? The schools that make up the M7 include: Columbia Business School (CBS) Harvard Business School (HBS) MIT Sloan School of Management (MIT Sloan) Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern Kellogg) Stanford University Graduate School of Business (Stanford GSB) Read more
Published: September 17, 2020
MIT Sloan Waives Standardized Testing for 2020-2021 Admissions Cycle
MIT’s Sloan School of Management has opted to waive the GMAT and GRE requirement for the 2020-2021 MBA admissions cycle. While the school maintains that standardized tests are important to the evaluation process, the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic are too numerous and widespread to justify the requirement for candidates. Some schools chose to waive the standardized testing requirements during the spring and summer rounds of 2020 due to limited testing accessibility. While the GMAT and GRE are now online for many, they are not available in all areas, nor do all users have the technology necessary to Read more
Published: April 15, 2020
Compare the GRE at Home vs. GMAT Online
Chances are, your checklist for applying to business school includes the GRE or GMAT.  Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, test centers have been forced to suspend operations.  In response, ETS introduced an at-home option for the GRE and TOEFL in late March.  Subsequently, GMAC started offering the GMAT online. Now, current MBA applicants, who had plans to take the GRE or GMAT at a test center, can take either exam online.  Of course, there are conditions and restrictions to ensure fair testing.  For example, both require a camera and a microphone Read more

MBA Applywire

14
October 14, 2026 2:04pm ET
Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Chicago Booth, Columbia Business School, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, London Business School, Michigan / Ross, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg, Oxford / Saïd, Penn / Wharton, Stanford GSB, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Consulting
Post MBA Career: Energy, Other Industries
GRE: 333
GPA: 3.4
Years of Work Experience: 7
Location: India
Post MBA Location: US/Europe
Notes:

2 years in family business after undergrad. And in my 4th job in 5 years - have been working with BCG as consultant on contract for 2 years now (project has social impact - affordable digital access angle)

Worked for 2.5 years in social impact sector. Before that 1 year 3 months in KPMG as data science consultant.
4
October 13, 2026 1:16pm ET
Applying: Columbia Business School, Duke / Fuqua, MIT Sloan, Northwestern / Kellogg
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Technology
Post MBA Career: Consulting
GRE: 167
GPA: -
EA: 167
Years of Work Experience: 6
Post MBA Location: US
8
October 6, 2026 7:05pm ET
Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, UVA / Darden, Yale SOM
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: NGO
Post MBA Career: Consulting
GRE: 320
GPA: 3.79
Years of Work Experience: 7
Location: NYC
6
October 3, 2026 10:42pm ET
Applying: Duke / Fuqua, Indiana / Kelley, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, Notre Dame / Mendoza, UVA / Darden
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Operations strategy
Post MBA Career: Consulting, Other Industries
GMAT: 645
GPA: 2.96
Years of Work Experience: 8
Location: USA
Post MBA Location: Midwest
Notes:

Veteran. Company sponsored.
5
October 2, 2026 2:40pm ET
Applying: Chicago Booth, Harvard Business School, Northwestern / Kellogg, Penn / Wharton, Stanford GSB
Intake Year: 2027
Pre-MBA Career: Analytics Consulting
Post MBA Career: Consulting
GRE: 333
GPA: 3.56
Years of Work Experience: 4
Location: India
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MBA LiveWire

October 15, 2026 11:36am ET
Accepted to Duke / Fuqua
Round: Early Decision
Received via phone October 15, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 7.8
GRE: 327
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting
Application Location: India
Juno Member: Not yet
October 15, 2026 11:18am ET
Interview Invite to Northwestern / Kellogg
Round: Round 1
Received via email October 15, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GPA: 3.39
GRE: 327
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting
Application Location: USA
Juno Member: Not yet
October 15, 2026 11:17am ET
Interview Invite to Northwestern / Kellogg
Round: Round 1
Received via email October 15, 2026
Standardized Test: GRE
GRE: 315
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Juno Member: Not yet
October 15, 2026 9:13am ET
Rejected at Harvard Business School
Round: Round 1
Received via portal on October 05, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.69
GMAT: 715
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting
Application Location: Chicago
Juno Member: Not yet
October 15, 2026 9:11am ET
Interview Invite to Yale SOM
Round: Round 1
Received via email on September 24, 2026
Standardized Test: GMAT
GPA: 3.69
GMAT: 715
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career: Consulting
Application Location: United States, Chicago
Juno Member: Not yet
View or Submit Entries
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