MBA Test Requirements 2020-2021
MBA test requirements have seen unprecedented change this year, as many leading business schools have loosened their standardized testing requirements in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some programs, this means accepting tests other than the GMAT and GRE. For others, this involves flexibility on when candidates submit their test scores – if they’re required at all.
Overall, we’re seeing four “flavors” of testing requirements posted by leading MBA programs for the 2020-2021 admissions season:
- Required to apply: Candidates must submit a valid test score by the application deadline
- Required to enroll: Candidates may submit an application without taking a standardized test, but must submit a valid test score before matriculating
- Test optional: Candidates may submit an application and enroll without taking a standardized test
- Waiver or exemption offered: Candidates may request a waiver to apply and enroll without taking a standardized test, whether due to exam inaccessibility or demonstrated strength in other areas of their candidacy.
Not able to take the GMAT or GRE by the application deadline? We’ve compiled the test requirements for a number of leading MBA programs in the table below to help you assess your options.
MBA Test Requirements 2020-2021
Table last updated: 9/28/2020
| School | Required to Apply | Required to Enroll | Test Optional | Waiver Offered | Tests Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Booth | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Columbia | x | GMAT, GRE, EA | |||
| Darden | x | GMAT, GRE, EA, LSAT, MCAT | |||
| Fuqua | x | GMAT, GRE, EA | |||
| Haas | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| HBS | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Indiana Kelley | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| INSEAD | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Johnson | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Kellogg | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Kenan-Flagler | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| LBS | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| McCombs | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| McDonough | x | GMAT, GRE, EA | |||
| MIT Sloan | x | GMAT, GRE, EA | |||
| Minnesota Carlson | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| NYU Stern | x | GMAT, GRE, EA, LSAT, MCAT, DAT | |||
| OSU Fisher | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Ross | x | GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, DAT, PCAT | |||
| Stanford GSB | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Tepper | x | GMAT preferred, GRE accepted | |||
| Tuck | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| UCI Merage | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| USC Marshall | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Wharton | x | GMAT, GRE | |||
| Yale SOM | x | GMAT, GRE, EA |
Notes
Read on for a bit more information on the MBA testing requirements of policies of programs that don’t require a valid test score to submit an application.
- Darden: Test waiver available for candidates with demonstrated quantitative strength across several domains.
- INSEAD: Due to COVID-19, candidates may submit an application without a standardized test score, but must submit a valid score in order to enroll.
- Kellogg: Candidates who are not able to test may submit an application without a score; however, they must submit a valid score prior to enrolling.
- Kenan-Flagler: Test waiver available based on degrees earned, academic experience, professional milestones
- MIT Sloan: Test optional; candidates can submit application without a test score and will not be required to submit a score in order to enroll.
- McCombs: Candidates who are unable to take a standardized test at home or at a testing center may petition for an exemption.
- Ross: Waivers are available to candidates whose ability to sit for a standardized test has been impacted by the pandemic.
- Indiana/Kelley: Candidates may apply for a waiver of this requirement and submit other evidence of their academic qualifications.
- Minnesota/Carlson: GMAT/GRE waivers available if specific academic and work experience requirements are met.
MBA Applywire
Background: 27, male, SouthAsia (non Indian). Top national undergrad, GPA just under 3, strong GRE (330/167Q).
Experience 5 years: Founder of a cross border consumer-electronics venture (led a successful B2B pivot) operating over 3 continents, and Director of Ops & Supply Chain at a Regional distribution company (in a similar domain to my own business).
Leadership: Elected civic role (thousands of constituents); founded an award-winning COVID relief effort.
Goals: Short-term consulting (MBB/T2, ops & transformation). long-term to build an advisory firm for emerging-market SMEs.
I have a strong academic background and a multidisciplinary profile across economics, technology policy, and social impact. I scored 92.4% in Class 12 and completed my undergraduate degree from a Tier-I college under the University of Delhi with a CGPA of 8.54/10. I further pursued a one-year full-time Post Graduate Diploma from the Indian Statistical Institute, where I scored 76.3% and graduated as the topper of my batch.
Professionally, I have around 4.5 years of experience across the tech policy and social impact consulting space. I began my career as an economist at a boutique technology policy consulting firm, where I worked on research and advisory projects at the intersection of digital economy, regulation, and public policy. I then worked closely with a state government as part of a fellowship, gaining hands-on experience in policy implementation and government systems. Currently, I work with a prominent Section 8 company in the e-commerce space, contributing to initiatives focused on digital commerce, inclusion, and ecosystem development.
Overall, my profile brings together strong quantitative training, policy experience, government exposure, and impact-oriented work in India’s digital economy.
Experience includes technical leadership, instructor tenure and digital transformation initiatives. Led cross functional teams and managed projects with multiple stakeholders.
Preference for STEM designated MBA. Scholarship opportunities are a major factor in school selection.
Would appreciate feedback on whether my profile is better suited for consulting or PM roles post MBA?
I want to provide a clear picture of my background, impact, and what drives me. I hold a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering, but I pivoted my career to finance, strategy, and operations. My profile is defined by hands-on business operations, a strong "Builder/Product" mindset in consulting, and community leadership.
Early Business Foundations (Family Automotive Business):
Before entering corporate consulting, I worked as a Digital Operations & Strategy Analyst at my family's automotive business. I transitioned the company from a low-foot-traffic physical storefront to an inbound digital sales model. I managed a rotating digital inventory of 20-25 vehicles across major automotive marketplaces. I also conducted pricing analysis using national pricing index trends and tested multiple acquisition channels to focus exclusively on high-intent leads. This hands-on commercial experience was the catalyst for my pivot into corporate strategy.
Professional Impact & Tech Automations (Big 4 Firm - Risk Consulting):
Currently, I work as a Business Consultant in Risk Advisory at a Big 4 firm, executing SOX controls testing for enterprise clients across 10+ countries. In my daily routine, I actively hunt for operational bottlenecks. For example, in a recent project auditing an industrial automation multinational, my team was tasked with manually reviewing 104 complex contracts and measurement bulletins. Recognizing the severe inefficiency, I mapped the workflow and implemented an AI-driven solution using Microsoft Copilot, Python, and VBA to extract data directly from system prints. Furthermore, I utilized DataSnipper and custom AI prompts to eliminate manual data entry, directly contributing to the fastest Phase 3 SOX delivery in the client's history for the EME region. I also acted as the sole regional beta tester for the firm's proprietary GenAI platform, providing direct UX and functional feedback to the US-based Product Management team.
Extracurricular Leadership (The Community Builder):
Outside of the corporate world, I am the Co-Founder and Treasurer of a local non-profit baseball association. I built custom Excel tracking models for our P&L and drove recurring revenue through multi-year commercial partnerships at major regional cultural events. I spearheaded grassroots expansion by partnering with local schools, successfully scaling the active organization to over 120 engaged community members.
Post-MBA Goals:
I am targeting MBB consulting post-MBA to rapidly pay off potential debt and solidify my strategic acumen. This will function as a direct stepping stone into my ultimate goal: Senior Product Management (Tech PM) at a Big Tech firm.