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How to Request a GRE/GMAT Test Waiver for Full-time and Management Science MBA

Monday, December 4, 2023

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The GMAT and GRE test waiver is only available for the Carlson School’s Full-Time MBA and Management Science MBA programs. For our other master's programs, GMAT or GRE test scores are either optional or not required. 

If you are applying to another program, visit that program’s requirements and deadlines page for test score requirements. You can also browse the Test Score Waivers and Options article for a comprehensive breakdown of options.

 

Before requesting a test waiver:

1. Check your eligibility.

To request a GMAT/GRE test waiver for the Full-Time or Science Management MBA application, you must meet the following minimum academic criteria:

  • Have a 4-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited university in the U.S. or its international equivalent
  • Have a 3.2 GPA or higher (3.0 GPA or higher in STEM majors) in your most recent degree earned

In addition, you must also demonstrate program readiness based on, but not limited to, at least one of the following criteria:

  • Progressively responsible, professional, full-time work experience
  • Completed graduate degree (master’s or doctoral)
  • Professional certifications of CPA or CFA
  • U.S. military service of 4 years, full-time

 

2. Decide if a waiver is right for you.

Here are a few considerations to make when deciding whether or not to request a test waiver:

  • The waiver review process can take up to 1 to 2 weeks. If your test waiver request is rejected, you will be required to submit GMAT/GRE scores. You may also be required to complete MBA Math and/or submit additional materials. Please factor these possibilities into your application timeline.
  • Your test score is an additional data point that will be used to determine your qualification for merit-based scholarships, as well as the reward amount. A strong test score can strengthen your overall academic profile. However, a GMAT/GRE waiver will not reduce your chances of receiving a scholarship.
  • Think about your overall profile, intended career, and if including a test score can benefit your application.
  • If you are interested in pursuing a career in consulting (especially at places like Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, and McKinsey) or investment banking, you should plan to take the GMAT as many of these firms may consider your score during the interview process.

 

3. Start your application.

Your application needs to be active before you request a test waiver. The following application items need to be completed before you can submit a test waiver request:

  • Unofficial transcript(s)
  • Resume
  • Quantitative abilities statement (optional)

Reminder: Submit your test waiver request as soon as you can. Do not wait to submit your test waiver request until your application is complete. This can delay your application review and you may be moved to another application round if the deadline has passed.

How to request a test waiver

  1. Sign into your application.
  2. Click on the “Admission Test Score Information” tab.
  3. Read through the test score information.
  4. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Request a Waiver.”
  5. Read through the conditions.
  6. Check the box to confirm you’ve read and understood the conditions.
  7. Click on the green continue button. You will be taken to the “Admission Test Waiver Request Form” page. There will also be a new tab added to your sidebar menu labeled “Admission Test Waiver Request."
  8. Click on the “Admission Test Waiver Request.”
  9. On the “Admission Test Waiver Request” page, read through the instructions and complete the checklist items.
    1. Items in red and with an empty checkbox mean they still need to be completed. Clicking on items in red and with an empty checkbox will take you to the page where the task can be completed.
    2. Items in green with a checked checkbox mean they already have been completed. Checklist items will turn from red with an empty checkbox to green with a checked checkbox once they’ve been completed.
  10. Once each item is completed, an additional empty checkbox will appear under it. Check the box to confirm each item has been completed and is accurate.
  11. Once all items are completed and checkboxes are checked, a “Submit” section will appear.
  12. Check the “Yes” option when you're ready to submit.
  13. Click the green continue button to submit your request. You won't be able to access the waiver request form once you’ve submitted your request.

 

Click through the slideshow below for a visual aid for the instructions above.

Admissions test waiver information tab highlighted in MBA application portal.
Step 1. After getting to your Full-Time or Management Science MBA application, click on the “Admission Test Score Information” tab.
Request a waiver option selected in drop-down on admissions test score information page in application.
Step 2. Once you've read through the test score information, select "Request a Waiver" from the drop-down menu for the test option question in bold.
Confirmation box checked and continue button highlighted on request test waiver page.
Step 3. Additional text will appear. Once you've read through and wish to continue with requesting a test waiver, select the checkbox and click continue.
Admissions Test Waiver Request tab in navigation menu highlighted in application portal.
Step 4. A new tab called "Admissions Test Waiver Request" will appear in the left-hand navigation menu. Your page should now say "Admissions Test Waiver" at the top. Read through the instructions and requirements before continuing.
Incompleted checklist items highlighted on test waiver request page.
Step 5. Complete checklist tasks. Tasks in red with an empty checkbox mean they still need to be completed. Clicking on tasks in red with an empty checkbox will take you to the page where the task can be completed. Tasks in green with a checked checkbox mean they already have been completed. Checklist tasks will turn from red with an empty checkbox to green with a checked checkbox once they’ve been completed.
Checklist item complete confirmation box highlighted on test waiver request page in application form.
Step 6. Once you've completed a task from the checklist, an empty checkbox will appear. Check the checkbox to confirm task is complete. Once all tasks are completed and checkboxes are checked, a “Submit” section will appear.
Test waiver request confirmation box checked and continue button highlighted on request page in application.
Step 7. Check the “Yes” option to submit your waiver. Click the green continue button to submit your request. You won't be able to access the waiver request form once you’ve submitted your request.
Admissions test waiver information tab highlighted in MBA application portal.
Step 1. After getting to your Full-Time or Management Science MBA application, click on the “Admission Test Score Information” tab.
Request a waiver option selected in drop-down on admissions test score information page in application.
Step 2. Once you've read through the test score information, select "Request a Waiver" from the drop-down menu for the test option question in bold.
Confirmation box checked and continue button highlighted on request test waiver page.
Step 3. Additional text will appear. Once you've read through and wish to continue with requesting a test waiver, select the checkbox and click continue.
Admissions Test Waiver Request tab in navigation menu highlighted in application portal.
Step 4. A new tab called "Admissions Test Waiver Request" will appear in the left-hand navigation menu. Your page should now say "Admissions Test Waiver" at the top. Read through the instructions and requirements before continuing.
Incompleted checklist items highlighted on test waiver request page.
Step 5. Complete checklist tasks. Tasks in red with an empty checkbox mean they still need to be completed. Clicking on tasks in red with an empty checkbox will take you to the page where the task can be completed. Tasks in green with a checked checkbox mean they already have been completed. Checklist tasks will turn from red with an empty checkbox to green with a checked checkbox once they’ve been completed.
Checklist item complete confirmation box highlighted on test waiver request page in application form.
Step 6. Once you've completed a task from the checklist, an empty checkbox will appear. Check the checkbox to confirm task is complete. Once all tasks are completed and checkboxes are checked, a “Submit” section will appear.
Test waiver request confirmation box checked and continue button highlighted on request page in application.
Step 7. Check the “Yes” option to submit your waiver. Click the green continue button to submit your request. You won't be able to access the waiver request form once you’ve submitted your request.

 

 

After you submit your request

You will receive your decision within 1-2 weeks. You won’t be able to submit your application in the meantime.

Return to the “Admission Test Score Information” tab to view your test waiver request decision.

 

Reminders

  • All test waivers are granted at the admissions committee’s discretion based on a holistic review of academic and professional accomplishments at the time of test waiver request submission.
  • Applying for the waiver does not guarantee it will be granted.
  • Receiving a waiver does not guarantee admission.
  • The waiver is only for the GMAT/GRE portion of the application and not for any other requirements of your application.

Request your test waiver through the application portal

Submit test waiver request

Need more assistance?

Meet with a counselor  

Schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with an admissions counselor. 

They can answer any questions you have regarding requesting test waivers for the Full-Time and Management Science MBA program.
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