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GRE and GMAT Test Waiver Options for Minnesota Carlson's Masters Programs

Monday, December 4, 2023

Last updated November 14, 2025
 

Test waiver, test optional…the language around test score requirements can get confusing.

At Minnesota Carlson, different master's programs have different GMAT and GRE test score submission requirements. We’ll go over these options and what they mean for your application.
 

How Does Submitting a GMAT/GRE Score Impact Your Carlson Application?

In general, test scores are used to assess whether you’ll be successful in a program from an academic perspective. It’s one way for admissions counselors to better understand your academic capabilities and basic skills.

At Carlson, the way test scores factor into your application depends on the program you’re applying to. Some programs do not require test scores at all, while others have test score waivers and other ways to opt out of test score submission if you meet certain criteria. There are three broad categories when it comes to test score submissions:

  1. Fully test optional
  2. Conditionally test optional
  3. Test required with waiver available

The Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations program has slightly different test score submission options and will be discussed separately from the above categories.

GMAT Waiver — Key Takeaways

  1. Determine if your specific program is test-optional or offers waivers, as requirements vary.
  2. Some programs will waive test scores if you meet specific GPA cutoffs.
  3. Even if waived, submitting a strong test score can improve your chances for scholarships and future recruiting.

 

Which Programs at Carlson Are Fully Test‑Optional?

What this means:

GMAT or GRE test scores are not required as a part of your application for the following programs:

However, you are welcome to submit a test score if you wish.

Admissions impact:

Not submitting a test score will not weaken your application. Your application will be considered complete if you choose not to submit a test score.

Considerations to make when deciding whether or not to include a test score:

If you get a very high test score and choose to include it as part of your application, it can boost your application.

 

Which Carlson Programs Are Conditionally Test‑Optional?

What this means:

If your cumulative undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) or you have an overall B grade equivalent on another scale, GMAT or GRE test scores are not required as part of your application for the following programs:

If your transcripts indicate grades lower than a 3.0 GPA or B average, you are required to submit a GMAT or GRE test score as part of your application to the above programs.

Admissions impact:

If your transcript indicates you do not meet our GPA/cumulative grade requirement and you do not submit a GMAT or GRE test score, your admissions decision may be severely delayed. Your application will not be moved forward in the admissions process until you’ve submitted a test score.

Considerations to make when deciding whether or not to include a test score:

  • Even if you meet the GPA/cumulative grade requirements for optional test score submission, a strong score can boost your application.
  • If you have lower grades in quantitative, technical/programming, and/or finance-related classes, it is strongly recommended that you include test scores even if you meet the GPA/grade requirements to opt out of test score submission.

 

Which Programs Require a Test But Allow a Waiver?

What this means:

You are required to submit test scores for the following programs:

For these programs, you can request a test waiver. If your test waiver is approved, you do not need to submit a test score. If your test waiver is not approved, you must submit a test score.

Eligibility criteria to request a test waiver:

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; and
  • Have a 3.2 GPA or higher (3.0 GPA or higher in STEM majors) in the 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

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.

Admissions impact:

Your application is considered incomplete and your admissions decision may be impacted if you do not submit a test score (unless you have been approved for a test waiver).

Considerations to make when deciding whether or not to request a test waiver:

  • Your test score is an additional data point that’s used to determine your qualification for merit-based scholarships, as well as reward amount.
  • Think about your overall profile, intended career, and whether including a test score can benefit your application.

 

What Are the Test/Readiness Options for the HR & Industrial Relations Master’s?

What they are:

If you’re applying to the human resources master’s program, you can choose to submit a GMAT or GRE test score or an academic readiness statement.

Academic readiness statement

The academic readiness statement is an essay that demonstrates the preparations you've made to be able to complete the program's curriculum. It should highlight:

  • Coursework and your academic performance in a relevant field, such as microeconomics, business administration, law, public policy, sociology, or industrial/organizational psychology
  • Summary of experience with industry research
  • Structured professional development activities
  • Quantitative work relevant for the field

Admissions impact:

Your application will be considered incomplete if it does not include either a test score or an academic readiness statement. This may delay your admissions decision and affect your admissions consideration.

Considerations to make when deciding what to submit:

GMAT or GRE test scores continue to be part of the program’s holistic admissions process.

  • You are encouraged to submit your test score if you believe it is reflective of your academic ability and potential.
  • If you feel test scores do not fully reflect your academic ability and potential, you may choose to submit the academic readiness statement.

 

How Should Career Goals Influence Your GMAT/GRE Decision?

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. It may be helpful to take the GMAT as part of your application process instead of during your graduate program. This way you can focus on your coursework and other goals when you are a graduate student.

 

What Key Tips & Reminders Should You Keep in Mind About GMAT/GRE Options?

  • You only need to send in one score. If you choose to send in multiple scores, we’ll take into account the highest score overall and for each section. Meet with an admissions counselor if you need help making a decision.
  • Test scores must be less than 5 years old.
  • There are no minimum GMAT or GRE score requirements for any of our programs, but it can be helpful to look at class profiles to see average scores.
    • For MS in Finance, we recommend a quantitative section score in the 70th percentile of either test.
    • For MS in Business Analytics, we recommend a quantitative section score in the 80th percentile of either test.
    • For the Master's in Human Resources program, most admitted applicants’ scores are in the 40th percentile or better on the verbal and quantitative sections of either test.
  • We do not have a preference for one test over the other for any program.

 

Program Application Requirement Pages

Check out the application requirements page for the program you’re interested in for complete test score details and recommendations.

 

Need more test scores and application help?

Meet with a counselor 

Schedule a 1-on-1 appointment with a Carlson School admissions counselor. They can help you assess whether you need to and/or should submit your GRE or GMAT test score.
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