You can still apply to top universities in the USA and Canada if you’re thinking about going to a MBA or a Masters in Management program but are unable to take the GMAT for whatever reason because many MBA programs and universities have waived the GMAT as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because it’s been difficult for some applicants to take the GMAT in time for application deadlines due to the closure of several testing centres or their limited availability. Don’t worry if you don’t have time to study for the GMAT because you can still pursue your academic objectives by applying to universities that don’t require GRE or provide waivers for the GMAT.
However, it is important to research the requirements and policies of your target schools. You may also want to reach out to the admissions office for guidance and to ask any questions you may have.
Here is an overview of the GMAT for students who are interested in taking it.
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardised exam that is frequently used by business schools to evaluate candidates for admission to MBA and other graduate business programs. The assessment assesses various skills, including analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. The GMAT is a computer-based exam that is available throughout the year at testing centres worldwide. The exam lasts roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes, including an Analytical Writing Assessment, an Integrated Reasoning section, a Quantitative section, and a Verbal section.
The Analytical Writing Assessment measures a candidate’s ability to analyse an argument and communicate their ideas effectively in writing. The Integrated Reasoning section assesses a candidate’s ability to evaluate and synthesise information from various sources and formats. The Quantitative section measures a candidate’s ability to interpret and analyse quantitative information and solve problems using mathematical concepts. The Verbal section assesses a candidate’s ability to read and comprehend written material, evaluate arguments, and analyse relationships among ideas.
When preparing for the GMAT, it is important to understand the exam format and content and to develop strategies for tackling each section. There are many resources available to help you prepare, including study guides, practice exams, and online courses. If you are considering applying to business school, it is a good idea to investigate the GMAT requirements for your target programs and plan your test preparation accordingly. Although the GMAT is only one aspect of the admissions process, a strong score can help demonstrate your academic abilities and increase your chances of being admitted to your desired program.
List of universities offering GMAT waiver:
- MIT (Sloan)
- University of Virginia (Darden)
- Rochester (Simon)
- SMU (Cox)
- Indiana (Kelley)
- Babson (Olin)
- College of William & Mary (Mason)
- University of Texas Dallas (Jindal)
- Michigan State (Broad)
- Maryland (Smith)
- Michigan (Ross)
- UT Austin (McCombs)
- Penn State (Smeal)
- University of Georgia (Terry)
- University of Arizona (Eller)
- University of Pittsburgh (Katz)
- Minnesota (Carlson)
- Fordham
- SUNY Buffalo
- Lancaster (UK)
- Bath (UK)
- Leeds (UK)
- University of Edinburgh (UK)
- Clarkson University
- Syracuse University (Whittman)
- Vanderbilt (Owen)
How to Build a strong profile when applying without GMAT?
If you don’t have a GMAT score and are applying to graduate school, there are several ways to build a strong profile and increase your chances of admission:
1. Focus on your academic performance: Your academic record becomes even more important without a standardised test score. Make sure you have a strong GPA and take challenging courses that showcase your academic ability and potential.
2. Emphasise your work experience: If you have relevant work experience, highlight it in your application. Be sure to mention any leadership roles, projects you have managed, or accomplishments that demonstrate your skills and experience.
3. Highlight your extracurricular activities: Extracurricular activities can demonstrate your leadership, teamwork, and community involvement. Include any relevant extracurricular activities in your application, such as volunteer work, internships, or leadership roles in student organisations.
4. Provide strong letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation can provide valuable insight into your abilities and potential. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths and potential as a graduate student.
5. Write a compelling essays/personal statement: Your essays/personal statement is your chance to showcase your personality, goals, and motivation for pursuing graduate studies. Use this opportunity to demonstrate your passion for your chosen field and explain how your experiences and achievements have prepared you for graduate school.
6. Highlight any publications, presentations, or research projects: If you have any publications, presentations, or research projects, make sure to highlight them in your application. This can help demonstrate your research potential and showcase your skills and expertise in your field.
Remember that a strong standardised test score can be helpful, but it’s not the only factor
that admissions committees consider. By building a strong overall profile and emphasising
your strengths and achievements, you can increase your chances of admission even without
a GMAT score.
EdElevate’s expert guidance
Want to get started on your journey to your favourite university?
Our expert counsellors at EdElevate will guide you and help you throughout your application process with our unique offering of customised admission mentoring based on your interests, with coverage of the best colleges in every discipline. Right from choosing the best study abroad option for you to mentor you, to building a strong profile, we offer a variety of services to assist students in realising their dream of study abroad.
Apart from offering mentorship to students, we provide assistance in crucial admission processes including shortlisting universities based on the student’s unique profile and area of interest, essay ideation and brainstorming, essay review, reference letter and resume reviews, interview preparation sessions, and more.
With all of these advantages, EdElevate is the greatest place for you to join and work toward your dream of studying abroad and establishing a successful profession.
Attend a Discovery session at EdElevate today to chart out your road to success!
