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Journalism of Courage
–Sonal Kapoor
Getting an MBA can be a big step in your career. Traditionally, you need a good GMAT score to get into a top business school, but things are changing now. Some of the best MBA programmes worldwide are starting to accept students without GMAT scores.
These programmes focus on your overall profile, not just a single test. They want to see your work experience, leadership skills, and how well you communicate. This is great news for working professionals who may not have time for the GMAT or who simply don’t perform well.
Here we have listed some most popular destinations that international students can explore for an MBA without the GMAT:
Founded in 1908, Kellogg offers a range of MBA options, including full-time, part-time, and executive programmes, catering to diverse student needs. It has collaborative environment and experiential learning opportunities. Students engage in team projects, case studies, and real-world business challenges, which prepare them for leadership roles.
While Kellogg typically requires GMAT scores for admission, it also considers applicants with significant professional experience or strong academic records. This flexibility allows a broader range of candidates to apply. The average GMAT score for admitted students is around 727.
The Mannheim Business School in Germany offers a highly regarded MBA programme that allows applicants to apply without a GMAT score under certain conditions. It is consistently ranked among the top business schools in Germany and Europe.
While a GMAT score is typically required, the school considers significant professional experience and academic achievements as alternatives. This flexibility makes the Mannheim MBA appealing to many candidates who may excel in practical business.
Additionally, Mannheim’s strong connections with leading companies provide valuable networking opportunities and internships.
RSM offers an International MBA programme where candidates can apply without GMAT scores if they have substantial professional experience or advanced degrees. It offers the RSM Business Admissions Test (BAT) as an alternative. RSM is recognised for its international orientation and strong connections with global businesses, providing students with valuable networking opportunities.
It is triple-crown accredited, meaning it meets the highest international standards in business education. The programme emphasises integrative learning, encouraging students to connect various business disciplines and think critically about complex issues.
The MIT Sloan Fellows MBA is a full-time one-year programme for mid-career professionals looking to develop leadership and management skills. It requires at least 10+ years of full-time work experience. GMAT (Focus Edition or 10th Edition) is not required for international applicants.
MIT Sloan is a top 10 business school known for its challenging programme and focus on analytics and quant. It gets many apps every year and has an acceptance rate of 17.8 per cent. For the Class of 2025, MIT Sloan had 5,317 apps for the MBA programmes. 96.6 per cent of MIT Sloan graduates are employed within three months of graduation.
Located in Los Angeles, UCLA Anderson is one of the top business schools in the world. It offers a variety of MBA specializations, such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and technology management. What’s great about UCLA Anderson is that it provides a GMAT waiver for admission to its MBA programmes. Instead of the GMAT, you can submit GRE or Executive Assessment (EA) test scores.
If you choose not to submit a GMAT score, you’ll need to show proof of your quantitative and analytical skills. This can be done through a short essay where you highlight relevant coursework, certifications, or professional experience. It’s also helpful to demonstrate past success in subjects like business, economics, or STEM fields to strengthen your application without a test score.
ESSEC Business School (Asia-Pacific Campus) in Singapore is a well-respected institution with a 91 per cent placement rate within six months of graduation. It offers a Global MBA and several Executive MBA programmes, all known for their international focus and personalised learning experiences. Ranked among the top business schools globally, ESSEC helps students develop skills needed in luxury, finance, and consulting.
While the average GMAT score for students is around 680, applicants can still apply without a GMAT score if they have strong professional experience or academic qualifications. Most candidates have between 3 to 10 years of work experience, with an average of about 6 years. If you choose not to submit a GMAT score, you can provide GRE scores or relevant professional qualifications instead.
The MBA programmes at the University of Warwick are well-known for their quality. The full-time MBA is often ranked among the top MBA programmes worldwide. Applicants need to submit scores from standardised tests like GMAT, GRE, or the Warwick Test. While there isn’t a minimum score requirement, competition for admission is tough. The average GMAT score for current students is 670, and for the GMAT Focus Edition, it’s 615.
Warwick also offers its own test, the Warwick Test. This test is taken after the interview stage of the application process. Overall, getting into the MBA programme at Warwick requires strong academic and professional backgrounds due to its competitive acceptance rate of about 33 per cent.
Located in Canberra, Australia’s capital, the Australian National University (ANU) is ranked 1st in Australia and 30th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. The ANU MBA programme usually requires a GMAT score of at least 600, but it may accept students without a GMAT under certain conditions.
For example, if you complete the Evidence-Based Management EdX MicroMasters with at least 70 per cent on the final exam, that can replace the GMAT requirement. You can also qualify by finishing an ANU Graduate Certificate of Management with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0.
The MBA programme at ANU focuses on evidence-based management, teaching students how to make decisions based on data and solve complex business problems. The university has a diverse campus with students from different countries, providing global perspectives and connections. ANU also offers several scholarships based on academic merit and financial need.
If you want to avoid taking the GMAT, it’s important to research each programme’s specific requirements. With the right preparation, an MBA can provide a top-notch education and great career opportunities around the world.
(The writer is the Chief Commercial Officer at Prodigy Finance)
