Guide to Full-Time MBA Standardized Test Options and Waivers

As we enter the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, Texas McCombs is proud to continue to offer applicants standardized test flexibility while maintaining our commitment to academic excellence. Preparing for and taking an MBA admissions exam is one of the best ways to get your mind back into academic mode as you prepare for business school.

Texas McCombs MBA admissions is excited to share that Full-Time MBA candidates will continue to have several options when considering how to complete the standardized test requirement in their application. All applicants are required to submit a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA) score. We will waive the testing requirement if:

• Expired (taken 5+ years ago) GMAT, GRE, or EA score is submitted

or

• General Test Waiver (merit-based) is submitted and approved by the Admissions Committee

Standardized exams like the GMAT, GRE, and EA evaluate a candidate’s academic preparedness for the rigor of business school and is one metric used to compare candidates within a large pool of applicants.

In addition, studying for and taking the exam – for some, even taking it multiple times – can show the Admissions Committee your commitment to the competitive business school application process and how you may approach academic challenges as a student.

This post contains a lot of information, broken down into four sections:

• Should I Petition for a Test Waiver?
• Which Exam is Right for You?
• Impact of Your Test Score
• Submitting Your Chosen Test

SHOULD I PETITION FOR A TEST WAIVER?

To be considered for a test waiver, an applicant must have:

• A minimum of three years* of substantive and progressing post-undergraduate work experience, preferably of an analytical or quantitative nature.

AND at least one of the following:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree, with strong academic record, preferably with analytical or quantitative courses.
• Completion of a graduate degree, with strong academic record, preferably in an analytical or quantitative discipline.

The Admissions Committee will be reviewing your academic history closely, with a focus on analytical or quantitative courses. To improve chances of petition approval, we highly advise applicants to have an overall GPA of 3.0 or more.

*Three years by the time you would begin classes in the Fall of your first year. 

WHICH EXAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

The Admissions Committee does not prefer one test over the other in terms of demonstrating your preparedness for business school, but it is important to think about which exam is best for you as an individual. There are different reasons to consider taking the GMAT vs the GRE vs the EA.

While the GMAT and GRE tests both have quantitative and verbal sections, they have noticeable differences. We encourage you to do your research and take practice tests to learn each test’s points of emphasis, and how they are scored.

Both The GMAT and GRE are adaptive, which means that your success in answering questions correctly has an impact on the future questions you are given. But the tests deliver adaptive questions in different ways.

• The GMAT is adaptive by question. When you get an answer correct, the next question is more difficult, and when you get an answer wrong, the next question is less difficult. This also means that once you answer a question, you can’t go back to that question.
• The GRE is adaptive by section. If you do well on the first verbal section, you get a more difficult version of the next verbal section and vice versa.

We have included some more details about the GMAT, GRE, and EA below, but if you are unsure which exam is best for you, here are our tips:

• We recommend taking some practice tests! There’s a chance you may be more comfortable with one test format over the other. At the end of the day, the choice of which exam to take is yours.
• Build in study time and leave yourself enough room on the calendar to retake an exam if necessary. If you’re not happy with your score, you can retake either test. While many candidates take the test only once thinking it will fulfill the requirement, others recognize that a second effort is likely to yield improvement. It comes at the cost of additional time and another test fee, but the payoff can be significant if it makes you a stronger candidate.
• Make sure you submit your application as confidently as possible and with a score you feel good about.

GMAT

For many years, the GMAT was the only standardized test accepted by business schools, but in the last decade, that has changed. Like Texas McCombs, many schools accept the GMAT, GRE, and EA with no preference for one test over another. However, it’s important to be aware that the GMAT is still used by some large consulting and investment banking companies as a baseline qualifier for the recruiting process. If consulting or I-banking are in your sights, this means that the GMAT is the best choice.

The Fine Print: Not ALL consulting and investment banking firms look at your GMAT – boutique consulting firms, for example, typically do not ask for your score. So, this is not a one-size-fits-all rule but is something to consider if those industries are of interest to you. 

GRE

Sometimes the GRE is the best choice for applicants who have already completed a Master’s degree or those who are pursuing their MBA in conjunction with other Master’s degrees, for example, our dual degree programs. Taking only the GRE allows you to apply to both programs separately with one score, a convenience factor that most dual-degree applicants appreciate.

Executive Assessment (EA)

In 2016 GMAC (who also administers the GMAT exam) saw the need for a new exam, designed specifically for the needs of MBA applicants who have a significant amount of work experience.

Today, almost 100 MBA programs, Full-Time, Professional, and Executive, accept the EA. Unlike the GMAT or GRE, the EA is a readiness exam and a benchmark for academic preparedness.

Learn more about the EA at gmac.com/executive-assessment.

IMPACT OF A TEST SCORE

Understanding the potential impact of your test score goes beyond just meeting an application requirement. Your score can influence multiple aspects of your MBA journey, from your admissions prospects to future career opportunities. Let’s explore how your test performance might shape your path at Texas McCombs and beyond.

Future Employment

Before you make a final decision on your testing options or a waiver petition, it’s best to research some of your target companies or industries and determine two things:

• The extent to which they evaluate a test score in reviewing job candidates.
• Whether they have a preference for one of the tests. At McCombs, we have found that most top-tier consulting and investment banking firms do ask for a candidate’s test scores, and both industries historically have favored the GMAT.

You should consider taking the GMAT, GRE or EA as another opportunity to not only impress the Admissions Committee, but also potential employers.

Academic History

Does your undergraduate or graduate transcript accurately reflect your academic ability? If your GPA is low, and you do not submit a strong test score, the Admissions Committee may have concerns about your ability to succeed in the rigorous MBA curriculum.

One other factor to consider is whether your quantitative ability shines elsewhere in your application. While many of our MBA students come to McCombs from non-quantitative majors, these applicants are typically able to prove their quantitative prowess through their test scores. If you come from a non-quantitative background and do not submit a strong test score, you will need to find other areas within your background or experience that can demonstrate your quantitative skills.

At the end of the day, we want to make sure that you are set up to succeed academically in the program. If the Admissions Committee has concerns about your quantitative ability, it may impact your chance of admission, or you may be required to complete pre-MBA coursework prior to admission and/or prior to enrollment.

Scholarships

Scholarship awards are competitive and limited in number. Scholarship decisions are based on a longstanding holistic review process that considers your entire application and serves to assess the overall strength of your candidacy, including readiness for academic rigor, career goals, leadership potential, and fit with our program culture.  Submitting a strong, valid test score will give the Admissions Committee an additional, relevant data point that may strengthen a candidate’s position for scholarship awards.

SUBMITTING YOUR CHOSEN TEST

Once you’ve decided on the test or waiver that best aligns with your strengths and goals, it’s crucial to submit your scores correctly and on time. Here’s what you need to know:

• Self-reporting: Always self-report your scores in your application, regardless of which test you choose.
• Official reports: Ensure that official score reports are sent directly to UT-Austin by the testing agency.
• Timing: Be mindful of processing times. It can take up to 3-4 weeks for new scores to be processed, so plan accordingly.
• Online tests: If taking the GMAT, GRE, or EA online, allow up to two weeks to receive your score from the testing agency.
• Deadline adherence: Remember, you must have your test score in hand by the application deadline to submit your application.

By following these steps, you ensure that your chosen test score is properly considered as part of your application package.

Submitting Current GMAT, GRE, Or EA Scores

For current scores, you must self-report your test scores in your application as well as have official score reports sent directly to UT-Austin by the testing agency. The date your official scores are sent to UT-Austin by the testing agency should be no later than the application round deadline, as it can take up to 3-4 weeks for new scores to be processed. If you are taking the GMAT, GRE, or EA online, allow up to two weeks to receive your score from the testing agency. You must have your test score in hand by the application deadline to submit your application.

Submitting Expired GRE, GMAT, or EA Scores

For expired scores (5 years or older), you must self-report your score and upload proof of the test score in the application. Examples of proof for expired test scores include a score report you received previously from the testing agency OR documentation from another educational institution that previously received the score (e.g. for another graduate/terminal degree application).

Submitting a General Test Waiver Petition

To complete a merit-based test waiver petition, candidates must submit a short statement highlighting the merits of their request, an up-to-date resume, and undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts.

1. Create a UT EID if you do not already have one.
2. Submit the merit-based test waiver petition form prior to submitting your application. The merit-based test waiver petition form can also be accessed via the test scores section of the application. UT EID Log-in is required.

Approval for the test waiver petition is merit-based and takes into account your work experience and academic history. The Admissions Committee will be assessing your academic and professional background, looking for evidence of demonstrated readiness – specifically in quantitative subjects – for the rigorous MBA curriculum.

A decision on your test waiver petition will be shared via email 5-10 business days after petition submission. Test waiver petitions must be submitted no later than 7 days prior to the application deadline for the round to which you are applying.

Test waivers are not available for applicants who have already sent scores to UT-Austin.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We understand that each applicant brings a unique set of experiences and strengths to our program. Our flexible approach to standardized testing reflects our commitment to holistic admissions, allowing you to present your best self to the admissions committee.

As you evaluate your testing options or consider a test waiver petition, we challenge you to critically assess the quantitative data points in your application. Think carefully about what will truly strengthen your overall MBA candidacy. While some applicants may have a compelling case without a test score, others may significantly enhance their chances of admission (and potentially scholarship opportunities) by submitting a strong test result.

Remember, objectivity is key. Take a step back and evaluate how the quantitative aspects of your application—be it test scores, GPA, or professional achievements—come together to showcase your readiness for the rigors of our MBA program. This self-assessment will help ensure you put your best foot forward in the admissions process.

Whether you choose to take the GMAT, GRE, EA, or petition for a waiver, keep in mind that this is just one component of your application. Focus on presenting a well-rounded picture of your potential across all aspects of your candidacy. We’re excited to learn more about you and how you’ll contribute to and grow within the Texas McCombs community.

Visit Texas McCombs MBA to learn more about our programs and upcoming events, or take a peek into student life on Instagram. Check out our Application Process page for more information on application components. Please reach out to the MBA Admissions Team with any questions.