Can I study abroad without giving the GMAT exam?

Question

Isha B · Accepted Answer

Yes, you definitely can study abroad without giving the GMAT exam. Many good business schools offer GMAT waivers or have programs that don&rsquo;t need the GMAT at all&mdash;especially if you have strong work experience, a good academic record, or a master&rsquo;s degree already.
Schools like INSEAD, HEC Paris, and even some US and UK universities consider your overall profile. They might ask for other things instead&mdash;like strong essays, recommendation letters, or even GRE scores. So, if GMAT feels like a roadblock, don&rsquo;t worry. You still have plenty of good options to study abroad.
Read this BLOG to understand how you can still pursue your MBA dream without giving GMAT

Harshal G · Answer

It&rsquo;s definitely possible to study abroad without giving the GMAT, depending on the course and the country. Some MBA programs waive GMAT requirements for candidates with 5+ years of progressive professional experience, strong leadership roles, or a high undergraduate GPA from a recognized university.
In the U.S., schools like Kellogg and MIT Sloan offered test waivers during recent cycles to applicants who could demonstrate quantitative and analytical skills through prior academics or career achievements. In Europe, ESSEC Business School grants GMAT waivers for applicants with strong academic backgrounds, while ESMT Berlin waives it if you already hold a degree in a STEM field or business-related major with excellent grades.
Master&rsquo;s degrees like MiM, MFin, and Business Analytics in places like France, Germany, and the Netherlands often don&rsquo;t require GMAT at all, especially if the bachelor's degree is closely related to business or quantitative subjects.

Karan P · Answer

Yes, you can study abroad without giving the GMAT exam. Many top business schools now offer GMAT waivers or even have full-time MBA and MiM programs that don&rsquo;t need a GMAT score. These schools focus more on your full profile&mdash;like your academics, work experience, essays, and interviews.
Some schools also accept other tests like the GRE, or they might not ask for any test at all if you have strong experience. In recent years, schools like IE Business School, Warwick, and even some U.S. colleges have become flexible about GMAT.
So if you are worried about the GMAT, don&rsquo;t stress. It&rsquo;s not the only way to get into a good program. Just make sure the rest of your profile is strong, and you can still get into a top business school.

Aarushi S · Answer

Yes, it&rsquo;s possible to study abroad for a master's or MBA without giving the GMAT. Many universities offer GMAT waivers if you meet certain conditions like having a high undergraduate GPA (usually above 3.5/4.0), several years of strong work experience (often 5+ years), or holding another advanced degree like a master's or a CFA level qualification.
For example, HEC Paris offers GMAT waivers for MBA candidates with exceptional academic records or extensive leadership experience. IE Business School allows applicants to skip GMAT if they perform well on their internal IE Global Admissions Test. In the UK, many MiM and MSc programs like those at London Business School accept students without GMAT if their transcripts show strong quantitative skills, like majors in economics, engineering, or math.