Does INSEAD offer GMAT waivers for MBA applicants?

Question

Mohit C · Accepted Answer

INSEAD does not offer GMAT or GRE waivers for its MBA program. The school clearly states that submitting a valid GMAT or GRE score is a mandatory requirement for all applicants. This means that every candidate must complete one of these tests before submitting their application. 
While INSEAD does not set a minimum required score, it provides recommended benchmarks. For the GMAT Focus Edition, INSEAD suggests achieving at least the 60th percentile in the Verbal section and the 66th percentile in both the Quantitative and Data Insights sections. For the older GMAT version, a score at or above the 70th percentile in both the Quantitative and Verbal sections is recommended. 
If you are considering applying to INSEAD's MBA program, it's essential to plan accordingly and ensure you have a valid GMAT or GRE score as part of your application package.

kritika K · Answer

INSEAD doesn&rsquo;t allow GMAT waivers for its MBA, submitting a test score is mandatory for all applicants.

Either GMAT Focus or GRE is accepted, but one of them is required.
There&rsquo;s no exemption, even for candidates with strong academic or professional credentials.
The policy is clearly stated on INSEAD&rsquo;s admissions website.
Applications without a test score are considered incomplete and won&rsquo;t be reviewed.
Plan to take the test early so it&rsquo;s ready before submitting your application.

No test score means no application, there&rsquo;s no workaround for this requirement.

Jayant M · Answer

No, INSEAD does not offer GMAT or GRE waivers for its MBA program. Every applicant is required to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score as part of the application&mdash;there are no exceptions.
This applies regardless of academic background, CFA certification, or years of experience. INSEAD uses the test to assess academic readiness and to ensure consistency across a highly competitive global applicant pool.
If planning to apply, make sure to take the GMAT Focus or GRE before the deadline, as the application won&rsquo;t be considered without it.

B.K Sharma · Answer

INSEAD does not offer GMAT or GRE waivers for its MBA program &mdash; every applicant must submit a valid test score. This rule applies to all candidates, regardless of academic background or work experience.
While there&rsquo;s no minimum cutoff, INSEAD shares recommended score ranges. For the GMAT Focus Edition, aim for at least the 60th percentile in Verbal and 66th percentile in Quant and Data Insights. For the classic GMAT, a 70th percentile or higher in both Verbal and Quant keeps you in the competitive range.
So, even though there&rsquo;s no waiver, scoring near these benchmarks signals readiness for INSEAD&rsquo;s rigorous coursework and boosts overall application strength.

Divakshi Arora · Answer

Many applicants hope INSEAD might grant a GMAT waiver, but that&rsquo;s not an option &mdash; the school requires every MBA candidate to submit a GMAT or GRE.
&bull; There&rsquo;s no exemption, even for applicants with CFA, PhDs, or extensive work experience. &bull; INSEAD uses the test to assess analytical and verbal readiness in a standardized way. &bull; For the GMAT Focus Edition, the target is roughly 60th percentile Verbal and 66th percentile Quant/Data Insights. &bull; On the older GMAT, aim for around the 70th percentile in both sections to stay competitive.
So if you&rsquo;re applying to INSEAD, plan to take one of these tests &mdash; it&rsquo;s part of the process for everyone.