Does LBS offer GMAT waivers for their MBA program?

Question

S Raghav · Accepted Answer

No, LBS does not offer GMAT waivers for its MBA program. Every applicant, regardless of work experience or academic background, must submit a GMAT, GMAT Focus, or GRE score. So it&rsquo;s important to prepare well and not rely on any exceptions. If someone is worried about test performance, it&rsquo;s better to invest in a strong study plan and aim for at least a 700 GMAT or equivalent GRE. That effort shows up on the application and in interview invites.

kritika K · Answer

There&rsquo;s no GMAT or GRE waiver for the LBS MBA, unlike some schools, LBS keeps this requirement firm.
&bull; Every MBA applicant must submit a valid GMAT, GMAT Focus, or GRE score before applying.
&bull; Even top performers with CFA, CPA, or Ivy League degrees aren&rsquo;t exempt.
&bull; The policy helps LBS maintain a fair and consistent evaluation across a highly global applicant pool.
&bull; It&rsquo;s different for other LBS programs like the Masters in Finance, where CFA Level II holders may get a waiver, but not for the MBA.
&bull; Anyone planning to apply should start test prep early to avoid delays in application rounds.
Skipping the test isn&rsquo;t an option here, LBS is clear and strict about it.

Mansih K · Answer

LBS has a clear policy &mdash; no test waivers allowed. All candidates must submit a valid GMAT, GMAT Focus, or GRE.

Admissions wants to see consistent, comparable metrics across every applicant, so there&rsquo;s no route to skip the test.
Previous degrees or professional qualifications don&rsquo;t substitute for a test score.
If someone needs to improve their test-taking strategy, they can consider online prep courses, mock tests, and a study timeline with small goals.
Early testing (6&ndash;8 months before the deadline) gives time to retake if needed.

So, budget time and resources for test prep rather than searching for a waiver.

Jayant M · Answer

No, London Business School does not offer GMAT waivers for its full-time MBA program. A valid GMAT, GMAT Focus, or GRE score is mandatory for all applicants, and this requirement is clearly stated on their official admissions page.
Even candidates with strong academic backgrounds, CFA qualifications, or extensive work experience are still required to submit a test score. LBS uses it as a consistent benchmark to evaluate candidates globally, especially given the program&rsquo;s competitive nature.
If test prep is a concern, it&rsquo;s better to explore programs like the LBS Masters in Finance, which does allow waivers in certain cases. But for the MBA, a test score is non-negotiable&mdash;best to plan for it early and aim for a competitive score.

V Ritik · Answer

No, LBS does not offer GMAT waivers for the full-time MBA. They expect every applicant to submit either a GMAT or a GRE score as part of the evaluation. The reason is simple &mdash; LBS gets a global applicant pool, and the test helps them benchmark academic readiness fairly across different backgrounds.
Even candidates with strong academic records or quant-heavy degrees still need to submit a score. If LBS is on your list, you should plan for GMAT or GRE because the application won&rsquo;t be reviewed without one.