I studied at an IIT and worked at McKinsey for 2 years. Do I still need to take GMAT or can I apply for a waiver?

Question

Divakshi Arora · Accepted Answer

A GMAT or GRE score is still required at most top MBA programs, even for applicants from IIT and McKinsey. Schools like INSEAD, Wharton, and LBS don&rsquo;t offer waivers at all. Others like Duke Fuqua, Georgetown, or Foster do, but the criteria vary widely.
Some schools require a formal request before the main application; others decide based on academic transcripts and work history. A few may expect additional essays or certifications like CFA to support the waiver.
The safest approach is to shortlist target programs and check their waiver policy directly on their site. Don&rsquo;t assume that a strong profile guarantees an exemption, schools use the GMAT to compare across global applicant pools, and many top-tier applicants still submit scores to stay competitive.

Jayant M · Answer

An IIT degree and two years at McKinsey make for a standout profile, but that alone doesn&rsquo;t guarantee a GMAT waiver, what matters is how the rest of the application supports it.
If applying to schools that allow waivers, include your undergrad GPA, strong grades in quant-heavy subjects like calculus or stats, and specific examples of analytical work you&rsquo;ve done, think market sizing, modeling, or client presentations. These show you&rsquo;ve already mastered what the GMAT tests.
Also add leadership examples, if you&rsquo;ve led a team, owned a project, or trained others, it helps cover the verbal reasoning piece. A clear, focused waiver letter tying all this together can really make a difference.
Waiver policies differ school to school, so always check first, but if the foundation is solid and the application backs it up, your case can be strong without a test score.