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MBA Programs With No GMAT or GRE: Do Employers Care?

Master of Business Administration Master's Degree Business Programs Choosing a School Careers

If skipping the GMAT or GRE test to get into an MBA program is on the top of your list, no problem. Some of the best MBA degree programs don’t require it.

But what about employers? Does it matter to them if you enroll in an MBA program with no Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE)? How does not taking the GMAT or GRE affect your future job prospects?

According to labor market analytics company Lightcast, the MBA is the most popular master’s degree program in the country with 105,395 completions in 2021.

MBAs Do Matter, GMAT and GRE Scores Don’t

But back to the GMAT and the GRE. Where do they fit into getting your MBA and your future career?

Well, imagine you’re meeting with a hiring manager about one of those job openings, or meeting with your boss about a promotion. Of all the questions they’ll ask in your job interview, it’s highly unlikely that they will ask what your GMAT or GRE score was nor will they ask how you ranked.

Don’t believe it? Do a quick internet search using the key phrase “job opportunities+MBA required.” The results will speak for themselves with job titles coming back for CEO, financial manager, management consultant, investment banker, operations research analyst and health services manager.

Now, look closely at the job description. Do they mention the GRE or GMAT exam or your score? Nope. That’s because top employers are looking for MBA graduates who will be outstanding top leaders.

Remember, it’s the MBA, not the GRE or GMAT exam score, that’s the measurement of success.

What Employers Really Think About MBA Program GMAT and GRE

Now, take yourself back to the interview. Do you really think a hiring manager will ask you for the play-by-play on your GMAT or GRE? Do you really think they’ll grill you on why you chose the GMAT over the GRE or vice versa?

No, they probably won’t. And here’s why:

DON’T KNOW
Unless they took the exam, most employers have no clue about the GMAT or GRE.

DON’T CARE
Because talking about GMAT and GRE test scores can feel anywhere from boring to cringy, it usually doesn’t even come up.

MORE IMPORTANT THINGS
Employers want to hear why you're the best person to move their organization forward. Better to talk about your capabilities, including your critical thinking and problem solving skills.

GMAT/GRE: A Measurement Test

There’s nothing wrong with the GMAT and GRE or with degree programs that require it. But there’s nothing magical about them, either. The truth is, these nearly four-hour exams aren’t meant to gauge your tenacity, innovation or leadership capabilities.

Like all tests, the GRE and GMAT are simply measurement tools. Nothing more. Nothing less. And for college and university admissions counselors that are concerned with GMAT and GRE scores, they’re only interested in the scores within the larger context of the overall student MBA program enrollment application.

What matters most when choosing a master’s program? Compare features, benefits and cost to find the right school for you.

The best MBA program will do something far beyond what the GMAT or GRE can measure. The best MBA program will challenge you. It will help you extend your thinking, broaden your perspective and develop a skill set beyond your current level of professional experience and formal education.

If you’re looking to enroll in an MBA program with no GMAT or GRE requirement, look for a Master of Business Administration degree program that does what you need it to: help you grow in leadership and influence so you can guide organizations forward in the ever-changing global marketplace.

MBAs: What Employers Really Want

Specifically, your Master of Business Administration (MBA) program should help you develop the skills employers need and want from their MBA graduates. Of course, the goal of earning your MBA is to gain a management perspective of each functional area of business from finance to marketing to operations, all while helping you develop a robust network of MBA peers.

In-Demand Skills for MBAs

Employers know what they want and they want what MBA grads know. According to Lightcast, employers are looking for MBA graduates who have such common skills as communications, management and leadership, as well as more specialized skills, including project management, finance and marketing.

Qualities Employers Want from MBAs

Not only does a quality, accredited MBA program help you develop specific skills across organizational disciplines, it also helps you build these equally important soft skills as cited by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Communication
Decision making
Leadership
Problem solving
Time management

To GMAT/GRE or Not to GMAT/GRE?

Fortunately, with the right MBA program, you can earn a master’s level degree that can really change the trajectory of your career. As for whether or not you should take the GMAT or GRE, honestly, the choice is yours and yours alone.

Before you decide, it can help to keep in mind that employers are looking at the MBA credential–not whether you took a $200-$250 test. All employers really care about is that you earned your MBA from a top-ranked program that’s globally recognized for excellence.

Perhaps you’re still thinking about whether you should take the GMAT or GRE. If so, read this article. And if you’re curious about an online MBA program designed to empower busy working professionals that’s also IACBE accredited, see how Franklin University’s 12-month online MBA program can help you achieve your goals.