For years, the GMAT for a MBA degree program has been the equivalent of the SAT for college admissions. Most colleges and universities offering online MBA programs usually evaluate a candidate’s GMAT score before considering him/her for admission.

In the last few years, however, some online programs have started to waive the test for admission. Alternatives are being assessed, such as refresher course grades, other graduate degrees, and work experience and skills in relevant areas.

Online MBA’s that do not require GMAT scores are increasing in popularity for several reasons, including:

1. The time needed for GMAT preparation might constitute a hurdle for full-time professionals trying to better their career. If a student hasn’t taken the GMAT yet and is currently working 40 hours a week, scheduling in a 3-6-month preparation course and hours of studying every week can be extremely challenging.
2. Some candidates are worried that their poor testing abilities will not reflect their actual capabilities and instead would jeopardize their chances. Candidates who have been away from schooling for a number of years might also find difficult to do well on standardized tests.

In 2009, there were at least 89 accredited online MBA programs that did not require the GMAT or the GRE, according to GetEducated.com, which conducted a national survey of online MBA programs. The survey also found that none of the distance MBA’s accredited by the 12 Distance Education and Training Council required the GRE or GMAT for admission.

Examples of MBA programs with no GMAT requirements include:

• Online MBA in Information Management from Grantham University
• Any program from Keller Graduate School of Management

An online MBA program that has no GMAT requirements and requires no standardized testing might sound ideal, but candidates must then pay extra attention to the following factors: accreditation, credibility, other requirements such as a minimum GPA or resume references.

While the popularity of the GMAT seems to be decreasing, especially for online MBAs, it does not mean that students should automatically dismiss taking the exam. Many colleges and universities still require the standardized test, and if your school of choices is among those, then you need to effectively plan for test preparation and the exam, itself.

For more information:
Select list of online MBA's that don't require the GMAT
Is an online MBA right for you?