Earn Your Online MBA — Without GMAT Required for Entrance

Between work demands, family life and other obligations, there's a lot to think about when you decide to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Learning that some graduate programs require entrance exams for admission could add unnecessary stress to an already big decision.

The time and expense these types of standardized tests can demand — in addition to the anxiety they may cause — could be enough to deter plenty of people from pursuing a degree altogether.

The effectiveness of this testing style has been debated at all ages — and it’s no different at the college level. For years, both teachers and students have argued that the exams don’t measure subject knowledge, only how well one has prepared for that specific test.

I’m Ready For My MBA ... But What’s the GMAT?

If you're considering MBA programs, which are designed to provide you with critical knowledge for a career in leadership, you may have noticed that some colleges and universities require the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for entrance.

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT assesses:

• Data Insights: Data literacy skills
• Quantitative Reasoning: Problem-solving skills
• Verbal Reasoning: Critical reasoning and reading comprehension skills

Some universities use results to determine if a potential student will be successful in their graduate programs; however, others believe the exam isn't the only indicator of a potential student's success.

These schools take a more holistic look at applicants, according to Dr. Enrique N. Barreiro, a senior associate dean of business programs at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) with both an MBA and a doctorate in business administration.

"The goal is to focus on a student’s academic background and readiness rather than relying on a single standardized test, which may not fully reflect a student’s ability to succeed," he said.

The admission component may actually deter some people from advancing their education. It adds time and expenses to the application process, Barreiro noted — not to mention the stress it can cause.

"For many students, especially working adults, removing that requirement makes graduate education more accessible and allows them to begin their program sooner," he said.

Can I Get an MBA Without GMAT?

Yes, you can. If you don't want to take this exam or have your scores reviewed by admission counselors, you should search for an MBA program that focuses on the other aspects that make you a strong candidate for enrollment.

Some alternative ways you may be assessed are through:

• A personal statement
• An interview
• Letters of recommendation
• Your undergraduate transcript

Admission teams will look for clues that you're ready to pursue graduate-level work. Your transcripts, in particular, will be helpful, according to Barreiro. They'll also indicate whether you'll need to take any foundation courses.

"The process is designed to focus more on your academic history and readiness rather than standardized test performance," he said.

Every type of MBA and institution could have different prerequisites or requirements, so be sure to do some research and speak with an admission counselor from your school of interest if you have any questions.

Which Online MBA Programs Don't Require GMAT?

Some colleges have opted to offer an online MBA — no GMAT required.

These programs bring you one step closer to starting your graduate school journey. SNHU, for example, does away with the stressful checklist item.

The online MBA/no GMAT format allows applicants to begin their program faster, especially if their college or university of choice offers rolling admission. Since SNHU offers five 10-week graduate terms per year, you won't have to wait long until you can jump into classes.

Online MBA/no GMAT required programs can even help you save money: By not having to shell out a couple of hundred dollars per test, you could put those savings toward books for your first few classes.

While costs are a concern, the other big place that people like to save comes in the form of time. Preparing for the exam can be incredibly time-consuming — especially for busy adult learners.

As a single mother of four and a full-time respiratory therapist, Breonna Williamson '21MBA said taking the GMAT would have been another obstacle to pursuing her degree. "But, when I learned that it was one less test I had to make time to prepare for, it made the decision in which school I would choose," she said.

Williamson finished her MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration in early 2021, placing her a credential or two ahead of her colleagues. "As a first-generation college student and single mom of four, obtaining this MBA means that I can do anything I set my mind to," Williamson said. "Talk about self-actualization."

She had thought about earning an MBA ever since a former employer told her she'd need the credential to advance to operations — a process-focused team that interested her.

There are plenty of reasons why you might feel returning to school to get an online MBA is worth it. An online program gives you the chance to advance your education without pausing your career, for instance. It can be beneficial in a range of industries, too, such as business, information technology, healthcare and more.

MBA holders are in demand — even more so than bachelor's degree holders and candidates coming from other organizations, according to an annual survey by GMAC (2025 PDF Source).* The report noted that 90% of U.S. companies planned to hire MBA grads in 2025.*

No matter your reason for getting your MBA, pursuing it online at a school without GMAT requirements means you can skip over the months of worrying about exams.

Is an Online MBA Taken Seriously?

If the MBA program is accredited, there's no reason it shouldn't be taken seriously.

"In today’s environment, an online MBA is just as respected as an in-person degree when it comes from an accredited and reputable institution," said Dr. JoAnn Prevetti, an MBA instructor at SNHU. "Employers are increasingly focused on the quality of the program, the strength of the curriculum, and the outcomes achieved rather than the delivery format."

If an institution or program is accredited, that means it was evaluated by an accrediting body and found to meet its educational standards.

For example, every program at SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) — a regional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, SNHU's online MBA, specifically, is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Online graduate programs are designed to be rigorous and challenge you. And Prevetti said many schools that teach both online and in-person MBA programs follow the same curriculum.

If you're wondering how online classes work, you may find yourself completing assignments and class discussions just as you would in the brick-and-mortar classroom setting. The difference is that they're done asynchronously — or without set class times. You won't need to figure out which weekdays or nights you can commute to a college campus.

Instead, you'll do coursework on your schedule while meeting weekly deadlines.

Prevetti, whose career spans corporate leadership, government relations, marketing, communications and media strategy, noted that this online format can help MBA students demonstrate skills essential to leadership:

• An ability to balance responsibilities
• Collaboration
• Discipline
• Time management

Throughout the time it takes you to get an MBA, you'll probably have an opportunity to put theory into practice in an online program.

At SNHU, for instance, the MBA curriculum incorporates scenario-based learning (SBL), which brings realistic business situations into the classroom and teaches students how to approach them and work toward solutions.

"Expertise comes from experience, and SBL allows students to experience growth from taking risks, sometimes failing and learning from mistakes," said Dr. Jessica Rogers, a business adjunct at SNHU with a background in operations management, telecommunications, sales, marketing and higher education.

If an online format works best for you, and whether you took the GMAT or not, your diploma at the end of it will simply state that you completed your Master of Business Administration.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Deidre Ashe was 9 years old when she launched her professional writing career. While spending a day at work with her dad, she penned her first book, illustrated it and sent it off to a publishing company — after finding the address on the copyright page of one of her paperbacks. While the story never made it to the shelves of libraries, the editors wrote back, encouraging her to continue pursuing her writing passion. (Yes, she still has that letter.)

After earning a bachelor’s in journalism, Ashe spent a decade working in the media industry. She then transitioned into marketing, later getting her MA in Communication from Southern New Hampshire University in 2018. Connect with her on LinkedIn.