The School of Graduate Professional Studies at Penn State Great Valley
MBA Program
GMAT Waiver Fact Sheet
While Penn State Great Valley considers a number of factors in reviewing applications for
admission to the MBA program, the GMAT is an important element in admission decisions
because it provides information about an applicant’s verbal, mathematical, integrated reasoning,
and analytical writing skills developed through their education and work -- skills that are
important in business school and which relate to an applicant’s potential for success in the
program.
Penn State Great Valley prefers scores from the GMAT (which is specifically designed for
business school applicants) but will also accept scores from the GRE (a more general graduate
school admission test).
We encourage all applicants to take the GMAT (or GRE) for a number of reasons:

Preparing for the GMAT is a strategy to help prepare for graduate school – many
candidates find that they not only brush up on their study skills, but also refresh their
knowledge of important verbal and quantitative concepts before beginning the program.
This type of preparation is key to success in a graduate program.

Preparing for the GMAT reflects an applicant’s commitment to pursuing a high quality
graduate program.

Because the GMAT helps to ensure that students who enter the MBA program are
capable of handling the workload, the GMAT functions as a quality indicator for students
as well as schools. As an MBA student, you will rely on your fellow students who are
your team members to produce high quality work. The average GMAT of a student body
can be a good indicator of what to expect in your fellow students when you begin classes.

The GMAT may help those applicants whose undergraduate performance does not
demonstrate their academic abilities and the skill sets required of students in an MBA
program.

Employers may use the GMAT and GRE to assess job applicants. For example, in
response to market research, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) recently found that
GRE test takers find value in providing potential employers with their GRE scores along
with other application materials for employment purposes and has implemented a threeyear pilot project enabling scores to be sent to employers (as noted on the ETS website on
March 12, 2014 at http://www.ets.org/gre/employers/about/). A recent article in
Bloomburg Business Week similarly indicated that some MBA employers use the GMAT
for job applicants (published online July 31, 2013 at
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-07-31/bain-may-use-gmat-integratedreasoning-test-to-help-screen-mba-hires).
However, we do recognize that some applicants to the MBA program at Penn State Great
Valley may be able to demonstrate their potential for success in the program through means
other than the GMAT/GRE. Effective for Summer 2014 admission, the GMAT/GRE might
be waived if the applicant meets the requirements of one of the following three options:



OR


OR

Option One
An undergraduate junior/senior grade point average of at least a 3.3 on a 4.0 scale at a
regionally accredited university with AACSB accredited programs; and
Five or more years of professional career experience with evidence of career progression;
and
Demonstrated evidence of quantitative skills based on quantitative course work.
Option Two
An advanced degree (e.g., master’s or higher) from a regionally accredited university with
AACSB accredited programs; and
Demonstrated evidence of quantitative skills based on quantitative course work.
Option Three
One or more professional certifications such as a CFA, CPA, FRM, and/or CMA, or
doctoral degree (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., J.D.)
If you meet the requirements of one of the options above, you may request a GMAT Waiver. All
requests for a GMAT waiver will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
To receive consideration for a GMAT waiver, candidates should complete a GMAT WAIVER
Request Form. Email the form and supporting documentation to the PSGV MBA Program at
mxi4@psu.edu or fax it to 610-725-5296.
GMAT waiver decisions will be made by the MBA Admissions Committee and are final. Please
allow two weeks for your waiver request to be reviewed. You will be contacted via email with
the Committee’s decision.
Helpful Links:
Penn State Great Valley MBA Admission Requirements and How to Apply
http://www.sgps.psu.edu/Academics/Degrees/31969.htm
General Requirements for Admission to Penn State’s Graduate School (all programs)
http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/index.cfm/prospective-students/requirements/
Online Application (choose “Degree Admission”)
http://www.gradschool.psu.edu/index.cfm/apply/