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 three-year 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-gmatintegrated-reasoning-test-to-help-screen-mba-hires).
3/10/2016
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:



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.
OR

Option Two
Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honor society recognized by AACSB.
OR


Option Three
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.
OR

Option Four
One or more professional certifications including 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/
*Current master’s students at Penn State Great Valley who would like to pursue the MBA on a concurrent basis
may request a GMAT waiver after completing 18 graduate credits with at least a 3.3 GPA.
3/10/2016