Frequently Asked Questions about the Full-Time MBA GMAT/GRE Waiver

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Full-Time MBA GMAT/GRE exam waiver at UNC Kenan-Flagler are provided below. If you have any additional inquiries, please don't hesitate to send us an email at mba_info@unc.edu. We're here to help!

Who can request a GMAT or GRE waiver? What do I need to include in my request?

Any applicant to the Full-Time MBA program can request a GMAT/GRE waiver. In order to submit your application, you must submit either a valid GMAT or GRE score or an approved waiver.

To request a GMAT/GRE waiver, you must submit the following:

Waiver statement
Up-to-date resume
Unofficial transcripts
Completion of the Personal and Education tabs

Applicants who demonstrate superior academic and professional achievement will be considered for a test waiver, including but not limited to the following criteria:

Applicants who graduated with a 3.2 GPA or above and coursework in STEM, business, economics, or analytical fields from a U.S. institution.
Earned an advanced or terminal degree in JD, MD, Ph.D., or an MS degree within a STEM, business, or economics academic field
5+ years of professional experience in a quantitative or analytical field
Hold a CFA or U.S. CPA professional certificate
Strong test results from the Executive Assessment, PCAT or MCAT

Will I be at a disadvantage for admission or fellowship consideration if I receive a standardized test waiver?

No. All applications are reviewed comprehensively and you will not be at a disadvantage for admission if you are approved for a standardized test waiver. However, depending on your future goals, our team may advise you to take the GMAT/GRE to strengthen your application for internship and full-time recruiting opportunities.

The questions included on the waiver request form regarding future industry and function have no bearing on your waiver consideration; we encourage you to answer these questions as honestly as possible so that we can connect you with one of our Career Coaches, if needed, to develop a testing plan that will best position you for success in the MBA recruiting process.

If I do not fit the waiver criteria or am denied a waiver, does that mean I should not apply for the MBA program?

We encourage all candidates to apply for admission to the Full-Time MBA program regardless of their standardized test waiver decision. Our individualized application process is built to ensure that you’re prepared for our MBA program. Over half of our students come from non-business backgrounds and a standardized test score or waiver is only one data point taken into consideration during the admissions process.

I am applying through The Consortium. Am I eligible to apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver?

Yes. More information about this process can be found on the Consortium's Test Score Waiver Policy page.

I've had a significant update or change to my application since submitting my standardized test waiver request. What should I do?

Once you click "Continue" in the GMAT/GRE Waiver request, additional materials will not be accepted for review of the waiver. However, please update the Admissions Committee if you have any updates, such as a promotion or other achievements, so that we may consider them in our final review for admission and fellowship awards.

If you receive a GMAT/GRE waiver but elect to take a test and receive a strong score, we encourage you to submit your scores to mba_info@unc.edu. We encourage you to review our latest class profile here as you consider providing optional score reports.

I took the GMAT/GRE and didn’t score as well as I’d hoped. My scores were sent directly to UNC Kenan-Flagler from the testing service but I don’t think they reflect my ability and I’d like them to be excluded from my application. Can I still request a waiver?

No. Applicants who provide test scores may not receive a GMAT/GRE waiver after reporting scores. All unofficial scores reported in your application and official scores provided to the school codes below will be considered as part of your complete application for admission to the Full-Time MBA program. You may wait to report your scores until after you’ve had a chance to review them and can request that scores be sent from the testing service at any time.

GMAT: D40-HL-72
GRE: 5046

Each application undergoes a comprehensive review as part of our holistic application process. Standardized test scores are merely one indicator of ability and many other data points are considered to gain a complete understanding of your potential for success at UNC Kenan-Flagler. The Admissions Committee thoughtfully considers all materials provided to determine the final outcome of your application for admission. If applicable, please utilize the optional essay to address any challenges you may have faced in the testing process to provide context for the Admissions Committee.

What are you hoping to see on an applicant’s “Waiver Statement”? How will this be considered in my request?

Please use the Waiver Statement to summarize academic or professional experiences you see as strong indicators of your ability to succeed academically in the MBA classroom, particularly quantitative experiences that would render a standardized test score a redundant measure of your abilities.

If I have already received a GMAT/GRE waiver for another Kenan-Flagler MBA application, do I need to request another for the Full-Time application?

Test waivers and applications are valid only for the MBA program format to which you apply: Full-Time, Evening Executive, Weekend Executive, Charlotte Executive, or Online MBA.

Applicants to the Full-Time MBA program must submit a formal test waiver request within the Full-Time MBA application. Test waiver requests submitted through another MBA program format will not be considered.

If I received a waiver in a previous year, can I use it for my current application?

No. The Admissions Committee requires applicants to submit a new waiver request each year. Previously submitted waiver requests will not be valid for this application cycle.

How long will it take to receive a test waiver decision?

We recommend that you submit your GMAT/GRE waiver request as soon as early as possible. Depending on volume, it can take up to 14 days to render a decision on a request.

When is the last day that I can submit my test waiver form?

We strongly recommend that GMAT/GRE waiver requests are submitted 14 days before the deadline to which you are applying. You may continue working on the rest of your application as we process your decision but cannot submit it without a test score or approved waiver.

The Admissions Committee requires all applicants seeking a GMAT/GRE waiver to submit requests b the test waiver deadline for each round. Late submissions may be denied or moved to the next round.