GMAT/GRE Waiver

At Rice Business, we value the depth and diversity of experience our students bring to the online MBA program. 

To recognize the importance of hard-earned, real-world skills, we offer a GMAT/GRE waiver for qualified applicants. You may be eligible for this waiver if you have seven or more years of relevant work experience or can demonstrate a high level of quantitative and analytical knowledge.

Who Qualifies for the GMAT/GRE Waiver?

Our online MBA program is designed to empower aspiring leaders who will challenge business conventions. We go beyond test scores to identify who those future leaders could be—looking at previous coursework and grades, professional development and certifications, and past and present job experience to assess whether a candidate is ready for a program of this magnitude. 

To be considered for a GMAT or GRE waiver, you must have

• seven or more years of full-time work experience, or
• a graduate degree in a quantitative field, or
• a terminal degree (e.g., MD, JD, PhD), or
• a quantitatively oriented professional certification, or
• other standardized test scores demonstrating comparable quantitative ability

If you feel your work history or previous coursework is not a good indicator of your readiness for MBA@Rice, you should consider taking the GMAT or GRE.

GMAT/GRE Waiver Eligibility for Active Military or Veterans

Military training develops many of the skills needed to be a successful professional or entrepreneur, including comfort with autonomy and uncertainty, self-efficiency, ambition, a desire for achievement, and effective decision-making. You may qualify for a GMAT/GRE waiver if you have seven or more years of experience in the military.

How to Apply for the GMAT/GRE Waiver

To find out if you qualify for a GMAT/GRE waiver, contact your admissions counselor.

1. Start your MBA@Rice application.
2. Download this MBA@Rice GMAT/GRE waiver application form as a PDF (163 KB). If you do not see an option to download the form, save the form to your computer as a PDF file by selecting "Save Page As" or "Print as PDF," depending on your browser.
3. Fill out all fields, making sure to call attention to quantitative skills and experience you have gained through work and education.
4. Upload your resume and supporting documents to the application. Note: Students who have a 3.0 GPA or below must also attach all undergraduate transcripts (unofficial transcripts accepted) in order to be considered for waiver eligibility.
5. Submit your waiver by email as a completed PDF attachment to Application Processing Services.

GMAT/GRE waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Your waiver should be processed before finalizing your application so that you can submit your materials without GMAT or GRE scores.