GMAT/GRE Optional

Master of Management programs are looking for the strongest candidates. Most business schools take a holistic view of your application, looking at your academic preparedness, professional experience, leadership, and other personal qualities you might bring into the program.

GMAT/GRE testing is optional for the UC Davis Master of Management. Please note that not having a standardized test score will NOT affect your application adversely. However, this will mean that your coursework taken would then form the sole basis for assessing your academic readiness for the program.  

The GMAT (or GRE) exam is one way to demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have the academic potential to be successful in an MBA program. This is especially important for candidates who want to increase their chances of being admitted or those who wish to compensate for an area on the application in which they’re not as strong.

Applicants who believe their GMAT score might add value to their overall application are encouraged to include their scores with the application. Submitting a test score gives the admission committee an additional data point for application evaluation.

In addition, to ensure preparedness for the quantitative rigor, candidates will be required to take a Business Math and Statistics prep course. This course may be waived with a GMAT or GRE Quant score in the 50% or higher. In addition, following are other considerations that may enable a candidate to waive out of the Business Math and Statistics prep course subject to Admissions Committee approval.

  • Undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher (or the equivalent if another grading scale is used) in a quantitative area including: business administration, economics, engineering, biological sciences, information and computer science, health sciences or physical sciences.
  • Graduate (master’s or doctoral) degree or professional credential such as Certified Public Accountant or Certified Financial Analyst.
  • Five or more years of professional work experience, starting after completing your undergraduate degree and achieved by August 31 of the current application cycle.
  • Four or more years of military service.