Traditionally, Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs base admission in part on an applicant’s Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score. However, Northern Kentucky University’s online MBA relies on a more holistic admissions process, judging the merits of applicants based on a variety of factors. For admission to NKU’s online MBA, GMAT (or, alternatively, GRE) scores are required only if applicants have not demonstrated quantitative reasoning competency through the prior successful completion of quantitative courses in undergraduate or graduate programs.
So, what does the GMAT assess, and why might a reputable MBA program like NKU’s not require it? What does quantitative reasoning entail and why is it important? And what kinds of courses could be considered quantitative courses? These are all questions potential MBA applicants should consider when planning their educational path.
What Is the GMAT?
The GMAT is a rigorous exam designed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) to assess an applicant’s readiness and potential for success in graduate-level business administration study. The test covers four main areas:
- Quantitative
- Verbal
- Integrated Reasoning
- Analytical Writing Assessment
Within all of these areas, the GMAT is aimed at assessing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. And, importantly, it is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the computer actively assesses a test taker’s competency as they take the test, adjusting difficulty levels of questioning accordingly. Test takers are scored in a dynamic way based on both questions answered correctly and the difficulty of questions answered correctly.
Why Might Schools Like NKU Not Require a GMAT Score of Applicants?
To start, taking the GMAT costs $250, and many aspiring grad students take it multiple times. Test prep for the GMAT can be also expensive with some programs costing upwards of $1,000. Additionally, these preparatory courses can be time consuming. Requiring this substantial commitment of time and money from applicants can effectively limit the socioeconomic diversity of an applicant pool and therefore the eventual student body of an MBA program.
As with many standardized tests, the ability of the GMAT to accurately test all applicants’ levels of “applicant fitness” also comes into question. This can be especially true for MBA programs like NKU’s which evaluate applicants holistically. NKU uses a portfolio approach in this evaluation, emphasizing criteria like work experience as accurate real-world demonstrations of the same critical thinking and problem-solving skills the GMAT tests for.
What Is Quantitative Reasoning?
Essentially, quantitative reasoning is the application of mathematical skills and critical thinking to solve real-world problems. Quantitative reasoning plays an essential role in most every aspect of business administration and its study. Therefore, complete competency in quantitative reasoning is a necessity for MBA students.
What Sorts of Quantitative Courses Might Satisfy NKU’s Requirements?
Basic quantitative courses would be those focused on essential mathematical skills such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, finite mathematics, etc. Courses on subjects like finance, accounting, statistical methods and data analysis are also clearly quantitative, directly focused on the application of mathematical skills to specific areas of study.
The GMAT certainly serves a purpose in providing MBA program admissions a universal measure of applicant fitness. But, as evidenced by NKU’s holistic admissions process, factors like work experience and prior, successful study can also be useful predictors of a student’s performance. NKU’s online MBA could be a good fit, therefore, for students who feel their real-world accomplishments better represent their skill resiliency and readiness as opposed to a single test score.
Learn more about the NKU online MBA program.
Sources:
U.S. News & World Report: Overcome a Low Quantitative Background in MBA Admissions
Graduate Management Admission Council: About the GMAT Exam
Poets & Quants: The Grand Mystery of GMAT Scoring
College Raptor: No GMAT? No Problem! Busting a Common MBA Admissions Myth
