GMAT, GRE and Executive Assessment Requirement

SMU Cox is continuing its test-optional admissions policy for Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 applicants for all Cox Graduate Programs. Students applying to Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 entry terms may choose whether to submit a GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment or TOEFL/IELTS score as a part of their application.

The GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment must be submitted by all applicants for the PMBA program. The Admissions Committee will focus on your highest total GMAT, GRE, or EA score as we review your overall candidacy.

While your standardized test score is an important piece of the application and should be taken seriously, it is still only one component of your overall profile. The Admissions Committee reviews each application in its entirety taking the overall application into consideration. To learn more about the GMAT and GRE or to register to take the test, visit www.mba.com (for the GMAT) and www.ets.org/gre/ (for the GRE) and www.gmac.com/ea (for the Executive Assessment).  Please note that there are timing limitations as to how often and how close together you can take the test; you should keep this in mind when planning your application process to ensure you meet all applicable deadlines. If your GMAT or GRE score is more than five years old, you must submit a more recent score report.

Because there is a delay between your test date and the time we would receive your official score, you can send us a copy of your unofficial score report which you receive the day you take the test.

SMU Cox accepts the Executive Assessment exam in place of the GMAT or GRE for candidates that meet the following criteria:

  • 7 or more years of full-time post-undergraduate work experience, or
  • Have already completed a masters degree

If you are planning to submit the Executive Assessment in place of the GMAT or GRE, please contact a member of our admissions team to ensure you fully meet the above criteria.

The Executive Assessment is specifically designed to evaluate the business school readiness of seasoned professionals.  The assessment focuses on skills that are critical both at work and in a part-time MBA program: higher order reasoning, critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving.  Because it was designed specifically for experienced professionals, it requires modest preparation, takes only 90 minutes to complete, and includes flexible rescheduling options. The test is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), creators of the GMAT® exam. Learn more about the Executive Assessment by visiting gmac.com/ea. 

Preparing for entrance exams

Many students will utilize Test Prep courses through for-profit firms like Kaplan and Princeton Review.  There are also many free test prep materials offered at www.mba.com as well as the recently launched free GMAT prep course offered at www.gmatfree.com. Our advice is to take the time to prepare for the test and to take as many practice tests as possible prior to sitting for your initial GMAT or GRE.

If you're looking for additional materials regarding test preparation, the following organizations offer resources from free practice tests to classes you can pay for: