GMAT and GRE Preparation
Graduate Programs
About the GMAT and GRE Exams
Most accredited graduate business programs require an entrance exam as a part of the application process. The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and has long been associated with graduate business programs, especially MBA programs. The exam was first offered in 1953, and it is scored from 200 to 800. GMAC has a policy of reporting GMAT scores to the institutions you specify within 20 business days.
The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test has been offered since 1936, and it is scored from 130 to 170. ETS has a policy of reporting GRE scores to the institutions you specify in 10-15 days for the computer-based exam, and up to six weeks for the paper-based exam.
The McCoy College of Business has no preference as to which exam applicants submit – you only need to take one. The exam cost and length are roughly the same and both are equally accessible with respect to testing centers. McCoy College requires applicants to submit valid GMAT or GRE scores as a component of their application. However, different programs offer exam waivers based on certain criteria.
About Your Exam Score
Letters of recommendation, essays, relevant work experience, undergraduate performance, and extracurricular / community activities are all important factors considered by the admissions committee. Because the committee takes a holistic approach in evaluating graduate candidates, an applicant should not be discouraged if their GMAT or GRE score is average or even slightly below average. That said, a good GMAT or GRE score is important. Along with grade-point average (GPA), the GMAT or GRE provides a quantitative metric for the admissions committee to evaluate a candidate.
You may retake an exam if you are unhappy with your score. The admissions committee will only consider your highest score.
GMAT / GRE Waivers
Depending on the program to which you are applying, you may be eligible for an exam waiver based on one or more of the following:
- holding an advanced degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. institution (available to all program applicants)
- above-average GMAT or GRE scores which are only slightly (6 months or less) outside the five-year expiration window (available to all program applicants)
- undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher in last 60 hours (MBA and MSQFE applicants)
- undergraduate GPA higher than 3.2 in last 60 hours (MAcy applicants)
- GPA higher than 3.4 in upper-level accounting courses (MAcy applicants)
- faculty recommendations (MAcy applicants)
More information on GMAT/GRE waiver requests.
Note: The GMAT / GRE requirement cannot be waived based on work experience, alumni status, certificates, or any other factors beyond those listed here.
| GRADUATE PROGRAM | ADVANCED DEGREE WAIVER? | GPA WAIVER? | OTHER WAIVER CRITERIA/NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | YES | YES | GPA of 3.5 or higher in last 60 hours |
| MAcy | YES | YES | GPA higher than 3.2 in last 60 hours, GPA >3.4 in TXST upper level accounting courses, and faculty recommendations (must meet all three requirements) |
| MSAIT | YES | NO | |
| MSHRM | YES | NO | |
| MSDAIS | YES | NO | |
| MSMRA | YES | NO | |
| MSQFE | YES | NO | GPA of 3.5 or higher in last 60 hours |
About Average Scores
The (mean) average GMAT score for an accepted application is approximately 540, and the average GRE score is approximately 151Q / 153V. There are other test components (writing, critical reasoning, etc.) but our admissions committee focuses on the main scores.
About Below-Average Scores
The scores above represent the mean average for accepted McCoy College graduate students, so even if you scored below those averages, you are encouraged to continue in the application process.
Best Ways to Prepare for the Exam
Test-preparation options include online courses, in-person classes, coaches, private tutors, apps, and self-study books. The McCoy College of Business does not officially endorse any one system or company; however, three very reputable companies in the test prep industry are Princeton Review, Kaplan, and Manhattan Prep.
More Information
Learn more about the GMAT at mba.com.
Learn more about the GRE at ets.org/gre.
Contact Us
McCOY COLLEGE GRADUATE PROGRAMS
McCoy College of Business
Texas State University
McCoy Hall 305
512.245.3591
businessgraduate@txstate.edu