Offline or Online GMAT/GRE Score – Which One Should You Submit?

It’s that time of the admissions cycle where applicants are deciding whether to take the GMAT or GRE. In fact, two of the most asked questions in my profile evaluation sessions are: What score should I target? Or; I got XYZ score, is it enough for my dream school?

But there’s a more important question to answer first: Which format of the exam are you submitting – online or offline?

The online mode of examination was introduced by GMAC and ETS as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical test centres were inaccessible across many regions. It gave applicants much-needed flexibility and accessibility during an uncertain time. After the pandemic, the online option was retained simply because of the convenience it offered, especially working professionals, international applicants, and those without easy access to centres.

However, in recent admissions cycles, we have seen schools become more cautious around online scores.

ISB, one of India’s most sought-after B-Schools, completely banned online and home-based GMAT/GRE scores across all its programs starting the April 2025 intake. IIM A, B, and C did the same for their PGPX and E-PGP programs.

On the other hand, many leading global business schools across the US and Europe including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, INSEAD, HEC Paris, and London Business School continue to list both formats as acceptable under their admission requirements.

That said, from what we’ve observed in applicant outcomes and conversations over time, these schools too have been limiting acceptance of online scores and encouraging applicants to take the exam at a test centre instead. This is because admissions committees prefer the highest level of credibility possible when evaluating thousands of applicants. When competition is intense, schools naturally lean toward the format that removes ambiguity.

Our advice: Always take the exam at a test centre as it’s a much safer option, more so in the upcoming cycle which will be extremely competitive due to the geopolitical scenario. Don’t give yourself an unnecessary thing to worry about in an already stressful process.

If you have already taken the GMAT or GRE online, here’s what you can do:

• Verify directly with your target schools whether they accept online scores for the current cycle. Don’t assume, don’t go by what you read somewhere either on Quora, Redditt or GMAT Club. Confirm it from the right source – the target school itself!
• If accepted, submit as-is but make sure every other part of your application is strong. This includes your work experience, academic metrics, leadership exposure, extracurriculars, and post-MBA goals.
• If not accepted or you think it’s a possible grey area, consider a retake. Yes, one extra month of prep is a lot better than losing an entire application cycle.
• For those who have faced rejection or are waitlisted for the program of their choice, it maybe worthwhile to evaluate retaking the exam at the centre and resending the updated score to their admissions officer.

If you’re unsure whether your score format works for your target schools or just want a second pair of eyes on your profile, sign up for a free profile evaluation with us.