The Indian School of Business (ISB) is a private business school established in 1996 with campuses in Hyderabad and Mohali, India. Started by a group of academics and businessmen, it quickly grew to become one of India’s premier management institutions with a globally competitive curriculum, distinguished faculty with industry experience and strong alumni network. ISB offers various prestigious post-graduate management programs to meet the growing demand for a world-class, research-driven business school in India. Some of these programmes are mentioned below. Also, in this blog we will be discussing whether ISB admission without GMAT/GRE is possible or not?
Some of these programmes are as follows:
Post Graduate Programmes
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PGP – Post Graduate Programme in Management: This is a full-time residential 12-month course offered in the Hyderabad and Mohali locations. It requires 2+ years of work experience.
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PGP PRO – Post Graduate Programme in Management for Working Professionals: Offered in a blended modular format (classroom + online); this is an 18-month course. It is offered in the Hyderabad and Delhi campuses and requires a work experience of over 5 years. This is the only ISB programme which has classes in Gurugram (near Delhi).
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PGP MAX – Post Graduate Programme in Management for Senior Executives: This 15-month course is conducted in a blended modular format at ISB’s Hyderabad and Mohali locations and expects applicants to have 10+ years of work experience.
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PGP MFAB – Post Graduate Programme in Management for Family Business: This programme too is offered in the blended modular format. It is 15-month long, expects 0-2 years of work experience and is available in the Hyderabad and Mohali campuses.
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PGP YL – Post Graduate Programme in Management for Young Leaders: A 20-month full time residential programme, this course is offered only in the Hyderabad campus and requires candidates to have less than 2 years of work experience.
Advanced Management Programmes
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AMPBA&AI – Advanced Management Programme in Business Analytics & AI: A 15-month blended programme combining live online sessions with five campus visits (every alternate month), this course is offered at both Hyderabad and Mohali campuses and is designed for professionals with over 2 years of work experience.
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AMPH – Advanced Management Programme for Healthcare: This is a 12-month programme offered both in the classroom and online at the Hyderabad and Mohali campuses and requires 3+ years of work experience.
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AMPI – Advanced Management Programme for Infrastructure: This is a hybrid course with 36 days spent on campus and attending weekend classes online for a duration of 12 months. It requires over 5 years of work experience, and is available in the Hyderabad and Mohali locations.
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AMPO&SC – Advanced Management Programme in Operations and Supply Chain: Similar to the AMPI, this is also a hybrid 1-year course requiring over 5 years of experience.
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AMPPP – Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy: Also a hybrid course, this too is for 12 months, and required 5+ years of work experience.
Fellow Programmes
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FPM – Fellow Programme in Management: A prestigious research-based course, FPM grants full tuition waiver throughout the 5 years of its duration. Work experience is not mandatory, and the course is offered in the Hyderabad and Mohali locations.
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EFPM – Executive Fellow Programme in Management: A blended 3-year programme, this course mandates 8+ years of work experience, and is offered only in the Hyderabad campus.
Entrepreneurship Programmes
I-Venture Immersive: A 6-month full time residential world-class programme, this unique course is for those in the early stages of their entrepreneurial journey. It is offered only in the Hyderabad campus.
Online Programmes
ISB also offers several state-of-the-art online courses that promise an immersive digital learning experience. The courses are designed to empower you with the business acumen and skills required to excel in today’s dynamic environment. Topics covered include AI in Business, Fintech Innovations, Management Essentials, Leadership Essentials, Business Strategy, and so on.
Executive Education
ISB also offers a program designed specifically for executives across business sectors, public sector or even at the individual level.
Now that we are clear about the programmes on offer at ISB, let us consider one of the most important questions that may come to your mind – Is a GMAT or GRE score mandatory for an ISB application? Traditionally, yes. ISB applicants are expected to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score as part of their application, and the test cannot have been online. Only centre based test scores and acknowledged.
Still confused about ISB Admissions?
However, that being said, it is possible to get ISB admission without the GMAT or GRE under some conditions. Before we delve into that, let us understand what these tests are:
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GMAT: If you’re a student aspiring to do your higher studies in a business school, then you have probably heard about the GMAT – the Graduate Management Admission Test, and the GRE – the Graduate Record Examination.
What is the GMAT?
The GMAT is a standardized admission test to help business schools make critical admissions decisions. The GMAT helps the school assess the applicant’s commitment to, and eligibility for, the business master’s degree they are applying to. A high GMAT score means a higher chance of acceptance and perhaps even a scholarship offer.
Why is the GMAT important?
Business schools value the GMAT because it’s a reflection of a candidate’s work ethic and readiness for a program. Being a standardized test, it helps business schools compare candidates from different backgrounds and regions, which is why most schools prefer the GMAT over other tests. Aspirants for an MBA come from across disciplines – from Literature and Engineering to Business Studies and Commerce; business schools need certain parameters to assess all of them equally. The GMAT is designed accordingly. It evaluates a candidate’s readiness for the challenges of a business graduate program by testing key skills in quantitative, verbal, written and critical thinking. It also looks at their understanding of finance, statistics, strategy, and decision-making—all important areas for anyone pursuing an MBA because they ensure that a candidate has the base knowledge on which to begin their management studies. Hence, the GMAT gives you a level playing field with candidates from around the world, and with widely varying academic and professional backgrounds.
What does the GMAT test?
GMAT questions are based on high school level mathematical concepts and English-language skills and do not evaluate job skills, motivation or interpersonal skills. The GMAT is also not designed to test your command of the English language, which is why you will still need the TOEFL or IELTS. Instead, it measures your ability to reason and make complex judgments using critical thinking, analysis of information, and problem solving under timed conditions. The test covers Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights. It is a computer based intuitive test meaning that every question depends on how you fared in the previous question. If you get an answer right, your next question will be a level higher. Similarly, if your answer is wrong, your next question will be easier, which of course is not what you should be hoping for!
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Graduate Record Examination (GRE): This is a widely accepted standard test for candidates seeking admission to both MS and MBA programs. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) is the body conducting the GRE. The GRE Exam consists of a General test and a Subject test.
What does the GRE test?
The General test is a multiple-choice, computer-based exam that evaluates a candidate’s critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem-solving skills through basic math, data analysis, and college-level vocabulary. It has 3 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing and is almost 2 hours long.
The Subject test is offered in Mathematics, Psychology and Physics to test the applicant’s expertise in these subjects only as of now. It is a 2-2.5-hour long test and is not mandatory unless any school asks for it specifically.
Is the GMAT/GRE score necessary for an ISB admission?
In one-word the answer is YES! This is so primarily because, as mentioned above, these tests are used to assess academic readiness, considering the rigorous nature of the program. However, there are certain exceptions where you might be able to apply without submitting a GMAT or GRE score.
What are the situations where I do not need a GMAT/GRE score for an ISB admission?
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Early Entry Option (EEO)
If you are in the final year of your undergraduate studies or have less than 2 years of full-time work experience, you are eligible for ISB’s Early Entry Option. You can submit your application without the GMAT/GRE score initially. But if shortlisted for admission, you will necessarily need to submit a valid score before being accepted for admission. So here actually, the GMAT/GRE is only deferred, not waived off completely.
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ISB’s Executive Education Programs
ISB PGP PRO and ISB PGP MAX are two ISB programs that do not require GMAT or GRE scores. These programs are geared towards experienced professionals. Your work experience, professional achievements, your essays and how you perform in the interview are more important as compared to standardized test scores for admission.
Still, a test score can strengthen an application but is not compulsory for these executive formats.
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Internal Assessments
In rare cases, ISB may conduct its own assessment test allowing candidates to bypass GMAT/GRE. This is however unusual and usually tied to specific cohorts or special initiatives such as a request from a corporate for a certain section of its employees, or from a think tank for its employees involved in studying policy decisions.
Even if you are applying for an ISB programme that does not require a GMAT/GRE, having a good score significantly boosts chances of your admission as it strengthens your academic profile, helps you stand out from other candidates and, above all, could positively impact your scholarship prospects. A strong GMAT/GRE score can be a decisive factor, and could be your biggest ally at ISB which receives applications from the brightest minds both within the country and globally.
And the last word is?
It is true that ISB is adapting to changing trends. It is increasingly participating in deferred MBA admissions (via EEO) and flexible learning options where test requirements are more fluid. For now, however, GMAT or GRE is a critical part of the admissions process for all applicants so don’t look for short cuts and start your GMAT/GRE preparation today.
FAQs
ISB does not award a “degree” upon completion of its Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). Instead, graduates receive a digitally certified certificate and transcript at the end of the course, after meeting all financial obligations with the School. They will receive an email on their ISB alumni ID with login credentials, using which they can view, print, and share the document. This facility provides the student with lifelong access to the document, which can be accessed from any part of the world. A hard copy of the original certificate will be issued at graduation.
While the PGP program is considered equivalent to an Executive MBA, Indian regulations prevent independent institutions like ISB from granting master's degrees.
The required GMAT score for ISB admission can vary from year to year based on factors such as the quality of applicants, academic qualifications, work experience, and extracurricular activities. So, while a GMAT score of 640 may not be ideal, it does not necessarily mean that an applicant cannot get accepted into ISB.
And similarly, while a GMAT score of 750 gives you greater chances of getting into ISB, it does not guarantee admission.
In general, a good GMAT score for ISB is 700 and above. A score of 680 may not be highly competitive, but it is still possible to receive your admit if you excel in other areas of the admission requirements, including extra-curriculars and community service. ISB does not give any cutoff score, so the final decision is based on the holistic profile of the applicant.
To be on the safe side, aim for a GMAT score of 710-720 or a GRE score of 325+.
ISB does not prefer one test over the other. They evaluate applicants holistically, considering all aspects of their application, including the GMAT or GRE score, essays, work experience, and other factors.
The GMAT is generally considered more challenging and focuses on a broader range of quantitative concepts, while the GRE tends to be more focused on vocabulary and verbal reasoning. So the test you wish to opt for will depend on your own strengths and weaknesses. If you're comfortable with quantitative reasoning and are applying primarily to business schools, the GMAT might be a good fit. If you're strong in vocabulary and applying to programs that may also consider GRE scores, then GRE might be a better option for you.
