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Is Wharton using a test-optional policy for applicants in all rounds (EA/ED/RD) for 2026–2027?
Executive summary
Available sources do not state that Wharton has adopted a blanket test‑optional policy for the 2026–2027 MBA cycle; Wharton’s official application guide (published Aug 15, 2025) continues to discuss GMAT/GRE as application elements and describes testing in the application requirements [1]. Outside reporting shows broader Penn undergraduate testing policy changes for Fall 2026 (Penn reinstated SAT/ACT requirement), but that article concerns undergraduate admissions, not Wharton’s MBA program [2].
1. What the Wharton MBA pages say about tests — official guidance still treats GMAT/GRE as central
Wharton’s MBA application guide (Wharton MBA Application Requirements) describes GMAT or GRE in the context of application requirements and instructions for applicants, indicating the tests remain an expected component of the application process as published on Aug 15, 2025 [1]. Several independent admissions guides and MBA‑focused sites also discuss GMAT/GRE averages, score ranges, and that Wharton accepts both GMAT and GRE without preference, reinforcing that standardized graduate tests remain relevant to admissions [3] [4]. These items imply Wharton has not publicly moved to a blanket test‑optional stance for the MBA in the cited materials [1] [4].
2. Penn’s undergraduate testing policy change — not the same as Wharton MBA policy
Reporting shows the University of Pennsylvania reinstated an SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate applicants for fall 2026, while allowing waivers for documented hardship (Daily Pennsylvanian, Feb 14, 2025) — this is explicitly about undergraduate admissions and does not directly assert a change to Wharton MBA testing rules [2]. Do not conflate Penn undergraduate standardized‑testing policy with Wharton’s MBA policy; available sources treat them separately [2] [1].
3. Third‑party MBA advising sites reflect continued emphasis on test scores or waivers, not full test‑optional adoption
Multiple MBA advising and consultant sites (Clear Admit, Personal MBA Coach, e‑GMAT, Leland, Sia Admissions) cover Wharton’s deadlines, essays, and testing expectations for 2025–2026 and note the GMAT/GRE’s role in admissions; some discuss optional elements like the Analytical Writing Assessment for that cycle, or test‑waiver programs at other schools, but none of the supplied pages announce a Wharton MBA test‑optional policy covering all rounds [5] [6] [4] [7] [8]. One later piece about GMAT/GRE waivers (dated Sep 23, 2025) shows that waivers are a growing topic across programs, but the article does not claim Wharton moved to a universal test‑optional approach [9].
4. Evidence about Wharton practices that matters to applicants
Available reporting includes the Wharton class profile and average GMAT reports (e.g., Class of 2026 average GMAT 732 discussed on third‑party pages), and site guidance stating Wharton has no preference between GMAT and GRE; these signal that test scores remain a meaningful comparative metric for admissions committees [3] [4]. The Wharton application guide also references timelines tied to applicants submitting test scores and decision release timelines tied to Rounds 1 and 2, again implying tests remain part of standard evaluation [1].
5. What’s not found in current reporting — the definitive answer you asked for
None of the provided sources explicitly state “Wharton is test‑optional for all rounds (EA/ED/RD) for 2026–2027” or provide a Wharton press release or updated admissions page announcing a comprehensive test‑optional policy for that MBA cycle (available sources do not mention a Wharton MBA universal test‑optional policy) [1] [5] [6]. If you need certainty for application planning, the sources advise checking Wharton’s official MBA admissions pages for the latest requirements; the Wharton application guide remains the authoritative reference among the supplied materials [1].
6. How applicants should interpret mixed signals and what to do next
Third‑party sites (consultants and blogs) sometimes report on waivers, optional elements, and broader trends; they can mislead if taken as substitutes for Wharton’s official guidance [6] [9] [8]. Given the absence of an explicit Wharton announcement in the provided material, prospective applicants should rely on Wharton’s MBA application guide and the school’s official admissions communications for final policy; the guide on Aug 15, 2025 remains the canonical source cited here [1]. If you need a definitive, up‑to‑date answer beyond these sources, contact Wharton Admissions directly or check mba.wharton.upenn.edu for any policy updates [1].
Limitations: This analysis uses only the supplied search results and does not include any Wharton announcements or web pages published after Aug 15, 2025 unless already included above. Where sources discuss Penn undergraduate testing changes, they do not address Wharton MBA policy and should not be interpreted as evidence of MBA policy change [2].