Summary
In the evolving world of global admissions, standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT are no longer seen as the golden ticket. Top universities are dropping them — citing accessibility, bias, and irrelevance to real-world performance. Through the lens of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, India’s trailblazing biotech entrepreneur and a proud graduate of Federation University, this blog explores why the age of testing may be ending — and what this means for the future of global merit.
In the 1970s, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw applied to become a brewmaster in India. She was rejected — not because she lacked knowledge, but because she was a woman.
So she did what all pioneers do — left the system, built her own lab, and changed an entire industry.
Today, she runs Biocon, one of Asia’s biggest biopharmaceutical firms. And she did it without a fancy MBA or a perfect GRE score.
Which brings us to 2025 — where some of the top universities in the world are dropping GRE/GMAT requirements altogether.
The Stats Tell the Story
- In 2024, over 70% of U.S. graduate schools made the GRE optional
- Stanford, Columbia, MIT, UC Berkeley, and Harvard Kennedy School no longer require the GRE for most grad programs
- Business schools like INSEAD, Wharton, and Sloan are accepting portfolios, work experience, or alternative credentials instead of GMAT
The shift is seismic. And overdue.
Why the Change?
- Access and Equity
Standardized tests have been shown to favor:
- Native English speakers
- Upper-middle-class students with coaching access
- Male applicants over female applicants (especially GMAT data)
- Native English speakers
- In contrast, students from rural, under-resourced, or non-traditional backgrounds consistently underperform — not due to lack of potential, but due to unfamiliarity with test formats.
- Lack of Predictive Value
Studies by ETS and Kaplan show that GRE scores don’t reliably predict academic success in graduate school. Soft skills, grit, research experience, and work portfolios often matter more. - COVID Aftershock
During the pandemic, many universities waived test scores. Results showed no drop in classroom performance — sparking a permanent rethink. - Rise of Portfolio Admissions
From GitHub links to startup case studies, modern applicants now come armed with proof of work. Not just percentile ranks.
The Mazumdar-Shaw Lens: Merit Beyond Metrics
If Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw had been judged solely by test scores, she might never have entered the biotech world.
Her strength was never in conforming. It was in building.
She didn’t memorize formulas. She solved problems.
That’s what graduate schools are finally realizing: success lies not in answering quickly, but in thinking deeply.
How the Landscape is Evolving
- STEM Programs:
Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, and Imperial College London now use research potential + undergrad GPA + LORs instead of GRE - Public Policy & International Affairs:
Harvard Kennedy School and Princeton SPIA both dropped GRE. They now emphasize:
- Community leadership
- Personal essays
- Life context
- Community leadership
- MBA Programs:
INSEAD, MIT Sloan, and ISB now let you submit:
- LinkedIn achievements
- Case competitions
- Work portfolios
- Even video introductions
- LinkedIn achievements
From Coaching Centers to Labs
The GRE/GMAT business is massive in India — worth ₹4,000 crore annually.
But here’s the irony: most successful entrepreneurs never needed it.
Mazumdar-Shaw started Biocon in her garage with ₹10,000. Her credibility came not from a test, but from her output.
Imagine if the same lens applied to students: what have you done — not how well did you test?
Student Voices on the Change
“I couldn’t afford GRE prep. Now I have a shot based on my research.”
— Ritika, PhD applicant, Delhi
“My GMAT was average, but I built a 10K-follower newsletter. That got me into INSEAD.”
— Yash, MBA admit, 2025
“I failed twice. But when they removed GRE, I got into Berkeley.”
— Khadija, Data Science MS
These stories are not exceptions. They’re the start of a test-less revolution.
What This Means for Applicants
- Your Story Matters More
Focus on personal statements. Show growth, reflection, and clarity. - Build Tangible Projects
Blogs. Startups. Community work. Even volunteer gigs — document them. - Get Strong LORs (Letters of Recommendation)
Find people who know your mind, not just your marks. - Prepare for Interviews, Not Tests
More schools are replacing tests with in-depth conversations and assessments. - Don’t Waste Energy on Prestige Myths
Many students still believe “No GRE = lower prestige.” It’s not true.
The world is changing faster than those myths can survive.
Closing Thoughts
A test measures what you know on a given day, in a controlled room, under synthetic pressure.
But life doesn’t work that way.
Neither does leadership.
Neither did Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.
She didn’t pass a test. She passed through the fire of rejection, scarcity, and social bias — and came out building an empire.
If graduate schools want to shape leaders like her, they’ll need to look beyond the bubble sheet.
Because in the lab of the real world, curiosity always beats calculation.
Glossary
- GRE: Graduate Record Examination — used for most U.S. graduate schools
- GMAT: Graduate Management Admission Test — used for MBA admissions
- Portfolio Admissions: Applications based on demonstrated work instead of test scores
- Predictive Validity: How well a test predicts future academic or job performance
- Biocon: India’s leading biopharma company, founded by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
