What do the main terms mean?
On an admissions page, first look for the verb and any note next to the test name. A list of accepted tests does not tell you whether you must submit one. A possible waiver does not mean it has already been granted.
The table offers a working translation. You still need the full program text and form requirements to determine how they apply to you.
| Term | Practical meaning | Next question |
|---|---|---|
| Required / mandatory | Application requirement | Is there an explicit exception? |
| Accepted | A test accepted under the stated conditions | Must you submit a test, and which versions are accepted? |
| Optional / not required | No requirement under the stated policy | How is a submitted score considered? |
| Waiver / exemption | Waiver subject to conditions | Who qualifies, and what proof or approval is required? |
| Recommended | Program recommendation | What exactly does the program recommend? |
| Bonus | Additional mechanism described by the competition | Which schools, tests, and conditions does it apply to? |
Can the same competition have different requirements?
Yes. ECRICOME’s 2027 Tremplin Bac+3 page distinguishes between the three participating schools: KEDGE and NEOMA require a logic test; at EM Strasbourg it is optional and may earn a bonus under the stated conditions. The TAGE MAGE, GMAT, and GRE are the listed alternatives. The English test is a separate requirement.
This requires checking each school’s requirements, even with a shared registration. In your tracking sheet, separate each application’s requirements instead of labeling the whole competition as having one “optional test.”
This example illustrates the information published for 2027. It does not establish the weighting, rules for another cycle, or effect of an extra point on your admission chances. Those questions require their own official rules.
Does choosing between the GMAT and GRE waive the test requirement?
No. If a process requires the GMAT or GRE, the choice is between tests that satisfy the requirement. You do not need to submit both unless specifically instructed, but having an alternative does not make the score optional.
The INSEAD MBA FAQ says either the GMAT or GRE is required and that no waiver is granted. It accepts both tests without stating a preference. This is a specific example of choosing between tests within a requirement.
For other applications, use the same reasoning without transferring this conclusion. Record the accepted alternatives, test versions, and score delivery process. A degree, work experience, or another score is a substitute only if the program says so.
How should you decide when a score is not required?
Start by reading the policy for scores submitted voluntarily. If it describes a bonus, check the applicable conditions. If it does not quantify an effect, do not treat “optional” as a promise of an advantage or proof that the score is irrelevant.
You can then consider the time available, test cost, any score you can already use, and other parts of your application that need work. This comparison helps you plan; it does not predict admission.
If you are unsure how to report a score, follow the portal and program instructions. Sending a document through another channel is not a reliable way to work around a missing field.
The pitfall
Inferring a rule from a page’s silence
An overview page may omit requirements explained elsewhere. If the first page you read does not mention the GMAT, that does not prove the test is optional. Check the admissions section, FAQ, regulations, and cycle-specific notes.
Acceptance of a provisional score does not make the test optional; it may only change the required proof or when the final result must be sent. Check the written instructions for your route before submitting a self-reported score or provisional document.
If these documents conflict, keep both versions of the wording and ask admissions for clarification. Choosing the more favorable sentence without resolving the conflict could leave you unprepared for a requirement.
What information should you keep for each application?
Keep six details: program, route, cycle, test status, conditions, and source. Add your next action. “Required: book the test,” “waiver: request proof,” and “optional: read the policy on how scores are considered” are different tasks.
Review these notes before paying and before submitting your application. They help prevent a partial memory, another applicant’s experience, or a different program’s rule from becoming an instruction for your own application.
Key takeaways
- “Accepted” describes an option; “required” describes a requirement.
- An alternative between tests is not a waiver.
- “Optional” does not let you assume how the score affects selection.