Management analyst (consultant): bachelor's degree, related experience, MBA preferred by some employers
Management analysts typically need at least a bachelor's degree and several years of related work experience. Some employers prefer an MBA; certification is not required.
For: Problem-solvers who like data, interviews and recommending how an organization can work better.
Route 1: Bachelor's → years in a related job → analyst Typical
Many fields of study suit the job, including business, social science and engineering. Firms that specialize in a field try to hire people with experience in it.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Management Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
Bachelor's in business, social science, engineering or another field
BLS
Management Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Several years
Work in a related occupation
For example, tax preparation firms may prefer people who worked as accountants; software companies may seek computer systems analysts.
BLS
Management Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Management analyst
Senior analysts may supervise teams, become partners or move to management jobs.
BLS
Management Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Bachelor's → GMAT or GRE → MBA → analyst Some employers prefer
Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a master's degree in business administration (MBA).
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Start here
Bachelor's degree
BLS
Management Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
GMAT or GRE for business school
The GMAT has three sections (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights) and takes 2 hours 15 minutes.
GMAT and GRE exam pagesGMAC
GMAT exam structureGraduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), mba.com- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
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Graduate
MBA
BLS
Management Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Management analyst
BLS
Management Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- GRE instead of GMAT
- ETS calls the GRE General Test one test for graduate, business and law school, accepted at thousands of schools.
ETS
The GRE General TestETS- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- GRE sections
- Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing.
ETS
GRE General Test contentETS- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- Professional certification
Professional associations · Voluntary - Management analysts are not required to get certification, but having a credential may give jobseekers a competitive advantage.
BLS
Management Analysts — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.