GMAC’s 2008 Application Trends Survey, released in August, indicates that interest in full-time MBA programs increased sharply as the economy slid downward this year. In addition, GMAT testing and registration volume are both steaming along at a record pace, suggesting that heavy application levels are in store for the months to come.

Among the news organzations that have called on Council officials to comment on the latest MBA application data is Bloomberg Television. GMAC President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Wilson appeared on the channel in September to comment on the rising interest in MBA programs. As Dave spoke, Bloomberg showed a chart from GMAC’s Research Department indicating that every economic downturn over the past four decades has been accompanied by strong GMAT volume.