DATA TO GO: Indications Are—GMAT Volume Reliable in Forecasting Application Trends

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DATA TO GO: Indications Are—GMAT Volume Reliable in Forecasting Application Trends
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DATA TO GO: Indications Are—GMAT Volume Reliable in Forecasting Application Trends

GMAT volumes are important early indicators of first-year graduate enrollment for business programs, according to the US Council of Graduate Schools. In fact, the exam may provide an advance look at trends in application volume to programs in other world regions, as well as those in the United States, because non-US citizens account for nearly half (49%) of GMAT tests taken.

As the figure illustrates, recent GMAT test-taking data and corresponding Application Trends Survey data confirm a strong correlation between changes in GMAT testing volume and the number of MBA program applications received—especially for full-time MBA programs. Based on the percentage change in year-to-date volume, the number of GMAT tests taken increased by 7.6 percent in 2009 and topped record-high 2008 numbers. The number of applications that participating full-time MBA programs received during the 2009 application cycle also increased by 3.3 percent. Last year, for example, a 10 percent growth in full-time MBA program application volume matched a 13 percent growth in GMAT test-taking volume.