Predicting Student Success in Quantitative Master’s Programs: A Meta-Analysis

September 25, 2019

Overview

A meta-analysis of 11 different master’s degree programs, representing more than 1,600 students, has found that using both undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) and GMAT sub-scores in tandem results in the highest predictive validity.  Furthermore, because UGPA can vary considerably between programs, the study cautions against using it as the sole admissions criterion.  Quantitative master’s programs may also wish to pay particular attention to the verbal score as it has the highest predictive validity of any individual sub score.  Note that this is the first time that a master’s specific study has been undertaken and reflects the growing usage of the GMAT exam among specialist master’s programs.