The data is out for the 2011-2012 GMAT testing year (TY) and the numbers are quite interesting to review. 286,529 GMAT exams were taken (228,971 of which were from unique test takers, not the same individual retesting) and 831,337 score reports were delivered to over 5,200 graduate management programs worldwide—record numbers across the board.
The global trend continues in terms of US vs. non-US citizens taking the GMAT. Five years ago during TY 2007-2008, US citizens comprised the majority of GMAT test-takers at 51%. By TY 2008-2009, non-US citizens overtook the majority spot at a nearly equivalent percentage breakdown (49/51, US/non-US). For TY2011-2012, the chasm has grown to 41% US vs 59% non-US.
Two players of note in GMAT test taking trends for TY2012 are women and China. 122,283 women took the GMAT in TY2012—43% of the total—the highest ever number of female GMAT takers. Women have also tracked a 4.3% average annual growth rate as opposed a 2.2% average for men. Further, more than half of the women taking the GMAT are under 25 years old, and a big chunk of that group are from China, major demographic shifts that are reshaping the business school admissions landscape, and will have longer term implications for the global economy, the culture of business, and the next generation of leadership.
It is likely no surprise that the majority of GMAT test takers intend on using their GMAT score to pursue an MBA. In fact, the 151,387 people who marked MBA as their targeted degree is a number almost double all other stated degree intentions combined over seven categories, including undecided. However, alternative business related masters programs are also increasing in popularity, as 33% of GMAT test takers are now using their scores solely for this type of program, up from 22% in 2009.
Commenting on these trends, GMAC president Dave Wilson said, “This report clearly illustrates the growing diversity of management education, from the types of programs available, to the number of quality programs worldwide, to the variety of people who are choosing to pursue a degree. We see this diversity in the growing applications for specialized master’s programs that are attracting candidates who are younger, have less work experience and are more likely to be female than the typical MBA candidate.”
