Kaplan Test Prep Survey Finds that a Majority of Top Business Schools Now Accept the GRE as an Admissions Alternative to the GMAT, Giving Undergrads Flexibility to Pursue Either a Master’s Degree or an MBA

Also: Some Admissions Officers Follow Applicants’ Digital Trails to Dig Up More Info

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)

Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571

New York, NY (September 12, 2011) – For the first time since Kaplan Test Prep began tracking the issue in 2009, a majority (52%) of top business schools say that applicants now have the option to submit a score from the GRE instead of the GMAT.  Additionally, 34% of business schools that are still GMAT-only say they are likely to accept the GRE for the 2012 or 2013 admissions cycle. Traditionally, the GRE has been used only for admissions to non-MBA graduate level programs, while the GMAT was the admissions exam of record required by business schools.

“What’s interesting about this trend is that GMAT test takers typically have a few years of work experience under their belts, while it’s more common for undergrads to take the GRE, so in accepting the GRE, business schools are registering to college students that they can start thinking about an MBA education earlier in the process,” said Andrew Mitchell, director of pre-business programs, Kaplan Test Prep.  “In fact, some business schools specifically reach out to undergrads at their affiliated colleges with programs to make it simpler for them to apply and enroll. This widening of the ‘boardroom door’ into business school creates options for undergrads who know that they want to pursue a higher degree, but are undecided as to whether it will be a master’s or an MBA.”

Mitchell predicts that the recent changes to the GRE, which have made it more challenging, are likely to convince even more MBA programs to consider accepting it in the future.  Meanwhile, the GMAT will soon experience its own significant changes by implementing the Integrated Reasoning section, introducing complex new question types designed to test the critical thinking and analytics demanded of students in business school.

Other results from Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of business school admissions officers:

  • Facebook and Google are Fair Game: 27% of admissions officers said they have Googled an applicant to learn more about them; 22% said they have visited an applicant’s Facebook or other social networking page for the same purpose.
  • Your Digital Trail Can Lead to Rejection: 14% of admissions officer who did online research said they have discovered something about a prospective student that negatively impacted their business school application.
  • Business School Admissions Urban Legend, Busted: Contrary to the belief held by many aspiring MBAs still in college, business schools report that an applicant’s lack of work experience is not the biggest application killer – it’s actually a low admissions exam score (58%), followed by a low undergraduate GPA (24%) and then lack of relevant work experience at 12%.
  • Financial Aid Still Available: 36% of business schools said that compared to the previous admissions cycle, the amount of financial aid they were able to provide students increased; 47% reported the amount stayed the same; only 17% said the amount decreased.

For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s survey on the business school admissions landscape and advice from a Kaplan expert on how college students can put together a strong business school application, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538. 

*The survey was conducted by phone in July and August 2011 and includes responses from 265 of the nation’s top MBA programs, including 16 of the top 25 – as designated by U.S. News & World Report.  Kaplan Test Prep also annually conducts surveys of admissions officers at colleges, graduate schools, law schools and medical schools.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com), a division of Kaplan, Inc., is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

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