GMAT Test-Taker Trends
GMAC carry out an annual survey to analyse the Application Trends for Graduate Management Education. During 2010 applicants for full time MBA Programs have slightly declined in comparison to 2009, however EMBA programmes have become more popular and received an increase in applicants, thus reversing a 3 year decline. Some other key findings from the survey were:
- Approximately half of all graduate management programs reported an increase in application volume for the 2010-2011 class, and around 40 percent reported a decline compared with 2009.
- 59 percent of Executive MBA (EMBA) programs received an increase in the number of applications, thus reversing a 3-year decline. This was one of the highest proportions of programs reporting increases in volume among all MBA programs.
- More full time 2 year MBA programs reported a downward trend in applications compared to that of previous years. Applications had reached an all time high in 2008 but now 49% have reported a downward trend.
- Part time MBA programs appear to be ending their recent downward cycle in application volume.
- A slight decline in full time MBA programs' application volume (-1.8%).
GMAT Regional Trends
More full time MBA programs in Canada and Europe are reporting growth versus decline in application volume. In Asia and the United States more programs are reporting a decline versus growth.
More than half (52%) of European MBA programs reported an increase in application volume from last year. Only one third (32%) received fewer applications than 2009. In the United States, more than half of programs reported a decline in the volume of applications.
MBA Applicant Trends
In 2010 156 participating masters’ programs received a total of 31,753 completed applications for the 2010-2011 incoming class.
A typical 2010 full time MBA program applicant was aged 26-30 years of age (43%), and had three to six years of work experience (42%). Nearly all programs reported that candidates were either more academically qualified (46%) or comparable (45%) to last year’s applicants.
All the above information was taken from the GMAC Applications Trends Survey 2010. To read the full report and other statistics please visit the GMAC website.
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