Graduate Management Admission Council

Graduate Management Admission Council. The Graduate Management Admission Council is a global, mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools. Founded in 1953, it is best known for creating and administering the Graduate Management Admission Test, a standardized exam used for admissions to thousands of MBA and other business master's programs worldwide. The organization conducts extensive research, provides industry insights, and facilitates services that connect business schools, prospective students, and corporate recruiters across the international education landscape.

History

The organization was established in 1953 by a consortium of nine business schools, including Columbia Business School, Harvard Business School, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, to create a standardized assessment for business school admissions. Its first major product, the Graduate Management Admission Test, was launched in 1954. Over subsequent decades, it expanded its membership globally, incorporating schools from across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Key milestones included the 1997 introduction of the computer-adaptive GMAT and the 2012 launch of the Executive Assessment for Executive MBA programs. In 2023, it announced a new, shorter version of the GMAT Focus Edition, reflecting ongoing adaptation to the evolving needs of graduate management education.

Governance and structure

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors composed of deans and senior administrators from member business schools, such as INSEAD, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and the Indian School of Business. Day-to-day operations are led by a professional executive team headquartered in Reston, Virginia, under the leadership of CEO Joy Jones. Its global structure includes offices in London, Hong Kong, and New Delhi, supporting regional initiatives and member services. The broader membership comprises over 200 leading business schools and universities worldwide, which guide strategic direction through committees and task forces focused on areas like admissions, marketing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Products and services

Its flagship product remains the Graduate Management Admission Test, delivered in partnership with Pearson VUE at test centers worldwide. Other key assessments include the Executive Assessment and the NMAT by GMAC, used extensively in India. Beyond testing, it operates GMAC Tours and events like the Worldwide MBA Tour to connect schools with candidates. It provides critical data and analysis through platforms such as the mba.com Prospective Students Survey and the Corporate Recruiters Survey. Additional services for schools include the GMAC Connect recruitment platform and the Graduate Management Education (GME) Summit, while candidates utilize resources on mba.com and the BusinessBecause publication.

Role in graduate management education

The organization serves as a central hub for the global business education ecosystem. It sets a common standard for admissions through the GMAT, enabling comparative evaluation of applicants from diverse backgrounds for programs at institutions like Stanford Graduate School of Business and London Business School. Its research, such as the Application Trends Survey, provides vital intelligence on market dynamics to schools including CEIBS and the Kellogg School of Management. By convening forums like the Annual Conference, it fosters collaboration on challenges facing the industry, from digital transformation to global mobility. Its initiatives also aim to broaden access to management education for underrepresented groups, supporting the talent pipelines for Fortune 500 companies and other employers.

Criticism and controversies

The organization has faced scrutiny over the years, particularly regarding the GMAT's role in admissions. Critics, including some faculty at the MIT Sloan School of Management, have argued that standardized testing can create socioeconomic barriers and favor wealthy applicants who can afford test preparation from companies like Kaplan. The transition to the shorter GMAT Focus Edition in 2023 was met with mixed reactions from test-takers and admissions consultants. Furthermore, the rise of test-optional policies at schools like the University of Michigan Ross School of Business has prompted debates about the exam's long-term necessity. The organization has also navigated challenges related to test security and accessibility, working to maintain the integrity of its assessments amid incidents of cheating and the demands of remote testing.