My MBA Career – Schools First GMAT Increase in 13 Years

Last Updated on September 23, 2023 by Robert C. Hoopes

Harvard Business School (HBS) has just unveiled the MBA Class of 2025 profile, revealing significant changes in the admissions process and attracted attention by weighing less importance on GMAT scores. This move indicates a shift towards a more holistic approach to reviewing MBA applications.

In the previous application cycle, the successful admits’ GMAT scores ranged from 500 to 790, with an average score of 582.34 for all test-takers. However, HBS believes that strengths exhibited in other areas can override weaknesses in GMAT scores. Consequently, the school has decided to no longer report GMAT averages, opting instead for median scores. Since 2010, the median GMAT score has consistently been 730. Surprisingly, for the Class of 2025, HBS disclosed a median GMAT score of 740, breaking the long-standing pattern.

Despite a slight dip in applications by 1.4%, HBS has been encountering a downward trend in recent years, with a staggering 21% decrease in applications since the Class of 2019. Nevertheless, there was a record increase in applicants choosing to submit GRE scores, accounting for 34% of the applicant pool.

The composition of the Class of 2025 is also worth noting. HBS has successfully maintained stable enrollment for women at 45%. Moreover, the international representation has seen an uptick, now comprising 39% of the class. In terms of racial diversity, the majority of students identified as White, making up 50% of the class. Asian Americans accounted for 22%, followed by Black students at 10%. The report also highlights a rise in military students, who now make up 6% of the incoming class, up from 4% the previous year.

In addition to the changes in admissions criteria, the Class of 2025 boasts an impressive average undergraduate GPA of 3.73, setting a new school record and surpassing the previous year’s average of 3.70.

With these modifications to the admissions process and the continued decline in applications, HBS seems to be adapting to the evolving needs and expectations of prospective MBA candidates. The emphasis on holistic evaluation and diverse student representation underscores the school’s commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.