LIVE GMAT 2025 News and Announcement

The Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action has intensified scrutiny of legacy admissions in Ivy League schools. Critics argue that these preferences reinforce privilege, while universities claim financial benefits. Studies, however, challenge this justification. With public opposition rising—75% of Americans disapprove—more colleges are dropping legacy admissions, fueling the debate on fairness in higher education.

The GMAT Exam (Focus Edition) has a new scoring system, ranging from 205 to 805, unlike the previous edition’s 200-800 scale. This change reflects a broader range of test-takers and aims for a more even distribution of scores. For comparison, a 645 on the Focus Edition is roughly equivalent to a 700 on the older (10th Edition) exam. While the new scores might appear lower, business schools are aware of this adjustment and will focus on percentile rankings rather than the raw score when evaluating candidates.

Over 75% of MBA and business master’s programs now incorporate AI into their curricula, focusing on business ethics, decision-making, practical applications, and strategy, according to GMAC. Since the rise of generative AI, spurred by ChatGPT in 2022, business schools have addressed growing student demand for AI education. GMAC surveys show 40% of prospective students prioritize AI in their studies, while employers predict AI competencies will be vital in five years, highlighting the evolving synergy between education and industry needs.

The Indian School of Business (ISB) is introducing a new 20-month management program designed for recent graduates and those with limited work experience (up to two years). This program, launching in July 2025, will align ISB’s offerings more closely with traditional two-year programs offered by IIMs. With a fee exceeding 29 lakhs, it will be a substantial investment for aspiring managers.

GMAT testing volume has risen, driven by India’s 20.1% growth (4,500+ test takers) and the U.S.’s 6.1% increase (1,500+ test takers). Emerging markets like Uzbekistan showed notable growth, while Western Europe grew 6.0%, led by Germany (+242) and Sweden (+198), despite a slight decline in the UK (-94). Over half of tests in Europe used the new GMAT format.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is crucial for most MBA programs in India, but some, like IIM Bangalore’s Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP), don’t require it. This one-year MBA for professionals with 5-12 years of experience focuses on core management skills. Admission is based on GMAT/GRE scores, academic performance, work experience, and an interview. Prepare for GMAT/GRE by understanding the format, studying strategically, and practicing consistently.