Q&A with Scott Woodbury-Stewart: Is the GMAT Still Relevant?

In recent years, a growing number of top business schools have adopted test-optional or test-flexible admissions policies, reflecting a broader shift in how graduate programs assess potential. While this flexibility is welcome news for some applicants, does this mean that the GMAT is losing its relevancy?

We recently spoke with Scott Woodbury-Stewart, founder and CEO of Target Test Prep in order to unpack what this shift means, and why the GMAT continues to carry weight in the MBA admissions process. Here’s what Scott had to say.

Vault: Given the rise of test-optional policies in business school admissions, how do you see the GMAT maintaining its relevance in evaluating candidates?

Woodbury-Stewart: Despite the rise of test-optional policies in business school admissions, the GMAT remains a critical component in evaluating prospective students' readiness for the rigorous demands of any graduate management program in addition to the MBA. There are two main reasons that stick out as to why the GMAT is important to MBA admissions officers.

GMAT scores confirm applicants’ readiness to handle a school's program: With the intensity of MBA programs, admissions committees want assurance that applicants will be able to handle the program. One way they can do this is by seeing an applicant received above a certain threshold on the GMAT.

GMAT scores correlate with the performance of admitted applicants: Business schools aim to admit applicants that will contribute the most to the educational experience of their fellow students and perform at the highest level. Both research and schools’ experience have shown that GMAT scores are strongly correlated with a person’s performance in business school, so the higher an applicant’s GMAT score, the higher the expected business school performance of that applicant.

Though we may be seeing an increase in test-optional policies, there are many aspects of admission into an MBA program that are best measured through the GMAT that will be difficult to replicate by other factors.

What specific skills does the GMAT measure that you believe are still essential for success in an MBA program, regardless of changing admissions trends?

The GMAT measures many core skills that will remain essential for a student’s ability to succeed in an MBA program. These skills are tied to the analytical, strategic, and decision-making abilities that are required by business schools. I believe the GMAT serves as a proven predictor of students’ success, and is crucial in measuring critical business skills, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.

How do you respond to critics who argue that the GMAT is less predictive of success compared to work experience or undergraduate performance?

Though work experience is beneficial in offering unique insight into a candidate's practical skills and leadership abilities, the GMAT serves as a standardized measure of academic potential and readiness for an MBA program. Showcasing a candidates’ ability to thrive in the program is a key point that the GMAT makes that admissions finds appealing in potential candidates. Additionally, if a candidate is looking at attending a top business school, their GMAT score could be the factor that helps to set them apart from other potential candidates, not prior experience or GPA. Together, a candidate's GMAT score, work experience and undergraduate performance help to show the candidates readiness for an MBA program as well as their potential to succeed in the program.

In your experience with Target Test Prep, have you observed any shifts in how business schools weigh GMAT scores compared to other application components?

MBA admissions officers often say that GMAT scores are among the most important components they consider when making admissions decisions. The GMAT will continue to be a critical factor in demonstrating quantitative skills and academic readiness, business schools are beginning to adopt a more holistic, test-optional approach.

Many schools are placing a greater emphasis on the GMAT as well as work experience, leadership roles and prior academic scores. This showcases a trend where business schools are seeking candidates with strong standardized test scores as well as a well-rounded set of skills and experience. Additionally, with the rise of test-optional policies, candidates are given more flexibility in how they present themselves.

Can you share an example of a student you’ve worked with who leveraged a strong GMAT score to stand out in a competitive, test-optional admissions landscape?

One Target Test Prep user, Julia, achieved a perfect score, positioning her as a top candidate for many top business schools such as Oxford, Wharton and Kellogg. By taking the test before looking into schools and choosing her top picks, she gave herself a strong foundation to build on. Her strong GMAT score not only expanded her options, but boosted her confidence in advocating for herself to find the best fit. With such a competitive score, Julia now has the flexibility to explore a wider range of programs, including international opportunities, which may have been more limited with a lower score.

How does the GMAT’s focus on quantitative reasoning and analytical writing prepare students for the real-world challenges they’ll face in business leadership roles?

The GMAT’s focus on areas like quantitative reasoning and analytical writing help students build real world skills—like making data driven decisions, solving complex problems, and communicating ideas—that they will need as future business leaders. By having these focuses, students are able to develop skills through test preparation that they would need in a real business environment. Solutions like Target Test Prep help candidates not only prepare for the GMAT but also build the necessary skills to navigate if something were to arise in the workplace, allowing them to showcase strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Today’s business environment places a stronger emphasis on data-driven and analytical decision-making, making it essential for the GMAT, as well as GMAT test preparation solutions, to adapt to meet these requirements. The GMAT Focus Edition already reflects this shift with a greater emphasis on data, to ensure students develop the crucial skills to excel in business school and tackle real-world business challenges.

With the GMAT Focus Edition now in play, how do you think its updated format strengthens its case as a vital tool for assessing MBA readiness?

The GMAT Focus Edition was released with the purpose to hone in on the higher-order critical reasoning and data literacy skills especially relevant and applicable in the business environment of tomorrow. The fundamental purpose of the GMAT still remains, meaning the skills needed to perform well will be the same for both exams. The GMAT Focus Edition is known to be more efficient and more focused on relevant business skills than the current exam. With only three sections, Data Insights, Quantitative, and Verbal, compared to the standard editions four sections, the Focus Edition is designed to be more streamlined and relevant to business education. With a focus on more relevant skills in today’s business landscape, like data insights, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the new test is seen as more impactful for assessing readiness among business school applicants.

For students considering skipping the GMAT due to test-optional policies, what advice would you give them about the potential risks or benefits of that decision?

If you’re considering skipping the GMAT because of test-optional policies, it is important to first weigh the pros and cons as taking the GMAT could be your key to your top business school. The first being the competitiveness of the business school you are applying to. If you are applying to a highly competitive business school, a well above average GMAT score can knock other applicants to top schools out of the running, even if other aspects of their application are strong. You could gain admission into a top business school without taking the GMAT or with a lower score if your profile is especially outstanding; however, that would be an exception. If you are applying to a less competitive school, not having a GMAT score may knock you out of the running as it may cause the admissions committee to question if you are ready to handle the workload.

Regardless of whether a school has made the GMAT optional, all of the reasons GMAT scores are important to the admissions committee still exist. Despite a school being test-optional, a high score on the GMAT helps to indicate that a candidate has the ability to handle the program and perform well. Additionally, many students do not take the GMAT due to the time consumption, including studying; however, with tools like Target Test Prep, studying has never been easier, no matter where you are starting from with personalized plans based on how long you have to study for and with your goal score in mind. Submitting a high GMAT score has the ability to strengthen your application, despite the rise of test-optional policies.

How do you see the GMAT evolving in the future to stay aligned with the needs of business schools and the corporate world?

As the business landscape changes, business schools will adapt their curriculum to keep pace with emerging trends in the industry. In turn, the GMAT will also evolve to reflect these changes, ensuring it remains a relevant and effective measure of the skills needed for success in an MBA program and beyond.

Some changes that may affect the GMAT’s future may include a greater emphasis on data and analytical skills. We are already seeing this through the greater emphasis on data-driven decision making in the GMAT Focus Edition, and as data becomes more important in the business world, the GMAT will increasingly prioritize the skills needed to navigate and analyze complex information effectively.

Another change is a focus on more adaptive and efficient testing. The GMAT Focus Edition is already giving shorter exams then the regular GMAT, a trend that will likely continue to optimize testing efficiency.

From your perspective, what unique value does the GMAT bring to the admissions process that cannot be replicated by other metrics or assessments?

The GMAT still plays a crucial role in MBA admissions that serves as more than just metrics. These programs have also depended on MBA test takers to deliver tests that prove their ability to handle the complexities of the program they aspire to join. Today, the GMAT serves two important purposes: 1) give candidates an opportunity to show their desired program that they are deserving of admission; and 2) give the MBA program administrators the assurance that candidates meeting their score criteria are capable and possess the knowledge and skill to succeed. Many MBA admissions officers say that GMAT scores are among the most important of the criteria they consider in making admissions decisions.

Scott Woodbury-Stewart founded Target Test Prep and served as the lead content developer and curriculum architect for Target Test Prep GMAT Quant, a revolutionary new GMAT course that provides students with a unique competitive advantage on the quant section of the GMAT. Having written over 3,000 realistic practice questions for GMAT quant study and close to 2,000 pages of GMAT quant instructional content, Scott has a deep understanding of the knowledge, skills, and techniques a student needs in order to achieve a high GMAT score. As a consequence, he has been able to provide a steady stream of students to the world’s top business schools, including HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, and Sloan.

Rob Porter is an editor at Vault.