MBA Trends From The 2025-2026 Cycle

By charles bibilos

As application rounds for Fall 2026 intake come to a close, we wanted to talk about the MBA trends we saw this cycle.

Here at GMAT Ninja, because we work with hundreds of prospective MBA students, we’re at the forefront of the developments happening in the business school landscape. Here’s what we saw.

The Current Version of the GMAT is a New Kind of Challenge

It’s been two and a half years since the rollout of the current version of the GMAT (also known as the GMAT Focus), and patterns are becoming clearer. A consistent one we’re seeing: many students targeting elite schools share a strikingly similar score profile. Their Verbal scores are often in the low-to-mid 80s, with Quant and Data Insights lingering below 80. 

Climbing past 80 in Quant and Data Insights requires dedication. Data Insights, in particular, is lagging behind the other two categories, with average scores typically three to four points lower than Quant or Verbal. If you’re struggling with getting your score over that 80 threshold, you’re not alone. 

That said, if you’re able to inch over that 80 line, even by one or two points, it truly sets your score apart.

Please, Please, Please: Answer Every Question!

A surprising number of students leave questions unanswered on practice tests and official exams. Missing a question on the GMAT is expensive. Depending on the situation, a single unanswered question lowers your score by an average of roughly 20 points.

We’ll say it again: answer every question, even if you have to guess blindly.

Data Insights is where timing issues seem to be most common. If you’re struggling with timing on this section, learn to let go of questions that stump you. Skip, take a guess, and move on. You can always come back to that question later (time permitting). Remember, you can always review and edit questions if you have time remaining at the end of the section. 

The Executive Assessment Is Growing in Popularity

The Executive Assessment, which is also run by GMAC, was originally designed as a shorter, condensed exam for candidates applying to executive MBAs. It utilizes many questions from the same pool as the GMAT, but it’s only 90 minutes long.

Over time, a broader range of programs have begun to accept the EA, including the full-time programs at Darden, Columbia, and NYU. Accordingly, full-time MBA applicants are starting to consider it as a viable test option. It’s worth looking into whether your target programs are on that list.

The GRE Is Getting More Competitive

Another important MBA trend: as more applicants shift to the GRE, we’re seeing average scores creep up. We saw more perfect scores on the quant section of the GRE than ever before. 

Our takeaway: test choice is becoming an increasingly strategic decision. There are advantages and disadvantages to every test, so consider your application profile and your target schools before deciding which test you’ll take. 

Regardless of how the test landscape develops, we still heavily advocate for picking the test you’re most comfortable with. Test prep requires considerable time and effort on your part – it’s ideal if it’s as painless as possible!

Application Volumes Were Down. Those Who Did Apply Reaped The Rewards

From what we can see across the top 50 programs, application volumes appear to have declined. We saw this reflected in the acceptance outcomes for our students. We saw more admits to top programs and more generous scholarship offers for competitive candidates.

Michigan Ross Opened A Fourth Round

One of the most telling signals this cycle: Michigan Ross – which is one of the most beloved programs among our ex-students, and ranks within the top 15 schools in the U.S. – opened a fourth round. 

In 25 years, we’ve only seen that happen once before at a school of this caliber — during COVID. A fourth round sends a clear message: we want strong candidates.

Visa Uncertainty Is Reshaping The Applicant Pool

A likely driver behind these trends is a decline in international applicants. With significant shifts in the visa environment, MBA programs in the United States have become a harder sell, and schools are working harder to fill seats with diverse candidates. The downstream effect was visible. Students without visa risk, such as those who already hold a green card or dual citizenship, achieved particularly strong admissions results, as programs actively sought to balance their cohorts. 

If you’re applying next cycle, these trends are worth keeping in mind. The business school landscape may be going through a transformation, but hopefully, you can turn that to your advantage.

This update originally appeared in the GMAT Ninja Newsletter. If you’d like to receive updates like this right when they come out, sign up here.