New industry research makes a case that the MBA and the GMAT remain strong signals to employers for the skills they prize. The analysis, drawing on GMAC’s 2025 Corporate Recruiters Survey, finds recruiters continue to prioritize problem‑solving, strategic thinking and communication—competencies that MBA programs and GMAT testing measure and hone. The report argues that as graduate management education evolves with AI and data literacy, the GMAT continues to serve as a standardized benchmark for readiness. It positions the MBA as a resilient pathway even amid declining overall higher‑education enrollment. Admissions officers and career services leaders should weigh the study’s findings when debating test‑optional policies and when advising applicants on the ROI of graduate management education.