Industry research finds that the GMAT and the MBA remain productive pathways for developing skills employers prize—problem solving, strategic thinking and data literacy—pushing back on moves toward test‑optional admissions. GMAC’s 2025 Corporate Recruiters Survey cited by the study shows recruiters continue to prioritize critical reasoning and analytical capabilities. The research argues that while some schools move test‑optional, GMAT performance remains a reliable measure of readiness for rigorous graduate management education and correlates with employment outcomes. The study also suggests the GMAT helps applicants hone the cognitive skills business schools teach. Admissions leaders should weigh the research when setting testing policies: test‑optional signals can broaden applicant pools, but standardized assessments still carry predictive value for classroom success and employer placement.