GMAT Test Takers Increasing in China, Decreasing in Taiwan

The GMAC 2007-2011 Asian Geographic Trend Report shows a large increase in overall GMAT test takers from Asian countries during this period.  The number of GMAT exams taken by Asian citizens reached an all-time high in 2011, as 85,551 people sat for the exam; an increase of 47% since 2007.  In 2011, a total of 289,388 GMAT score reports were sent by Asian citizens to business schools across the world compared to 207,430 reports sent in 2007.  Asian citizens sent 69% of their GMAT score reports to business schools in the United States in 2011, compared to 74% in 2007.

Driving this growth were Chinese GMAT test takers who have skyrocketed from 13,048 in 2007 to 40,069 in 2011.  This large increase has been driven by female Chinese test takers and younger applicants under the age of 25 who are applying to MBA programs as well as specialized master's programs.

Taiwanese citizens sat for a total of 3,449 GMAT exams in 2011, down from 5,218 in 2007.  The number of score reports sent by Taiwanese citizens to global business schools has decreased by 43% during this period.  The percentage of female GMAT test takers in Taiwan continues to be high, at 57% of all test takers.  There has also been a shift in the type of management programs that Taiwanese applicants apply to.  In 2007, 73% of Taiwanese GMAT test takers applied to MBA programs; while in 2011 only 63% applied to MBA programs and 32% applied to specialized master's programs in finance, marketing, accounting and management.