The Predictive Validity of Selected Admissions Variables Relative to Grade Point Average Earned in a Master of Business Administration Program

Abstract

Results of a study undertaken to determine the predictive validity of admission variables used to screen applicants for graduate study in business at a medium sized university are reported. Stepwise linear regression analysis was utilized to identify the variables which explain significant amounts of variance in graduate grade point average (GGPA)—the criterion variable. The study revealed that the following variables explained slightly less than 21 percent of the total variance in GGPA: (1) junior/senior undergraduate grade point average (GPA), (2) Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) score, (3) full/part-time attendance in the graduate program, (4) number of credit hours required in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, (5) undergraduate major, (6) age and (7) pursuance of the MBA at the same institution where the student received the undergraduate degree. Junior/senior GPA, GMAT score, and full vs. part-time attendance in the MBA program were significant at the .01 level.