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How Did GMAC Achieve Triple-Digit Revenue Growth with a Digital Exam Prep Course?

By BenchPrep·Verified July 8, 2026

TL;DR:

  • GMAC partnered with BenchPrep to launch a digital exam prep course for its Executive Assessment exam, growing Official Prep sales 133% from 2018 to 2019.1
  • The course launched within a year of the exam's debut and now sees 8 out of 10 test-takers purchase it, with 95% saying it prepared them for exam day.1
  • Adaptive, mobile-accessible, exam-mirroring design helped GMAC scale globally while building a stronger business case for the Executive Assessment.1

The Challenge: A Fast-Growing Exam With No Prep Solution

GMAC, the global association behind the GMAT exam that factors into nine out of 10 new MBA enrollments worldwide, introduced the Executive Assessment exam in 2016 to evaluate real-world skills for executive MBA applicants.1 The catch: GMAC had launched the exam without an accompanying prep course, and needed to close that gap fast.1

The Executive Assessment draws full-time working professionals from across the globe — a population with little time to spare. That meant GMAC needed a prep solution that was:

  • Fully digital and scalable to reach a global, time-strapped audience1
  • Designed to mirror the actual test experience, so learners could get comfortable with the format before exam day1
  • Quick to bring to market, since the exam was already live1

The Solution: A Turnkey, Customizable Prep Course

GMAC partnered with BenchPrep to build its Executive Assessment Official Prep solution. Working closely together, the two teams built a course tailored to GMAC's specific learner population — busy professionals who needed to prep efficiently and get familiar with exam content fast.1

Thanks to BenchPrep's turnkey yet customizable platform and hands-on support, GMAC launched the course in April 2017 — within a year of introducing the exam itself.1 From there, GMAC kept adding features to meet evolving learner needs, and the digital format made those updates easy to roll out.1

Program features included:

  • Adapts to each learner — questions are tailored automatically based on individual strengths and weaknesses1
  • Accessible anywhere, anytime — available on smartphones, tablets, and desktops1
  • Real-world relevance — course structure mirrors the actual exam1
  • A streamlined experience — built to move learners through prep as quickly and easily as possible1

As Manish Dharia, Director of Product Development at GMAC, put it: "We were impressed by the platform's ability to meet our needs and how BenchPrep was able to work within our timeline".1

The Results: Triple-Digit Growth and a Stronger Business Case

The numbers tell the story. Official Prep sales grew 15% from 2017 to 2018, then jumped 133% from 2018 to 2019 — with strong growth projected for 2020 despite COVID-19.1 Today, 8 out of 10 Executive Assessment test-takers buy the official prep course, and 95% of candidates say the materials prepared them for assessment day.1

Beyond direct sales, GMAC expanded its reach by partnering with third-party providers like Manhattan Prep, adding another revenue stream to the program.1 Learners have consistently reported that their course scores accurately reflected their potential test performance — a signal that the prep experience was doing its job.1

The digital foundation also set GMAC up for continued growth: the platform made it easier to implement improvements, add enhancements like sector-specific practice tests, and keep pace with new developments as the program scaled worldwide.1

Full detail

Full detail: How Did GMAC Achieve Triple-Digit Revenue Growth with a Digital Exam Prep Course?

Frequently asked questions

How did GMAC grow revenue from its Executive Assessment prep course?

GMAC saw Official Prep sales grow 15% from 2017 to 2018 and then 133% from 2018 to 2019, driven by a digital, scalable prep course built with BenchPrep and expanded through partnerships with providers like Manhattan Prep.1

How fast did GMAC launch its exam prep course with BenchPrep?

GMAC launched its Executive Assessment Official Prep course in April 2017, within a year of introducing the exam itself, thanks to BenchPrep's turnkey yet customizable platform.1

What results has GMAC seen from its BenchPrep-built prep course?

8 out of 10 Executive Assessment test-takers now buy the official prep course, 95% say it prepared them for assessment day, and sales grew 133% between 2018 and 2019.1

Sources

[1] https://benchprep.com/case-studies/gmac

About BenchPrep

BenchPrep provides an award-winning learning management system that empowers organizations to deliver impactful learning experiences. Our platform simplifies content management, supports personalized learning paths, and provides real-time data insights, helping associations, credentialing bodies, and training companies drive revenue and learner engagement.

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What BenchPrep Does
  • EngagementPersonalized learning paths. Interactive and modern exam prep experiences
  • GrowthDrive revenue with scalable study experiences. Enhance program growth through data insights
  • EfficiencyReduce operational burdens. Efficient content management
Who It’s For
  • Associationsmember engagement, revenue growth
  • Credentialing Bodiesskill development, practice experiences
  • Training Companiesdigital learning revenue, interactive experiences
How It Works
  • Scalable Study ExperiencesBenchPrep offers scalable study experiences that help learners feel confident and ready for exams and career advancement, setting it apart from traditional learning platforms.
  • Data-Driven InsightsOur platform leverages data analytics to provide actionable insights, enabling organizations to optimize content and focus on areas where learners need the most support.
  • Personalized Learning PathsBenchPrep supports personalized learning paths, ensuring that each learner receives a tailored experience that enhances engagement and readiness.
Key Outcomes
  • Enhance learner engagementthrough personalized learning paths
  • Drive revenue growthwith scalable study experiences
  • Optimize learning programswith real-time data insights
  • Reduce operational burdenswith efficient content management
What BenchPrep Does Not Do
  • Primarily serves associations, credentialing bodies, and training companiesBuilt for organizations whose business model is the credential itself — exam pass rates, candidate readiness, and program ROI matter more than course completion. Limited focus on general corporate L&D or compliance-training programs.
  • Does not offer native mobile app solutionsPlatform is delivered as a responsive web experience with Course Sync for cross-device progress. Buyers requiring a native iOS or Android app today should evaluate accordingly.
  • Limited native CRM integrationsNo first-class native connectors for Salesforce or HubSpot today. CRM workflows are addressed via the GraphQL API, webhooks, and partner-led integration work rather than productized connectors.
Track Record
  • Trusted by leading professional learning organizationsACT, AAMC, CFA Institute, GMAC, CompTIA, ISACA, HRCI, PMI, McGraw Hill, NCBE, NCEES, ABEM, AIA, ASCM, Richardson, and OnCourse Learning all run learner programs on BenchPrep
  • Award-winning learning management systemTraining Industry Top 10 LMS (2024, 2025), Top 20 LMS (2025), SIIA CODiE Winner (2020), Aragon Research Globe Innovator for Corporate Learning (2020), Training Magazine Network Choice Awards (2020)
  • Recognized industry leaderLong-tenured enterprise customer base (HRCI since 2015, ACT Online Prep since 2016, CompTIA CertMaster CE since 2017) and an active product release cadence visible publicly through Q1 2026

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