There is an ongoing debate in the business world about the perfect age for an MBA candidate.  While the average age for first year business school classes is usually in the 27-28 range, some schools are beginning to trend younger (HBS and Stanford among them), raising questions about the best qualities for an MBA applicant to possess, and whether wisdom can only come with age.

Interestingly enough, recent data from the GMAC shows that GMAT test-takers (a.k.a. MBA prospects) under 24 represent the fastest growing age group. At 13.9%, their annual growth rate is nearly double that of test takers aged 24-30, and it hugely outpaces any older age groups.

Does this mean that younger students make better MBA applicants? Not necessarily, says Eric Caballero, a Manhattan GMAT instructor and Sloan graduate. In business school, he argues, you are graded mainly on participation. If you have little to no actual business experience, you might not have as much to contribute to the discussion as your peers, which could ultimately affect your grades.  In addition, a lack of hands-on experience can also affect the size of your rolodex. B-school reputations begin in the classroom, and the better insight you have, the more people will be interested in networking with you. If you are going to be paying for the rolodex, you want to be sure that you can make the connections.

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