Aspiring b-school candidate? Here’s what you should know about the Executive Assessment

If you’re planning on enrolling in an Executive MBA or a business master’s programme, you might need to sit for a standardised test that shows your readiness for business school. While many business schools traditionally require candidates to take the GMAT for acceptance, some schools also accept the Executive Assessment (EA).

What is an Executive Assessment?

The Executive Assessment is an admissions test for entry into Executive MBA (EMBA) programmes. It can also be used for entry into some regular MBA programmes and specialised degrees.

 The 90-minute exam is offered both online and at a test centre.

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and selective business programmes worldwide provided their input to create the Executive Assessment.  

GMAC notes that the test was created specifically to measure the skills and knowledge of experienced professionals.

It evaluates your business school readiness; you can also use the results to sharpen your skills before beginning your programme. 

What is the structure of the test?

The test has 40 questions and is composed of three sections: Integrated Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.

The scale for each section of the assessment is 0 to 20. The total scale ranges from 100 to 200, and all three sections are equally weighted in determining your total. 

Source: Damien Meyer/AFP

Which business schools accept Executive Assessment?

Many. 

This includes top business schools such as the Alliance Manchester Business School, University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business, Asia School of Business, Columbia Business School, Duke University Fuqua School of Business, IE Business School and London Business School, among others.

GMAC notes that Executive Assessment requirements may differ by programme, so candidates should refer to individual programme websites for details.

Why should I take it?

GMAC says many graduate business programmes accept the assessment as part of the application process, adding that it can help candidates identify areas that need strengthening when preparing for business school.

You can view some sample questions on GMAC’s website after creating an account.

How does the Executive Assessment differ from the GMAT?

For starters, the exam is shorter at 90 minutes whereas the GMAT takes just over three hours to complete. 

The Executive Assessment has 40 questions while the GMAT has 80 questions, including an analytical writing assessment (AWA) section.

It requires minimal preparation but costs more than the GMAT.

How much does it cost?

The cost to take the assessment is 350 US dollars globally.