About the Executive Assessment (EA)

Everything you need to know about the EA
About the Executive Assessment (EA)

In March 2016, GMAC, the architects of GMAT, launched the GMAC Executive Assessment – a test to specifically assess candidates who intend to enroll in EMBA programs. The test is shorter in duration (90 minutes) but contains all of the same problem types as the GMAT and tests most of the same kind of content. However, the EA was designed as a readiness assessment; i.e. it is a test to assess your readiness to tackle grad-school-level work. This is very different from the GMAT (or the GRE). For this reason, it generally takes less time and effort to prepare for the EA.

The EA exam is available both at a test centre and online – giving you the convenience and flexibility to plan your testing strategy.

Test Structure of the Executive Assessment

Integrated Reasoning (IR)

IR is a mix of quant, verbal, and logical reasoning skills

  • Multi-Source Reasoning: primarily about synthesizing data and information from multiple sources—two or three different tabs of information.
  • Table Analysis & Graphics Interpretation: you’ll be asked to do some analysis that involves reading and pulling data from the table or graph and synthesizing it in some way.
  • Two-Part Analysis: multiple-choice problem; the twist, as the name Two-Part implies is that you’ll have to find two answers, not just one, for each problem.

Verbal Reasoning (VR)

The Verbal Reasoning section tests grammar and meaning as well as logical reasoning and comprehension. There are three problem types: Sentence Correction, Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension.

Quantitative Reasoning (QR)

The Quant section consists of the same two problem types (Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency) that appear on the Quant section of the GMAT, but the EA is considerably shorter: You’ll have 30 minutes to answer 14 problems (about 2 minutes per problem, on average). The single biggest difference between the EA and the GMAT is that geometry has been removed from the EA (coordinate plane is considered algebra but highly unlikely that you will face such question type).

Test SectionTime Limit / Number of QuestionsQuestions TypeScore RangeScaled Score
Integrated Reasoning (IR)30 minutes
12 questions
- Graphic Interpretations
- Table Analysis
- Multi-source Reasoning
- Two-part Analysis
0 - 20 (in 1-point increments)Final Score:
100 - 200
Verbal Reasoning (VR)30 minutes
14 questions
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Reasoning
- Sentence Correction
0 - 20 (in 1-point increments)
Quantitative Reasoning (QR)30 minutes
14 questions
- Data Sufficiency
- Problem Solving
0 - 20 (in 1-point increments)

EA Score

The EA scoring system differs from the GMAT’s one as it is section-adaptive and your performance in the first section (Integrating Reasoning) will heavily impact your final score.

Each section of the exam is given to you in two panels. For example, the Integrated Reasoning (IR) section has two panels of six problems each. Your first set of six problems will be of mixed difficulty (mostly at a medium level). Within that panel, you can jump around and answer the questions in any order you want. After you submit your first panel, you’ll get a second panel; the difficulty level will depend upon your performance on the first panel. If you get everything right, your second panel will be quite a bit harder. If you miss every question, your second panel will be quite a bit easier. Most likely, you’ll be somewhere in between those two extremes.

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After you do the two IR panels, you’ll start the Verbal section. The level of difficulty in your first Verbal panel (seven problems) will be determined by your performance in the IR section, and your second panel of seven Verbal problems will be determined by your performance on the first Verbal panel. Quant will work the same way as Verbal (your starting point is determined by IR, and your second panel is determined by your performance on the first Quant panel).

The Executive Assessment is a relatively new test and there is not enough data yet to pinpoint what a good EA score is. However, for top business schools, we advise our students to score 155 (~80th percentile) or above. A score of 150 is ~53rd percentile and 162 is 96th percentile (GMAT 730 equivalent) It is important to note that of all 3 sections, the Quant score will be the most important and we advise to reach a scaled score of 12 or above.

Programs that accept the EA

Most Executive MBA programs will accept the EA, and some part-time MBA programs and full-time MBA programs (if you have a certain amount of work experience) will accept it also. Below are some examples of schools that are popular with our applicants, but this is not an exhaustive list.

US

  • Berkeley Haas: EMBA and Evening & Weekend MBA
  • Carnegie Mellon Tepper: EMBA and Part-time MBA
  • Chicago Booth: EMBA and Weekend MBA
  • Columbia: EMBA and MBA
  • Cornell: EMBA
  • Duke Fuqua: EMBA, Daytime MBA, and Masters in Quantitative Management (Health Analytics / Business Analytics)
  • Emory Goizueta: EMBA and Evening MBA
  • Kellogg: EMBA
  • MIT Sloan: EMBA and Full-time MBA
  • NYU Stern: EMBA, Part-Time MBA, Full-Time MBA
  • Stanford: MSx
  • UCLA – Anderson: EMBA, Fully Employed MBA
  • UNC – Kenan-Flager: EMBA
  • Virginia – Darden:
  • Wharton: EMBA
  • Yale: EMBA

Canada

  • McGill & HEC Montreal: EMBA
  • Queens University – Smith: EMBA
  • Schulich: EMBA (joint program with Kellogg)

UK

  • Alliance Manchester: Global MBA
  • Cambridge Judge: EMBA
  • Imperial: EMBA and Global Online MBA
  • LBS: EMBA and Sloan Masters in Leadership & Strategy
  • Oxford Said: EMBA

Europe

  • Copenhagen Business School: EMBA
  • ESADE: EMBA
  • ESMT Berlin: EMBA
  • HEC Paris: EMBA
  • IE: EMBA and Global MBA
  • IESE: EMBA
  • INSEAD: EMBA and Executive Master in Finance

Singapore

  • Nanyang Business School: Professional MBA
  • National University of Singapore: Part-time MBA
  • Singapore Management University: EMBA

Ready to take on the EA? Get in touch today and we’ll assist you in picking the best course for you.

Have questions regarding the Executive Assessment?  Give us a call at +65 6812 9999 or simply fill in the form below. Our course consultants will get in touch with you shortly!

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