Executive Assessment (EA) – Format Vs. GMAT Focus Edition & Schools (2023)

In 2016, GMAC collaborated with six prominent global business schools to create the Executive Assessment, a tailored assessment specifically developed to suit the admissions objectives of executive MBA programs globally. From a tool for evaluating Executive MBA candidate, the assessment has now been started accepting as an alternative to GMAT test for full-time MBA candidates as well.

Format of Executive Assessment

The exam lasts 1.5 hours, which is roughly half the time of the GMAT or GRE. The exam has three sections that are always administered in the following order:

1.  Integrated Reasoning

This section lasts 30 minutes and contains 12 questions. It assesses the capacity to evaluate information in various formats from various sources. These skills are required in today's data-driven world. Question types include:

i. Interpretation of Graphics  
ii. Two-Part Analysis
iii. Table Evaluation
iv. Reasoning from Multiple Sources

2. Verbal Reasoning

This section lasts 30 minutes and contains 14 questions. It assesses your ability to analyze arguments as well as read, comprehend, and correct sentences in standard English.

Types of questions include:
i.  Comprehension Reading
ii. Critical Reasoning
iii. Correcting Sentence

3. Quantitative Reasoning

This section lasts 30 minutes and contains 14 questions. It assesses the ability to use reasoning abilities to analyze evidence and draw conclusions. This section necessitates secondary school-level math skills. Types of questions include:

i. Data Sufficiency
ii. Problem Solving

Each exam section is divided into two modules. The Integrated Reasoning (IR) part comprises two modules of six questions each.

The first set of six questions will be of varying difficulty but most likely be on the medium level.

One can move around the module and answer the questions in any order. There are no negative markings for incorrect answers.

The second module appears after the first module is submitted; the performance of the first module determines the difficulty level. If everything is correct, the second module will be much more difficult. The second module will be much easier if one answers every question incorrectly. The Verbal part begins after the completion of two IR modules.

The performance in the IR section will determine the difficulty level of the first Verbal module (seven problems), and the performance in the first Verbal module will determine the difficulty level of the second module of seven Verbal problems.

The Quant module will function similarly to the Verbal module (the starting point is selected by IR, and the second module is decided by the performance of the first Quant module).

Schools Accepting EA – 2023 and Programs (from our Top 50 list)

The EA was first designed for Executive MBA (EMBA) programs, but it has gained popularity in recent years and is currently utilized for a wide range of programs.

The EA is accepted by the majority of the world's leading EMBA programs, including Booth (UChicago), Columbia, Haas (Berkeley), INSEAD, Kellogg (Northwestern), London Business School, MIT, Wharton, and Yale.

Surprisingly, in the last year or so, several part-time MBA programs and some full-time MBA programs have begun to accept the EA.

Columbia and NYU Stern stated in August 2019 that they would accept the EA for their standard full-time MBA programs. The following list includes all programs and schools that accept EA.

GMAT Focus vs. Executive Assessment Edition

The GMAT Focus Edition is intended for full-time MBA applicants, whereas the EA is intended for working professionals looking for non-residential programs.

Programs: GMAT Focus Edition covers 7700 programs at over 2400 business schools, whereas EA is limited to 250 programs at 100 B-schools.

In terms of exam structure, the GMAT Focus Edition comprises three portions (64 questions) that can be done in any order you like: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. EA includes three sections (40 questions) organized into six modules that must be completed in a specific order: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Integrated Reasoning.

Timing: GMAT Focus Edition allows 2 hours 15 minutes with one optional 10-minute break, whereas the EA exam must be finished in 1.5 hours with no breaks.

Test Results: GMAT Focus Edition lets applicants examine their unofficial results right away and receive official scores within 3-5 business days. Offline results for EA are available within 24 hours, whereas online test results are accessible after 7 business days.

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