By: Apex GMAT
Contributer: Altea Sulollari
Date: September 23, 2021
Let’s set the scene: you are a working professional looking to get into an Executive MBA program in order to give you a competitive edge to advance your career. That sure seems like a good plan, but there is one step that you’re missing: you need to take an Executive Assessment exam before getting admitted to a top EMBA program.
The executive assessment is similar in structure to the GMAT exam and it aims to test similar skills but also those that you have acquired during your career. As such, there is no need to extensively prepare for the exam, however, there are a few strategies that can help you get the score you’re aiming for, and we are here to tell you all about them.
The Executive Assessment (EA) Exam – Explained
The Executive Assessment exam is an admissions exam designed for working professionals who are aiming to get into different Executive MBA (EMBA) programs. The exam tests on-the-job skills like problem-solving and critical thinking. It is usually done over a shorter period of time as it includes fewer sections than the GMAT exam, and that is why you do not necessarily need to spend an extensive period of time preparing for this exam.
The EA is similar in structure to the GMAT exam. However, it only features 3 main sections (the Verbal section, the Quantitative Reasoning section, and the Integrated Reasoning section), as opposed to the GMAT which also contains an additional AWA section. When it comes to the question difficulty, the Executive Assessment is regarded as an easier exam than the GMAT, as it is not item-adaptive, meaning that it does not get easier or harder depending on the previous question. Rather, the Executive Assessment exam is section-adaptive, thus it changes after a block of questions.
The Executive Assessment contains a total of 40 questions that are to be completed within a 90-minute time frame. There are 12 questions in the Integrated Reasoning section, and 14 questions on the Quantitative Reasoning and in the Verbal section respectively. The score ranges from 100-200 points. Keep in mind that a 150+ score is considered a good enough score that can get you into a top program.
This exam has a shorter time duration as it contains fewer sections and it is often regarded as an easier exam compared to the GMAT.
5+ EA Test Prep Strategies
Here are the best strategies to help you with your EA test prep:
Provide yourself with enough time to practice and create a schedule!
Refrain from leaving the bulk of your prep to the last 2 weeks. Instead, create a schedule and try to follow it rigorously so you can work a bit every day. It is true that you do not need as much preparation before you take the Executive Assessment exam as you would when taking the GMAT exam. However, it is a good idea to be prepared for everything that will be coming your way so you know what to expect on test day. That is why you need to set time aside for your EA prep. You’d also want to dedicate short periods of time to your prep instead of a full 2-3 hours at a time. That way, you won’t feel overwhelmed and you’ll be able to see progress in a shorter period of time.
Practice a lot!
The more practice you get before you take the actual exam, the more familiar you’ll get with the structure of the exam and the question types. That will make you feel more confident come test day. Practice will also help you get a feel of what the actual Executive Assessment will be like on test day. You won’t know what to expect until you practice with mock tests and see for yourself.
Pro tip: Apart from the books, guides, and mock exams, you can also try to include prep videos into your routine. EA prep videos are a great method that will help you cover more material in a shorter period of time, and you also won’t get bored from reading all the time.
Stay focused!
Try to stay focused on your schedule and avoid distractions that will draw your attention away from the exam prep. Keeping yourself focused will help you get more done and in a shorter period of time. That is why you should refrain from using your phone during your EA prep time. You can also create To-Do lists with small tasks to complete each day. In that way, you’ll know what you have to do each day in order to see progress during your preparation, and you’ll be more focused and motivated to work harder.
Time yourself!
The Executive Assessment is a timed exam. Therefore, the best way to go about preparing for it successfully is to practice under a time constraint. That will help you gauge how well you’ll perform under time pressure and will help you get used to the timing consideration.
Pro tip: ApexGMAT’s tutors suggest practicing without time constraints in the beginning. Once you’re more familiar with the test structure and the question types, you can introduce the concept of time in your test prep. That way, you will be able to focus on mastering the concepts before including the added level of time into the mix.
Try EA tutoring
Hire an EA private tutor to help you with your preparation. A specialized tutor will help you focus on what is important and will help you get the most out of your prep. They will also know how to tailor the experience to your own specific needs so you’ll be able to master the exam and use your time strategically.
If you are interested in hiring a private tutor to help you with your Executive Assessment test prep, you can schedule a time to discuss your goals with a top-scoring EA instructor here!