What is Executive Assessment and How It’s Different from GMAT?

Do you have a tight schedule and cannot prepare for GMAT in a short span? Don't worry, you can go for Executive Assessment Exam. This is also conducted by GMAC and is accepted for MBA, EMBA and other PG business courses abroad. Get all the details below.

Earlier known as the Mini GMAT, the exam is now known as Executive Assessment (EA). This is also conducted by GMAC and was conducted for the first time on 1 March 2026. Till date, more than 20,000 applicants have taken this exam. The scores of EA exam are accepted by over 200 courses for 100+ B-schools abroad. 

Executive Assessment is a 90 minute long test which tests 40 questions on three sections. There is no break in between like the GMAT exam. Like GMAT, EA exam is also sectionally adaptive. Review feature is available on EA exam as well and applicants can review and edit up to three answers.

Again like GMAT, EA is also tested online and at a test centre. Applicants can register for EA exam through mba.com 24 houre before the scheduled testing date, irrespective of the mode of testing. This exam is for professionals with work experience applying for MBA, EMBA or other related programs. To know more about the exam, check out the article below.

Executive Assessment Exam Highlights

What is Executive Assessment?

Executive Assessment or EA is a standardised test developed by GMAC to test professionals applying to EMBA or MBA courses abroad. The EA exam tests applicants real world experience essential for being ready to take up MBA or EMBA courses abroad. Preparation for the Executive Assessment allows applicants to hone or brush up on the skills required during their coursework. Just like GMAT exam, EA is also offered at test centre or online from the comfort of home. 

Who Gives an Executive Assessment?

Since Executive Assessment is designed by GMAC for professionals, a limited number of applicants can take it. Those who are eligible for EA as per GMAC or universities abroad are as follows:

• Professionals holding 7 to 15+ years of experience and looking at B-school admissions abroad.
• Some full time MBA courses also require EA test scores apart from the EMBA courses.
• Anyone applying to a program that accepts the EA (e.g., Columbia, Booth, Wharton, INSEAD).
• Candidates must be at least 18 years old when registering for the EA exam.

What’s on the Executive Assessment?

There are three sections on the Executive Assessment - Integrated Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. All three sections are timed and weighted equally. However, the number of questions varies per section. Let us discuss in detail the structure of EA and the topics tested.

GMAC Executive Assessment Format

The structure of Executive Assessment is predefined by GMAC clearly. It tests 40 questions within 1.5 hours across three sections. Here is the format for EA in the table below:

The EA exam format includes MCQ based questions and some SPR or student produced questions where applicants have to write their own answers. Along with this,

• Executive Assessment is adaptive because it is a computer based test and difficulty increases or decreases with sections.
• There is no negative marking or penalty for incorrect or unanswered questions on the EA test.
• Applicants are scored only on the questions they answer correctly.
• Finally, there is no optional break in between like the GMAT exam. If a restroom break is needed, applicants can take it, but the exam timer keeps running.

What is Tested on EA Exam?

Based on the three sections tested on EA test, each section has a set of topics catered to test the ability of the students. The Executive Assessment syllabus section wise is as follows:

Basically, EA is a shorter version of GMAT but tests very specific skills which is harder and more complex than GMAT. There is logical reasoning, problem solving sill, time management, English language proficiency and much more on this concise EA test. 

GMAC Executive Assessment Testing Modes

Just like GMAC conducts GMAT at test centre and online, Executive Assessment is also conducted in the same way. There are over 40+ Indian cities with 60+ Pearson VUE test centres offering EA exam testing for applicants. 

Similarly, there is also an option to take Executive Assessment Online. Applicants can just choose the Online option and register. The dates may or may not vary for both EA test centre or online testing.

Executive Assessment Registration Process

The registration process for the EA exam is the same as the registration process for GMAT. Applicants can follow these 4 simple steps to register for Executive Assessment test for 2026 date windows:

• Log on to the mba.com and sign up for Executive Assessment. Once credentials are created, log in.
• Select programs where applicants wish to send their EA exam scores, or they can come back and also. 
• Next is choosing EA at test centre or EA Online for registration. 
• Based on the choice, select test centre and date if going for EA at test centre or simply choose the exam date for EA Online.
• Once the choice is made, checkout and pay the Executive Assessment exam fee which is USD 350 (both test centre and online testing) + USD 63 (tax).
• After application fee is paid, applicants will get a confirmation, which they can print and keep with them.

Executive Assessment Fees

As per GMAC, the Executive Assessment fee is same for both test centre and online modes, unlike GMAT exam fee which varies. Here is the exam fee along with reschduling and cancellation fee below:

For online appointments, cancellations must also be completed at least 24 hours prior to the start time to receive a partial refund (total fee minus the USD 100 cancellation charge). Also, any rescheduling or cancellation performed via Pearson VUE Customer Service instead of the online dashboard incurs the USD 10 phone service fee

How is Executive Assessment Scored?

As mentioned above, all sections on Exec Assessment are weighted equally and score applicants on correct answers only. Here is a breakdown of how EA exam is scored, overall and sectionally:

• Integrated Reasoning Score Range: 0 – 20
• Verbal Reasoning Score Range: 0 – 20
• Quantitative Reasoning Score Range: 0 – 20
• Total Executive Assessment Test Score Scale: 100 - 200

The scoring scale for EA is the same as for the test centre and online modes of testing.

What EA Score Range Should I Be Targeting?

If applicants plan to take EA test for admissions abroad, ideally they must aim for a score in mid 150s. Scores on EA that are in 120 are at the lower end, in 130s are less than average, and 140s are average. But scoring in mid 150s sets a solid benchmark for admission to tier 1 B-schools. So aim for an EA score of 150 or above, it is both good and competitive. Also do check the median scores that were previously accepted by the university of application for admission. 

Top Universities Accepting Executive Assessment 

More than 100 B-schools abroad accept Executive Assessment scores for admission. Here is a list of top schools accepting EA scores from international students. These schools are accepting EA exam scores for MBA, EMBA or part time MBA courses in 2026 intakes:

Executive Assessment Preparation Tips

First time applicants who are planning and preparing for Exec Assessment may find the process challenging. Some tips to prepare for GMAC EA exam for first timers who have never prepared for GMAT also previously are as follows:

1. Take a baseline practice test early to identify current knowledge, along with the score obtained and areas of weakness.
2. Study one topic at a time to ensure deep understanding of the topic before going on to the next or attempting mixed practice.
3. Follow a 15 - 20 hour weekly study schedule that spreads learning across manageable daily blocks to avoid burnout.
4. Prioritise Integrated Reasoning because its score counts equally toward your total, and a strong performance can adapt the difficulty of subsequent sections.
5. Skip geometry in your quant prep, as the Executive Assessment does not test it, unlike the GMAT.
6. Use error logs to track every mistake made and review them weekly to address similar patterns.
7. Create flashcards for math formulas and grammar rules for quick revision.
8. Know when and how to guess and move on to the next question to save time. This will come with a lot of practice.
9. Incorporate timed practice sessions late in personal prep to get comfortable with the strict 30 minute limit per section.
10. Save official practice exams for final phase of Exec Assessment exam preparation to accurately simulate test day conditions. 

Differences Between GMAT & EA for EMBA

To know more, check what is the difference between EA and GMAT Focus. Also, know which one to choose for testing.

The Executive Assessment offers a convenient and effective way for Indian professionals to demonstrate their readiness for EMBA abroad. Though EA exam is shorter than GMAT, and requires minimum preparation, yet equal efforts go into getting desired score for admission. So applicants should plan early and decide before hand.