Graduate Admissions · MBA · 2026-27
Executive Assessment (EA) 2026: Format, Scores and Every Top Program That Accepts It
A 90 minute alternative to the GMAT built for working professionals. Here is how the EA is scored, what top programs expect, and which MBA and EMBA programs actually accept it.
Jeremy M. Fine
A free ConnectPrep resource. Facts verified against official sources on the date shown.
The short answer
The Executive Assessment is GMAC’s 90 minute, 40 question business school test, scored 100 to 200 and priced at US$350. A 150 is about the 64th percentile, and top programs that publish EA data report averages of 154 to 156. It is accepted by most leading Executive MBA and part-time programs and by full-time MBAs at schools such as Columbia, NYU Stern, Darden, Fuqua, Ross and UCLA, but not by the full-time MBA at Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, MIT Sloan or Yale.
90 min
40 questions in three 30 minute sections
100 to 200
score scale; 150 is about the 64th percentile
$350
test fee worldwide; score sends are free
33
top programs we verified that accept it
What is the Executive Assessment?
Quick answer
The Executive Assessment (EA) is a business school admissions test from GMAC, the maker of the GMAT. It measures the reasoning skills experienced professionals need in business school in 90 minutes, and GMAC says more than 300 programs at over 100 schools accept it.
GMAC built the EA for candidates with substantial work experience who do not want to spend months on the GMAT. An older GMAC profile put the average EA candidate at about 12 years of work experience. The test assumes you can reason with data, read critically and handle secondary school math, and it does all of that in less time than any other major graduate business test.
The EA is most common in Executive MBA and part-time programs, but a growing list of full-time MBAs accept it too. That makes it a practical option for early and mid career applicants who want a shorter test, as long as every program on their list accepts it.
EA format and structure
Quick answer
The EA has three 30 minute sections in a fixed order: Integrated Reasoning (12 questions), Verbal Reasoning (14) and Quantitative Reasoning (14). Each section is split into two modules, you can review and change answers only within a module, and a calculator is allowed only on Integrated Reasoning.
| Section | Questions | Time | Question types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated Reasoning | 12 (2 modules of 6) | 30 minutes | Multi-Source Reasoning, Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis, Table Analysis. Calculator allowed. |
| Verbal Reasoning | 14 (2 modules of 7) | 30 minutes | Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 14 (2 modules of 7) | 30 minutes | Data Sufficiency, Problem Solving. No calculator. |
| Total | 40 | 90 minutes | No breaks during the online exam |
Source: mba.com Executive Assessment structure and FAQs.
Two details trip people up. First, the EA still tests Sentence Correction, which GMAC removed from the GMAT Focus Edition, so grammar review is not optional. Second, answers lock when you leave each module, so pacing has to be managed in six short blocks rather than three long ones. The EA is adaptive at the module level rather than question by question: test prep experts report that your first module in Verbal and Quant shapes the difficulty of the second, though GMAC does not publish the exact mechanism.
EA scores: what is a good score?
Quick answer
EA scores run from 100 to 200, with each section scored 0 to 20 and weighted equally. GMAC’s only published norm is that 150 is roughly the 64th percentile. Top programs that report EA data show averages of 154 to 156, so a score in the mid 150s is competitive for elite Executive MBA programs.
Published EA benchmarks
Average EA scores reported by programs, and GMAC’s one official norm, shown on the 100 to 200 scale
Sources: GMAC (mba.com support), Chicago Booth class profiles, Wharton MBA for Executives class profile. Booth’s Evening and Weekend range was 148 to 162. Bar length shows position between the minimum (100) and maximum (200) score.
GMAC does not publish full percentile tables for the EA, so treat any percentile chart you see online as unofficial. Our practical guidance: aim for at least 150 for most programs, the mid 150s for Wharton, Booth, Columbia or Yale executive programs, and avoid a weak section score, since admissions committees can see each section and some, like Tepper, look specifically for quantitative strength.
EA vs GMAT Focus vs GRE
| Executive Assessment | GMAT Focus Edition | GRE General Test | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 90 minutes | 2 hours 15 minutes | About 1 hour 58 minutes |
| Questions | 40 | 64 | 54 plus one essay |
| Sections | Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, Quant | Quant, Verbal, Data Insights | Analytical Writing, Verbal, Quant |
| Score scale | 100 to 200 | 205 to 805 | 260 to 340 plus writing 0 to 6 |
| Sentence Correction | Yes | No | No |
| Fee | US$350 worldwide | Varies by country and format | US$249 (from August 1, 2026) |
| Percentiles published | No (150 is about 64th) | Yes | Yes |
| Who accepts it | 300+ programs, mostly EMBA and part-time | Nearly all business programs | Most MBAs and other graduate fields |
Sources: mba.com EA and GMAT pages, ETS GRE test structure and fees pages.
If every program on your list accepts the EA and you have significant work experience, the EA is usually the most efficient choice. If even one program requires the GMAT or GRE, it rarely makes sense to prepare for two tests. And if you are applying to full-time MBAs at Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, MIT Sloan or Yale, the EA is off the table.
Considering the GMAT instead? See GMAT tutoring →
Programs that accept the EA (verified 2026)
Quick answer
We checked each school’s own admissions page in October 2026. Fourteen leading full-time MBA programs accept the EA, including Columbia, NYU Stern, Darden, Fuqua, Ross and UCLA, and nineteen leading Executive MBA and part-time programs accept it, including Wharton, Booth, Yale, Kellogg, Haas, INSEAD, London Business School, Oxford and Cambridge.
Full-time MBA programs that accept the EA
| School | Program | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia Business School | Full-Time MBA | Admissions page |
| NYU Stern | Full-Time MBA (no test preference) | Admissions page |
| UVA Darden | Full-Time MBA (waivers available) | Admissions page |
| Duke Fuqua | Daytime MBA | Admissions page |
| Michigan Ross | Full-Time MBA | Admissions page |
| Cornell Johnson | Residential MBA | Admissions page |
| UCLA Anderson | Full-Time MBA (test optional with readiness essay) | Admissions page |
| Carnegie Mellon Tepper | Full-Time MBA (EA takers should show strong quant) | Admissions page |
| Georgetown McDonough | Full-Time MBA | Admissions page |
| UT Austin McCombs | Full-Time MBA (no test preference) | Admissions page |
| Rice Jones | Full-Time MBA | Admissions page |
| Vanderbilt Owen | MBA | Admissions page |
| Emory Goizueta | One-Year and Two-Year MBA | Admissions page |
| HEC Paris | MBA | Admissions page |
Verified on each school’s admissions page, October 2026. GMAC’s own list of accepting programs is dated 2021.
Executive MBA and part-time programs that accept the EA
| School | Program | Testing policy | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wharton | MBA for Executives | Accepts GMAT, GRE or EA; average EA 155 to 156 | Admissions page |
| Columbia | Executive MBA | GMAT, EA or GRE; waiver option | Admissions page |
| Chicago Booth | Executive MBA | EA, GMAT or GRE; waivers available | Admissions page |
| Chicago Booth | Evening and Weekend MBA | EA, GMAT or GRE; average EA 154 | Admissions page |
| Yale SOM | MBA for Executives | EA, GMAT or GRE; no waivers | Admissions page |
| Kellogg | Executive MBA | Test not required for most; GMAT or EA accepted | Admissions page |
| Michigan Ross | Executive MBA | Tests optional; EA accepted as a data point | Admissions page |
| Berkeley Haas | Evening and Weekend MBA | GMAT, GRE or EA; automatic waiver criteria | Admissions page |
| Berkeley Haas | MBA for Executives | GMAT, GRE or EA | Admissions page |
| UCLA Anderson | Fully Employed MBA | GMAT, GRE or EA; waivers available | Admissions page |
| Duke Fuqua | Weekend Executive MBA | Tests optional; EA accepted | Admissions page |
| NYU Stern | Executive MBA | GMAT, GRE or EA optional | Admissions page |
| Georgetown McDonough | Flex MBA | GMAT, GRE, EA, LSAT, MCAT or PCAT | Admissions page |
| UVA Darden | Part-Time and Executive MBA | Test optional; EA accepted | Admissions page |
| Rice Jones | Professional and Executive MBA | EA accepted; EMBA test optional | Admissions page |
| INSEAD | Global Executive MBA | INSEAD Executive Test, EA, GMAT or GRE | Admissions page |
| London Business School | Executive MBA | GMAT, EA or GRE | Admissions page |
| Cambridge Judge | Executive MBA | GMAT or EA; waivers case by case | Admissions page |
| Oxford Said | Executive MBA | GMAT or EA | Admissions page |
Verified on each school’s admissions page, October 2026. Many executive programs are now test optional; the EA still helps applicants without strong quantitative coursework.
Top programs that do not accept the EA for the full-time MBA
| School | Full-time MBA tests | Where the EA is accepted | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wharton | GMAT or GRE | EMBA only | Admissions page |
| Chicago Booth | GMAT or GRE | EMBA and Evening/Weekend | Admissions page |
| Kellogg | GMAT or GRE | EMBA only | Admissions page |
| MIT Sloan | GMAT or GRE | Not in lieu of GMAT or GRE | Admissions page |
| Yale SOM | GMAT or GRE | EMBA only | Admissions page |
| Berkeley Haas | GMAT or GRE | EWMBA and EMBA | Admissions page |
| USC Marshall | GMAT or GRE, optional | Not mentioned | Admissions page |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | GMAT or GRE | Can support a waiver request only | Admissions page |
| INSEAD | GMAT or GRE | GEMBA only | Admissions page |
| London Business School | GMAT or GRE | EMBA only | Admissions page |
| Cambridge Judge | GMAT or GRE | EMBA only | Admissions page |
Verified October 2026. Harvard and Stanford were not checked for this guide.
Should you take the EA?
Quick answer
Take the EA if every program on your list accepts it, you have meaningful work experience, and you want to limit prep time to about a month. Take the GMAT or GRE if any target program requires them, or if you are applying to full-time MBAs at Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, MIT Sloan or Yale.
GMAT exams taken worldwide
GMAC testing year, July through June
Source: GMAC GMAT Geographic Trend Report, Testing Year 2025. GMAC does not publish EA volume.
The bigger trend is that fewer applicants are sitting for the GMAT at all. GMAT volume fell 19% in testing year 2025, and GMAC’s 2025 Application Trends Survey showed applications down 15% for Executive MBAs, 14% for online MBAs and 10% for part-time MBAs, while full-time two year MBA applications rose 4%. Many executive programs have responded by going test optional or offering waivers.
That does not make the EA irrelevant. Yale’s MBA for Executives grants no test waivers, Tepper wants EA takers to show strong quantitative preparation, and a solid EA score is often the easiest way for a waiver candidate with a thin quant record to strengthen an application. In a smaller applicant pool, a strong score can also help with scholarship conversations.
Change in applications, 2025
GMAC Application Trends Survey, by program type
Source: GMAC 2025 Application Trends Survey (1,172 programs at 326 schools). Bar length shows the size of the change; red bars are declines.
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Cost, retakes and score rules
| Policy | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee | US$350 worldwide |
| Where you test | Online around the clock, or at more than 600 test centers |
| Retakes | Up to 3 online attempts plus up to 3 test center attempts, counted separately. Online retakes start at least 24 hours after the previous appointment ends |
| Rescheduling | Free up to 24 hours before your appointment (US$10 surcharge by phone) |
| Cancelling your appointment | US$250 refund if more than 24 hours ahead; no refund after that |
| Cancelling scores | Not allowed |
| Score reports | Free to send; programs see only the attempts you choose to send |
| Results | Within 7 business days in your EA account |
| Validity | Valid 5 years, reportable for up to 10 years |
| Official prep | Premium Collection US$195 (4 practice assessments and 450 questions); 4 practice assessments US$125; 300 practice questions US$50 |
Sources: mba.com Executive Assessment FAQs, policies and official prep pages. The Official Prep platform moved to a new system on March 30, 2026; prior practice history did not transfer and existing licenses were extended to March 29, 2027.
How to prepare: a four week plan
Quick answer
Most EA candidates prepare for about four weeks. Start with an official practice assessment, then spend the first two weeks rebuilding quant fundamentals and Sentence Correction rules, the third on Integrated Reasoning and timed modules, and the fourth on full practice tests and pacing.
Week 1: Diagnose and rebuild
Take Official Practice Assessment 1 cold. Review every miss by question type. Rebuild arithmetic, algebra and word problem skills; most professionals lose more points to rusty fundamentals than to hard math.
Week 2: Verbal foundations
Learn the handful of Sentence Correction rules that cover most questions, and practice Critical Reasoning by identifying the conclusion and the gap in each argument.
Week 3: Integrated Reasoning and Data Sufficiency
Practice reading tables and graphs with the on screen calculator, and learn a repeatable Data Sufficiency process. Start timing each 6 or 7 question module.
Week 4: Simulate and sharpen
Take two more official practice assessments under real conditions, online and without breaks. Focus on module one accuracy in Verbal and Quant and on never leaving questions blank.
ConnectPrep’s approach to every exam is to simplify it and deconstruct it. On the EA that means fewer, better strategies: a single process for Data Sufficiency, a rule list for Sentence Correction, and a pacing plan for six short modules. Busy professionals do not need more content, they need less, applied consistently.
Executive Assessment tutoring with ConnectPrep
ConnectPrep’s graduate test prep team coaches the Executive Assessment one on one, online, on evenings and weekends that work around a full time job. Sessions start from an official practice assessment so the plan targets the sections that move your score.
We also help applicants decide between the EA, GMAT and GRE based on their program list, and support the full MBA or EMBA application through our admissions counseling team.
- Diagnostic on an official EA practice assessment with a section breakdown
- Quant fundamentals rebuilt for professionals who have been away from math
- Sentence Correction and Critical Reasoning rule sets
- Integrated Reasoning and Data Sufficiency processes
- Module pacing strategy and timed practice
- Test choice and waiver strategy for your program list
Executive Assessment FAQ
What is the Executive Assessment?
The Executive Assessment is a 90 minute business school admissions test from GMAC, the organization behind the GMAT. It was designed for experienced professionals applying to Executive MBA, part-time and some full-time MBA programs, and tests integrated reasoning, verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning in 40 questions.
How long is the Executive Assessment and how many questions are on it?
It takes 90 minutes and has 40 questions in three 30 minute sections taken in a fixed order: Integrated Reasoning (12 questions), Verbal Reasoning (14) and Quantitative Reasoning (14). There are no breaks during the online exam.
What is a good Executive Assessment score?
GMAC says a total of 150 is roughly the 64th percentile. Top programs that publish data report averages of 154 to 156: Wharton’s MBA for Executives reported an average of 155 for its Class of 2028, and Chicago Booth’s Evening and Weekend MBA reported 154 with a range of 148 to 162.
Is the Executive Assessment easier than the GMAT?
It is shorter and requires less preparation, with 40 questions in 90 minutes versus 64 questions in 2 hours 15 minutes on the GMAT Focus Edition, and GMAC describes its math as secondary school level. But it still tests Sentence Correction, which the GMAT dropped, and every question counts more because there are so few of them.
Which full-time MBA programs accept the Executive Assessment?
Full-time programs that accept the EA include Columbia, NYU Stern, Darden, Duke Fuqua, Michigan Ross, Cornell Johnson, UCLA Anderson, Carnegie Mellon Tepper, Georgetown, UT Austin McCombs, Rice, Vanderbilt, Emory and HEC Paris.
Does Wharton accept the Executive Assessment?
Only for the Wharton MBA for Executives. The full-time Wharton MBA accepts only the GMAT or GRE. Chicago Booth, Kellogg, Yale, Berkeley Haas, INSEAD, London Business School and Cambridge follow the same pattern, accepting the EA for executive or part-time programs but not the full-time MBA. MIT Sloan says it will not accept an EA score in lieu of the GMAT or GRE.
How much does the Executive Assessment cost?
The EA costs US$350 everywhere in the world. Sending scores to programs is free. If you cancel more than 24 hours ahead you get US$250 back.
How many times can you take the Executive Assessment?
Up to three times online and up to three times at a test center, counted separately, for as many as six attempts. Online retakes must start at least 24 hours after your previous appointment ends.
Can you cancel your Executive Assessment score?
No. GMAC does not allow candidates to cancel EA scores. You do choose which attempts to send, and programs see only the attempts you send, so many candidates wait to pick programs until after they see their score.
Is the Executive Assessment adaptive?
Yes. GMAC describes the EA as adaptive. Each section is split into two short modules, and test prep experts report that performance on the first module shapes the difficulty of the second. GMAC does not publish the exact mechanism.
Can you use a calculator on the Executive Assessment?
Only on the Integrated Reasoning section, where an on screen calculator is provided. The Quantitative Reasoning section does not allow a calculator.
How long should I study for the Executive Assessment?
GMAC reports that nearly two thirds of candidates spend about four weeks preparing. Candidates who have been away from math for years, or who need a high score for a program without waivers such as Yale’s EMBA, often benefit from more.
How long are Executive Assessment scores valid?
EA scores are valid for five years and can be reported for up to ten years.
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Sources
- mba.com: About the Executive Assessment
- mba.com: Executive Assessment structure
- mba.com: Understanding your EA results
- mba.com: Executive Assessment FAQs
- mba.com: EA online FAQs
- mba.com: EA results FAQs
- mba.com: EA online policies and procedures
- mba.com: EA official prep
- GMAC support: EA percentile rankings
- GMAC support: Official Prep platform update (March 30, 2026)
- mba.com: GMAT exam structure
- ETS: GRE General Test structure
- ETS: GRE fees
- GMAC: GMAT Geographic Trend Report, Testing Year 2025
- GMAC: 2025 Application Trends Survey summary
- Wharton MBA for Executives: Class profile
- Chicago Booth Evening and Weekend MBA: Class profile
- Chicago Booth: EMBA by the numbers
This is a ConnectPrep resource page. ConnectPrep is an independent tutoring and admissions firm and is not affiliated with GMAC, ETS or any business school. Program testing policies change; confirm each requirement on the program’s own site before you apply. Last verified October 2, 2026.