Executive Assessment vs GMAT vs GRE: The Ultimate Guide for MBA & EMBA Applicants (2025)

If you’re a working professional with aspirations for an MBA, Executive MBA, or a specialized master’s in business, you’re likely staring at a critical decision early in your admissions journey:

GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment (EA)—which test is right for you?

This isn't just about choosing a test format. It’s about aligning your application strategy with your career stage, program type, time availability, and admission goals.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down:

1. What is the Executive Assessment (EA)?

2. EA vs GMAT vs GRE: Key Differences

3. Who Should Take the EA?

4. Programs That Accept the EA in 2025

5. EA Structure, Format & Prep Strategy

6. EA Score Interpretation: What’s a Good Score?

7. How to Decide: Step-by-Step Test Selection Framework

   
   

1. What is the Executive Assessment (EA)?

The Executive Assessment is a graduate admissions test designed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)—the same body behind the GMAT. But while the GMAT targets a broad MBA audience, the EA is purpose-built for mid-to-senior professionals, especially those pursuing:

• Executive MBA (EMBA) programs

• Modular or weekend MBAs

• Part-time MBA programs

• Flexible or online master’s degrees in business

What Makes the EA Different?

• Only 90 minutes long

• No complex math or obscure grammar

• Minimal prep time (3–6 weeks typical)

• Online or in-person test options

• Instant rescheduling flexibility

• No essay section

In short, the EA respects your professional experience and your limited time.

2. EA vs GMAT vs GRE: Key Differences

Here’s a side-by-side comparison across major dimensions:

Feature	GMAT	GRE	Executive Assessment (EA)
Designed For	Full-time MBA & business master’s	MBA + non-business master’s	Working professionals (EMBA, modular, part-time MBA)
Duration	~2 hrs 15 mins	~3 hrs 45 mins	90 minutes
Sections	Quant, Verbal, Data Insights	Quant, Verbal, AWA	Quant, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning
Scoring	205–805	260–340	100–200
Difficulty	High	Medium	Moderate
Use Case	Admissions + school rankings	Flexible across programs	Readiness check (non-competitive use)
Prep Time	2–3 months	1–2 months	3–6 weeks
Availability	Online & test centers	Online & test centers	Online & test centers
Score Validity	5 years	5 years	5 years

3. Who Should Take the EA?

Choose the Executive Assessment if:

1. You’re targeting EMBA programs like Wharton, INSEAD, LBS, or NUS

2. You’re a mid- or senior-level professional with 8+ years of experience

3. You don’t have time for intensive GMAT/GRE prep

4. You’re applying to modular/part-time MBA formats

5. You’re balancing a job, family, and travel schedules

The EA is not meant to be a competitive differentiator. Admissions committees primarily use it to check academic readiness and focus more on your professional experience and goals.

4. Top Programs Accepting the Executive Assessment in 2025

The EA is now accepted by over 200 programs at 100+ global schools.

University	Business School	Program(s)
Alliance Manchester Business School	Manchester Business School	Manchester Global MBA, Kelley-Manchester Dual Online MBA
Amsterdam Business School	Amsterdam Business School	The Amsterdam MBA, MBA Big Data & Business Analytics, Executive MSc in International Finance (MIF)
Arizona State University	Thunderbird School of Global Management	Master of Leadership and Management, Executive Master of Global Management, Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management: Space Leadership, Business, and Policy, Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management
Asia School of Business	Asia School of Business	MBA for Working Professionals
American University in Dubai	American University in Dubai	Executive MBA
Baruch College	Zicklin School of Business	EMBA, EMBA-HCA, Evening MBA, Full-Time MBA, Online MBA, MS in Accountancy, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Finance, MS in Information Systems, MS in Marketing, MS in Quantitative Methods & Modeling, MS in Real Estate, MS in Statistics, MS in Taxation
Belmont University	Massey Graduate School of Business	Professional Master of Business Administration (PMBA), Accelerated MBA, Healthcare MBA, Masters of Accountancy
Bentley University	McCallum Graduate School of Business	Full Time MBA, Part Time MBA, Online MBA, MS in Accounting, MS in Business Analytics, Master's in Finance, Master's in Human Factors in Information Design, Master's in Taxation
University of California Berkeley	Haas School of Business	MBA for Executives, Evening & Weekend MBA
Boston University	Questrom School of Business	Executive MBA
Binghamton University	Binghamton University	Executive MBA
Carnegie Mellon	Tepper School of Business	Full-Time MBA, Part-Time flex MBA, Part-Time Online Hybrid MBA
Case Western University	Weatherhead School of Management	Executive MBA, Part-Time MBA
China European International Business School (CEIBS)	CEIBS	Global EMBA – Single Module Track, Global EMBA – Double Module Track, Hospitality EMBA
Chapman University	Argyros School of Business and Economics	Executive MBA
The University of Chicago	Booth School of Business	Executive MBA Program: Chicago, London, Hong Kong, Weekend MBA, Evening MBA
The Chinese University of Hong Kong	CUHK Business School	MBA, Part Time
City, University of London	City, University of London	Executive MBA
University of Colorado Boulder	Leeds Business School	Executive MBA program
Columbia Business School	Columbia Business School	The Columbia MBA, The Executive MBA Program
Concordia University	Concordia University	John Molson Executive MBA
The Consortium	The Consortium	The Consortium Fellowship Program
Copenhagen Business School	Copenhagen Business School	CBS Executive MBA
Cornell University	Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management	Cornell Executive MBA Metro NY, Cornell Executive MBA Americas, Executive MBA/MS in Healthcare Leadership
University of Virginia	Darden School of Business	Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, MBA for Executives, Global MBA for Executives
Duke University	Fuqua School of Business	Global Executive, Weekend Executive, Daytime MBA, Accelerated Daytime MBA, Master's of Quantitative Management: Health Analytics, Masters of Science in Quantitative Management Business Analytics, Accelerated Masters of Science in Quantitative Management: Business Analytics
EDHEC Business School	EDHEC Business School	Global MBA, Executive MBA
EGADE Business School	Tecnológico de Monterrey	EGADE MBA, EGADE MBA Online, MBA In Innovation & Entrepreneurship, MBA in Global Business & Strategy, Global OneMBA, Master In Business Management, Maestría en Finanzas, Especialidad en Administración Energética, Doctorado en Ciencias Financieras, Doctorado en Ciencias Administrativas
ESADE Business School	ESADE Business School	Executive MBA
Reutlingen University	ESB Business School	MBA International Management Full-Time
ESMT Berlin	ESMT Berlin	Full-time MBA, Executive MBA
Emory	Goizueta Business School	Evening MBA, Executive MBA
Erasmus University	Rotterdam School of Management	Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA
Fordham University	Gabelli School of Business	Full-Time MBA, Executive MBA, Professional MBA
Fudan University	School of Management	BI Norwegian Business School-Fudan University MBA Program, The University of Hong Kong - Fudan University MBA (International) Programme
Fundação Getulio Vargas	Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo	OneMBA – Global Executive MBA
George Mason University	School of Business	Flexible, Part-Time MBA
Georgetown University	McDonough School of Business	Flex MBA, Full Time MBA, Executive MBA
Georgetown University	Graduate School of Arts and Sciences	MS in Environment and Sustainability
Georgetown University	McDonough School of Business / Walsh School of Foreign Service	Master of Arts in International Business and Policy
Georgia Institute of Technology	Scheller College of Business	Evening MBA
Great Lakes Institute of Management	Chennai	Post Graduate eXecutive Program in Management
HEC Paris	HEC Paris	MBA, Full Time, International Executive MBA
Hofstra University	Frank G. Zarb School of Business	Executive MBA
University of Hong Kong	HKU Business School	MBA, Part Time
The University of Hong Kong	The University of Hong Kong	Executive MBA Program
Howard University	School of Business	Executive MBA
IE Business School	IE Business School	Executive MBA, Global MBA
IESE Business School	IESE Business School	Executive MBA, Executive MBA Munich, Global Executive MBA
INSEAD	INSEAD	The Global Executive MBA Program, Executive Master in Finance
Imperial College	Business School	Executive MBA, Global Online MBA
Iowa State University	Ivy College of Business	Professional MBA
University of Iowa	Tippie College of Business	Executive MBA
King's College London	King's Business School	Executive MBA
The Lisbon MBA	Católica|Nova	The Lisbon MBA Executive
London Business School	London Business School	Executive MBA Program, EMBA-Global Americas and Europe, LBS Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy
MIT	Sloan School of Management	Sloan Fellows Program, Executive MBA
Maastricht University	School of Business and Economics	MaastrichtMBA – Executive On-Campus, MaastrichtMBA – Executive Online
Masaryk University	Masaryk University	Business Management, Finance, Economics, Public Finance and Economics, Regional Development and Tourism, Public Administration
McGill & HEC Montreal	McGill & HEC Montreal	EMBA
University of Michigan	Stephen M. Ross School of Business	MBA Weekend, Part-Time MBA Online, Global MBA
Michigan State University	Broad College of Business	Full-Time MBA Program
Monash Business School	Monash Business School	Executive MBA
New York University	Leonard N. Stern School of Business	Executive MBA, Langone Part-Time MBA for Working Professionals, MS Quantitative Management, Fashion and Luxury MBA, Andre Koo Technology and Entrepreneurship MBA, Full-time MBA Program, Stern at NYUAD One-year Full-time MBA
Nanyang Business School	Nanyang Business School	Professional MBA
National University of Singapore	National University of Singapore	Part-Time MBA program
Northwestern University	Kellogg School of Management	Executive MBA, Evening & Weekend MBA Program
University of Notre Dame	Mendoza College of Business	Executive MBA, Executive MBA Chicago
The Ohio State University	Fisher College of Business	Executive MBA, Online Working Professional MBA
University of Oklahoma	Gene Rainbolt Graduate School of Business	Professional MBA
Oregon State University	College of Business	Online MBA, Part-time Hybrid MBA
University of Oxford	Saïd Business School	Oxford Executive MBA
Portland State University	The School of Business	Part-Time MBA
Quantic School of Business & Technology	Quantic School of Business & Technology	EMBA, MBA
Queens University	Smith School of Business	Smith Executive MBA National Program
Rice University	Jones Graduate School of Business	MBA Full Time, Executive MBA, Professional MBA, Online MBA
Rutgers Business School	Rutgers Business School	Full-time MBA, Part-time MBA
Rutgers EMBA	Rutgers EMBA	Executive MBA
Southern Methodist University	Cox School of Business	MBA Full Time One-Year, MBA Full Time Two-Year, Executive MBA, Online MBA, Professional MBA
SP Jain School of Global Management	SP Jain School of Global Management	Executive MBA
S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research	S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research	Post Graduate Executive Management Programme, Post Graduate Programme in General Management
Sabanci University	School of Management	Executive MBA, Professional MBA, Masters in Finance
Santa Clara University	Leavey School of Business	Executive MBA
SDA Bocconi	School of Management	Global Executive MBA
Seattle University	Albers School of Business and Economics	Leadership Executive MBA
Singapore Management University	Singapore Management University	Executive MBA
Stanford	Graduate School of Business	MSx Program
New York University Abu Dhabi	New York University Abu Dhabi	Stern at NYUAD One-year Full-time MBA
Texas Christian University	Neely School of Business	Executive MBA, Professional MBA, Energy MBA, Health Care MBA, MS in Supply Chain Management
Trinity Business School	Trinity Business School	Executive MBA, Flexible Executive MBA
Tsinghua-INSEAD	Tsinghua-INSEAD	Executive MBA
UC Irvine	Paul Merage School of Business	Executive MBA
UCD	Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School	Executive MBA, Modular Executive MBA
UCLA	Anderson School of Management	MBA Full Time, Executive MBA, Fully Employed MBA Program
University of California – Riverside	A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management	MBA Full Time, MBA Part Time, Professional MBA, Master of Professional Accountancy, Master of Finance, Master of Science in Business Analytics
University of California San Diego	Rady School of Management	Executive MBA, FlexEvening MBA
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Kenan-Flagler Business School	Weekend Executive MBA, Evening Executive MBA
University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Lee Business School	Executive MBA
USC	Marshall School of Business	USC Marshall Online Master of Business Administration
The University of Texas at Austin	McCombs School of Business	Full Time MBA Austin, Executive MBA Austin, Working Professional MBA Programs in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston
University of Virginia	Darden School of Business & McIntire School of Commerce	M.S. in Business Analytics
University of Virginia	McIntire School of Commerce	M.S. in the Management of IT
University of Alberta	Alberta School of Business	Executive MBA
University of Calgary	Haskayne School of Business	Alberta Haskayne Executive MBA
University of Cambridge	Cambridge Judge Business School	Cambridge Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA
University of Cape Town	Graduate School of Business	MBA Full Time, MBA Modular
University of Georgia	Terry College of Business	MBA Full-Time, Professional MBA, Executive MBA, Online MBA
University of Hawaii at Manoa	Shidler College of Business	Executive MBA
University of Houston	C. T. Bauer College of Business	Executive MBA, MBA Full Time, MBA Part Time, MS Accountancy, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Finance, MS in Global Energy Leadership, MS in Management Information Systems, MS in Marketing, MS in Supply Chain Management, Online MS Management & Leadership, Online MBA, MS Entrepreneurship, MS Sales Leadership
University of Kansas	School of Business	Online MBA
University of Miami	Herbert Business School	Accelerated MBA, Full Time MBA
University of Minnesota	Carlson School of Management	Part-Time MBA, Online MBA, CEMBA
University of Nevada, Reno	University of Nevada, Reno	MBA Full-Time, Executive MBA
University of Pittsburgh	University of Pittsburgh	Professional MBA
University of Rochester	Simon Business School	Full Time MBA
University of St.Gallen	University of St.Gallen	MBA Full Time, MBA Part Time, International Executive MBA HSG Programme, Executive MBA HSG Programme, Executive MBA ETH HSG (emba X)
University of San Diego	School of Business	Part-Time MBA
University of San Francisco	School of Management	Executive MBA
The University of Toledo	College of Business and Innovation	MBA, EMBA, Masters of Science in Accounting, Executive Masters in Sales Leadership
University of Victoria	Peter B. Gustavson School of Business	MBA, University of Victoria, Gustavson School of Business
University of Washington	Foster School of Business	Hybrid MBA, Evening MBA, Technology Management MBA, Global Executive MBA, Executive MBA
University of Wisconsin Madison	University of Wisconsin Madison	Part Time MBA, Executive MBA
Valparaiso University	College of Business	Flexible MBA, MBA Full Time, MBA Full Time Accelerated, MBA Part Time
Villanova	School of Business	Executive MBA
Vanderbilt University	Owen Graduate School of Management	Full Time MBA, Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA – Americas
Vlerick Business School	Vlerick Business School	Doctorate in Business Administration, Executive MBA, Online MBA
WHU	Otto Beisheim School of Management	Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA
WU	Vienna University of Economics and Business	Global Executive MBA, Executive MBA Bucharest, Professional MBA
University of Pennsylvania	The Wharton School	Philadelphia MBA for Executives, San Francisco MBA for Executives, Global MBA for Executives
Yale	School of Management	Yale MBA for Executives
York University	Schulich School of Business	Kellog-Schulich Executive MBA

5. Executive Assessment Format & Section Details

The EA consists of 3 sections, equally weighted, totaling 40 questions:

Section	No. of Questions	Duration	Topics
Integrated Reasoning	12	30 mins	Charts, tables, multi-source reasoning, logic
Verbal Reasoning	14	30 mins	Reading comprehension, critical reasoning, grammar
Quantitative Reasoning	14	30 mins	Arithmetic, algebra, data sufficiency, logic-based problem solving

Total Score: 100–200

Each section scored: 0–20

Results delivered: Within 24 hours

Test availability:

• Online (globally) – English interface only

• 600+ test centers worldwide

• Free rescheduling up to 24 hours in advance

• No essay section

6. How EA Scores Are Used by Schools

Unlike the GMAT or GRE, EA scores are not used for rankings or deep comparison. Schools follow a "readiness band" approach:

• Most accepted scores fall between 145–155

• A score near your target school’s average is enough

• Balanced scores across all three sections are preferred

You won’t find official percentiles—EA is meant to assess whether you’re academically ready, not to rank you against others.

7. Should You Take the EA, GMAT, or GRE? Step-by-Step Framework

Take the GMAT if:

• You’re targeting top full-time MBAs

• You can score well above the median (boosts your candidacy)

• You want to stand out in a quant-heavy profile

Take the GRE if:

• You’re applying to both MBA and non-MBA programs

• You’re stronger in vocabulary and reading than in data

• You have limited time and need more flexible prep options

Take the EA if:

• You’re applying to Executive MBA, part-time, or modular MBAs

• You want a shorter, low-prep admissions test

• You’re a mid-career professional focused more on career growth than test performance

EA Prep: What You Need to Know

You can prepare for the EA in as little as 3–6 weeks, especially if you're already using these skills at work.

Top Resources:

• Official GMAC Prep

• EA Practice Exams (2 official tests available)

• GMAT IR & Critical Reasoning practice (similar question formats)

Strategy Tips:

• Use integrated reasoning practice to boost data fluency

• Focus on efficiency over perfection—every section is timed tightly

• Take a mock EA to simulate the 90-minute time pressure

EA Registration, Cost, and Logistics

Item	Cost (USD)
Registration	$350
Reschedule (Online)	Free (≥24 hrs before test)
Cancellation (Online)	$100 refund (≥24 hrs before test)

Final Thoughts: Which Test Will Help You Succeed?

Here’s the truth: no test guarantees admission, but choosing the right one for your profile ensures your application reflects your potential—not your test-taking ability alone.

If you’re applying for an Executive MBA, the EA is designed for you.It respects your experience, fits your schedule, and gets out of your way quickly.

If you’re going head-to-head with younger applicants in full-time MBAs, a strong GMAT may give you an edge.

If you need flexibility, the GRE lets you cast a wider net—especially if you’re open to MIM or dual-degree programs.

Ready to Decide? Let’s Build Your Strategy.

At GOALisB, we’ve helped professionals navigate this decision across top schools like INSEAD, LBS, ISB, Wharton, and more.

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