The GMAT, has long been a critical part of the business school admissions process. However, the test is about to undergo a major revamp that may make it more accessible and convenient for test-takers.
The Graduate Management Admission Council, which administers the GMAT, has announced that it will be shortening the test by nearly an hour and eliminating the essay requirement. The new version of the test, called the GMAT Focus Edition, will feature only three sections, all of which will be multiple-choice questions. One of the main goals of this revamp is to make the test more user-friendly and convenient for test-takers.
However, some test-takers may be looking for an alternative to the GMAT altogether. Enter the Executive Assessment, or EA. Developed by the same Graduate Management Admission Council originally for Executive MBA programs, the EA is a shorter, more streamlined test that focuses on skills that are particularly important for working professionals.
Unlike the GMAT, which takes about three and a half hours to complete, the EA takes only 90 minutes. The test consists of three sections: integrated reasoning, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. Like the new GMAT Focus Edition, the EA is also computer-adaptive, meaning that the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on the test-taker’s performance.
The EA is designed to assess skills that are particularly important for MBA candidates, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. The test is also more flexible than the GMAT, with year-round testing dates and the ability to retake the exam after just 14 days.
If you’re considering pursuing an MBA, the EA may be a great alternative to the GMAT. It’s shorter, more streamlined, and focuses on the skills that are most important for working professionals.