The New Mini-GMAT for EMBA Candidates
Big news! GMAC, the makers of the GMAT, have launched a new test, the Executive Assessment exam. It contains the same question types as the GMAT, but fewer content areas are tested, and there arent as many questions to answer. The exam is intended for candidates applying to Executive MBA (EMBA) programs.
Do I have to take it?
Maybe. It depends on where youre applying. Currently, exactly 6 schools accept the Executive Assessment:
- CEIBS (China European International Business School)
- Chicago Booth
- Columbia
- University of Hong Kong Business School
- INSEAD
- London Business School
Until this new exam launched, LBS required the GMAT. The website for its EMBA program now stillasks for the GMAT in some places but also says that it accepts the Executive Assessment. Presumably, either test is acceptable.
The Columbia EMBA website asks for the GMAT, the Executive Assessment, or the GRE.
In short, if you want to apply to the EMBA program at one of these 6 schools, you will need to take some kind of standardized test. You may have a choice as to which test to take.
Whats on the Executive Assessment?
Superficially, it looks like a mini-GMAT. All of the sections and question types on the GMAT are also on the Executive Assessment (with the exception of the essay). The test isnt just a cut-down version of the GMAT, though. There are some noticeable differences in the sample questions that have been released.
The 90-minute exam consists of three 30-minute sections, as follows:
Not many questions have been released so far, so we cant draw any definite conclusions yet, but I was struck by the absence of certain things. The quant questions contain absolutely no geometry. (Yay!) More textbook-y math is also absent: quadratic equations, functions, overlapping sets, combinatorics, and probability. (Double yay!)
The Critical Reasoning samples mostly fell into the classic Assumption categories: Find the Assumption, Strengthen, and Weaken. One is more of an Inference. The Reading Comp samples are all Specific Detail or Inference.
The Sentence Correction samples covered a pretty decent range of grammar and meaning. The underlines were noticeably on the shorter side, but its unclear at this stage what might not be tested on SC.
Thats not to say that any of the missing content areas or sub-question types wont pop up. Hopefully, GMAC will be releasing additional guidelines regarding what isand is nottested on the Executive Assessment.
Any logistical details I should know?
Yes. Youre allowed to take the exam two (2) times apparently in total. That is, it seems that you can never take this test more than twice in your lifetime. So, if youre going to take it, youll need to think carefully about when to take it.
If you do take it twice, you can decide which schools will receive which results. For example, you can send Columbia your results from just test 2, not test 1. You dont have to pay to send the results to any schools.
The test is available at all of the centers where the regular GMAT is given. If you want to take it a second time, youll only have to wait 24 hours, not 16 days.
The test costs US $350. You have unlimited rescheduling power up until 24 hours before the exam (and its free to reschedule on-line). You can also cancel the exam entirely for a $250 refund (again, until 24 hours before).
So should I take it?
If you are applying only to the schools that accept this new exam (i.e., you arent also applying to any programs that require the full GMAT or GRE), then you should definitely consider taking the Executive Assessment instead. Why not take a shorter-and-sweeter exam? The preparation level will hopefully be much more manageable than that for one of the big tests. Youll still need to learn about all of these question types, as well as how to manage your time appropriately, but the content areas should not be as voluminous as on the GMAT.
The 2-test limit could be a little nerve-wracking, though, so youll want to make sure that you are well prepared the first time. At the moment, little information and few practice problems have been released, but the Executive Assessment is only about 10 days old. Lets keep an eye on the official website in coming days for more information about what we should know and how we should practice in order to do well on this exam.
Want more? Here is the source:GMACs website for the Executive Assessment.