UK · MBA

GMAC Executive Assessment (EA) Mock Test

Master the admissions test for top UK Executive MBA and specialized master's degrees.

Start free mock test⏱ 90 min · ❓ 40 questions✦Fresh questions every attemptNo repeats — a unique set is generated each time you start.

About the Executive Assessment exam

Overview of the GMAC Executive Assessment (EA)

The GMAC Executive Assessment (EA) is an admissions test specifically designed by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) for experienced professionals applying to Executive MBA (EMBA), full-time MBA, and specialized business master's programmes. In the United Kingdom, premier institutions—including London Business School (LBS), University of Oxford (Saïd Business School), University of Cambridge (Judge Business School), Imperial College Business School, and Warwick Business School—readily accept the Executive Assessment as a primary evaluation tool alongside or in place of the conventional GMAT Focus or GRE.

Unlike traditional entry exams that demand extensive multi-month study cycles, the Executive Assessment is engineered to measure real-world analytical aptitude, problem-solving maturity, and strategic reasoning accumulated through professional experience. The exam comprises 40 questions divided across three distinct 30-minute modules, requiring a total testing seat time of 90 minutes. Candidates in the UK can sit the assessment at Pearson VUE test centres across London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other metropolitan hubs, or take the proctored online version from home.

Exam Syllabus and Structure

The Executive Assessment tests business candidates on critical competencies across three core sections, each lasting 30 minutes:

1. Integrated Reasoning (12 Questions - 30 Minutes)

This section measures your ability to evaluate information presented in multiple formats from varied business data sources:

  • Multi-Source Reasoning: Analyzing data across tabs, brief memos, emails, and data tables to resolve complex business scenarios.
  • Graphics Interpretation: Interpreting charts, scatter plots, bar graphs, and statistical curves to draw sound deductions.
  • Two-Part Analysis: Solving simultaneous problems requiring joint quantitative and verbal evaluations.
  • Table Analysis: Sorting spreadsheet-style tables to filter necessary parameters and test underlying hypotheses.

2. Verbal Reasoning (14 Questions - 30 Minutes)

The Verbal section assesses your ability to evaluate written business material and critically examine arguments:

  • Critical Reasoning: Assessing premises, identifying unstated assumptions, detecting logical fallacies, and strengthening or weakening arguments.
  • Reading Comprehension: Synthesizing executive summaries, academic management texts, and identifying main ideas, context, and structural flow.
  • Sentence Correction: Demonstrating standard written English mastery, grammatical precision, concise expression, and appropriate executive tone.

3. Quantitative Reasoning (14 Questions - 30 Minutes)

The Quantitative section tests foundational numeracy, statistical reasoning, and data assessment without requiring advanced calculus:

  • Data Sufficiency: Determining whether given statements provide sufficient information to answer an inquiry, testing analytical discipline rather than brute calculation.
  • Problem Solving: Solving practical problems involving percentages, ratios, probability, descriptive statistics, rate-time-distance formulas, and basic algebraic equations.

Test Delivery and Section Adaptivity Rules

The EA employs a unique section-adaptive model designed to deliver a rigorous evaluation in a short timeframe:

  • Each 30-minute section is split into two equal 6-question or 7-question modules.
  • Your performance on the first module determines the relative difficulty of the questions presented in the second module within that section.
  • You can review and edit answers freely within any given module before submitting it, allowing strategic time management.
  • Once a module is confirmed and submitted, you cannot revisit previous questions.
  • You must proceed through the test in a fixed order: Integrated Reasoning, followed by Verbal Reasoning, ending with Quantitative Reasoning.

Scoring and Benchmark Standards

The GMAC Executive Assessment is scored on a unified scale ranging from 100 to 200:

  • Each individual section (Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, Quantitative) is scored on a scale from 0 to 20.
  • All three sections are weighted equally toward your total composite score.
  • Unanswered questions result in heavy penalties; candidates are advised to select an answer for every question before time expires.
  • There is no formal universal "passing score"; rather, top UK institutions typically benchmark a total score of 150 or above, with balanced sub-scores of at least 10 in each individual section, as demonstrating readiness for rigorous MBA coursework.

Preparation Tips for Working Executives

  1. Focus on Data Sufficiency: Many experienced candidates stumble on Data Sufficiency questions because they over-calculate rather than assessing logical sufficiency. Master the distinct logic of DS early.
  2. Practice Integrated Reasoning with the On-Screen Calculator: Integrated Reasoning provides a built-in on-screen calculator; familiarize yourself with its layout to speed up complex multi-step problems.
  3. Refine Mental Math and Estimation: In the Quantitative section, calculators are strictly prohibited. Hone your mental arithmetic, fractions-to-decimals conversions, and estimation techniques.
  4. Simulate 30-Minute Modules Under Timed Conditions: With only roughly 2 minutes per question, pacing is paramount. Complete full-length, timed mock tests to build comfort with the strict section boundaries.

Test rules

  • The exam must be taken in a fixed section sequence: Integrated Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
  • Candidates are permitted to review and modify answers within a specific active module, but cannot return to a module once submitted.
  • Calculators are strictly forbidden in the Quantitative Reasoning section; a basic on-screen calculator is provided only in Integrated Reasoning.
  • Test takers must bring a valid, government-issued passport as identification when testing at a UK Pearson VUE test centre.
  • For online delivery, candidates must maintain a clear testing space and remain on camera with microphone enabled throughout the 90-minute testing session.
  • No external scrap paper or personal writing tools are allowed; test centres provide reusable erasable marker boards, while online candidates use a virtual or physical whiteboard adhering to GMAC specifications.

Score grading

The Executive Assessment reports a total score from 100 to 200, along with sub-scores for Integrated Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning ranging from 0 to 20. There is no official pass/fail mark; UK business schools typically seek composite scores of 150 or higher with balanced sub-section performances.

Syllabus & chapters covered

Integrated Reasoning: Multi-Source ReasoningIntegrated Reasoning: Graphics Interpretation and Two-Part AnalysisVerbal Reasoning: Critical Reasoning and Argument AnalysisVerbal Reasoning: Reading Comprehension and InferenceVerbal Reasoning: Sentence Correction and Executive CommunicationQuantitative Reasoning: Data SufficiencyQuantitative Reasoning: Problem Solving and ArithmeticQuantitative Reasoning: Algebraic Equations and Proportions

FAQs

What is the difference between the GMAT Focus Edition and the Executive Assessment?

The Executive Assessment is tailored for mid-career professionals: it is shorter (90 minutes vs. 2 hours 15 minutes), features Integrated Reasoning as part of the total score, requires fewer study hours, and uses a section-adaptive rather than item-adaptive structure.

Which UK business schools accept the Executive Assessment?

Leading UK institutions including London Business School (LBS), Oxford (Saïd), Cambridge (Judge), Imperial College Business School, Warwick Business School, and Bayes Business School accept the EA for Executive MBA and selected full-time MBA programmes.

Is an on-screen calculator allowed during the Executive Assessment?

An on-screen calculator is provided exclusively during the Integrated Reasoning section. Calculators are prohibited during the Quantitative Reasoning section.

Can I review and change my answers during the test?

Yes, within each module. Each section is split into two halves; you may flag questions and alter answers within your current module until you confirm submission.

What is considered a competitive Executive Assessment score for UK business schools?

A composite score of 150 or above, with balanced sub-scores across Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, and Quantitative sections (ideally 10+ in each), is generally viewed as competitive by top UK institutions.

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