The Executive Assessment Blog

In our most recent alumni survey, we recorded and analyzed responses from graduates of several different programs, including full-time MBA programs, executive MBAs, and part-time MBAs. When asked whether a graduate management education helped advance their careers, alumni not only said yes, but they also said that their advancement happened at a faster rate than it did for peers without a graduate business degree.

The question is no longer whether or not to consider business school, but to consider which type of program is the best fit and investment for you. Across many program types, 4 out of 5 business school alumni rated the value of their education to be outstanding or excellent.

If you are considering a part-time graduate business education, consider the following as you make your decision.

Soft skills matter to employers. How much? According to our own research, problem-solving and the ability to work well in a team are now the most important skills employers want to see in hires. Fortunately, according to that same research, “employers give business schools high marks for how well they prepare their graduates in these skills” and “overwhelmingly agree that business school graduates are prepared to be successful at their companies.” In fact, 7 in 10 recent full-time MBA graduates observed that they would not have gotten their current job if it wasn’t for their b-school education. 

Keep reading to understand how MBA programs foster the development of essential soft skills.

Whether you want to transition to a new industry or increase your earning potential, it is necessary to submit a competitive application when preparing to attend business school. Your prior education, current title, industry, and experience—along with your score on the Executive Assessment (EA)—will be factors that admissions teams take into account.

Business schools are not looking for a perfect score on the EA; they are gaining a more holistic understanding of how you will fit into a program and will recognize your potential for growth. However, it is still important to set aside time to properly prepare for the Executive Assessment. Some executives are ready for the EA after 15 to 20 hours of studying, while many commit up to 30 hours.

Here are a few guidelines to consider as you prepare.

In 2019, statista reported that 76 percent of surveyed companies intended to hire MBA graduates within the next year. Our own research also demonstrates that most b-school graduates felt that their education advanced their careers faster than peers without a graduate education.  It’s no surprise then that in our 2018 alumni survey, 93 percent of respondents said that if given the chance to go back, they would still pursue a graduate business school education. Personal and financial growth outlooks are in favor of b-school graduates, but the prospect of investing in additional qualifications and taking an assessment exam required for applications may give many excellent and qualified candidates pause.

Whether you are interested in pursuing a graduate business education in a full-time or part-time capacity, learn more about how the Executive Assessment meets the needs of busy professionals.

What does it take to become a successful Executive MBA candidate for one of the world’s best business schools? Here’s what London Business School looks for.

Any discussion of the world’s best Executive MBA programs will inevitably lead to London Business School. Ranked 3^rd globally and 1^st outside of the United States in the 2019 QS Global EMBA Rankings, LBS’ EMBA is indisputably one of the most respected programs of its kind. With campuses in London and Dubai, partnerships with Columbia University and the University of Hong Kong Business School, and an international student body of approximately 90%, LBS has an impressively global outlook.

As befits its status as one of the world’s most prestigious business schools, LBS’ mission is ambitious: to impact how business is done and affect how business impacts the broader world. LBS’ Leadership Programs—which include the EMBA, EMBA-Global, and Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy—are central to this mission. Designed for professionals who already have years of experience and have all the ingredients to make a major impact on business, the programs help create influential leaders.

So how does LBS choose the best candidates for its programs? We talked with Brett Hunter, the Director of Admissions for Leadership Programs, to learn more about how the school attracts top talent and how the Executive Assessment has helped it do so.

Deciding to pursue your graduate degree in business is an important decision, and the entrance exam you take should match your experience and your priorities.

The Executive Assessment (EA) is the preferred entrance exam for professional b-school programs, including the executive MBA (EMBA), executive master’s, and professional MBA (part-time, online, flexible). Designed with the experienced professional in mind, the exam is easy to schedule, short in duration, and requires minimal preparation, which leaves time for the other essential parts of your life too.