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.

The Executive Assessment is designed to fit into a busy schedule

For professionals who have highly demanding schedules and wish to pursue graduate business school, the 90-minute Executive Assessment (EA) exam is easy to schedule and reschedule. Our design process for the assessment involved consulting with admissions professionals from top universities, including the Assistant Dean at the Yale School of Management, Silvia McCallister-Castillo. With feedback from McCallister-Castillo and other business school experts, we took into account many factors that would affect busy professionals preparing for graduate business school.

Silvia McCallister-Castillo even took the test herself in 2017. Castillo did about 25 to 30 hours of preparation, which she noted was more than recommended. The day of the exam, Castillo said that, “I was fairly nervous, but once I started the test, I was too focused to worry. After 90 minutes—which flew by—I was done.” When her results came in, she was happy with her score.

The EA is available at more than 600 testing centers, so you will not have to go out of your way to take it. If an important obligation arises at the last minute and you need to reschedule or cancel, you can do so online. If you reschedule by phone, even within 24 hours of the test, the cancellation fee is only $10 USD.

Ready to apply to b-school and level up your career? Check out 3 Tips for Preparing for the Executive Assessment Test.

Discover areas in need of improvement before beginning your studies

The EA is a unique MBA experience test that can serve as a useful barometer of your knowledge and skills as you apply to business school. It is designed to evaluate business school readiness, while also acknowledging and valuing real-world experience and knowledge you have to offer. With the results of the EA, you are prepared to sharpen your skill set before your program begins, so that you can get the most out of your studies.

Skip Calvert, a student in the Darden Executive Program, heard about the test when applying. After a military career and over a decade of moving around, the EA provided a way into an EMBA program for Skip, so he could settle in the right city with the right career. He found that “the EA does a great job of... assessing your knowledge as it is, and then I think it also, for me, gave me a couple areas where I needed to focus on.”

The EA is accepted by schools worldwide

The EA provides you with access to business schools and specialized programs around the world. If you are interested in the effects of data on business, The Amsterdam Business School has an MBA in Big Data & Business Analytics. For a flexible 21-month program, there is an Executive MBA available in Lisbon. Many institutions that accept the EA also offer part-time and online options, including the National University of Singapore and the Alliance Manchester Business School.

Introduced in 2016, with 55 schools on board, the Executive Assessment is now accepted at nearly 100 top business schools. For executives who have global ambitions, and those who may want to apply to several top schools at once, it can provide plenty of opportunity.

Are you ready to take your career and education to the next level?

Learn more about preparing for the Executive Assessment.