{"id":18459,"date":"2020-01-14T04:00:08","date_gmt":"2020-01-14T04:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gmat\/?p=18459"},"modified":"2020-01-14T15:19:06","modified_gmt":"2020-01-14T15:19:06","slug":"how-to-study-for-the-executive-assessment-ea-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.manhattanprep.com\/gmat\/blog\/how-to-study-for-the-executive-assessment-ea-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Study for the Executive Assessment (EA) – Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"study<\/p>\n

Are you figuring out how to study for the Executive Assessment (EA) exam? The <\/span>Executive Assessment<\/span><\/a> was launched in March 2016 to provide a more streamlined version of the GMAT for Executive MBA (EMBA) candidates\u2014but it has grown and is now used for some <\/span>regular MBAs and other business Master\u2019s programs<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In part 1 (this part!), we\u2019ll talk about study materials and timeline. In part 2<\/a>, we\u2019ll take a look at the Integrated Reasoning and Verbal sections of the exam. We\u2019ll devote part 3<\/a> to the Quant section, as well as more on planning your studies. And part 4<\/a> will dive into time management on the exam itself\u2014a crucial component of taking these kinds of exams.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, I\u2019m going to assume that you\u2019re already familiar with <\/span>the basics about the Executive Assessment<\/span><\/a>\u2014if not, go read that post I just linked and then come back. I can wait. <\/span><\/p>\n

Next, if you are already <\/span>familiar with the GMAT<\/span><\/a>, then you can jump-start your understanding of the EA by taking a look at a separate post that covers the <\/span>differences between the GMAT and the EA<\/span><\/a>. There aren\u2019t many differences, but they are important. (If you aren\u2019t already familiar with the GMAT, don\u2019t bother to read this post.)<\/span><\/p>\n

What do I need to learn for the Executive Assessment?<\/b><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ll need to learn a decent number of things\u2014many of which will actually be useful in grad school. You\u2019ll need to learn (relearn, really) certain math concepts, principles, and formulas. You\u2019ll also need to learn some grammar (but it\u2019s not too bad).<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, you\u2019ll need to learn how the EA works, including the different question types (as well as the best ways to approach them) and how to manage your time during the test and make the best <\/span>executive decisions<\/span><\/a> you can to get the score you need.<\/span><\/p>\n

And you\u2019ll also need to know how to prioritize your studies and set up a good study plan for yourself. Overall, I\u2019d really view your test preparation as your first grad school course. Use this time to get yourself back into a study routine and work out all of the kinks before school starts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, just FYI: A majority of your study materials will actually be built for the GMAT, since very few EA-specific study materials exist. (Why? Business case: Right now, only about 5,000 EA exams are given every year. There\u2019s just not enough of a market yet for companies to spend a ton of development money making EA-specific materials. Even the official test makers have not yet published any physical books\u2014all official study materials are digital-only.) It\u2019s fine to use GMAT materials because all of the question types and the vast majority of the content areas are identical; more on this later.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Executive Assessment study materials are available?<\/b><\/h3>\n

There are a number of really good resources that you\u2019ll want to use as you get ready for this test. If you take a course, that course should include study materials and a syllabus with specific homework assignments (<\/span>we have one here at Manhattan Prep<\/span><\/a>). If you study on your own, make sure to take time in the beginning to put together your own syllabus and gather your study resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

The official test makers (GMAC) sell a <\/span>variety of official study tools<\/span><\/a>, including 4 practice exams (sold in packs of 2), as well as an online bank of 300 practice problems\u2014100 problems for each of the three sections of the exam: Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quant, and Verbal. They also sell an extra tool with 50 IR problems (but not Q or V). If you are familiar with Official Guide books from the GMAT or other grad school exams: There is no equivalent book for the EA.<\/span><\/p>\n

I would definitely get at least 2 practice exams and I\u2019d say most people will want all 4. The 300-problem online bank is also excellent\u2014I highly recommend it. I think most people will be fine with those 300 problems, so I wouldn\u2019t buy the extra IR-only tool to start. But it\u2019s nice to know that it\u2019s there if you want more IR practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your official materials will be your practice, but that won\u2019t typically be how you\u2019ll learn how to get <\/span>better<\/span><\/i>. For that, you\u2019re going to need some materials from test prep companies. I\u2019m obviously biased, so you\u2019ll need to do some research yourself, but I\u2019ll tell you what we\u2019ve got.<\/span><\/p>\n