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How hard is the Executive Assessment? The Executive Assessment (EA) is generally considered more accessible than the GMAT or GRE, but it still poses a challenge that requires preparation. The test is shorter than the GRE or GMAT at just 90 minutes, has 3 balanced sections (Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, Quantitative), and uses a module-level adaptive design, which makes it less intimidating than the GMAT.
However, because it evaluates advanced reasoning, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills, candidates still need focused practice to perform well. Keep reading to learn how the EA compares to other exams, what makes it challenging, and how much preparation you really need.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- The Difficulty of the EA Is Relative to Each Student
- How Is the EA scored?
- How Hard Is It to Score a 140 on the EA?
- How Hard Is It to Score 150 on the EA?
- How Hard Is It to Score a 160 on the EA?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is the Executive Assessment easier than the GMAT?
- How long is the Executive Assessment?
- What score is considered good on the Executive Assessment?
- How much time do you need to prepare for the Executive Assessment?
- What makes the Executive Assessment challenging?
- Can I pass the Executive Assessment without studying?
- How Difficult Is the EA: In Summary
- What’s Next?
Let’s begin by discussing the key factor that affects how hard the GMAT is for any particular individual.
The Difficulty of the EA Is Relative to Each Student
When discussing the Executive Assessment’s difficulty, the real question is how challenging it will be for you to earn the score you need. What counts as a “strong” EA score can vary depending on your target program and your own goals. So, the best way to measure the exam’s difficulty is by looking at how hard it is to hit a particular score.
Of course, once you have a score goal in mind, you need to make sure you are following a thorough, structured Executive Assessment study plan. Doing so will help you reach your goal as efficiently as possible.
To get a clearer picture of what it will take to hit your EA score goal, let’s consider what it takes to reach some common Executive Assessment results: 140, 150, and 160. We’ll begin with 140. But first, let’s review Executive Assessment scoring.
TTP PRO TIP:
The best way to measure the difficulty of the EA is to evaluate the difficulty of obtaining a particular score.
How Is the EA scored?
In terms of scoring, when considering Executive Assessment vs. GMAT, the GMAT is question adaptive while the EA is section adaptive. Let’s walk through how it works.
The first section of the EA is always Integrated Reasoning (IR), which is divided into 2 modules. In the first module, you’ll see 6 questions that range from easy to hard. If you perform well, the second module of 6 questions will become more challenging and give you the opportunity to earn more points. If your performance is weak in the first module, the second module will instead include easier questions that carry lower scoring potential.
After completing IR, you’ll move on to Verbal Reasoning. This section also has 2 modules, each containing 7 questions. Interestingly, the difficulty of the first Verbal module is influenced by how well you performed in Integrated Reasoning. So, doing well on IR not only boosts your IR score but also helps set you up for a stronger start in Verbal. Once you complete the first Verbal module, the difficulty of the second module will depend on how well you did in the first module. The final section, Quantitative Reasoning, follows the same adaptive format as the Verbal section.
KEY FACT:
How you perform on Integrated Reasoning affects the difficulty of the first quant and verbal modules.
Use Section Adaptivity to Maximize Your Score
In essence, here’s what we know about scoring well on the EA:
- Performing strongly on Integrated Reasoning will position you to begin both the Verbal and Quant sections at a medium-to-hard level, giving you the best chance to maximize your overall score.
- Doing well on the first Quant and first Verbal modules will then move you into harder questions in the second modules of each section, which is key to earning a top score.
Now, let’s discuss how hard it is to score 140 on the EA.
How Hard Is It to Score a 140 on the EA?
Although 140 is considered at the lower end of the Executive Assessment scoring spectrum, it does check the box for certain schools, such as the Trinity Executive MBA or the Haskayne Executive MBA. So those needing such a score may ask, “How hard is it to score 140 on my EA?”
Although GMAC does not release official Executive Assessment score percentiles, the general consensus around what is a good Executive Assessment score is that a score of 150 is around the average. Thus, a score of 140 falls below that benchmark. So, from the standpoint of aiming “below average,” reaching a 140 should not be overly difficult. In fact, many EA test-takers could reasonably achieve that score with only modest preparation. So, if you are wondering how long to study for the Executive Assessment to score 140, you may be able to accomplish this score in just 4 weeks of preparation.
TTP PRO TIP:
Even with modest preparation, you should be able to score 140 on the EA.
Regarding how to score 140 on the EA, it’s important to note that your score isn’t determined solely by the number of correct answers. Rather, your performance on IR and then on the first modules of Quant and Verbal plays a key role. That said, since 140 is considered below average, even if you miss about half the questions in each module, you still have a strong chance of reaching that score.
Let’s consider an Executive Assessment sample question in the 140-score range.
Example 140-Level EA Question
If x + 4y = 20 and x = 2y, then y =
- 5/2
- 10/3
- 7/2
- 4
- 6
Solution:
We are given:
- x + 4y = 20
- x = 2y
Step 1: Substitute x = 2y into the first equation.
2y + 4y = 20
Step 2: Simplify.
6y = 20
Step 3: Solve for y.
y = 20/6 = 10/3
Answer: B
Takeaway
This question is fairly straightforward, but solving it requires a basic understanding of equations and substitution.
It’s a good example of the kind of problem you’ll need to handle to reach a 140 on the EA. Success comes down to having solid high school-level math skills and avoiding common traps, but the question itself isn’t especially difficult for MBA or EMBA applicants.
On the Verbal side, questions at the 140 level are comparable. You’ll need to know the fundamentals to answer correctly, but they aren’t designed to be overwhelming.
In short, scoring a 140 on the EA means showing moderately strong Quant and Verbal basics. The exam is challenging, but not excessively so.
KEY FACT:
To score 140 on the EA, you must show solid Quant and Verbal skills, but the questions at this level are generally manageable.
Let’s now discuss how hard it is to score 150 on the EA.
How Hard Is It to Score 150 on the EA?
A 150 on the Executive Assessment sits around the 64th percentile, unofficially, according to the folks at GMAC. It’s also well recognized that achieving a score of 150 or higher puts you in a strong position for admission to most Executive MBA programs.
How hard is it to earn a 150? There is no single number of correct answers that guarantees it. As we have discussed, the EA is section‑adaptive, with Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning delivered in 2 modules each. Your performance in the first module influences the difficulty of the second, and different mixes of section results can add up to the same total. In other words, there are multiple paths to a 150.
As a practical benchmark, many test takers who land near 150 are answering a clear majority of questions correctly across sections. With typical moderate‑to‑higher difficulty modules, that can look like getting roughly two-thirds right overall. On the EA’s section lengths, that often translates to missing around 4 to 5 questions in Quant, 4 to 5 in Verbal, and about 4 in Integrated Reasoning, give or take, depending on the difficulty you trigger and how consistently you perform across modules.
KEY FACT:
To score 150 on the EA, look to get about two-thirds of the questions correct.
Bottom line: aim for steady accuracy across all 3 sections, focus on avoiding streaks of misses, and remember that consistency at a solid majority‑correct level can place you in the 150 range.
Let’s consider an example of the type of question you’ll have to answer to score 150.
Example 150-Level EA Question
City Council Member: The administration proposes to improve the health of South Ward residents by getting one of the food store chains that sell healthy food to open a store in the South Ward. However, healthy food is more expensive than the low-quality food that South Ward residents currently buy. Given that most South Ward residents are already living at or close to the limits of their financial means, one can only conclude that most residents would not be able to afford to shop at a store that sells only healthy food.
Which of the following, if true, provides the most compelling reason to call into question the above conclusion?
- The administration’s proposal also includes subsidies that make public transportation, currently a significant expense for most South Ward residents, free.
- Many South Ward residents receive government financial benefits that supplement their incomes.
- Many low-quality foods are formulated specifically to cause people to want to consume more of them.
- One food store chain that is considering opening a store in the South Ward offers a range of foods that includes both high-quality and low-quality foods.
- The administration has the ability to fast-track permitting and take other measures to make opening a store that sells healthy food in the South Ward relatively easy.
Solution:
Breakdown of the argument:
Plan: Get one of the food store chains that sells healthy food to open a store in the South Ward.
Goal of the plan: Improve the health of South Ward residents.
Premise 1: Healthy food is more expensive than the low-quality food that South Ward residents currently buy.
Premise 2: Most South Ward residents are already living at or close to the limits of their financial means.
Conclusion: Most South Ward residents would not be able to afford to shop at a store that sells only healthy food.
The council member argues that the administration’s plan is unlikely to work because most South Ward residents cannot afford to purchase healthy food. If South Ward residents cannot afford healthier food, the plan is unlikely to improve the residents’ health.
So, what information would indicate that the plan might improve the health of South Ward residents despite the issue the council member has identified?
(A) The administration’s proposal also includes subsidies that make public transportation, currently a significant expense for most South Ward residents, free.
This choice introduces an offsetting factor that could allow South Ward residents to afford healthy food.
If residents no longer have to pay a significant transportation expense, they will have additional money that could be used to purchase healthy food.
So, there is reason to think the plan could succeed.
Thus, this choice calls into question the conclusion.
(B) Many South Ward residents receive government financial benefits that supplement their incomes.
This choice could be tempting if we create an unsupported story: if South Ward residents receive government financial benefits, they might have enough money to buy more expensive food.
Regardless of the benefits residents receive, the argument’s premise remains true: most South Ward residents are already living at or close to the limits of their financial means.
Remember, we cannot weaken an argument by attacking its premise.
So, this choice does not call into question the conclusion.
(C) Many low-quality foods are formulated specifically to cause people to want to consume more of them.
This choice does not affect the argument.
The argument relates to whether residents would be able to afford healthy foods, not whether they would prefer the taste or consume more of those foods. Regardless of the palatability of low-quality food, the premise remains true that residents are financially constrained.
Thus, there is no clear reason to doubt the council member’s conclusion that residents cannot afford healthy food.
So, this choice does not call into question the conclusion.
(D) One food store chain that is considering opening a store in the South Ward offers a range of foods that includes both high-quality and low-quality foods.
This choice has no effect on the argument.
Remember, the conclusion is not that residents would not be able to afford to shop at any food store that opens in the South Ward. The conclusion is that South Ward residents would not be able to afford to shop at a store that sells healthy food only.
Thus, a store that sells both high-quality and low-quality foods is irrelevant to the argument.
So, this choice does not call into question the conclusion.
(E) The administration has the ability to fast-track permitting and take other measures to make opening a store that sells healthy food in the South Ward relatively easy.
This choice has no effect on the argument.
The fact that the city can make opening a store relatively easy is irrelevant to whether residents can afford to shop at that store. After all, opening the store does not make healthy food more affordable.
So, there is still no reason to doubt the council member’s conclusion.
Thus, this choice does not call into question the conclusion.
Answer: A
Takeaway
This 150-level question is somewhat tricky. For one thing, incorrect choice (B) seems to indicate that these extra government benefits could increase some residents’ income to a level that would allow them to afford the more expensive healthy food. However, careful reading of the passage implies that those extra benefits are already included in the “financial means” of residents. Thus, there is still no additional money available for purchasing healthy foods.
Also, to answer this question correctly, we have to realize that opening a store with both unhealthy and healthy food options, as offered in choice (D), has no direct effect on the conclusion. It throws a “red herring” into the mix by discussing a store selling both types of food. Because the passage’s conclusion mentions buying food from a store that sells only healthy foods, the choice has no effect on the conclusion.
KEY FACT:
Scoring 150 on the EA requires answering fairly sophisticated and tricky questions.
We’ve seen how easy or difficult it is to score 140 and 150 on the Executive Assessment. Let’s now discuss how hard it is to score near the top of the score chart.
How Hard Is It to Score a 160 on the EA?
Scoring 160 on the Executive Assessment is an impressive result. In fact, it places you roughly in the 85th to 90th percentile, meaning you’ve outperformed the vast majority of EA test takers. A score at this level is considered highly competitive and would be taken seriously by any business school that accepts the EA, as well as any top Executive MBA program. In fact, Wharton’s Executive MBA program, widely recognized as one of the top EMBA programs, has an average EA score of 156. So, scoring 160 or higher places you in an excellent position when applying to schools. Naturally, this raises the question: “How difficult is it to earn a 160?”
Based on typical scoring patterns, candidates who reach 160 generally answer a high percentage of questions correctly across all sections. For example, many test-takers in this range get around 80%–85% of Quant questions right, about 70%–75% of Verbal, and roughly 70% of Integrated Reasoning. So, hitting 160 requires consistent accuracy across sections, not just strength in 1 area.
When it comes to the difficulty level of the questions, score reports show that at this range:
- In Quant, the average question difficulty is medium to medium-hard.
- In Verbal, it’s just under medium-hard.
- For Integrated Reasoning, the questions are at least medium, often trending toward medium-hard.
So, to earn a 160, you’ll need to successfully tackle a blend of medium, medium-hard, and hard questions in every section.
KEY FACT:
Reaching a 160 EA score requires strong accuracy across sections and the ability to handle a substantial number of medium-hard and hard questions correctly.
To see how challenging a typical 160-level question is, let’s consider an example Data Sufficiency question.
Example 160-Level EA Question
Penny and Nicole collect old pennies and nickels. Penny has more pennies than nickels. Nicole has more nickels than pennies. Who has more coins?
1) The number of pennies Penny has is 1 more than twice the number of nickels Nicole has.
2) The number of pennies Nicole has is 1 more than twice the number of nickels Penny has.
- Statement (1) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (2) alone is not sufficient.
- Statement (2) ALONE is sufficient, but statement (1) alone is not sufficient.
- BOTH statements TOGETHER are sufficient, but NEITHER statement ALONE is sufficient.
- EACH statement ALONE is sufficient.
- Statements (1) and (2) TOGETHER are NOT sufficient.
Solution:
Question Stem Analysis:
First, we define the following variables:
p = number of pennies Penny has
n = number of nickels Penny has
q = number of pennies Nicole has
m = number of nickels Nicole has
We know that p > n and m > q.
Since we need to determine who has more coins, we can translate the question to the following:
Is p + n > q + m?
Statement (1) Alone:
The number of pennies Penny has is 1 more than twice the number of nickels Nicole has.
From statement (1), we can create the following equation:
p = 2m + 1
Next, we can substitute 2m + 1 for p in the original inequality, and we have the following:
Is 2m + 1 + n > q + m?
Is m + 1 + n > q?
Since we know from the given information that m > q, it must be true that m + 1 + n > q. Thus, we can say that m + 1 IS GREATER than q. Statement (1) is sufficient to answer the question.
Eliminate answer choices B, C, and E.
Statement (2) Alone:
The number of pennies Nicole has is 1 more than twice the number of nickels Penny has.
From statement (2), we can create the following equation:
q = 2n + 1
Next, we can substitute 2n + 1 for q in the original inequality, and we have the following:
Is p + n > 2n + 1 + m?
Is p > n + 1 + m?
Although we know that p > n, we still do not have any information regarding the relationship between p and m, so we do not have enough information to answer the question. Statement (2) is not sufficient.
Answer: A
Takeaway
A Data Sufficiency (DS) question in the 160 EA score range can be particularly challenging. Many test-takers miss these questions because they are not fully comfortable with the DS format or because they struggle to manage multiple concepts within a single problem.
For example, the question above requires knowledge of word problems, substitution, and inequalities. If you are weak in even 1 of these areas, arriving at the correct answer becomes very difficult.
High-level EA Quant DS questions also feature trap answer choices that may seem correct at first glance but do not hold up under closer inspection. The skill of distinguishing between what appears sufficient and what truly is sufficient is what separates mid-level scores from higher ones.
This is why reaching a 160+ score on the EA requires thorough preparation and repeated exposure to all of the question types on the Executive Assessment.
TTP PRO TIP:
On 160+ level EA DS questions, expect to deal with multiple topics at the same time.
Let’s now address some common questions about the difficulty of the EA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Executive Assessment easier than the GMAT?
Generally, yes. The EA is shorter, has fewer questions, and is designed to measure readiness for Executive MBA programs rather than to serve as a highly competitive admissions filter like the GMAT. However, it still requires strong Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning skills, so “easier” doesn’t mean effortless; it just means less content and lower time pressure compared to the GMAT.
How long is the Executive Assessment?
The EA takes 90 minutes total. It consists of 3 sections — Integrated Reasoning (12 questions, 30 minutes), Verbal Reasoning (14 questions, 30 minutes), and Quantitative Reasoning (14 questions, 30 minutes).
What score is considered good on the Executive Assessment?
A score of 150 is often considered solid, as it puts you around the 64th percentile. A score of 160+ is excellent and places you in the 85th to 90th percentile range, making you competitive for top EMBA programs.
How much time do you need to prepare for the Executive Assessment?
Most test-takers prepare for about 2 to 4 months with consistent prep. If you already have strong Quant and Verbal fundamentals, you may need less time. If it’s been years since you last studied math or academic English, plan for the longer end of that range.
What makes the Executive Assessment challenging?
The EA is adaptive by section, meaning your performance on 1 module affects the difficulty of the next. This creates pressure to perform well early. The math can also feel tough if you’re rusty, and the Verbal questions require strong reasoning skills under time constraints. The Integrated Reasoning section is unique in that it blends data interpretation with critical thinking, which can trip people up.
Can I pass the Executive Assessment without studying?
Technically, there’s no “pass/fail” — schools simply look at your score. If you’re naturally strong in math, reasoning, and reading, you might score decently without prep. That said, most people have to put in a decent amount of prep to achieve their EA score goal.
How Difficult Is the EA: In Summary
The difficulty of the Executive Assessment depends heavily on your target score. Higher score goals require not only a greater percentage of correct answers but also success with more difficult questions. Because of this, some test takers may view the EA as reasonably manageable, while others find it quite challenging — the experience often comes down to the score you’re aiming for and your academic background.
What’s Next?
If you’re just starting out with your EA prep, you may find it beneficial to check out our article about how to begin your EA studying.
