Interested in Darden’s executive formats – Executive MBA (EMBA) and Global Executive MBA (GEMBA)? Planning to apply? February is right in the middle of our application cycle, and we still have plenty of room in our class as well as a number of upcoming deadlines.
We receive a number of questions throughout the admissions process, and one of the more frequent ones is if we have a GMAT requirement? We do NOT have a GMAT requirement, but we do have a standardized test requirement, and we accept three standardized tests in our Executive MBA application process – the Executive Assessment (EA), GMAT and GRE. We also waive our test requirement in certain, limited circumstances.
We view these tests as equivalent, and we encourage candidates to choose the test that best aligns with their strengths and application plans. The EA is the newest of these tests, and, as a result, typically the least familiar to prospective students. However, we are BIG fans of this test at Darden.
The EA is a 40-question, 90-minute test and requires, on average, 15 to 20 hours of preparation (as compared to 60+ for the GMAT or GRE). In addition, this test was designed in consultation with top Executive MBA programs and with executive format applicants in mind. It is accepted by over 50 graduate programs (Darden was the 7th school globally), including a number of top Executive MBA programs.
Want to learn more? Here are two great ways to further explore the EA:
Manish Dharia, Director of Product Development with the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) recently joined us on The ExecMBA Podcast , to talk more about the test’s creation and launch. Listen.
Last week, we hosted a webinar all about the Executive Assessment with GMAC’s Eric Chambers. This session is a helpful overview for anyone who is curious about the test’s structure, design and prep options.
