MBA Admissions Consulting: Which Exam is Right For You

Are you ready to get a Master’s degree and take the business world by a storm? The first thing to consider is which admissions exam to prepare for. There are a handful of tests that MBA programs use to assess applicants. The GMAT, GRE, EA, INSEAD, and  ieGAT are the most common. Generally, these exams are more alike than not, but each exam presents unique challenges. APEX consultants can help you decide which is right for you.

Table of contents

• The GMAT
• The GRE
• The Executive Assessment
• The INSEAD Assessment
• The ieGAT Assessment

GMAT

The Graduate Management Admissions Test, commonly known as the GMAT, is an assessment administered by the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). It is used for admission to MBA programs around the globe. 

The GMAT consists of 3 sections—Data insights, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. Each section examines a particular set of essential business skills. The GMAT tests a variety of skills due to its computer-adaptive nature, which is also what makes it so challenging.  

The total price for sitting the GMAT is around $275. You can find the fee in your country here. This includes sending the official scores to five MBA programs of your choice.

A 700+ GMAT score can open doors to some of the world’s most elite MBA programs, so don’t hesitate! Apex’s dedicated tutors can help get you there; time zone differences, busy schedules, and distance are non-issues for our team. Schedule a free consultation with a top-scoring instructor to discuss prep options and jumpstart your journey to success. 

GRE 

The Graduate Record Examination, or the GRE for short, is facilitated by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Thousands of MBA, MS/MA and Ph.D programs accept the GRE.

There are two types of GRE—the General Exam and the Subject Test. The General Exam is designed to examine analytical writing, quantitative ability, and verbal reasoning skills, and the Subject Test evaluates the candidate’s knowledge in a particular field of study. The subject exams include Mathematics, English Literature, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Physics and Psychology. The Subject Test is required for most specialized Master’s programs.

The General Exam consists of three sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. The GRE has a pattern in terms of section order: the Analytical Writing section will always be the first, and can either be followed by the Verbal, or Quantitative.

Each other section, however, has a set number of problems and time limit.

The fee for the GRE General test varies by country between $220. You can find the fee in your country here. 

Apex’s team of experienced consultants provides personalized GRE preparation, following the most comprehensive and intensive curriculum available. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your prep needs with one of our mentors. 

Executive Assessment

The Executive Assessment is designed to evaluate business school readiness based on a candidate’s experience. Many MBA programs accept this exam as an alternative to the GMAT. It’s also offered by the Graduate Management Admissions Council. 

Whereas the GMAT is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT), the EA is a ‘multi-stage’ computer adaptive. This means that question sets are selected depending on answers to previous question sets.

The EA is designed for Executive MBA programs. As such, it’s designed for busy professionals and executives who might not have a lot of time to prepare. There are several advantages to taking the EA if you fit into this category. 

The exam consists of 3 sections: Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, and Quantitative. Each section has a 30-minute time limit, so the entire EA exam takes no more than 1.5 hours. Scores range from 100-200. All sections are weighted equally, which makes it easier to determine the total.

In addition to being only 90 minutes long, the EA is widely available in test centers. It’s possible to reschedule free of charge up to 48 hours before the appointment, and the results are available within 24 hours. Registration costs $350. Candidates can take the exam no more than twice.

For business programs that accept the EA, visit our featured list of EMBA programs.

Since the Executive Assessment is designed to be less time consuming than the GMAT, preparing for it also is less time consuming. Apex provides the most comprehensive EA prep on the market. Candidates can earn top scores through private tutoring, or in our EA class, which offers 10 hours of EA prep over the course of one weekend and 2 additional hours of one-on-one instruction. Find out more by scheduling a complimentary call with one of our instructors. 

INSEAD Assessment

INSEAD (Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires) is an Executive MBA program. This program exclusively uses the INSEAD Assessment to evaluate candidates. 

The INSEAD’s structure is slightly different from the GMAT’s and as a result, the preparation is, too. It does not require an excessive amount of preparation time for math, geometry, or verbal questions. However, candidates must prepare for the exam’s format, in addition to refreshing verbal and quantitative skills.

The exam can be taken once a month at any INSEAD campus in France, Singapore, or Abu Dhabi. Application must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the exam date. Once applicants pass the pre-screening stage, they can confirm the test location and payment method. The exam costs €250.

At Apex, we offer expert tutoring for the INSEAD Assessment. Our experienced instructors have extensive knowledge in everything from data analysis and interpretation to communication, critical thinking and case studies. We offer clients the flexibility to learn the ins and outs of the INSEAD in a relaxed environment.

ieGAT – IE Global Admissions Test

The ieGAT  is exclusive to the IE International University, which includes the IE business school in Spain. The ieGAT differs from the exams above in a number of ways. For starters, applicants can only take it once, so it’s highly important to be well prepared–you won’t get another shot.

In order to sit for the ieGAT, at least 25% of a candidate’s MBA application must be completed. The exam takes 80 minutes and includes 60 questions. Questions are tailored to the program that the applicant is interested in. The ieGAT is a pass/fail exam, and it’s the only test necessary for admission to IE University. 

The IE administers the Global Admissions Test in English and Spanish. The test’s language must match the language in which an applicant’s MBA program will be taught. 

At Apex, we offer one-on-one ieGAT instruction. We provide our clients with personalized attention, flexibility, and an overall productive and enjoyable experience to ensure results. Our experts guide candidates through a multitude of solution paths in the Numerical and Verbal section, as well as the Abstract Reasoning section.

Determining which exam will help you achieve your goals might not be as simple as it seems, but talking to an experienced MBA consultant will get you started on the right path. Schedule a call with one of our consultants to discuss your aspirations, needs, and preparation options. 

Admissions Consulting 

Apex GMAT offers one-on-one tutoring for each of the exams described above. Next, it’s important to start thinking about applying to MBA programs. If you’re taking an exclusive exam, such as the ieGAT or INSEAD, you already know where you’ll be applying. Otherwise, Apex’s elite team can help you develop the skills you’ll need to land a spot in your dream program. Take the first step towards your future by scheduling a call with one of our top MBA admissions consulting experts today.