The Executive Assessment (EA) Verbal Reasoning Section is designed to test much more than just English language skills. It focuses on your deeper comprehension and logical reasoning capabilities — skills that are critical in high-level decision-making across fields and highly relevant to business school. The EA verbal section requires a strategic approach to understanding arguments, drawing inferences, prioritizing information, and identifying logically consistent interpretations.
Surprisingly, being a native English speaker affords very little advantage on this exam because the exam is testing your higher-order thinking skills, not outright comprehension. The challenge, therefore, is constructed around the subtlety of the information presented, not around complex grammar or obscure vocabulary. With a reasonable level of fluency, anyone can achieve top marks on the EA verbal.
This guide will introduce you to the EA Verbal Section’s layout, question types, and effective strategies to help you succeed.
The Executive Assessment Verbal Section: Layout
The EA Verbal Section includes three types of questions: Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Sentence Correction. Each of these question types is crafted to assess specific skills that are essential in both professional and academic environments. The verbal section is scored on a scale of 0 to 20, contributing one-third of your total EA score, with each correct answer helping to boost your overall score.
Key Highlights:
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- Number of Questions: 14
- Time: 30 minutes
- Question Types: Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Sentence Correction
- Focus: Logical reasoning, understanding argument structure, and sentence clarity
- Score Range: 0 to 20 for each section (Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning), which is then translated to a total EA score ranging from 100 to 200.
- Verbal Weight: The verbal section represents one-third of your total EA score, making it a meaningful component of your overall score.
Types of Questions in the Verbal Section
The EA Verbal Section consists of three distinct types of questions that require different approaches and strategies. Let’s take a closer look at each.
EA Verbal Section – Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning questions assess your ability to analyze logical arguments. You’ll encounter short passages that require you to evaluate assumptions, identify conclusions, draw inferences, or add additional premises to strengthen or weaken the argument itself. Effective critical reasoning means identifying the argument’s central purpose and analyzing the underlying logic without over- or underinterpreting.
Scope is the key to excelling here. Understanding the precise boundary of an argument, what it’s about and what it’s not, will drive much of your answer selection on the CR question type. You’ll want to understand the appropriate level of construal, including relevant point but subverting those items that are too broad or narrow. A common mistake is to interpret a passage with too much attention to details, or conversely, with an inappropriately broad “big picture” perspective. —These two mistakes are responsible for the majority of errors on CR problems.
EA Verbal Section – Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension questions test your ability to absorb and interpret longer passages. The challenge here lies in grasping the structure of the text quickly. While still important, main ideas and key details (the what) are often subsidiary to how the passage is written. The EA is not testing your ability to recall specific details like a tape recorder, but to understand the author’s intent and argument structure. Proactively reading for “scope”, as above, also allows you to avoid missing key points or getting distracted by unnecessary specifics.
EA Verbal Section – Sentence Correction
Sentence Correction questions require you to identify and correct grammatical errors within sentences. Surprisingly, this is the most straightforward problem type to learn on the entire EA since there are a limited number of grammatical errors that can be made. What’s more, we’re rather sensitive to these types of errors, so the EA must obscure them within large amounts of language. The skill of parsing sentences to identify these errors is therefore key to success on the Sentence Correction problem type.
Further, the EA focuses on clarity, meaning, and standard usage rather than obscure grammar rules. Effective Sentence Correction at the highest levels involves more than spotting errors; it’s about understanding how to enhance clarity and logical flow in each sentence. Look for choices that improve readability and accurately reflect the sentence’s intended meaning without introducing ambiguity.
Effective Tips for EA Verbal
Here are practical strategies to help you tackle each question type with confidence and efficiency.
1. Practice Parsing Complex Sentence Structures
Sentence structure can be unnecessarily complex, especially when the test needs to “hide” a surface-level grammar issue. Practice identifying standard sentence patterns and common error types by removing unnecessary language in real-time, as you read. This will help you navigate Sentence Correction questions efficiently and choose answers that best convey the intended meaning.
2. Learn to Skim Strategically
When tackling Reading Comprehension questions, practice skimming for structure at the paragraph level, along with the main idea. Also be certain to pay careful attention to the tone and what you think the author’s intent might be rather than trying to absorb every detail. Effective skimming saves time helps you focus on critical parts of the text and avoids unnecessary information overload.
3. Develop a Sense of Scope & Understand Ideas in Your Own Words
When preparing for Critical Reasoning questions, practice rephrasing arguments and conclusions in your own words. This reinforces comprehension and helps you identify flaws or assumptions in the logic. Also, try to summarize the argument in no more than 5 words. The discipline to do this will help you home in on scope, a critical skill that will aid you significantly in understanding the appropriateness of answer choices.
4. Nail Down Your Thoughts in English (for non-native speakers)
A common pitfall in verbal sections for ESL candidates is attempting to think in their mother tongue. Instead, aim to form thoughts directly in English using alternative vocabulary than that presented in the problem. This minimizes translation time, helping you process information more swiftly and accurately while ensuring you’re not just repeating what you’ve read.
Examples of EA Verbal Reasoning Questions
Below are sample questions for each of the EA Verbal question types, along with detailed explanations to illustrate the skills required for each.
EA Critical Reasoning Question
In recent years, rabbit populations have declined due to several factors, including habitat transformation and viral diseases. Immediately after an outbreak of myxomatosis, many predator populations suffered from a lack of rabbit prey, such as red fox (Vulpes vulpes), polecat (Mustela putorius), short-eared owl (Asio barnmeus), and others. However, the population of red foxes, one of the rabbits’ main predators, is reported to have been increasing overall in recent years.
Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the increase in the population of the red fox species?
- (A) Foxes are able to adapt to varied environments, and they are opportunistic feeders with a flexible diet.
- (B) Foxes have no natural predators living in the wild, meaning they are at a very low risk of predation.
- (C) Polecats are another species on which foxes also prey.
- (D) The decline in the rabbit population leaves more habitat available for other species.
- (E) Foxes tend to breed in the fall, while most outbreaks of myxomatosis occur in the spring.
Solution:
To solve this Critical Reasoning question, the key is to understand the apparent discrepancy: the rabbit population, a primary food source for foxes, has declined, yet red fox numbers are reported to be increasing. Our task is to find the answer choice that best explains why red fox populations could thrive despite the decrease in their primary prey.
Let’s go through each option:
- (A) Foxes are able to adapt to varied environments, and they are opportunistic feeders with a flexible diet.
This option directly addresses the gap in the argument by suggesting that red foxes have alternative food sources due to their adaptable feeding habits. Even with a decline in rabbit populations, foxes can survive by shifting to other prey or food types, which would support a population increase. This is a strong contender. - (B) Foxes have no natural predators living in the wild, meaning they are at a very low risk of predation.
While this explains why foxes aren’t under predation pressure, it doesn’t address why they would thrive despite a reduction in their main prey, rabbits. This option is somewhat relevant but doesn’t answer the question’s core discrepancy. - (C) Polecats are another species on which foxes also prey.
This answer suggests that foxes might prey on polecats, but it doesn’t explain how foxes are compensating for the loss of rabbit prey specifically. This choice is tangential to the issue without addressing the primary concern directly. - (D) The decline in the rabbit population leaves more habitat available for other species.
This might impact other species but doesn’t provide a clear reason why the fox population would increase, as it’s focused on habitat availability rather than prey availability. This doesn’t directly explain the fox population growth. - (E) Foxes tend to breed in the fall, while most outbreaks of myxomatosis occur in the spring.
While this addresses timing, it doesn’t explain how foxes are managing to sustain their numbers without rabbits as a primary food source.
Answer: (A) Foxes are able to adapt to varied environments, and they are opportunistic feeders with a flexible diet.
Explanation:
In Critical Reasoning, our goal is often to resolve an apparent contradiction by finding the option that best fills the logic gap. Here, we need to understand how red fox populations are increasing despite the significant loss of one of their main prey species. Choice (A) nails it by explaining that foxes’ dietary adaptability allows them to switch food sources when rabbits aren’t available. This flexible feeding habit directly supports a population increase despite environmental pressures, making (A) the best answer.
EA Reading Comprehension Question
Passage:
The Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens achieved fame in the 1650s for the discovery of Saturn’s first moon (later named Titan) and the planet’s ring (later seen to be rings) and as the creator of the first accurate pendulum clock. He also invented numerous other devices, including a “magic lantern,” a kind of primitive slide projector, and made important contributions to mathematics, especially in the fields of geometry and probability, and introduced mathematical formulas as a means of expressing the relationship between quantities such as speed and mass in physics problems. All of these achievements make him the greatest scientist in the period between Galileo and Newton. Few would doubt that when Newton famously deflected praise with the reply that he stood “on the shoulders of giants,” Huygens was one of the largest giants Newton had in mind. Unlike some illustrious contemporaries, he maintained a systematic focus on his chosen problems and recognized the joint importance of their practical and theoretical aspects, rejoicing when these were shown to reinforce one another, as they did in his improvements to the pendulum. Although, like any natural philosopher of the seventeenth century, he worked on a range of problems that would seem hopelessly broad to a modern specialist, he did not—as Newton did—become sidetracked into alchemy, occultism, or religion. Huygens’ discovery of Saturn’s ring in 1656 demanded years of patient observation of the planet using a telescope of his own design (for which Christiaan and his brother Constantijn even ground the lenses themselves). During this time, the apparent shape of the planet changed, leading to many interpretations of its form. It was Huygens’ powerful optics together with his mathematically informed sense of what was physically most likely that led him to the correct interpretation.
Question:
According to the passage, which of the following was NOT among the inventions and discoveries of Christiaan Huygens?
- (A) A primitive slide projector-like device.
- (B) The ring/rings of Saturn.
- (C) Saturn’s moon Titan.
- (D) The first accurate pendulum clock.
- (E) The first accurate wristwatch.
Solution:
For this Reading Comprehension question, the goal is to identify which item is not attributed to Huygens according to the passage. To solve this, it’s essential to focus on what the passage explicitly states while filtering out irrelevant or misleading details.
Step-by-Step Analysis Using the Three-Track Strategy:
- What the Passage Says:
The passage details Huygens’ achievements, emphasizing his contributions to astronomy (discoveries about Saturn), mechanics (the pendulum clock), and optics. It does not mention the invention of a wristwatch, so we’ll keep that in mind as we examine each option. - What the Author Is Doing:
The author’s main aim here is to highlight Huygens’ contributions as a scientist, particularly in comparison to others like Newton. This context signals that we should pay attention to the specific achievements listed to understand why he’s viewed as such a significant figure. - Relevant Details in the Passage:
- Huygens invented a “magic lantern,” which the passage describes as a type of primitive slide projector, aligning with (A).
- He is credited with discovering both Titan (a moon of Saturn) and Saturn’s ring(s), which are covered by (B) and (C).
- The passage also states he invented the first accurate pendulum clock, covering (D).
- No mention of a wristwatch invention appears in the text, so (E) remains the only unsupported option.
Answer: (E) The first accurate wristwatch.
Explanation:
This question tests your ability to pinpoint what’s not present in the passage. In Reading Comprehension, filtering out irrelevant options while focusing on the author’s specific points is essential. Here, four items align directly with the passage’s content, but “wristwatch” is an unrelated detail. Using the “Three-Track Strategy” enables you to keep track of what’s stated, the author’s intent, and which details matter.
EA Sentence Correction Question
Many population studies have linked a high-salt diet to high rates of hypertension and shown that in societies where they consume little salt, their blood pressure typically does not rise with age.
- (A) shown that in societies where they consume little salt, their
- (B) shown that in societies where they have consumed little salt, their
- (C) shown that in societies where little salt is consumed
- (D) showing that in societies where little salt is consumed
- (E) showing that in societies where they consume little salt, their
Solution:
The sentence contains a pronoun issue. The use of “they” and “their” is problematic because these pronouns don’t have a clear antecedent. While we understand from context that “they” and “their” refer to members of societies where little salt is consumed, these members aren’t mentioned explicitly in the sentence, leading to a “floating” pronoun problem.
Step-by-Step Analysis
- Analyze Pronoun Reference:
- In options (A), (B), and (E), the pronouns “they” and “their” attempt to refer to individuals in these societies. However, without explicitly stating “members” or another suitable noun, these pronouns lack a clear antecedent, making the sentence unclear and grammatically incorrect.
- Look for a More Direct Expression:
- Options (C) and (D) use the passive construction “where little salt is consumed,” which avoids the need for pronouns that reference the people consuming the salt. This construction clarifies the meaning by focusing on salt consumption in general within the societies rather than on specific individuals.
- Examine Verb Consistency:
- The sentence begins with “have linked” and “have shown,” both in the present perfect tense. The correct answer should maintain this verb structure for logical consistency. Only (C) fits naturally with “shown,” keeping the parallel structure intact. In contrast, (D) changes “shown” to “showing,” breaking parallelism.
Answer: (C) shown that in societies where little salt is consumed
Explanation:
Sentence Correction requires precise pronoun use, especially when there’s ambiguity. Here, “they” and “their” don’t have a clear reference. An effective revision rephrases the sentence to remove the pronouns altogether, which (C) does by using the passive voice “where little salt is consumed.” This approach improves clarity and ensures the reader immediately understands the intended meaning without needing extra context.
How to Effectively Prepare for the EA Verbal Section
Preparing for the EA Verbal Section requires a holistic approach. Start by identifying your strengths and weaknesses across the three question types. Get into the habit of regularly reading sophisticated articles from reputable publications like the Economist, the Atlantic, and Nature on the topics of business, science, and the humanities. Further, practicing Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Sentence Correction questions under timed conditions will help you build familiarity with question structures and effective strategies.
A well-rounded EA prep plan should focus on building critical thinking skills and conceptual transposition as much as the technical grammar or reading skills normally prescribed. At Apex, we work on fostering this deeper understanding, enabling you to approach the verbal section with confidence and clarity, and building a skillset that will stay with you far into the future.
Score High on the EA Verbal with Expert Help
Many test-takers worry that the verbal section will penalize them for not being native English speakers, or that being strong in math means that their verbal skills aren’t as strong as they might be. However, since the EA Verbal Section isn’t focused on testing “English” in a language-learning sense these fears are often blown out of proportion. Whether English is your first language or not, with the right training, you can learn to interpret arguments accurately, manage scope, and prioritize information to excel in the verbal section.
At Apex, we specialize in helping business school candidates master these skills, offering one-on-one support that’s tailored to each individual’s needs. We help you develop a powerful approach to the EA verbal section, moving beyond rote memorization to achieve a deeper understanding of logical reasoning.
Need help to score high? Book a 30-minute consultation to start mastering the EA Verbal Section with expert guidance.