Hey there
PhineasLJIt sounds like you've been grinding away at the EA, and three attempts are no small feat. Especially considering you crammed in studying on nights and weekends – major props! I hear you on the frustration of finding good data on EA scores for FT programs. GMATClub can be a treasure trove of info, but sometimes it feels like things get outdated faster than a news cycle.
Reaching out to schools directly is a good shot, but admissions offices can be tight-lipped about specific numbers. Your 155 is a solid score, but with a 3.3 GPA, a bump in the Quant section could definitely make your application shine even brighter.
Now, the million-dollar question: what's next? Here are a few options to consider:
Go for another EA round: You have one shot left, so if you're feeling laser-focused, hit the books again. Maybe target your prep specifically towards Quant.
Apply with your current score: This could work, but it might be wise to be strategic with your school list. Look for programs with a wider applicant pool where your diverse experience (10 years, woohoo!) and international background can stand out.
Make the jump to the GMAT Focus: It's similar to the EA, but with a different format. The good news is, all that EA studying won't go to waste. You've already built a strong foundation.
Don't forget, the EA score is just one piece of the puzzle. A killer resume, essays that showcase your unique story, and stellar recommendation letters can really elevate your application.
With your experience (early 30s, international exposure, that CPA certification!), a strong application package, and maybe just one more push on the EA, those top programs could be calling your name.
If you'd like to chat through your options in more detail and get a personalized analysis, I'd be happy to offer a free 1:1 call. We can delve deeper into your profile, explore school fits, and strategize the best testing approach for you.Good luck with your decision and the application process!
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A FREE PROFILE EVALUATION CALLPhineasLJ wrote:
Hi everybody,
Reaching out as I am a prospective full-time MBA student and recently sat for the Executive Assessment Exam.
This was my third time taking the exam and I ended up with a 155 (12 Q, 12 V, 11 IR). A good chunk of time was put into studying (3 months in the library on nights and weekends) between (i) a
Manhattan Prep EA course, (ii) EA GMAC Official Prep materials and (iii) an online tutor for a bit of Quant/DS work.
In terms of doing a general gut check on EA scores for FT MBA programs, I have spoken with a bunch of people who have done the EA before, checked the GMATClub B-School tracker for EA scores for students getting into schools of my interest (Columbia, NYU, MIT Sloan Fellows) and still have not found a whole lot of data points in terms of what is a good score.
To get to the matter a bit more directly, I decided to reach out to a few admissions offices as from what I have read online here and on forums is that admissions officers are pretty open to discussing the median scores they anticipate out of candidates for the GMAT/GRE and the EA. Unfortunately, all admissions officers have been pretty quiet and reserved to share any EA data/less open to communicating these figures and are more open to seeing the score with the full app.
My predicament is this: I am fresh off 3 months of studying and toothing and clawing for every question I could get right on the EA (especially Quant). The EA material is very fresh but I only have one more shot at the EA before having having used my 4 tries and needing to go into the big leagues and do the GMAT, albeit the Focus Edition (I know, I know - it's very similar to the EA).
It feels like there's a big risk of leaving my EA score as is, applying to a bunch of places 3-4 months from now, waiting to hear from admissions about my app and getting a potential comment like "We'd like to see your EA Quant Score be a 14" or "Ideally, we would expect an EA score of 158 given your profile," when I could have taken the exam earlier and just gotten the higher score.
Here are my questions:
- For FT MBA applicants taking the EA: Has anyone ever found a good data source for acceptable EA scores for FT MBA programs in 2024? (There's lot of GMATClub and Reddit info, but all seems to be a few years old);
- Has anyone fallen into this situation before where they are on the cusp of a potentially better score months before applying to FT MBA programs (EA, GMAT, GRE or otherwise)?
- Has anyone done all 4 tries of the EA and needed to shift to the GMAT? Was the GMAT considerably harder or did the EA knowledge apply?
- Are MBA consultants useful in these circumstances to weigh out my chances with my EA score before going down the MBA application rabbit hole?
As general background info, I'm an early 30s financial consultant (CPA) looking to pivot (NO EMBA) with 10 years WE (4 in Europe) and a 3.3 GPA from a T-50 US UG (white American male). Based on info, my profile feels kind of average/middle of the pack, hence the importance for the higher EA score.
Any input or knowledge would be super helpful.
Thank you!!