Good Executive Assessment Score for FT Columbia MBA

Question

Just took the Executive Assessment and scored a 159.
Wondering where this stands in relation to other FT MBA EA scores and applicant profiles?

Context: My background is I've been running a pretty successful finance consulting business since undergrad (2015) from a mid-tier (#57) state business school. However, I feel my ability to appeal to larger clients and charge more is capped by not having a top-tier MBA, which almost all my major competitors have. Hence, this is a pretty logical next step for me and I also live/work in Manhattan, so going to any school except H/W/S out of the city isn't worth it for me.

Any additional application commentary is appreciated.

SiaAdmissions · Answer

Hi

Thank you for your post and for sharing your ambitions. The executive assessment (EA) is a relatively new metric, and I don't think b-schools have decided yet what is a competitive score (not enough data is available). Usually, the score is valued in relation to the rest of your profile. Recently, I have worked with a client who had an excellent career progression and a 160 EA, and got admitted to MIT Sloan. At the end of the day, b-schools will evaluate your score in relation to the rest of your application, and I don't have many details to work go by for an evaluation. I hope this helps.

Good luck!

Susan

thomkatt · Answer

what was your split? I think high quant and verbal are important, whereas IR isn't as important, just like the GMAT

rohan2345 · Answer

Hi Welcome to GMATCLUB! Generally a score of 150+ is considered good. Here are the links to a few articles that I am sure you will find very helpful. https://prepexecutive.com/executive-assessment-score/ https://e-gmat.com/blogs/executive-asse ... -programs/ Hope this helps. All the best!

thomkatt · Answer

these articles are for EMBAs though, not FT MBAs. I'm sure because of much more rigorous the FT programs are compared to the EMBA, they'd want more than 150?

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

Unfortunately it's really quite a black box in terms of understanding what makes a top 10 score for the executive assessment for a full-time MBA. It's brand-new that any schools allow the executive assessment to stand in for the GMAT. I would try to focus on percentiles if available, and you would want to be above 75% for each side. if not retake, and MBA math can sometimes be a good way to prove numeracy if you're not in a super competitive profile group. I just want to make sure you understand that executive assessment is not something you can use for Harvard Stanford and Wharton applications? not sure how old you are Wharton emba is a strong option that you can easily figure out from New York

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DeepBis · Answer

I just took the Executive Assessment and scored 166 - IR - 18; V - 14, Q - 14.

I genuinely felt that I got every question right and so this is possibly the highest possible score.

I'm also applying to Columbia FT; I've got a 660 GMAT for my other schools.

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newbiequestions16 · Answer

How did it go?

GMATCoachBen · Answer

DeepBis  That's an excellent EA score, nice work!

To clarify, GMAC officially states that the subscores range from 0-20, and overall scores range from 100-200.

However,  a very useful analysis from Manhattan Prep found that the actual max score on practice tests is 18 on each section, and 174 overall.

Based on this, it appears you were perfect on IR.

I've attached screenshots from GMAC.com, and  this Manhattan Prep article.

FeelingLucky · Answer

I applied with 162 Q18 V11 IR13 and got dinged in the COVID round.

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fatnani · Answer

Where did you apply ? Columbia ?
Can you please share about your profile 
162 is a good score

I am not an expert but this is a question for you all.
Does it matter who takes the EA ?
For eg someone with 8 years experience applying for full time vs someone with 5 years experience applying for full time.
Out of those two who would be preferred?

I’m assuming if you have 7 years or less Columbia might expect a GMAT . Please share your thoughts

Lemir1234 · Answer

I got into a CBS with a 160 EA. 166 is an excellent score!!! Admissions told me last year that anything over 150 is good.

Lemir1234 · Answer

I got into CBS with a 160 for the full time MBA. You will be in good shape if you do well on the other pieces of the application. Your score is only a piece of the application!

DeepBis · Answer

Returning to this thread, as people were inquiring.

I applied with 166, and didn't get an interview at Columbia.

I had previously studied at arguably the world's best university with the equivalent of 4.0 GPA (this was for a master's) and my working experience was as a Government professional and as a Strategy Consultant including work experience in 7 countries.

I didn't really get why it wasn't worth an interview, but I am applying again this year and earlier (my only theory was that my respective category had already been filled - UK National, male).

fatnani · Answer

Damn did you score an interview anywhere else ?

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Lemir1234 · Answer

What did you put down for your post MBA goal and your long term goal? What extra curricular did you have?

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DeepBis · Answer

I didn't but I had a poor GMAT - 660, and had applied to similar level universities, so that made more sense to me. Columbia left me quite puzzled though.

In the year since, I have done a work project out in a delicately balanced African country, negotiated some big policy decisions for the multilateral level and done a coding bootcamp in my free time. I am hoping that will get me over the line.

In answer to the extracurricular activities, I have been part of things like BAME Working Groups, had my own radio show, think I mentioned journalism at university where I had interviewed an Olympic Silver Medalist and a captain of a national Rugby Team, things to that effect. As my day-job is all social impact, I had tried to make it different.

My career goals were entrepreneurial in the field that I was working.

Lemir1234 · Answer

Everything you are saying sounds great. I’m confused also, unless you didn’t convey that properly through your essays.

Did you attend any events? Did you speak with students? Did you convince Columbia that you would go to Columbia if you got accepted?

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Lemir1234 · Answer

I wrote an article on the unconventional steps I took to getting in. Check it out on babainvesting.com and please let me know if you have any questions. You have a great profile, but there are other tips to help you get in!

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DeepBis · Answer

Well, essays are always subjective, but I had 5 independent people read my essays and I had done 8-10 iterations and everyone seemed to like it. That's not say that maybe I hadn't done it well for the process, but it wasn't something that I had done nonchalantly, I had put effort into it.

I did actually, in London where I am based, I was told that my profile was v interesting but my GMAT score was weaker so I should do the EA (which I did and scored the above). I only took the EA because of that advice too, it left me feeling slightly frustrated when I didn't get an interview.

I will try again, but not really sure what more to do.

Good Executive Assessment Score for FT Columbia MBA

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