Too Busy for the GMAT? Why the Executive Assessment Is the Secret Weapon for LATAM Executives

For many executives in Latin America, the idea of preparing for the GMAT feels almost impossible.

Long workdays. Regional travel. Family responsibilities. Leadership roles that don’t pause for test prep.

And yet, top global Executive MBA, MBA, and specialized master’s programs still expect a standardized exam.

The good news?

For experienced professionals, the Executive Assessment (EA) is often the smartest—and most strategic—alternative to the GMAT.

The Reality for LATAM Executives

LATAM candidates face a unique mix of challenges:

• Demanding full-time roles, often with regional or international scope
• Less flexibility for long study timelines
• English as a second language for most applicants
• The need to balance test prep with real leadership responsibilities

For these candidates, the GMAT—designed primarily for full-time, early-career applicants—can be an inefficient use of time.

That’s exactly why the Executive Assessment exists.

What Is the Executive Assessment?

The Executive Assessment is a standardized exam developed by GMAC specifically for experienced professionals applying to:

• Executive MBA (EMBA) programs
• Part-time or professional MBA formats
• Select specialized master’s programs

It evaluates the same core skills as the GMAT—quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data analysis—but in a format tailored to senior candidates.

Why the EA Is a Better Fit Than the GMAT

1. Significantly Shorter Exam

• EA: ~90 minutes
• GMAT Focus: ~2 hours 15 minutes (plus prep intensity)

The EA respects the reality of an executive’s schedule.

2. Lower Content Volume, Higher Relevance

The EA focuses on:

• Practical quantitative reasoning
• Business-oriented verbal skills
• Data sufficiency and interpretation

It avoids much of the advanced math and abstract problem types that rarely reflect how executives actually think at work.

3. Faster, More Efficient Preparation

Most successful EA candidates prepare in 6–10 weeks, not 4–6 months.

For busy LATAM executives, this difference is decisive.

4. Designed for Your Profile

The EA rewards:

• Decision-making under time pressure
• Strategic reasoning
• Comfort with ambiguity

These are skills executives already use daily—unlike many GMAT-specific tricks that favor recent graduates.

Do Top Schools Really Accept the EA?

Yes—and increasingly so.

Leading schools in the U.S. and Europe explicitly accept (and in some cases prefer) the EA for executive formats, including programs at:

• INSEAD
• Chicago Booth
• Wharton
• Columbia
• Kellogg
• IESE
• LBS
• MIT Sloan

For admissions committees, the EA signals maturity, clarity of goals, and program fit.

A Strategic Advantage for LATAM Candidates

For Latin American executives, the EA offers additional advantages:

• Less linguistic penalty than the GMAT verbal section
• More holistic evaluation when combined with work experience
• Stronger alignment with EMBA and professional MBA admissions criteria

Instead of competing directly with 25-year-old full-time MBA applicants, EA candidates are assessed in the context that actually matters.

When the GMAT Still Makes Sense

The EA is powerful—but it’s not universal.

You may still need the GMAT if:

• You’re applying to full-time MBA programs only
• A specific school does not accept the EA for your target program
• You want maximum flexibility across program types

That’s why strategy matters more than the exam itself.

How Brujo Method Helps Executives Win with the EA

At Brujo Method, we specialize in helping busy professionals maximize results with minimal wasted effort.

We don’t just prepare you for the test—we help you choose the right test for your goals.

Final Takeaway

If you’re a LATAM executive asking, “Do I really need the GMAT?”—the answer is often no.

The Executive Assessment is not a shortcut.

It’s a strategic tool designed for professionals who lead, decide, and execute at the highest level.

And for many executives, it’s the smartest path to a top business school—without putting life on hold.