Applying to get into IE Business School? It’s time to take a deep dive into the ieGAT. We heard from Head of Admissions and Enrollment at IE Business School Elizabeth Hutchinson about ieGAT, the IE admission test that analyzes entrepreneurial minds.
The ieGAT is part of the IE Business School MBA application process and, like the GMAT and the GRE, it is a general assessment of a candidate’s suitability for admission. It is a standardized test that specifically looks for an applicant’s suitability for the International MBA or other postgraduate-level programs at IE.
The test is made up of 5-6 tasks that are similar to what students will experience during their program. It covers applied numeracy, verbal and numerical comprehension, as well as logical abstract reasoning.
Rather than working as a memory test for business principles and theory, the IE admission test analyzes people’s decision-making skills and how that will help them during their course. Referring back to the origins of the test, Elizabeth tells us, “Many years ago we created our own examination to try and understand which students would be a good fit for our programs.” (08:57)
That underlying premise remains the same today, but things set in motion many years ago are often not relevant today. That is why the ieGAT is continuously updated. Elizabeth says, “It’s of course always revised. We are an entrepreneurial-focused school and so we’re always trying to make improvements.” (09:30)
With a view to making things easy for applicants, the IE global admissions test is remote, meaning anybody can do it from the comfort of their home. Candidates must connect by their assigned time and receive ieGAT practice questions throughout to understand the format. The test lasts no more than two hours, and with no ieGAT preparation involved, it removes bias against those currently in work or studies.
For maximum flexibility, IE offers 3-4 time slots per week for the test. Elizabeth reveals the logic behind this: “They start at a specific time on those days and we offer them in multiple different time zones too. So the Saturday session might be at 10 am but then we might do a Thursday 8 pm session because of course we have applicants all over the world.” (12:47)
As a final point on flexibility, the ieGAT is a free test, removing any financial burden for applicants.
Despite all three tests being used to predict suitability for a business school application, the ieGAT is somewhat different. One of the key ways it differs from the GMAT and GRE is how convenient it is for prospective students. With so many applicants already in work or studying, the GMAT and GRE tests favor those who have a lot of free time.
As an alumna herself, Elizabeth was able to provide an insider look into how the ieGAT was more convenient than traditional tests. “As a full-time employee, I didn’t have time to study for the GMAT or GRE, nor did I have a few hours on a Saturday to go in person to a certain location somewhere far away from my home to take the examination. So I found it really helpful when I was an applicant to have the ability to be flexible but still show that I had strong quantitative skills,” she shares. (09:45)
Similarly, IE doesn’t want applicants to be put off by a serious, work-intensive test. IE as an institution is very flexible and analytical in its admissions process, and the ieGAT is a reflection of that.
Elizabeth explains what the test is looking for” “This is really meant to be an examination that’s quite flexible, that…helps us in understanding your ability to process information quickly, to understand and read data – numerical literacy essentially. And all those things you can learn and understand without necessarily having memorized five or six different algebraic equations.” (11:17)
While many tests use a global scoring system, the flexible nature of the IE admission test separates it from a pass/fail format. “It just helps us to understand applicants on a spectrum and how strong are your quantitative skills, how strong are your information processing skills versus the other applicants to our programs,” Elizabeth explains. (13:45)
As it focuses on the applicant’s way of thinking, rather than giving correct answers, the easy part of the test is that it doesn’t require hours of prior study. Elizabeth confirms, “In terms of the ieGAT, it’s pretty special because you don’t have to do any sort of test preparation.” (09:16)
This is because the test is detached from any specific content or educational system. IE has specially designed the test to be this way to democratize the admissions process by reducing a bias toward a particular way of learning.
Although test preparation is unnecessary for the ieGAT, we have some tips and tricks to put you in the best position to thrive:
If you’re still feeling the pressure of the ieGAT, Elizabeth offers some reassuring words: “You don’t have to study and it’s a lot more like playing a game than it is like taking an examination. So, if you’re one of those people like me who’s incredibly nerdy and likes to do quiz games in your free time, it will feel very fun and not like an examination [in] the traditional sense.”
It is also important to remember that IE Business School’s admissions process is holistic and the ieGAT is just one component of many. Thus, it is important to focus on all aspects of your application and try not to worry too much about any individual part, as the school will review your application as a whole in their decision.
To find out more about IE Business School, visit their dedicated MBAGRADSCHOOLS page.
