EAC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield EAC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. An executive asks you to draft a sensitive email declining a vendor's proposal. What tone is most appropriate? → Respectful, clear, and diplomatically firm
2. What role does conflict resolution play in communication? → Helps address disagreements constructively
3. When leaving a voicemail for an important client, which element is most critical to include? → A clear callback number and your name spelled out
4. A colleague frequently interrupts the executive assistant with non-urgent questions. What is the most professional way to manage these interruptions? → Establish set times for non-urgent discussions and communicate this clearly
5. What is the primary purpose of a site inspection (site visit) before finalizing a venue contract? → To verify the venue meets all event requirements in person
6. When is it appropriate to use abbreviations and acronyms in professional correspondence? → Only after spelling out the full term the first time
7. Which documentation practice is most important for performance metrics & kpi analysis in the EAC field? → Maintaining complete, accurate, and timely records
8. An executive assistant is cc'd on a heated email exchange between two department heads. What is the most professional action? → Remove yourself from the thread and inform your executive
9. When implementing performance metrics & kpi analysis practices, what should a EAC professional prioritize first? → Compliance with established standards and protocols
10. The '2-Minute Rule' in Getting Things Done (GTD) states that if a task can be completed in two minutes or less, you should: → Do it immediately rather than spending time logging or scheduling it
11. How should a EAC professional handle a situation where strategic planning & goal setting protocols conflict with practical constraints? → Document the conflict and seek guidance from appropriate authorities
12. Which type of software is most useful for an executive assistant tracking multiple projects and their deadlines simultaneously? → Project management software such as Asana or Monday.com
13. An executive assistant needs to order office supplies for a team of 20. What is the best approach to avoid overstocking? → Track usage patterns and maintain a par-level inventory system
14. Why is listening a key communication skill for an executive assistant? → Ensures details are understood and acted upon accurately
15. Which behavior best demonstrates professional discretion in the workplace? → Never discussing work matters outside of sanctioned channels
16. When an executive assistant is given signatory authority on a corporate credit card, what is the most important financial control to maintain? → Keep every receipt and submit detailed expense reports matching each charge
17. When an executive delegates a task with a vague deadline like 'when you get a chance,' an EA should: → Clarify the actual priority and expected completion timeframe immediately
18. When booking international travel for an executive, which document should the assistant verify is valid for at least six months beyond the return date? → Passport
19. What does a 'variance report' in budget management measure? → The difference between budgeted amounts and actual spending
20. What is the recommended approach when an executive assistant receives a suspicious phishing email appearing to be from the CEO? → Report it to IT security immediately without clicking links or attachments
21. What role does scheduling play in time management? → Ensures time is allocated appropriately for tasks
22. What is a common challenge professionals face when applying performance metrics & kpi analysis principles in Executive Assistant Certification? → Balancing theoretical knowledge with practical application
23. Which quality improvement method is most applicable to stakeholder communication & reporting in Executive Assistant Certification? → Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) continuous improvement cycle
24. What is the standard timeframe most corporate travel policies recommend for submitting travel expense reports after returning from a trip? → Within 30 days
25. What is the primary responsibility of an executive assistant when managing petty cash for an office? → Track all disbursements with receipts and reconcile the fund regularly
26. What role does technology play in office management? → Streamlines processes and improves communication
27. What is the importance of clarity in written communication? → Ensures the message is understood and reduces errors
28. What is the significance of peer review in stakeholder communication & reporting for EAC professionals? → It promotes accountability, knowledge sharing, and quality improvement
29. What is the importance of setting goals in time management? → Helps focus efforts on achieving specific outcomes
30. When your executive returns from a two-week vacation, which task should you prepare FIRST to support their transition back? → A prioritized summary of key action items, decisions needed, and critical communications