Exhibit 10.2

THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY
600 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037

October 25, 2001

The Corporate Executive Board Company
2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006

Attention:   James J. McGonigle,   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

      Re:   Non-Competition Agreement by and among The Corporate Executive Board
Company,
The Advisory Board Company and David G. Bradley

Dear James:

        Effective as of January 1, 1999, The Advisory Board Company ("ABC"),
entered into a Non-Competition Agreement (the "Agreement") with The Corporate
Executive Board Company (“CEB”), and David G. Bradley (“Bradley”). Section 5 of
the Agreement provides that the term of the Agreement shall end on the date that
is five years after January 1, 1999.

        This letter confirms that, in consideration of the benefits which each
of CEB and ABC draw from the Agreement, CEB and ABC have agreed to amend
Section 5 of the Agreement to provide that the term of the Agreement, solely
with respect to the rights and obligations as between CEB and ABC, shall end on
January 1, 2007. Nothing in this letter shall be deemed to amend, waive, void or
extend the term of the Agreement with respect to Bradley’s rights or obligations
under the Agreement.

        Please indicate your agreement with the foregoing by signing and
returning one copy of this letter, which will constitute our agreement with
respect to the subject matter hereof.

      Very truly yours,   THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY   By:   /s/ JEFFREY D.
ZIENTS

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Name:   Jeffrey D. Zients Title:   Chairman

      ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
THE CORPORATE EXECUTIVE BOARD COMPANY   By:   /s/ JAMES J. MCGONIGLE

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Name:   Jeffrey D. Zients Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer