Inside the GMAT

"The biggest score killer isn't one wrong answer. It's inconsistent pacing." Zach sits down once again with test prep expert Stacey Koprince—this time with a big milestone to share: his EA exam appointment is officially booked (date undisclosed, of course). From there, the conversation becomes a practical, stress-reducing roadmap for what to do after a practice test dip and before the real thing....

"This section isn't just about getting into business school — it's about being ready once you're there." Host GMAC Zach welcomes back GMAT expert Sergey Kouk from  Admit Master for a deep dive into one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the exam: the Data Insights section. Together, Zach and Sergey demystify what Data Insights really tests, why it matters for business school and recruiting, and...

"This is why you take practice exams. So that you know what you DON'T want to do on test day." Practice tests don't always move in a straight line—and this week, GMAC Zach finds that out firsthand. After hitting a personal high on his previous EA exam practice exam with a 155, his latest score dips slightly, sparking an honest conversation about score fluctuations, confidence traps, and what reall...

"AI is going to be as profound as fire or electricity. Even if that's one-millionth true, we have to take it seriously." In this episode of  Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach sits down with David Marchick, Dean of the Kogod School of Business at American University , to explore how business education is being reshaped by AI, career pivots, and the skills that truly matter over a lifetime. Marchick refle...

"The only person you're really competing with is who you were yesterday." Preparing for the GMAT isn't supposed to be easy—and that's the point. In the last episode of 2025, GMAC Zach sits down with Stefan Maisnier, longtime GMAT instructor and parter at MyGuru , to unpack why GMAT prep feels so challenging, what skills the exam is  actually measuring, and how the mindset you develop while studyin...

It's Week 7 of Zach's EA prep, and Stacey from Manhattan Prep helps GMAC Zach review his most recent practice exam, focusing on three specific problems: a Two-Part Analysis question in the Integrated Reasoning section, a Critical Reasoning quesiton in the Verbal section, and a complex Problem Solving question in the Quantitative Reasoning section. They explore strategies for tackling each type of...

Practice Exam #2 results are in...and they are good! It's Week 6 of GMAC Zach's EA prep and the results are in for his second practice exam. In this week's episode, Stacey dives into Zach's results, focusing on his score improvement and the strategies he employed during his preparation. They also explore the emotional aspects of test-taking, the importance of reviewing results, and the next steps...

Register for GMAC Insider Week Free: https://go.gmac.com/gmac-insider-week-december-2025-virtual-seminar-series Do you want free, focused guidance to level-up your business school applications and GMAT performance - with exclusive bonuses for attendees! Join us for our first ever GMAC Insider Week! A series of FREE 30-minute seminars with top test prep and admissions counselors. For each seminar, ...

Writing the "Why Our School?" essay is one of the toughest—and most overlooked—parts of the MBA application. In this episode, GMAC Zach sits down with Jeremy Shinewald, founder of MBA Mission and one of the most trusted voices in MBA admissions, to break down how to turn this high-stakes prompt into a powerful statement of fit. Jeremy explains why this essay is far more than a formality, where mos...

In this episode of Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach sits down with Ashwini Deshpande, a former fashion designer turned MBA candidate whose two-month GMAT sprint transformed her entire career trajectory. Ashwini shares how she went from designing digital fashion at Meta to scoring a 750 on the exam (roughly a 715 on today's scale), earning admission—and a scholarship—to the Kellogg School of Management...

In the latest installment of GMAC Zach's EA prep journey, Zach is joined by test prep expert Stacey Koprince for another candid conversation about tacking the exam. Fresh off completing the Foundations of Math book, Zach shares what surprised him, what clicked, and what still feels intimidating — from story problems that suddenly felt accessible to "age problems" that he hopes never appear on test...

What does it take to pivot from military service to medical technology leadership? In this episode of Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach talks with Alec Burris , a former U.S. Marine turned MBA graduate from the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business , and Burt Slusher , Assistant Dean for MBA and Specialty Masters Programs. Alec shares how he translated his military discipline into business school suc...

Even the best test-takers struggle with doubt, careless mistakes, and burnout — but according to Manhattan Prep's Stacey Koprince , that's where real progress begins. In this episode, GMAC Zach continues his on-air EA prep journey, diving deep into the psychology of confidence, practical study modes, and why "getting it wrong" is actually the most valuable part of prep. Stacey shares her signature...

When most people think about business school, they imagine case studies, strategy sessions, and career advancement. But what if your MBA could help you do more than just get ahead? What if it could help you do good? In this episode, Spencer Anderson , Head of Operations at Leland Coaching and Harvard Business School alum, joins Inside the GMAT to explore how reflection, coaching, and purpose can s...

In this emotional and insightful episode, GMAC Zach opens up about receiving difficult family news that put his EA prep on pause. Joined by Manhattan Prep's Stacey Koprince, he explores how to regain focus and motivation when life throws unexpected challenges your way. Zach and Stacey discuss how to rebuild a study rhythm after disruption, balance personal well-being with academic goals, and use m...

Many MBA applicants see business school as a chance to pivot—to shift industries, roles, or even entire careers. But how realistic is your pivot story, and how can you make it resonate with admissions committees and recruiters? In this episode of Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach is joined by Pamela Jaffe and Laura Nelson , founders of MBA Pathfinders , who have over 30 years of combined experience guid...

"When you approach EA prep the right way, you're not just studying for a test—you're training your brain for your business career." GMAC Zach continues his EA exam prep journey with expert coach Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep. Zach shares his early research into Executive MBA programs close to home in Washington, DC — from Georgetown McDonough to UVA Darden — and reflects on how to find the r...

Do you know how to tell your story authentically, not artificially? GMAC Zach and Susan Berishaj, founder of Sia Admissions , discuss the evolving role of AI in MBA admissions and the importance of authentic storytelling. They explore common misconceptions about the admissions process, the risks of over-reliance on AI, and the significance of introspection in crafting a compelling application. Sus...

Can you get a good EA score after one week of prep? It turns out you can! In the first week of his Executive Assessment journey, GMAC Zach finally puts his skills to the test — literally. After taking both the EA Question Sampler and his very first full-length practice exam, he sits down with test-prep legend Stacey Koprince of Manhattan Prep to unpack every result. Together, they dig into what we...

GMAC Zach speaks with Keith Gallinelli and Emily Whitehouse from the Yale School of Management about Yale's MBA for Executives program. Together, they share what sets their EMBA apart, from its integrated core curriculum taught through an executive lens to the way students immediately apply new skills to their careers. Keith and Emily also break down who the EMBA is designed for, how it differs fr...

Now for something completely different! GMAC Zach is putting himself in the hot seat. In this kickoff episode, he sits down with Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep to talk about his own career goals, and whether a full-time, part-time, or executive MBA could be the right next step. Zach opens up about the leadership skills he wants to strengthen beyond his graduate marketing degree, while Stacey...

In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach and guest Ellin Lolis from Ellin Lolis Consulting discuss the significance of crafting a career-defining narrative for MBA applicants. They explore how storytelling can enhance clarity and connection in applications, the evaluation criteria used by admissions committees, and methodologies for developing a compelling narrative. Ellin emphasizes the impo...

Application and test prep season can feel overwhelming with deadlines, essays, recommendations, and GMAT prep all colliding at once. In this episode of  Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach sits down with Alexis Meares, Manager of New Product Development at GMAC, to unpack what a realistic business school application plan looks like. Together, they explore why "perfect plans" often unravel, the role of fle...

"Sometimes with more choice comes more anxiety. And the decision of which exam to take ends up being part of the process that can be complicated and painful." Deciding which exam to take can be tough - but it doesn't have to be! In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach is joined by Charles Bibilos, founder of GMAT Ninja, to discuss the complexities of choosing between the GMAT, GRE, and Execu...

"The most important thing is to not give up and to believe that it's possible." What does it take to turn setbacks into success? In this episode, GMAC Zach sits down with recent GMAT test taker  Ana Marie Dias , who shares her candid journey from underestimating the exam to earning a competitive score of 685 that opened doors to her dream program in Munich, Germany. Ana Dias, originally from Portu...