Inside the GMAT

"Prepping for the GMAT was one of the biggest, most self-motivated projects of my adult life. It gave me concrete feedback I hadn't experienced in years. Improvement wasn't visible every day, but I could see how my effort turned into results." In this episode of Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach sits down with Julia Shackelford, who earned a perfect GMAT score of 805, but insists the real story is every...

"Knowledge used to be power, but it no longer is power. What you do with that knowledge—that's the skill." In this must-watch episode for test takers, GMAC Zach speaks at length with Sergey Kouk from Admit Master about a skills-based approach to GMAT preparation. They discuss the common misconceptions surrounding the GMAT, the importance of reasoning skills over mere knowledge, and how to effectiv...

The GMAT Official Guide is more than just a book. It's your direct line to real GMAT questions and the best possible test-day preparation. In this episode, GMAC Zach is once again joined by  Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep to explore how to get the most out of the Official Guide and other GMAT official tools. You'll learn why practicing with real GMAT questions is essential, how to use them ef...

"Don't prepare until you can get the questions right. Prepare until you can't get them wrong." What if mastering the GMAT wasn't about doing more—it was about doing less, but smarter? In this episode of Inside the GMAT , Zach is joined by Scott Woodbury-Stewart, Founder and CEO of Target Test Prep , to explore how simplifying your prep can lead to better results. With over 20 years of experience h...

An MBA can open doors to top jobs and bigger paychecks—but what about the value that doesn't show up on a resume? In this episode, Zach is joined by Melody Jones, founder of Vantage Point MBA Admissions Consulting , to uncover the hidden ROI of business school: confidence, personal growth, lasting relationships, and the transformational power of human skills like communication. If you're wondering...

Not sure whether you should pursue a full-time, part-time, or executive MBA program? You're not alone! Oren Margolis from Pinetree & Palm Consulting joins the pod to dive deep into the crucial decision-making process of choosing the right type of MBA Program. As an experienced MBA admissions consultant and executive coach, Oren and Zach explore the nuances between the three program types and discu...

Season 5 is on the way! In this quick update, host Zach shares what's coming in the next season of Inside the GMAT , how you can get involved, and one big announcement: the Official Guide 2025–2026 is out now! Whether you're prepping for the exam or just starting your journey, this is your moment to get ahead. 📝 Get the new Official Guide: mba.com/prep 📩 Have a story to share? Email us at Inside...

This episode was originally published on September 7, 2023. GMAC's Eric Chambers is joined by Charles Bibilos, Founder of GMAT Ninja, where they do things a bit differently by tackling your test anxiety head on. Charles talks all things assessment anxiety, from how it can manifest in an exam environment to how to overcome it, with a lively discussion about how the latest edition of the GMAT helps...

It's the season finale, and we're going deep! In this solo episode, host Zach breaks down  everything you've ever wanted to know about the GMAT exam . Whether you're just starting to explore business school or already deep in prep mode, this is your all-in-one explainer for what's on the exam, how it's scored, how to prepare, and how to use your score to stand out. Zach walks through each section...

Artificial intelligence is here, but how much is too much when it comes to your MBA application? This week, host Zach Fernebok sits down with  Loubna Bouamane , founder of Admission Concierge and former Director of MBA Admissions, to explore the nuanced role AI now plays in business school applications. From brainstorming essays to managing deadlines, AI tools like ChatGPT can support candidates,...

Thinking about business school? Don't go it alone. In this episode, we're hitting the road as we explore  GMAC Tours , the global events that bring top business schools and aspiring students together under one roof. Host Zach is joined by Maggie Cooley , Director of Events and Marketing for GMAC Tours, to unpack why these MBA & Masters Tour events are more than just information sessions. They're n...

In this episode, Zach sits down with friend and colleague Andrew Walker, Director of Industry Communications at GMAC, to unpack the latest insights from the 2025 Prospective Students Survey . They dive into what 5,000 prospective business school candidates around the world are thinking about today — from the growing demand for hands-on AI experiences to the rising importance of human skills, like...

In this episode, Shaifali Aggarwal, founder and CEO of  Ivy Groupe MBA Admissions Consulting , dives deep into MBA application essays and school interviews. She discusses the importance of each in the application process, emphasizing the need for authenticity and self-reflection. Shaifali also shares practical tips for writing compelling essays, common mistakes applicants make, and how to manage s...

In this episode, Zach is joined by Melody Jones from Vantage Point MBA to discuss the often-overlooked period between MBA acceptance and the start of classes, sometimes referred to as the 'Dead Zone.' They explore various strategies for academic readiness, networking, and personal development, as well as the logistical considerations for incoming students. The discussion highlights the significanc...

In this episode, Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep discusses the essential considerations when preparing to take a business school entrance exam. Stacey breaks down her top prep strategies and emphasizes the importance of understanding your study timeline, effective study techniques, recognizing when to take breaks, and the value of collaborative study. Additionally, she highlights the significa...

Summary In this episode, Travis Morgan from  MBA Whisperer discusses the intricacies of applying to business schools, debunking common myths and providing valuable insights into the application process. He emphasize the importance of resumes, essays, and understanding school fit over rankings. The discussion also covers the significance of test scores, the role of waitlists, and alternative testin...

Summary In this episode, Petia Whitmore from  My MBA Path delves into the intricacies of the MBA application process, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, clarity of purpose, and the evaluation criteria used by admissions committees. Petia shares insights from her experience as a former Dean of MBA Admissions, outlining the two phases of the application process: evaluation and selection. Sh...

Introducing Inside the GMAT. A weekly show with interviews with experts and advice on how you can navigate through your graduate business school admissions process. Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast app or YouTube!

Host Eric Chambers is joined by Charles Bibilos, Founder of GMAT Ninja, where they do things a bit differently by tackling your test anxiety head on. Charles talks all things assessment anxiety, from how it can manifest in an exam environment to how to overcome it, with a lively discussion about how GMAT Focus Edition helps reduce your chances of experiencing anxiety on test day. Tune in to get ov...

In this episode, we're joined by Manish Dharia, Director of Product Marketing at GMAC. Manish talks all things GMAT Focus Edition , covering   how and why we made the decision to bring you  the latest evolution of the GMAT ;   what the changes to each section,   scoring and score report are ;   the many benefits these changes add to your testing experience and ultimately your b-school experience a...

Are you interested in GMAT Focus, but haven't spoken to a professional tutor about whether it's the right test for you? This episode has got you covered - our guest, Hailey Cusimano, Director of Tutoring at Menlo Coaching, shares her insights on the test and helps you decide if it's ultimately right for you. As an added bonus, our host, Eric Chambers, a former admissions consultant, weighs in on t...

In this episode, our UK-based host, Nalisha Patel, has a riveting chat with  Sunil Kandola, Vice President of Coin Systems Strategy at Onyx by JP  Morgan . You'll hear all about Sunil's fascinating career path – from the British Army to studying an MBA at the prestigious Saïd Business School at Oxford University to landing his role at JP Morgan. Sunil drops useful tips along the way on how to ace...

In this episode we're joined by Alexis Jeffries, Head of Business Product Marketing at Glassdoor. Amongst other impressive endeavors, Alexis is paving the way in her thriving tech career and is the Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business. Learn from Alexis how you can overcome imposter syndrome and create the career path that is righ...

In this episode, Zach chats with Baylor University - Hankamer School of Business Clinical Professor, Dr. Erik Davidson, alongside HSB alum and Walt Disney Company's Strategic Sourcing Specialist, Corrie Tebay, on everything you need to know about the Early-Career MBA. Corrie gives incredible insight into pursuing the right program and career fit for you in her truly inspirational career path. This...

In this episode, guest host Zach Fernebok interviews Ana Kyper, Senior Director of Product Management, GME Prep and Readiness. In just under 10 minutes, Ana will walk you through the 6-week GMAT Focus™ Exam prep journey - including the practice needed, your time commitment, and tips to maximize your GMAT Focus exam success. Episode resources:  Official GMAT Focus PREP resources  Download the app:...