Inside the GMAT

Paying for business school can feel overwhelming—but it doesn't have to. In this episode of Inside the GMAT , Zach sits down with Allie Danziger, Chief Marketing Officer at Ascent Funding, to discuss one of the biggest concerns facing prospective students: how to finance graduate management education. Together, they explore why cost remains a major barrier for candidates, common misconceptions abo...

"Nothing is better than the real thing. Official GMAT questions are the gold standard for getting ready for the test." The  GMAT Official Guide 2026–2027 is here, and that means new official questions, updated online practice tools, and fresh ways to prepare for test day. In this episode of Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach is joined once again by Stacey Koprince of Manhattan Prep to break down what's n...

"Anxiety and excitement are chemically the same reaction — context changes how we interpret it." What actually separates top GMAT performers from everyone else? In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with Hailey Cusimano, Director of Tutoring at Menlo Coaching, to unpack the five traits she's observed that that drive GMAT success. Through the lens of curiosity, balance, consistenc...

"Candidates aren't chasing career switches—they're investing in long-term skills." If you're considering business school, you've probably asked yourself some big questions: Is it worth it? What should I prioritize? And how are other candidates making this decision? In this episode of Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach sits down with his colleague Andrew Walker, Director of Industry Communications at GMAC...

"Testing isn't just about checking a box—it's about proving you're ready to succeed." When most people think about business school admissions, they focus on test scores, essays, and interviews. But for many candidates around the world, there's another critical piece of the puzzle: proving you can succeed in an English-speaking academic environment. In this episode of Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach is...

"It's not about the rules and formulas—it's about the decisions you make in how you approach a question." Most GMAT candidates start their prep the wrong way: by diving straight into content, formulas, and practice questions. But what if that approach is actually holding you back? In this episode of Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach sits down with Brian Prestia, founder of Reason Test Prep , to break do...

"The score isn't the end. It's just the starting point." After ten weeks, GMAC Zach has finally taken his EA exam! In this candid debrief episode of Inside the GMAT , Zach sits down with instructor Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep to break down his real testing experience—from last-minute rescheduling to test-day distractions and everything in between. Zach walks through how he handled each sec...

"Lose the urgency. Accept the learning process." In a world where AI can generate answers instantly, what actually sets great decision-makers apart? In this episode of  Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach sits down with GMAT tutor and founder of  GMAT Buddy , Ayham Shakra, to unpack the real skill behind success—not memorization, but reasoning. Ayham explains why the GMAT isn't a math or English test, but...

"You should actually get a little bit excited when you make a careless mistake—because you're about to get better." Everyone makes careless mistakes on the GMAT—even well-prepared test takers. In this episode of  Inside the GMAT , GMAC Zach sits down with Manhattan Prep instructor Stacey Koprince to break down why these mistakes happen and what you can actually do to prevent them. Stacey explains...

"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...