Inside the GMAT
Inside the GMAT is the podcast designed for anyone considering, applying to, or preparing for business school. Whether you're just beginning to explore the MBA path, knee-deep in applications, or focused on mastering the GMAT exam, this show is your inside track to smarter decisions, expert advice, and strategies that work. Brought to you by GMAC (the makers of the GMAT exam) each weekly episode features candid conversations with admissions leaders, test prep experts, and successful students. You'll get practical tips for excelling on the GMAT, insights into how schools evaluate candidates, and real stories from people who've walked the same path. From study strategies and score reports to networking, career pivots, and big-picture trends shaping graduate management education, Inside the GMAT brings you the guidance and confidence you need to succeed. If you want the inside scoop on the GMAT, admissions, and how to get the most out of your business school journey, this podcast is for you.
Episodes
"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, consistency, resilience, and flexibility, Hai...
"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 ...
"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.
"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, fo...
"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 a...
"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 reasoni...
"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 ...
"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 roadm...
"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...
"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 fluctuation...
"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 pivo...
"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 fe...
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 question, emphasizing the importanc...
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 in Zach's study plan. The conversat...
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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.
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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—t...
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 day. Stacey breaks down the scienc...
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 M...
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.
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