EA Prep Week 2: Striking the Balance

"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 right academic fit without sacrificing career goals or personal passions. Together, Zach and Stacey discuss how to balance work, study, and life commitments, including how to have the "EMBA conversation" with your employer and what to expect from global residencies and weekend programs.

Then, the conversation shifts back to EA prep. Zach opens up about surprising progress in Quant, growing concerns about Verbal, and how to balance study time across all three sections. Stacey offers practical advice on managing test anxiety, understanding "word problems" in GMAC terms, and making math feel less like memorization and more like real-world reasoning.

Whether you're considering an Executive MBA or deep in your own EA prep, this episode offers a candid look at how to plan smartly, study effectively, and stay grounded in your goals!

Follow along each week as Zach shares his progress, pitfalls, and small wins on the road to exam day and his dream career.

About Stacey:
Stacey Koprince is one of the most recognized names in test prep, with over 15 years of experience teaching the GMAT, GRE, and LSAT. As Manhattan Prep's Director of Content & Curriculum, she has written countless articles, guides, and video explanations that thousands of students rely on. A former management consultant, Stacey now spends her days helping future business leaders master tricky concepts and find confidence in their prep—something she's passionate about seeing "click" for every student.

Helpful links:

Register for the EA: https://www.mba.com/exams/executive-assessment/register

Purchase EA Official Prep: https://www.mba.com/exams/executive-assessment/prepare

GMAC Free EA Prep: https://www.mba.com/exams/executive-assessment/prepare/free-prep-resources

Manhattan Prep EA Resources: https://www.kaptest.com/gmat/courses/executive-assessment-test-prep

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
02:00 Exploring EMBA Program Options
04:27 Navigating Employer Conversations
07:22 Researching Schools and Networking
09:36 Balancing Commitments and Passion Projects
11:41 Preparation Strategies for the Exam
14:12 Understanding the Verbal Section
17:02 Tackling Word Problems in Math
19:22 Building a Strong Math Foundation
21:40 Final Thoughts and Next Steps