“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 Portugal, earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics at the University of Coimbra. For the past three years, she has been working in finance in Germany, where she is now preparing to pursue a master’s degree.

Ana reveals how she went from rushed, unstructured prep and disappointing early scores to finally cracking the GMAT on her fourth attempt thanks to a structured plan, consistent effort, and the unwavering support of her community. Along the way, she learned surprising lessons about herself and realizing the importance of mastering the basics (especially in quant).

Ana's story is proof that the GMAT isn’t just about intelligence. It’s about resilience, persistence, and finding the strategy that works for you!

Official GMAT Prep: mba.com/prep

Take the GMAT: mba.com/gmat

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Ana's GMAT Journey 00:48 Motivation for Pursuing a Business Master's Degree 01:32 Deciding to Take the GMAT 02:24 Initial Study Strategies and Challenges 03:58 The Second GMAT Attempt 05:03 Reassessing Goals and Study Plans 05:54 Structured Preparation and Resources 07:28 Overcoming Setbacks and Learning from Mistakes 08:39 Third Attempt and Realizations 09:01 The Fourth Attempt and Support System 11:57 Reflection on the Journey and Future Goals 15:33 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Test Takers

“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 everything behind the number. Julia shares how months of disciplined practice, self-reflection, and resilience transformed not only her test performance but also her confidence in tackling challenges far beyond the GMAT.

Together, Zach and Julia explore what it really takes to succeed on the GMAT, why natural ability matters less than consistent effort, and how shifting your focus from outcomes to process can change the way you see yourself.

About Our Guest:

Julia earned a BBA in Finance from the University of Arkansas in 2015 and spent the following nine years in banking, where she focused on lending, business development, training, and compliance. She now specializes in helping students excel on exams like the GMAT. She hopes to use what she learned through preparing for her own exam to improve the experience of other students. 

Explore GMAT Prep: https://www.mba.com/gmat-exam-prep

Register for the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GMATbyGMAC

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Journey 01:44 The Process Behind the Perfect Score 03:22 Mindset and Self-Discovery 05:48 Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks 07:55 The Importance of Self-Compassion 10:18 Redefining Success 12:21 Learning and Growth Through Preparation 15:00 Balancing Study and Life 17:25 Tools and Techniques for Effective Studying 19:54 Reflection and Course Correction 22:25 Advice for Future Test Takers 24:33 Final Thoughts on Success and Happiness

“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 effectively prepare for the test using strategies akin to learning to drive a car. Sergey shares insights on building confidence, the significance of practice, and section-by-section analysis. The conversation emphasizes that the GMAT is not just about memorizing formulas but about developing critical thinking and reasoning skills necessary for success in business school and beyond.

About Our Guest:

Sergey Kouk is a rocket scientist turned GMAT instructor, who achieved a score of 750 on the GMAT after just 2 weeks of studying. He credits his success to the amazing teachers and mentors, who taught him advanced reasoning skills early in his career.

He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Admit Master, a test preparation and admissions consulting company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Sergey holds 3 university degrees, including an MBA. When he is not teaching prep classes, he spends time snowboarding or sailing a boat with his family.

Sergey brings to this podcast over 15 years of experience teaching the GMAT to thousands of business school candidates, as well as insights from other experienced GMAT instructors and MBA Admissions Consultants at Admit Master, to help you get a great GMAT score and gain admission to your dream business school.

Contact Admit Master: https://admitmaster.com/

Register for the GMAT: mba.com/register

Chapters:

01:17 Sergey's Journey into Test Prep 03:13 Misconceptions About the GMAT 04:57 Knowledge vs. Reasoning Skills 12:06 The Importance of Practice and Feedback 18:35 The Role of an Instructor 22:30 Breaking Down Higher Order Thinking Skills 26:43 Applying Reasoning Skills to the GMAT 29:32 Questions to Ask in the Quant Section 32:05 Understanding Problem-Solving Strategies 33:27 The Power of Elimination in Reasoning 34:55 Effective Questioning Techniques 37:05 The Importance of Strategy Over Formulas 38:11 Comparing Quantitative and Verbal Skills 42:39 Preparing for Verbal Section 47:53 Integrating Data Insights with Reasoning 50:00 Building Confidence for Test Success 52:40 Starting Your GMAT Journey 54:38 Achieving High Percentiles on the GMAT 56:00 The Student Journey with Admit Master

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 effectively alongside third-party resources, and the strategies that can turn your study time into score gains. The conversation also covers how to analyze mistakes, track progress, set realistic goals, and maximize efficiency.

Purchase the GMAT Official Guide: mba.com/prep

Register for the GMAT exam: mba.com/register

Get materials from Manhattan Prep: manhattanprep.com/gmat

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction 01:06 Why Official Questions Matter 06:00 Navigating the New GMAT Official Guide 11:23 Analyzing Weaknesses 14:14 Reviewing Answer Explanations 16:47 Tracking Progress 20:18 Setting Goals and Priorities for GMAT Success 23:23 Understanding GMAT Scoring and Practice Tests 26:16 Using Official Materials Alongside Others 29:26 Choosing the Right Test Prep Program 32:52 Leveraging Difficult Questions 35:44 Balancing Question Difficulty in Practice 37:44 Utilizing Free Resources Effectively 38:31 Pro Tips for Efficient Test Prep

“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 helping test-takers turn confusion into clarity, Scott shares why most people struggle—not because they're not "math people," but because they’ve never been taught the right way to learn.

From building a strong Quant foundation to avoiding traps in Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights, this episode is packed with practical advice on how to stop overcomplicating your prep and start studying with purpose. You’ll also hear how Scott’s own journey—from blowing up hydrogen balloons in high school classrooms to building one of the most well-known names in GMAT prep—has shaped his keep-it-simple philosophy.

Whether you're just starting or feeling stuck on the GMAT, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and prep smarter.

Contact Scott & Target Test Prep: www.gmat.targettestprep.com

Register for the GMAT exam: mba.com/register

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction 07:20 The "Math Person" Myth 13:02 The Prep Mindset & Value of Critical Thinking 15:53 Quant: Prep Linearly 18:33 Solving Problems with Logic, Not Math 24:58 Verbal: Reading is Fundamental 31:37 Data Insights: Correlation is Not Causation 36:55 Perfecting Time Management 41:13 Can You Over-Prep? 42:25 The Importance of Consistency

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 what an MBA can offer beyond a job title, this conversation is for you.

Contact Melody & Vantage Point: www.vantagepointmba.com

Register for the GMAT exam: mba.com/register

Chapters:

03:55 - The ROI of Confidence

06:52 - The ROI of Personal Growth

10:19 - The ROI of Relationships

14:20 - The ROI of Networks

19:42 - The ROI of...ROI?

20:57 - The Big Picture: ROI is Personal

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 discuss how each format aligns with different career goals, personal circumstances, and professional aspirations.

Whether you're looking to pivot careers, accelerate to executive leadership, or balance work and study, this episode offers valuable guidance to help you make an informed choice. Tune in to gain clarity on your MBA journey and find the path that best suits your ambitions.

Contact Pinetree & Palm Consulting: https://www.pinetreepalm.com/

Register for the GMAT exam: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register

Chapters:

01:59 - Career Moves Supported by an MBA

05:09 - Full-Time vs. Part-Time MBA Considerations

07:47 - Balancing Work and MBA Studies

10:11 - Time, Energy, and Flexibility in MBA Formats

16:09 - The MBA as an Insurance Policy

18:51 - The Role of Prestige in Decision-Making

25:37 - Assessing ROI

29:53 - Profiles of MBA Candidates: F/T, P/T, and EMBA

33:14 - Quiz Time! Choosing the Right MBA Path

39:20 - Final Thoughts

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 [email protected]

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 reduce your chances of experiencing anxiety on test day. Tune in to get over your testing jitters!

References: 

GMAT Ninja

How GMAT™ Reduces Test Anxiety

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 of the exam, plus testing options, prep resources, accommodations, and what your score report actually tells you. You’ll also get the facts on percentile rankings, test day logistics, and why a GMAT score is more than just a number.

No hype, no gimmicks—just real talk about the #1 test in business school admisions.

WATCH ON SPOTIFY OR YOUTUBE TO SEE ACCOMPANYING SLIDES & VISUALS

Register for the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register

Chapters:

01:02 - Exam Overview & Features

03:48 - Scoring Explained

08:06 - Quantitative Reasoning

10:08 - Verbal Reasoning

13:06 - Data Insights

20:22 - Accessing & Sending Your Score

25:22 - Planning for Test Day