What Today’s MBA Candidates Really Want (According to the Data)
Inside the GMAT
“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, to unpack insights from the —featuring perspectives from over 4,000 candidates worldwide. Together, they explore how candidate motivations are shifting, what “ROI” really means...
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English Proficiency & the MBA: Inside the Duolingo English Test with Elie Bechara
Inside the GMAT
“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 joined by Elie Bechara, Head of the Duolingo English Test in Europe, to break down how English proficiency testing fits into the modern MBA application—and why it matters more than...
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Going Beyond Tips & Tricks with Brian Prestia, Reason Test Prep
Inside the GMAT
“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 , to break down what the GMAT is really testing—and why success has far more to do with how you think than what you know. Together, they explore the difference between memorization and reasoning, why “tips and...
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EA Prep Week 10: Test Complete! The End of an EA-ra
Inside the GMAT
"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 section, what threw him off (including a chaotic testing environment and a few “wait, is this a typo?” moments), and where his strategy held up—or didn’t. Together, they unpack the psychology of...
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The Case for Reasoning Skills in the Age of AI with GMAT Buddy's Ayham Shakra
Inside the GMAT
"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 , 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 a training ground for structured thinking: the ability to filter noise, identify patterns, and make decisions under pressure. Together, they explore why so many test-takers struggle, how...
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How to Eliminate Careless Mistakes on the GMAT
Inside the GMAT
“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 critical difference between a true knowledge gap and a careless mistake—and why the latter is often the easiest type of mistake to fix. Instead of beating yourself up when you spot...
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EA Prep Week 9: Exam Day Tips and Listener Q&A with Stacey Koprince, Manhattan Prep
Inside the GMAT
“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. Stacey helps Zach break down his recent practice exam results into three clear categories—strengths you can’t coast on, fixable mistakes worth reviewing, and true “kryptonite” topics...
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The Data Insights Deep Dive with Sergey Kouk of Admit Master
Inside the GMAT
“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 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 how test-takers should approach it strategically rather than emotionally. Sergey explains how the section builds on the former Integrated Reasoning questions, why Data Sufficiency now plays a...
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EA Prep Week 8: What Goes Up...Might Come Down Ft. Stacey Koprince, Manhattan Prep
Inside the GMAT
“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 really causes plateaus during EA prep. Joined, as always, by Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep, they unpack why the third practice exam is such a common stumbling point, how overconfidence can...
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AU is All-In on AI: In Conversation with Kogod's Dean David Marchick
Inside the GMAT
“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 , to explore how business education is being reshaped by AI, career pivots, and the skills that truly matter over a lifetime. Marchick reflects on his unconventional career path and how those experiences shape his student-first approach to leadership. He explains why “psychic income,” not just financial return, drives his work in higher education, and why helping students experiment, fail, and grow...
info_outlineGMAC Zach speaks with Keith Gallinelli and Emily Whitehouse from the Yale School of Management about Yale's MBA for Executives program. Together, they share what sets their EMBA apart, from its integrated core curriculum taught through an executive lens to the way students immediately apply new skills to their careers.
Keith and Emily also break down who the EMBA is designed for, how it differs from a traditional full-time MBA, and the value it brings to busy professionals aiming for senior leadership. They also offer insider advice on building a strong application, balancing work and personal commitments, and why Yale requires a test like the Executive Assessment (EA) as part of the admissions process.
Whether you’re just starting to explore executive programs or considering the next big step in your career, this episode gives you the playbook for navigating the EMBA journey with confidence!
Featured Resources:
About Our Guests:
Keith Gallinelli is the Director of Admissions for the MBA for Executives program at the Yale School of Management. He leads a dedicated admissions team responsible for recruiting, selecting, and enrolling students for the program. He is responsible for developing and coordinating marketing and recruitment strategies to promote the EMBA program and its associated fellowships, including the Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Equity Leadership. Prior to his role at Yale, Keith served as the Director of International Admissions at Sacred Heart University for 8 years, working and traveling extensively in countries around the globe. He lived in Asia for over 13 years working as a teacher and administrator at several schools in China and South Korea and is fluent in Chinese. He was also a TV talk show host for 7 years in China. He holds an MBA and a MS in Geology from Boston College.
Emily Whitehouse currently serves as Associate Director of Admissions for the MBA for Executives program at the Yale School of Management. In her role, she leads recruitment and outreach strategy and oversees the Student Ambassadors program. She has worked at the Yale School of Management for 8 years, beginning with Full-Time MBA Admissions in 2017 and was instrumental in the launch of the Masters in Asset Management program in 2019, where she served as Associate Director of Admissions before joining EMBA. Emily holds a Masters in Higher Education Administration. A lifelong Connecticut resident, she resides in Wallingford, CT with her husband, Andrew, their 18-month old son, and Schnauzer-Yorkie named Bowie.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Yale EMBA Program
01:08 Roles and Responsibilities in Admissions
04:48 Understanding the EMBA Structure
07:35 Differences Between EMBA and Full-Time MBA
09:38 Value of the EMBA for Established Professionals
11:06 Evaluating Mid-Career Candidates
14:16 Crafting a Thoughtful Application
16:56 Qualities That Stand Out in Applications
19:36 Common Application Pitfalls
21:43 The Role of Standardized Tests
24:19 Preparing for the Executive Assessment
30:07 Next Steps for Interested Candidates