EA Prep Week 7: Reviewing Hard Questions - LIVE! Ft. Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep
Inside the GMAT
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 importance of understanding the underlying logic, taking notes, and being aware of traps in answer choices. The discussion highlights the need for effective test preparation...
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EA Prep Week 6: The Practice Results are in...Again! Ft. Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep
Inside the GMAT
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 conversation also touches on how life challenges can impact preparation and the structure of the exam itself, highlighting personal preferences and strategies for success....
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Need GMAT Help? Register Free for GMAC Insider Week!
Inside the GMAT
Register for GMAC Insider Week Free: 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, live attendees will be entered to win one full GMAT Exam Voucher AND receive an exclusive 10% discount on official GMAT Prep products - up to $330 in value! Tell 'em GMAC Zach sent you.
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The "Why Our School?" Essay with Jeremy Shinewald, mbaMission
Inside the GMAT
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 most applicants go wrong, and the three core components every strong response must include: your context, your goals, and a bridge that connects those goals to the school’s specific resources....
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From Fashion Design to the MBA: How Ashwini Landed at Kellogg with a 700+ GMAT Score
Inside the GMAT
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 at Northwestern University. She walks through her unconventional path, why she approached GMAT prep like a creative challenge, how the right prep tools accelerated her progress, and why...
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EA Prep Week 5: MPrep Fraction Hunters with Stacey Koprince from Manhattan Prep | Inside the GMAT
Inside the GMAT
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 science of curiosity-driven learning, reveals which math topics appear more or less frequently on the EA, and offers practical strategies for prioritizing prep when time...
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Deployed for Success: A Marine’s MBA Journey from UC Irvine’s Merage School to MedTech Leadership
Inside the GMAT
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 , and Burt Slusher, Assistant Dean for MBA and Specialty Masters Programs. Alec shares how he translated his military discipline into business school success—and ultimately into a purpose-driven career at Edwards Lifesciences, where innovations save lives every day. Burt explains how Merage helps veterans and career changers discover their leadership strengths, connect with mission-driven...
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EA Prep Week 4: Brain Games
Inside the GMAT
Even the best test-takers struggle with doubt, careless mistakes, and burnout — but according to , 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 strategies for diagnosing errors, building test-day habits, and even tricking your brain into enjoying Reading Comprehension (hint: it involves a little acting). From grammar vs. vocabulary to the difference between exam and...
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Doing Good with Your MBA with Leland's Spencer Anderson
Inside the GMAT
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 and Harvard Business School alum, joins Inside the GMAT to explore how reflection, coaching, and purpose can shape a more meaningful MBA journey. From his early setbacks to his transition from Bain to a mission-driven startup, Spencer shares how business education — and the right mindset — can turn ambition into impact....
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EA Prep Week 3: When Life Has Different Plans for Your Prep
Inside the GMAT
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 mindfulness to manage anxiety and intrusive thoughts. Stacey also shares practical techniques—from giving yourself grace to diagnosing your own study needs—and offers simple exercises to...
info_outline“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