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_outlineMany MBA applicants see business school as a chance to pivot—to shift industries, roles, or even entire careers. But how realistic is your pivot story, and how can you make it resonate with admissions committees and recruiters?
In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach is joined by Pamela Jaffe and Laura Nelson, founders of MBA Pathfinders, who have over 30 years of combined experience guiding applicants through successful career transitions. Together, they break down the realities of the modern job market, why the MBA remains a powerful bridge for change, and how to craft an application that’s authentic, credible, and ready for the career you want.
If you’re planning to use business school as a launchpad for change, this conversation will help you map your bridge from where you are to where you want to be.
About MBA Pathfinders: https://www.mbapathfinders.com
Pamela Jaffe has helped hundreds of applicants achieve entry into the top U.S. and European business schools. Pamela began her MBA consulting career in 2010 as a part-time consultant at mbaMission while concurrently working full-time as an internal strategist for companies including IBM, MetLife, Weight Watchers, Pfizer, and Dow Jones. She found her passion as a coach and an advisor; in 2019, she left corporate America to launch The Jaffe Advantage. Pamela leverages her MBA admissions consulting experience with her global business knowledge to advise her clients in the pursuit of their ideal MBA educational experience. She has lived and worked in both Paris and Singapore, focusing on the Asian, Middle Eastern and European markets. Pamela currently resides in New York City, but continues to travel extensively for work and fun. She holds a BA from Smith College and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Laura Nelson has served as a Senior Consultant with mbaMission, Stacy Blackman Consulting, and as the founder of LE Nelson Consulting to help hundreds of candidates earn admissions to top MBA programs. Laura’s industry experience includes entertainment, media & publishing, and tech, with established companies and startup organizations. Most recently, she served as VP of Marketing with a SaaS startup. Laura’s non-traditional career path and MBA admissions consulting experience enables her to help clients from less traditional backgrounds gain credibility with top programs, while helping those with traditional career paths stand out. Laura lived and worked in California for a decade prior to relocating to Colorado. She holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and earned an MBA from University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
Takeaways:
- Many MBA applicants seek to pivot their careers through business school.
- The MBA application process is crucial for defining career goals.
- Common pivots include banking, consulting, tech, and entrepreneurship.
- Misconceptions exist about the ease of career changes with an MBA.
- Candidates must demonstrate realistic and evidence-based career goals.
- Networking and experiential learning are vital for successful pivots.
- The recruiting cycle is urgent; preparation should start early.
- Candidates should avoid vague or trendy goals in their applications.
- Building a compelling narrative is essential for admissions success.
- Researching and validating career goals can lead to more authentic applications.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Career Pivots and the MBA Journey
02:51 Common Career Pivots for MBA Applicants
05:44 The Power of an MBA for Career Changes
08:48 The MBA Application as a Career Exploration Tool
11:53 Evaluating Realistic Career Pivots
14:01 Navigating the MBA Recruiting Cycle
17:19 Advice for Uncertain Career Paths
19:28 Crafting a Compelling Career Pivot Story
20:14 Understanding the MBA as a Bridge
22:07 Connecting Past Experiences to Future Goals
23:11 Real-Life Career Pivot Examples
26:24 Common Mistakes in Career Pivots
28:19 Building Credibility in Applications
29:28 Strategies for Non-Traditional Candidates
31:30 Advice for MBA Candidates Considering a Pivot
32:22 Leveraging Advisors for Application Success