Libsyn Directory

EA Prep Week 3: When Life Has Different Plans for Your Prep

Release Date: 10/31/2025

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

More Episodes

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 strengthen focus and confidence.

Whether you’re preparing for the EA, GMAT, or any big goal while juggling real-life responsibilities, this episode is a powerful reminder that progress doesn’t always have to be linear.

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:

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 Navigating Personal Challenges During Study
02:36 Getting Back on Track
07:31 Dealing with Distractions
11:27 Practicing Mindfulness
17:02 Tackling Easy vs. Challenging Content

TOPICS