Eating Your GMAT Vegetables with MyGuru's Stefan Maisnier
Inside the GMAT
“The only person you’re really competing with is who you were yesterday.” Preparing for the GMAT isn’t supposed to be easy—and that’s the point. In the last episode of 2025, GMAC Zach sits down with Stefan Maisnier, longtime GMAT instructor and parter at , to unpack why GMAT prep feels so challenging, what skills the exam is actually measuring, and how the mindset you develop while studying can pay dividends far beyond test day. Stefan famously describes GMAT prep as “eating your vegetables”—not always enjoyable, but undeniably good for you. Together, Zach and Stefan...
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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....
info_outline“The only person you’re really competing with is who you were yesterday.”
Preparing for the GMAT isn’t supposed to be easy—and that’s the point.
In the last episode of 2025, GMAC Zach sits down with Stefan Maisnier, longtime GMAT instructor and parter at MyGuru, to unpack why GMAT prep feels so challenging, what skills the exam is actually measuring, and how the mindset you develop while studying can pay dividends far beyond test day.
Stefan famously describes GMAT prep as “eating your vegetables”—not always enjoyable, but undeniably good for you. Together, Zach and Stefan explore why productive discomfort leads to real growth, how to reframe negative beliefs about math and reading, and why the GMAT remains a powerful tool for self-improvement in an age of shortcuts and AI.
If you’re feeling stuck, intimidated, or tempted to avoid the GMAT altogether, this conversation will help you rethink the value of the challenge.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why the GMAT is designed to feel difficult—and why that’s intentional
- What the exam actually measures (and why it matters for business school and leadership)
- How GMAT prep builds skills that carry into MBA coursework and professional life
- Why “I’m not a math person” or “I’m not a reader” is usually a learned belief—not a fact
- How adaptive testing changes the test-taking experience
- Why improvement over time can be more compelling than a single high score
- Realistic timelines and expectations for GMAT prep
- How to shift from a “this is painful” mindset to a “this is valuable” mindset
About MyGuru:
For 15 years, MyGuru has provided an unparalleled edge to students worldwide by empowering a team of uniquely qualified subject matter experts to use their individual expertise and experience to provide dynamic real-time instruction rather than boring one-size-fits-all curricula to every client. They have delivered customized in-person and virtual tutoring to individuals at the middle school, high school, college, graduate, and professional levels as well as enterprise tutoring solutions for institutions such as Northwestern Mutual and Northeastern Illinois University.
Helpful links:
MyGuru Website: https://www.myguruedge.com/en-us/
MyGuru on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MyGuruEdge
Register for the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register
Sign up for GMAC Advancery to Find Best-Fit B-Schools Schools: https://advancery.gmac.com/
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to GMAT and Mindset for Success
01:35 Understanding the GMAT's Purpose and Value
04:11 The Importance of Challenging Yourself
06:39 Engaging with the GMAT: Strategies for Success
10:35 Overcoming Misconceptions About Math and Reading
14:15 The Adaptive Nature of the GMAT Exam
18:20 The Role of Improvement Over Perfection
19:54 How to Schedule Your Prep Timeline
23:07 Mindset and Overcoming Obstacles
25:15 The Importance of Self-Improvement
30:11 Navigating Test Preparation
34:12 Embracing the Learning Journey