"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

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 and the value of learning from mistakes to improve performance in future exams.

About Stacey:

Stacey Koprince is one of the most recognized names in test prep, with over 15 years of experience teaching the GMAT, EA, 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

Takeaways:

• Taking notes during the exam can help clarify complex questions.

• Understanding the logic behind questions is crucial for success.

• Each answer choice is designed to test specific reasoning skills.

• It's important to identify key details in the question prompt.

• Practice with various question types can enhance test-taking strategies.

• Avoid rushing to answer choices before analyzing the question.

• Recognizing distractor answers can prevent common mistakes.

• Familiarity with question formats can reduce anxiety during the test.

• Effective time management is essential for completing all questions.

• Learning from incorrect answers is vital for improvement.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
00:46 Integrated Reasoning (IR) Question - Two-Part Analysis
13:08 Verbal Reasoning (VR) Question - Critical Reasoning
27:33 Quantitative Reasoning (QR) Question - Problem Solving
37:53 In Review & Next Steps

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.

About Stacey:

Stacey Koprince is one of the most recognized names in test prep, with over 15 years of experience teaching the GMAT, EA, 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

Takeaways:

• The importance of reviewing practice exam results to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Life challenges can serve as motivation during test preparation.
• It's common for scores to fluctuate; not every practice test will show improvement.
• Understanding the exam structure can help reduce anxiety.
• Reviewing questions you got wrong is crucial for future success.
• Focus on low-hanging fruit when studying for improvement.
• Practice tests should be taken within a few days of review for better retention.
• The EA exam's panel structure can be psychologically comforting.
• Setting realistic goals for future practice tests is essential.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Practice Exam Results
01:35 Score Analysis and Improvement Strategies
03:58 Life Challenges and Test Performance
05:47 Reviewing Practice Exam Results
08:34 Next Steps and Future Practice Tests
10:28 Exam Structure and Test-Taking Strategies