Inside the GMAT

Paying for business school can feel overwhelming—but it doesn't have to. In this episode of Inside the GMAT, Zach sits down with Allie Danziger, Chief Marketing Officer at Ascent Funding, to discuss one of the biggest concerns facing prospective students: how to finance graduate management education. Together, they explore why cost remains a major barrier for candidates, common misconceptions about loans and scholarships, strategies for building a realistic financial plan, and ways students can evaluate the long-term return on investment of their degree. Whether you're just beginning to research programs or preparing to enroll this fall, this conversation offers practical guidance to help you approach funding decisions with greater confidence, including: Why financing feels overwhelming for so many candidates The difference between scholarships, federal loans, and private loans How to calculate your true cost of attendance Common funding mistakes students make Ways AI can help students plan financially Why starting early matters How Ascent Funding supports students beyond financing About our guest: Allie Danziger is Chief Marketing Officer at Ascent Funding, where she leads marketing, growth, and customer experience initiatives focused on helping students and families access education financing with confidence. A serial entrepreneur and business builder, Allie has founded, scaled, and successfully exited two companies. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about creating innovative solutions that help individuals achieve their educational and professional goals. In 2020, she founded Ampersand, a workforce development platform designed to help early-career professionals build career-ready skills and connect education to employment outcomes. Ampersand was acquired by Ascent Funding in 2023. Prior to Ampersand, Allie founded and led Integrate Agency, one of Texas's leading marketing and public relations firms, serving more than 600 organizations and growing a team of over 250 professionals. Today, Allie brings a unique perspective at the intersection of education, career readiness, marketing, and technology, helping organizations create meaningful pathways from education to long-term success. Helpful Resources: Check your rates with Ascent: https://partners.ascentfunding.com/gmac Apply for the GMAC scholarship: https://www.ascentfunding.com/scholarships Register for the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Financing Education 01:39 Understanding the Barriers to Financing 06:10 Navigating the Cost of Attendance 11:16 Funding Options Explained 15:32 Common Misconceptions in Student Financing 18:14 Timing Your Financial Decisions 21:40 Ascent Funding's Unique Approach 25:03 Collaboration with GMAC 26:40 Final Thoughts and Action Steps

"Nothing is better than the real thing. Official GMAT questions are the gold standard for getting ready for the test." The GMAT Official Guide 2026–2027 is here, and that means new official questions, updated online practice tools, and fresh ways to prepare for test day. In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach is joined once again by Stacey Koprince of Manhattan Prep to break down what's new in this year's Official Guide collection and how candidates should actually use it. They discuss why official GMAT questions are so valuable, how to balance official prep with third-party learning resources, and why reviewing your practice questions is just as important as answering them. Zach and Stacey also cover common prep mistakes, including burning through too many questions too quickly, studying one question type in isolation, and skipping review on questions you got right. Plus, Stacey shares practical advice for using the Official Guide, section-specific review books, online question banks, and official practice exams more strategically throughout your prep. Whether you're just starting your GMAT journey or looking for more official practice before test day, this episode will help you get more out of every question you study. Purchase the new GMAT Official Guide: mba.com/prep Register for the GMAT exam: mba.com/register Get materials from Manhattan Prep: manhattanprep.com/gmat 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. Key Takeaways Official questions matter because they are real GMAT questions. Third-party prep can teach concepts and strategies, but official GMAT questions are the best way to practice what the real exam will feel like. The Official Guide works best after foundational learning. Candidates should first learn the underlying content, question types, and strategies, then use the Official Guide to quiz themselves. Review is where score improvement happens. Stacey emphasizes that every question should be reviewed, including questions answered correctly, because correct answers can reveal shortcuts, traps, and repeatable strategies. Mixed practice is more effective than over-drilling one question type. The GMAT requires candidates to shift between skills, formats, and sections. Prep should mimic that experience. The newest Official Guide may be worth it, but not always immediately. If a candidate already owns last year's guide and still has plenty of unused questions, they can continue with it. If they are buying for the first time, the newest edition is the better choice. Practice exams should be used carefully. Candidates should review each practice exam thoroughly and complete targeted study before taking another one. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Official Guide 2026-2027 01:07 The Importance of Official GMAT Tools 03:20 New Features and Questions in the Official Guide 11:38 Exploring the Content of the Big OG 16:02 Strategic Use of the Official Guide 18:15 The Value of Reviewing Correct Answers 22:14 Common Mistakes in GMAT Preparation 27:44 Utilizing the Official Guide Effectively 29:24 Review Books and Their Importance 34:17 Integrating Official Prep Tools with Outside Learning 37:46 Pro Tips for Leveraging the New Official Guide

"Anxiety and excitement are chemically the same reaction — context changes how we interpret it." What actually separates top GMAT performers from everyone else? In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with Hailey Cusimano, Director of Tutoring at Menlo Coaching, to unpack the five traits she's observed that that drive GMAT success. Through the lens of curiosity, balance, consistency, resilience, and flexibility, Hailey explains why the GMAT is less about memorization and more about critical thinking, self-awareness, and intentional preparation. Whether you're just starting your prep journey or feeling stuck after months of studying, this episode offers actionable insights to help you study smarter — not just harder. About Hailey: Hailey Cusimano is a 99th-percentile performer and a self-proclaimed standardized test nerd. Drawing from her years of experience as an instructor, she knows how to assess students' main obstacles and strategize accordingly, maximizing efficiency in short study windows. Plus, her enthusiasm is infectious, and most students find studying with Hailey actually becomes—dare we say—fun. Helpful Resources: Menlo Coaching: https://menlocoaching.com/ Register for the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register Purchase GMAT Official Prep: https://www.mba.com/exams/executive-assessment/prepare Key Takeaways: The GMAT is fundamentally a critical thinking test — not a memorization test. Curiosity is one of the strongest predictors of long-term GMAT success. Reflective studying is far more valuable than simply completing large volumes of questions. Consistency matters more than cramming or weekend-only "study marathons." Burnout can quietly undermine progress, even for highly motivated students. Flexibility and adaptability are essential because the GMAT intentionally challenges rigid thinking. Top scorers are not confident all the time — they are resourceful when facing uncertainty. Students improve faster when they analyze why they got stuck, not just what they got wrong. Strong GMAT preparation requires balance between studying, work, rest, and personal life. Resilience allows students to turn setbacks, bad practice tests, and plateau periods into opportunities for growth. The best GMAT students treat mistakes as useful data rather than evidence of failure. Small, intentional daily study sessions are often more effective than infrequent marathon sessions. "Timeline creep" can happen when students study without structure, benchmarks, or accountability. Many students plateau because they over-focus on weaknesses and stop practicing holistically. The GMAT rewards thoughtful decision-making, resource management, and strategic thinking under pressure. Chapters: 00:00 Intro and Meet Hailey Cusimano, Menlo Coaching 08:02 Trait #1: Curiosity 13:50 Trait #2: Consistency 22:39 Trait #3: Balance 32:59 Trait #4: Flexibility 36:48 Trait #5: Resilience 43:11 Integrating Key Traits for Success 49:30 Actionable Steps for GMAT Success

"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 2026 GMAC Prospective Student Survey—featuring perspectives from over 4,000 candidates worldwide. Together, they explore how candidate motivations are shifting, what "ROI" really means today, and how global preferences for where to study are evolving. In this episode, you'll learn: Why fewer candidates are pursuing business school for career switching How AI is shaping expectations for business school curricula What candidates really mean when they talk about ROI Key differences between younger and more experienced applicants Why interest in studying in the U.S. is shifting globally The growing demand for business master's degrees vs. MBAs How candidates are thinking about financing and application strategy Whether you're early in your journey or actively applying, this episode will help you better understand how to approach your decision—and what really matters. Key Takeaways: ROI is broader than ever: Candidates are thinking beyond salary—factoring in skills, network, personal growth, and long-term career resilience. Career switching is no longer the primary driver: More candidates are pursuing business school to build capabilities, not completely change paths. AI is reshaping expectations—but not replacing fundamentals: Demand for AI in the classroom is rising, but core skills like problem solving and strategic thinking remain central. Global study preferences are shifting: Interest in traditional destinations like the U.S. is softening, while Western Europe and parts of Asia are gaining traction. Rankings matter less—outcomes matter more: Candidates are increasingly prioritizing career outcomes and ROI over prestige alone. Younger vs. older candidates have different motivations: Younger: income, status, global experiences Older: targeted skill-building and career advancement Business master's degrees are gaining momentum: Especially among younger candidates—and even mid-career professionals looking for focused upskilling. Financing is central to decision-making: Candidates are applying to multiple programs and increasingly relying on financial aid as part of their strategy. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Business School Insights 01:25 Shifting Motivations for Pursuing an MBA 04:10 Understanding ROI in Business Education 07:08 Generational Differences in Business School Aspirations 09:07 Trends in Global Business School Preferences 11:53 Demand for MBAs vs. Business Masters 14:58 Financing Business Education 17:19 Key Takeaways from the Survey

"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 ever. Elie shares his journey from INSEAD to consulting to tech, and how he found his way to Duolingo. Then, the conversation dives into what the Duolingo English Test (DET) actually is, how it compares to other English proficiency exams, and why its fully online, adaptive format is rapidly gaining traction worldwide. You'll also learn how the DET complements exams like the GMAT, what business schools are really looking for when it comes to communication skills, and how global trends are reshaping where—and how—students pursue business education. About Elie: Based in Europe, Elie Bechara is the Senior Strategic Engagement Manager for the Duolingo English Test. He works closely with universities, governments, and higher education stakeholders across the region to develop and support fair, secure, and accessible English proficiency assessment in international admissions. Before joining Duolingo, Elie spent over a decade in client-facing roles, across Europe and MENA, in consulting and tech, at LinkedIn, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and PwC, advising institutions, governments, and organisations on strategy, transformation, and talent mobility. Helpful links: Duolingo English Test: englishtest.duolingo.com Register for the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register Purchase GMAT Official Prep: https://www.mba.com/exams/executive-assessment/prepare Inside the GMAT/GMAC Zach on Substack: https://substack.com/@gmaczach Key Takeaways: Language proficiency is more than a checkbox: It's a signal of your ability to actively participate in a global, collaborative MBA environment. The GMAT and English tests are complementary, assessing different but equally critical skills: reasoning vs. real-world communication. AI is transforming assessment, enabling faster test development, improved security, and more realistic interaction-based evaluations. Global mobility trends are shifting, with more candidates choosing Europe and other regions, increasing the need for strong communication across cultures. Business school success depends heavily on communication, not just academic ability—especially in discussion-driven environments. Your application doesn't need to be "extraordinary" to be compelling—authenticity and clarity matter more than trying to stand out artificially. Preparation builds confidence for day one, ensuring you can fully engage from the start rather than playing catch-up. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:27 Elie's Journey to Duolingo 04:20 The Duolingo English Test Explained 07:12 The Structure and Security of the Test 12:02 Innovative Features of the Duolingo English Test 14:19 The Growing Popularity of the Duolingo English Test 17:30 Complementing MBA Applications with Language Proficiency 22:38 Trends in Global Mobility for MBA Candidates 25:05 The Future of Language Testing and AI Innovations 29:22 Advice for MBA Applicants and Test Takers