LISTEN: Exam Prep 101 | Inside the GMAT Podcast
What’s the only thing more difficult than studying for an exam? Trying to figure out how to study for an exam: when to begin, how often to study, how long to study. Isn’t there anyone who can teach us how to prep?
Why yes, yes there is!
In this episode of the Inside the GMAT podcast, Zach is joined by Stacey Koprince, Director of Content and Curriculum at Manhattan Prep. With more than 15 years teaching the GMAT, GRE, and even the LSAT, she’s one of the most well-known instructors in the industry and is here to discuss the essential considerations when preparing to take a business school entrance exam.
In the conversation, Stacey breaks down her top prep strategies and emphasizes the importance of understanding your study timeline, effective study techniques, recognizing when to take breaks, and the value of collaborative study.
Additionally, she highlights the significance of practice tests in gauging progress and structuring a personalized study plan to ensure GMAT success. And of course, no conversation about GMAT prep is complete without covering all three sections of the exam: Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights.
So whether you're just starting to consider business school or you're already deep into GMAT prep, listen to the episode below or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube for the intro-level course you need to navigate your studying successfully.
Exam Prep 101 with Stacey Koprince, Manhattan Prep
Here are some highlights from the conversation.
⏲️ On study timelines:
“Most people are studying for between three and five months… and you’re probably looking at eight to fifteen hours per week. It’s like an exercise program — you need to work that muscle regularly...People will struggle if they wait until Saturday and then study for six hours and then don’t do anything again until the next Saturday because your brain just can’t process that much new information all at once. Aim for five or six days a week — and you are required to take one day completely off."
🔢 On the importance of GMAT quant skills:
“You are going to want to make sure that somewhere in your application, you are showing the school that you can handle the quantitative requirements — because that’s one of the biggest things people struggle with once they get to B-school...Getting yourself ready for the GMAT will help you build the skills you’ll use every day in business school and beyond — like analyzing data, working with ratios, and translating quantitative stories into actionable insights.”
"I have students from non-math backgrounds who are nervous… and I tell them, preparing for the GMAT helps you feel ready. It’s a huge investment of time and money, so you want to set yourself up to get the most out of it."
✍🏽 On practice exams:
"We actually recommend you take a practice test at the beginning of your studies, really before you’ve learned pretty much anything at all… It’s not about what your starting score is. What matters is your starting knowledge level — so you know what to actually improve...It’s nerve-wracking to take a test when you feel unprepared, but it’s really important to have that baseline."
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Inside the GMAT features experts that share tips on taking the exam, prep, and how to optimize your application cycle for graduate business school. This weekly show gives you insights on everything you need to know for your graduate business school journey. If you want the inside scoop on the GMAT exam, industry insights, and MBA success strategies—this podcast is for you.
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