"Prepping for the GMAT was one of the biggest, most self-motivated projects of my adult life. It gave me concrete feedback I hadn't experienced in years. Improvement wasn't visible every day, but I could see how my effort turned into results."
In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with Julia Shackelford, who earned a perfect GMAT score of 805, but insists the real story is everything behind the number. Julia shares how months of disciplined practice, self-reflection, and resilience transformed not only her test performance but also her confidence in tackling challenges far beyond the GMAT.
Together, Zach and Julia explore what it really takes to succeed on the GMAT, why natural ability matters less than consistent effort, and how shifting your focus from outcomes to process can change the way you see yourself.
About Our Guest:
Julia earned a BBA in Finance from the University of Arkansas in 2015 and spent the following nine years in banking, where she focused on lending, business development, training, and compliance. She now specializes in helping students excel on exams like the GMAT. She hopes to use what she learned through preparing for her own exam to improve the experience of other students.
Explore GMAT Prep: https://www.mba.com/gmat-exam-prep
Register for the GMAT: https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GMATbyGMAC
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Journey
01:44 The Process Behind the Perfect Score
03:22 Mindset and Self-Discovery
05:48 Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks
07:55 The Importance of Self-Compassion
10:18 Redefining Success
12:21 Learning and Growth Through Preparation
15:00 Balancing Study and Life
17:25 Tools and Techniques for Effective Studying
19:54 Reflection and Course Correction
22:25 Advice for Future Test Takers
24:33 Final Thoughts on Success and Happiness