"The most important thing is to not give up and to believe that it's possible."
What does it take to turn setbacks into success? In this episode, GMAC Zach sits down with recent GMAT test taker Ana Marie Dias, who shares her candid journey from underestimating the exam to earning a competitive score of 685 that opened doors to her dream program in Munich, Germany.
Ana Dias, originally from Portugal, earned her bachelor's degree in Economics at the University of Coimbra. For the past three years, she has been working in finance in Germany, where she is now preparing to pursue a master's degree.
Ana reveals how she went from rushed, unstructured prep and disappointing early scores to finally cracking the GMAT on her fourth attempt thanks to a structured plan, consistent effort, and the unwavering support of her community. Along the way, she learned surprising lessons about herself and realizing the importance of mastering the basics (especially in quant).
Ana's story is proof that the GMAT isn't just about intelligence. It's about resilience, persistence, and finding the strategy that works for you!
Official GMAT Prep: mba.com/prep
Take the GMAT: mba.com/gmat
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Ana's GMAT Journey
00:48 Motivation for Pursuing a Business Master's Degree
01:32 Deciding to Take the GMAT
02:24 Initial Study Strategies and Challenges
03:58 The Second GMAT Attempt
05:03 Reassessing Goals and Study Plans
05:54 Structured Preparation and Resources
07:28 Overcoming Setbacks and Learning from Mistakes
08:39 Third Attempt and Realizations
09:01 The Fourth Attempt and Support System
11:57 Reflection on the Journey and Future Goals
15:33 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Test Takers