"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/

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