"Just because it's written online, just because it's on your screen, doesn't make it true."
There's no shortage of GMAT advice online. The harder part is figuring out which advice is actually worth following.
In this episode of Inside the GMAT, GMAC Zach sits down with GMAT tutor and test prep advisor Rowan Hand to talk about how candidates can become smarter consumers of GMAT information.
Rowan has worked with more than 1,000 students around the world since 2005 and has experience as a question writer, explanation writer, and content editor. Together, Zach and Rowan explore why outdated GMAT advice continues to circulate, when another test taker's experience can be useful—and when it can be misleading—and how to evaluate tutors, prep companies, Reddit threads, and other online resources.
They also dig into one of the biggest new challenges for test takers: using AI for GMAT prep. Rowan explains where tools like ChatGPT can be helpful, where they can fall short, and why getting the right answer isn't always the same thing as learning the right approach.
In this episode:
Why outdated GMAT advice can persist long after the exam changes
Why official GMAT materials remain an essential part of prep
How to distinguish personal experience from prescriptive advice
How to evaluate GMAT tutors and prep companies
What to look for when GMAT sources conflict
Where AI can help with GMAT prep—and where extra scrutiny is warranted
Why the best solution to a practice question is often the one you can apply again
How to think realistically about your GMAT preparation timeline
The bottom line: whether advice comes from a tutor, Reddit, a friend, or an AI tool, don't assume something is true simply because it sounds authoritative. Check the source, consider whether the advice applies to your situation, and focus on approaches you can use consistently.
About Our Guest:
Since 2005, Rowan hand has worked as a GMAT/GRE Tutor and test prep advisor around the globe, teaching one-to-one and group courses in London, Paris, and Warsaw, and ultimately expanding his reach to multiple continents online. He's worked with clients from Hong Kong to Taipei to Perth to Sydney to Manila to New York to Chicago to Frankfurt to Riga to Moscow to help boost careers at schools ranging from HBS to INSEAD to MIT Sloan to Wharton to Cambridge Judge to IE, IMD, IESE, and more.
In addition to teaching, Rowan has worked as a question writer and explanation writer for numerous GMAT prep materials, and has developed a niche as a consultant editor, improving question explanations for better understanding by non-technical readers.
He's also published multiple #1 Amazon Bestsellers (GMAT and Test Prep), including The GMAT Work and Rates Guide, How to Beat GMAT Advanced Arithmetic, the GMAT Probability Guide, and more.
Helpful Resources:
Your GMAT Coach: https://yourgmatcoach.com/
Rowan's GMAT Guides: https://rowanhand.podia.com/
Rowan on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gmatcoach
Rowan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourgmatcoach
Key Takeaways:
Chapters:
00:00 — Introduction
02:00 — Rowan's background in GMAT prep
05:28 — Why outdated GMAT advice sticks around
08:30 — Common GMAT myths and misconceptions
11:34 — When personal experiences become misleading
12:47 — What to do when GMAT sources conflict
14:52 — How to use Reddit and GMAT communities wisely
19:12 — Evaluating tutors and prep companies
24:08 — The risks of relying too heavily on AI
29:50 — Using AI more effectively during prep
30:03 — Building a realistic GMAT study timeline
32:00 — Where to find Rowan