Leland+ Content Library

GMAT Quant Isn't About Math: The 4 Skills That Decide Your Quant Score [6/16/2026] (Recording)

About this event You've done hundreds of problems. You know the formulas. Your score isn't moving. Here's why: the GMAT isn't actually testing your math. The math on Quant is high school level — it has to be, because there's no calculator. What separates a 600 from a 700+ isn't more content knowledge. It's the four test-taking skills that decide how every problem unfolds: how you choose your path, how you manage time, how you handle stress, and how you maintain focus across 45 minutes. In this 60-minute session, we'll deep-dive each of those four skills using the same framework I use with my 1:1 students on Leland. You'll see live problem walkthroughs showing the difference between a 4-minute "compute the obvious thing" path and a 20-second "make your life easy" path — and you'll learn the single mental move that makes the second one feel natural. By the end, you'll have a personalized diagnostic of your own weakest skill — and a concrete 4-week plan to actually move your score. --------------------------------------- What you'll learn Why "more practice" doesn't fix the plateau — and what does The 4 Test-Taking Abilities behind every top score (Strategy / Methodology, Time Management, Stress Management, Focus) and how each one maps onto specific in-the-moment moves The one mental question to ask before every Quant problem that re-routes you from the long path to the short one The skip decision framework — when to invest, when to bank time, and how to make the call at the 1-minute mark instead of the 2-minute mark An anti-paralysis protocol for the moment you go blank on test day Your personal TTA profile via 3 live polls — including a 4-question diagnostic that tells you exactly where your prep should focus next --------------------------------------- What you'll walk away with A clear picture of your weakest skill out of the four — and why it's almost certainly the lever that will move your score the most A calibrated 4-week prep plan A short list of pattern-recognition moves you can use on your very next practice session --------------------------------------- Who this event is for - Pre-test or mid-prep MBA applicants targeting 700+ - Students who have plateaued despite putting in significant prep hours - Anyone whose mock scores consistently trail their practice scores by 5+ points - Students who have done content review and want to know what to do next This is not a content-review session. We will not cover formulas, definitions, or "how to solve a quadratic." If you're at the foundational-content stage, this event will be most useful after you've done your first content pass. --------------------------------------- Format 60 minutes, live Fully worked problems demonstrating compute-first vs. think-first approaches Open Q&A at the end --------------------------------------- About the host Josh P. is a GMAT coach on Leland who works with students across all three sections — Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. He has developed a structured methodology for diagnosing and addressing the test-taking skills that determine scores — refined across hundreds of 1:1 students over multiple years. The four-skill framework taught in this event applies across the whole test; tonight we focus it on Quant. His students span pre-MBA candidates targeting top-10 programs, professionals returning to the test after a long gap, and applicants who have hit a plateau and need a fresh diagnostic to break through. Book a free 1:1 intro on his Leland profile to discuss your own GMAT prep.

5 MBA Application Weaknesses and How to Overcome Them Before R1 is Due [8/10/2026] (Recording)

Are you worried about potential weaknesses in your MBA application? Join me as we identify and, more importantly, talk about how to overcome common MBA application weaknesses. Having worked through a couple of these myself to earn admission into multiple M7 programs, I look forward to helping you maximize your chances of admission at M7s and beyond.

GMAT Jedi Math Tricks [8/18/2026] (Recording)

Struggling with GMAT math because you're used to relying on a calculator? This session is designed for GMAT test-takers who want to solve quantitative problems more quickly and confidently using mental math and strategic shortcuts. You’ll learn practical techniques for faster estimation, efficient arithmetic, and recognizing patterns that simplify complex calculations without sacrificing accuracy. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about the types of problems you find most challenging and see these strategies applied in real time. The speaker works closely with GMAT students and will share the patterns they see across high scorers, along with the mental approaches they use to solve problems efficiently under timed conditions. If you want to feel more confident tackling GMAT quant without a calculator, it’s worth joining live.

How PE Firms Are Deploying AI Across Portfolio Companies (and How This Effects Hiring) [7/23/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you'll understand exactly how PE firms are integrating AI tools into portfolio operations and why that shift is quietly reshaping what firms look for in new hires. We'll cover which functional roles are seeing the most demand as a result, how to position operational and technical fluency on your resume, and what due diligence and value creation workflows actually look like when AI is in the mix. Attending live means you can ask how these hiring shifts apply to your specific background, whether you're coming from consulting, banking, or an operating role, and hear how the coach thinks through cases like yours in real time. This coach works directly with PE-track candidates and portfolio operators, and the patterns they share reflect what's actually moving applications forward right now.

How to Write Standout MBA Essays [7/6/2026] (Recording)

The strongest MBA essays don’t just answer the prompt—they make admissions readers remember the person behind the application. This session is for applicants who want to write essays that stand out in a competitive admissions landscape. You’ll learn how to develop compelling stories, communicate your goals with clarity, and avoid the common pitfalls that cause otherwise strong candidates to blend into the crowd. Join live to hear from a panel of expert MBA coaches and ask questions about your own essays and application strategy. The panelists have helped applicants gain admission to top programs and will share the patterns they see across standout essays, common mistakes, and what admissions committees are truly looking for. Expect practical guidance and insights similar to what’s covered in 1:1 admissions coaching conversations.

How to Build an MBA Application That's Actually Ready for Round 1 [8/3/2026] (Recording)

Preparing for Round 1 can feel overwhelming when you're trying to balance essays, recommendations, test scores, and school research all at once. This session is designed for MBA applicants who want to make sure every part of their application is truly ready before they hit submit. You’ll learn how to assess your application for gaps, prioritize the highest-impact improvements, and build a realistic plan for submitting a polished, competitive Round 1 application. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own application timeline and get real-time guidance on what deserves your attention before deadlines arrive. The speaker works closely with MBA applicants and will share the patterns they see across successful candidates, along with how they evaluate whether an application is genuinely ready for submission. If you want to approach Round 1 with more confidence and a clear plan, it’s worth joining live.

How Finance Teams Actually Use AI Day to Day [8/21/2026] (Recording)

AI is becoming part of finance work, but knowing where it actually fits into day-to-day workflows can be harder than knowing what the technology can do. This session is designed for finance professionals who want practical examples of how AI can support the work they already do. You’ll see how finance teams are using AI for tasks like analysis, reporting, research, and process automation, and learn how to identify opportunities to incorporate it into your own workflow. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your specific role and see how AI could apply to the work you do every day. The speaker will walk through real examples and practical best practices for using AI in finance, rather than focusing only on what the technology could do in theory. If you want a clearer picture of where AI can actually fit into finance work, it’s worth joining live.

Insider Tips for the Harvard Kennedy School App from Former AdCom [8/18/2026] (Recording)

Applying to Harvard Kennedy School requires more than simply demonstrating policy interest or public service commitment. This session will provide insider perspective on how the HKS admissions committee evaluates candidates, what distinguishes successful applicants, and the common mistakes that undermine otherwise strong profiles. Attendees will gain practical guidance on how to position their experiences, essays, and career vision to align with what HKS looks for in future public leaders.

Developing Your MBA Story [6/24/2026] (Recording)

**GIVEAWAY FOR LIVE ATTENDEES: ONE FREE YEAR OF LELAND+ ($120 value)** A strong MBA application starts with a clear story, yet many applicants struggle to connect their experiences into a narrative that feels focused and compelling. This session is for candidates who want to strengthen how they present their goals, leadership, and personal journey throughout the admissions process. You’ll learn how to identify the themes that make your background distinctive, connect your experiences into a cohesive narrative, and communicate your “why MBA” with greater clarity. Join live to hear from a panel of MBA admissions experts and ask questions about your own application story. The panelists regularly work with applicants on positioning and essay strategy and will share the patterns they see across successful candidates. Expect practical guidance and insights similar to what’s covered in 1:1 admissions coaching conversations.

Summer Sprint: Jumpstart Your PE Recruiting Prep [6/11/2026] (Recording)

In this session, you will leave knowing how to structure your PE recruiting timeline before fall cycles accelerate, what sourcing and deal experience interviewers actually weight when screening candidates, and how to position your background for firms at different stages and strategies. These are the patterns that consistently separate candidates who get to final rounds from those who stall early. Attending live means you can ask directly about your specific profile and hear how those details change the advice, context a recording cannot give you. The coach works with PE candidates daily and will share the same frameworks they use when evaluating where a candidate actually stands and what needs to move first.

Advanced Quant Questions: Overlapping Sets [7/16/2026] (Recording)

The overlapping set formula you were taught is just wrong. It doesn’t work. Learn the formula that does work and unlock even the hardest questions quickly and easily. This session is for GRE test takers who want to master one of the trickiest quant topics with more speed and confidence. You’ll learn a more reliable framework, avoid common setup mistakes, and solve difficult overlapping sets questions more efficiently. Join live to hear from a GRE expert who specializes in helping students score 325+. The speaker will break down the patterns behind the toughest overlapping sets questions and share practical strategies you can immediately apply in your own prep. Expect high-impact techniques designed to help you pick up points on even the most challenging quant problems.

Ace your Behavioral Interviews! [7/30/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to ace your behavioral interviews and make a lasting impression? Join me, Fiona, for an insightful session where we'll dive deep into the art of behavioral interview preparation. With my extensive experience as the CEO of QuantMinds and former Executive Director at Haas School of Business, I've guided countless professionals and students in mastering their career stories and interview skills for Finance, IB, Quant, PE and Hedge Fund Interviews! In this event, we'll cover essential topics such as promotion strategy, technical interview prep, resume and cover letter reviews, and even LinkedIn optimization. Whether you're aiming for a role in commercial banking, private wealth management, or any other subcategory within quantitative finance, this session is tailored to help you succeed. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. Let's transform your interview approach and set you on the path to success!

How to Structure an MBA Application Essay: The Classical Arrangement [7/25/2026] (Recording)

As a former AP English teacher and college essay tutor now pursuing an MBA, I want to share how I used certain classical writing and rhetorical strategies to write cogent and compelling MBA application essays.

Your Investment Banking Resume [8/18/2026] (Recording)

A banker reads your resume in about ten seconds. The format is solved. One page, three sections, one line per bullet, strongest first. Most people know some version of that and still spend weeks iterating, because they are trying to be completely understood on the page. That is the most common mistake and it is the one people refuse to fix. Your resume is a conversation starter and a first impression, not a full account of you. We will go through the whole page. What each section is for, how to rank what goes inside it, and the bullet formula that makes a line worth reading. Then the words to cut, starting with the ones nobody says out loud in an interview. What we'll cover: - Why ten seconds decides the format, and what that rules out - The three sections, what belongs in each, and which one should be longest - The bullet formula: strong verb, specific work, scale, result - Resume-ese and what to say instead, including why "reported" beats "researched" - Putting a number in every bullet, and how to round it - The most common mistake, which is over-explaining Want to solidify your resume and be done with it? Send it over and I will pass back a full rewrite, at a discount for anyone here. Book a free 15-minute intro to learn more. Part 1 of Coffee Chat Ready, a six part run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each one stands alone, so jump in anywhere. I'm the founder of OFFERGOBLIN and ex-Centerview tech.

Home for Ambition #12 — Weekly Live Show [6/17/2026] (Recording)

Home for Ambition is a weekly live show, by Leland, for people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity keep changing. Each episode tackles a handful of timely, high-signal topics across AI, careers, education, and the future of work. We expect thoughtful debate, unique perspectives, and practical takeaways you can actually use. It is not a typical interview show or a generic news recap. It is a live roundtable built to help ambitious people make sense of what is changing, understand what matters, and leave with a sharper point of view on how to navigate what comes next.

Should You Go to Grad School? [8/22/2026] (Recording)

Are you contemplating whether grad school is the right path for you? Ask yourself these 5 questions first. Here, I'll share my personal experiences preparing for (and going through) grad school, what has worked (and hasn't) for my students, and my perspective as a former AdCom member of Carnegie Mellon University's MSCF program (the #3 financial engineering master's in the US). Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

Summer Leadership Series: Clarity For Your Next Chapter [7/22/2026] (Recording)

How Great Leaders Make Decisions Without Perfect Information Have you ever felt stuck between multiple good options? Whether you're considering a promotion, changing careers, transitioning from the military, starting a business, or simply trying to figure out what's next, uncertainty can make even capable leaders feel overwhelmed. The challenge usually isn't a lack of information—it's the pressure to make the "right" decision. In this interactive 45-minute workshop, we'll explore why high performers often struggle with major life and career decisions and introduce practical tools to help you move forward with greater clarity and confidence. This isn't a presentation about finding the perfect answer. It's a conversation about learning to trust yourself, align your decisions with your values, and take the next step with intention. What You'll Learn During this session, you'll: • Understand why capable leaders often feel stuck during periods of transition. • Learn a simple framework for making decisions when certainty isn't possible. • Explore the role values, identity, and energy play in creating clarity. • Work through a guided reflection exercise to identify your own "next waypoint." • Leave with practical questions and tools you can immediately apply to your career and life. Who Should Attend? This session is designed for: Mid-career and senior professionals. Anyone navigating transition. Executives and emerging leaders. Entrepreneurs and business owners. Anyone facing an important decision or a new chapter in life. No matter where you are in your journey, you'll leave with a greater perspective and a practical framework for navigating uncertainty with confidence. What You'll Walk Away With By the end of our time together, you'll have: ✅ A clearer understanding of what's driving your current decisions. ✅ A framework for moving from uncertainty to intentional action. ✅ Reflection tools you can continue using long after the session. ✅ Greater confidence in identifying and taking your next step. My hope isn't that you leave with your next ten years figured out. My hope is that you leave knowing your next waypoint. Because you don't have to see the entire horizon. You only have to trust yourself enough to steer toward the next waypoint.

Why MBA, Why Now, Why [X] Program: Answers that Define Your App [6/11/2026] (Recording)

Few questions matter more in MBA admissions than why you want an MBA, why this is the right moment, and why a particular program is the right fit. Yet many applicants answer them superficially. This session will explore how to develop thoughtful, credible, and differentiated responses to these foundational questions, and why the quality of those answers often determines the strength of the entire application. Attendees will leave with a framework for articulating a sharper and more persuasive admissions narrative.

Ultra Practical Playbook for Job Searching in 2026 [7/22/2026] (Recording)

I'll share the step by step framework that I used to secure 5 different job offers over the last 3 years. Job searching is tough, but when you go about it in a strategic way you can see results. This workshop is all about how to get a good job fast. It's for people who don't have months and need to get a lot done in a little amount of time.

Maximizing Productivity and Building with Claude [7/20/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to use Claude to meaningfully increase your daily output, not just as a writing tool but as a thinking partner that shapes how you plan, prioritize, and build. Expect to walk away with a practical framework for prompting Claude effectively, a method for integrating it into an existing workflow without overhauling everything, and a clear sense of where it actually saves time versus where it creates more work. Attending live means you can bring your specific setup, your tools, your role, and get a direct response to what is actually slowing you down. This coach works with AI in a hands-on, applied way every day, and this session is a chance to see how that thinking works in practice.