Meet The Woman Behind One Of The World’s First Perfect GMAT Focus Scores

Julia Shackelford: “I’m excited to be part of that change — and to help others aim higher. Whether it’s mentoring GMAT students or sitting in classrooms with people from around the world, I want to keep pushing toward what’s next.” Courtesy photo

Breaking barriers in business education takes more than just talent — it requires strategy, resilience, and the courage to lead. Julia Shackelford has all three.

Last year the Fayetteville, Arkansas native joined the rarified ranks of test-takers who have scored a perfect 805 on the new GMAT Focus Edition — getting all 21 Quantitative Reasoning, 23 Verbal Reasoning, and 20 Data Insights questions correct. It’s a feat few have achieved. But she’s not done breaking ground: This summer, Shackelford is heading to Copenhagen Business School to pursue her MBA, bringing with her a commitment to mentorship, global learning, and advancing women in leadership.

“As more women pursue MBAs, I think it’s really exciting to see the room get more diverse,” Shackelford says. “When I graduated with my undergrad in finance, I was one of only six women in a class of several hundred. Seeing parity in classrooms now — and knowing that I can help others get there too — is incredibly motivating.”

THE (LONG) ROAD TO 805

Shackelford didn’t walk into the GMAT cold. She studied for nearly 10 months, starting with free online materials before enrolling in Target Test Prep, a platform she credits with helping her go deep on problem-solving and strategy.

“The free lessons were okay, but they didn’t go deep enough,” she tells Poets&Quants. “Target Test Prep walked me through the full program. It was really helpful.”

So helpful, in fact, that Shackelford now works for TTP, offering guidance and strategy tips to other aspiring MBA candidates. “It’s a great feeling — I spent so much time getting better at the GMAT, and now I get to use that knowledge to help other people. It feels bigger than just scoring well.”

Her path was far from smooth. When she started studying, the classic GMAT was still available — but just weeks before her scheduled exam, her local test centers stopped offering it.

‘I THOUGHT IT WAS A GLITCH’

“I had to switch to the new GMAT Focus halfway through prep, which was tough. I’d already studied all this geometry and sentence correction that didn’t even appear on the new test.”

Despite the curveball, she adapted — and excelled.

“I think over-preparing was what saved me,” she says. “I studied hard, and when I got into the test, it actually felt … doable. I left the quant section thinking, ‘That felt too easy — did I mess something up?’ But it turns out I had just done enough hard questions beforehand to be ready.”

When her 805 score flashed on the screen, Shackelford couldn’t believe it. “It was this really low-res, black-and-white screen — I thought it was a glitch,” she laughs. “I wasn’t allowed my phone, so I couldn’t even take a photo. I walked out to my car and said to my friend, ‘I think I got a perfect score?’ But I wasn’t 100% sure until they emailed me the next morning.”

WHY COPENHAGEN? SUSTAINABILITY — AND A VISA

While many top scorers set their sights on elite U.S. MBA programs, Shackelford was drawn to Copenhagen Business School for a different reason: international exposure, and the school’s strong reputation for sustainability programming.

“I’ve been in finance for a while, but my main goal with the MBA is to broaden my global perspective,” she says. “CBS offers a 15-month program followed by a 36-month visa, which is amazing. My partner and I have always wanted to travel more, and Copenhagen gives us that opportunity.”

Sustainability is her other main driver. “CBS has a strong sustainability focus, and I want to be part of that conversation. It’s important to me, both personally and professionally.”

The city itself doesn’t hurt, either.

“Public transportation there is way better than in Arkansas,” she jokes. “I’m excited about having a more livable, accessible city.”

ADVICE FOR FUTURE TEST-TAKERS

Shackelford has a grounded, strategic approach to test prep: Prepare thoroughly, but don’t panic.

“My dad always said, ‘Never study the morning of a test.’ At that point, it’s just stress — you’re not learning anything new,” she says. “So I took a few days off before test day. Had breakfast, stayed calm, and trusted the process.”

She emphasizes that while the new GMAT Focus Edition is shorter — about 2 hours and 15 minutes — it is not as forgiving.

“There are fewer questions per section, which means less room for mistakes,” she says. “The data insights section is also more integrated into your overall score, so you really have to balance your strengths.”

It has been estimated that of the hundreds of thousands who take the GMAT every year, only about 30 achieve a perfect score (the Graduate Management Admission Council, which administers the test, could not provide P&Q with a more accurate number). While she knows of only one other person who’s scored 805, Shackelford is quick to put her success into perspective. “It’s not magic,” she says. “It’s just focus, preparation, and a lot of hours.”

A VOICE FOR PARITY & POSSIBILITY

For Shackelford, scoring a perfect GMAT wasn’t just about admissions — it was about proving what’s possible, especially for women in business.

“Progress doesn’t happen without diverse voices in the room,” she says. “I’m excited to be part of that change — and to help others aim higher.

“Whether it’s mentoring GMAT students or sitting in classrooms with people from around the world, I want to keep pushing toward what’s next.”

That next step begins this summer in Copenhagen.