The Psychology of Test-Taking: How to Crush Anxiety and Succeed in Life

Dr. Dimitrios Vonofakos joins us to pick up where we left off on our previous episode, “Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of a Grad School Exam,” alongside Anish Merchant. Dimitrios summons up his encyclopedia of knowledge on the psychological aspects of test-taking to bring us a fresh perspective on test anxiety, facing your fears, and applying problem-solving frameworks to real-world challenges (not just test-taking). Join us for an in-depth guide to overcoming mental hurdles and acing the test of life. 

Episode Summary 

• 01:52 - Dimitrios shares memories of a cherished childhood photo. 
• 03:15 - How did life lead Dimitrios to study psychoanalytics at the University of Essex? 
• 05:10 - Dr. Dimitrios examines his role at Merchant GMAT & Admissions and the ways he’s utilizing psychoanalysis in his work. 
• 06:31 - What sparked Dr. D’s interest in GMAC in the first place? 
• 07:28 - If the GMAT were an actual person, how would Dr. D describe it? 
• 08:16 - What is this ‘person’ — in this case, the GMAT — trying to bring out of another individual? 
• 09:02 - Dr. D examines how fear is the greatest challenge that students have to face as they tackle the GMAT. 
• 10:37 - Dimitrios reflects on the promises companies make to improve students’ scores but how the reality never lives up to those expectations. 
• 11:47 - How do people deal with anxiety? 
• 14:40 - Dr. D speaks on frameworks that Merchant applies to navigate the mental blocks of test anxiety.  
• 18:18 - How are the psychological challenges we face on the GMAT a metaphor for the challenges we face in our lives? 
• 21:51 - Dimitrios touches on the idea of “skipping” — and how you don’t have to solve everything. 
• 22:56 - Dr. D leaves us with two insights that he thinks are essential for those navigating the GMAT and the tests of life. 
• 25:40 - How can you get in contact with Merchant GMAT & Admissions? 

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Merchant GMAT & Admissions

University of Essex

Sigmund Freud

Psychoanalysis

The GMAT Exam 

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A GMAT Story & Additional Resources

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