Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of Grad School Exams

Anish Merchant often references “The Hero’s Journey” — the timeless story of a protagonist who leaves home in search of belonging, only to discover that the journey itself reshapes who they are.

Inspired by that narrative, Anish left the United States in pursuit of his own grand adventure. His path led him to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he discovered not only a new home, but a new calling.

What could have been the conclusion of one chapter instead marked the beginning of another.

That next chapter became Merchant GMAT & Admissions, Anish’s company dedicated to helping students navigate the GMAT, graduate admissions, and the deeper lessons embedded in the process. For Anish, the GMAT isn’t just a standardized exam — it’s a metaphor for life: structured thinking, resilience under pressure, strategic risk-taking, and confronting the fear of failure.

In this episode, Anish reflects on adventure, entrepreneurship, MBA culture, and why exams — much like life — are less about perfection and more about growth.

Episode Summary

02:53 – The meaning behind Anish’s name.
03:39 – How seeking adventure led him to Buenos Aires and changed his life trajectory.
05:58 – What resonated so deeply with him about Argentina.
07:05 – The origins of Merchant GMAT & Admissions.
10:44 – How Anish views the role of an MBA degree in someone’s life.
12:05 – Why the GMAT or MBA should be seen as a means to an end, not the end itself.
14:48 – The importance of knowing what you don’t want, as much as what you do want.
18:47 – Comparing the MBA journey to the broader path of life.
19:34 – How the GMAT serves as a metaphor for resilience and structured problem-solving.
21:40 – Breaking down the thinking frameworks embedded within the GMAT.
24:15 – Addressing the fear of failure and how it limits potential.
26:35 – How working in international education transformed his own path.
28:00 – His favorite superhero — and the superpower he’d choose.