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

Dr. Dimitrios Vonofakos joins us to continue the conversation sparked in our previous episode, “Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of a Grad School Exam,” alongside Anish Merchant.

But this time, we go deeper.

Drawing from his background in psychoanalysis and his work at Merchant GMAT & Admissions, Dr. Dimitrios explores the psychological foundations of test-taking — unpacking why anxiety arises, how fear manifests, and what mental frameworks actually help students perform at their highest level.

This conversation moves beyond the GMAT.

Dr. D reframes test anxiety as something universal — a metaphor for the fear, comparison, perfectionism, and self-doubt we face in everyday life. Through thoughtful insight and practical strategies, he shares how students (and professionals) can navigate mental blocks, apply structured problem-solving frameworks, and learn when it’s okay to “skip” — not every problem needs to be solved immediately.

This episode is not just about crushing anxiety on an exam.

It’s about developing the mindset to face life’s biggest challenges with clarity, confidence, and resilience.

Episode Summary

01:52 – Dimitrios reflects on a cherished childhood photo and early influences.
03:15 – His journey to studying psychoanalysis at the University of Essex.
05:10 – How he integrates psychoanalytic principles into his work at Merchant GMAT & Admissions.
06:31 – What first sparked his interest in the GMAC and standardized testing psychology.
07:28 – If the GMAT were a person, how would he describe it?
08:16 – What the GMAT is actually trying to bring out in test-takers.
09:02 – Why fear is the greatest challenge students face during high-stakes exams.
10:37 – The gap between score-improvement promises and psychological reality.
11:47 – How people truly deal with anxiety.
14:40 – Frameworks Merchant uses to navigate mental blocks and test anxiety.
18:18 – The GMAT as a metaphor for the psychological challenges of life.
21:51 – The concept of “skipping” — and why you don’t have to solve everything at once.
22:56 – Two essential insights for navigating both exams and life’s pressures.
25:40 – How to connect with Merchant GMAT & Admissions.