Merchant GMAT & Admissions

Federico’s GMAT Breakthrough: From Plateau to Progress

Written by Merchant GMAT | 5/29/25 3:39 PM

“I used to think putting in extra hours would fix everything. Merchant showed me how to actually study smarter.” — Federico

After nearly three months of prep, Federico’s GMAT score had hit a wall: 595. Despite solving more questions and putting in more hours, he couldn’t move the needle. That’s when he turned to Merchant GMAT & Admissions for a smarter, structured approach — and the results followed fast.

Problem 1: Not Classifying Mistakes

Federico’s review process was simple: check answers, read explanations, move on. But he wasn’t learning from his errors.

Our Fix: The STT System

We introduced Federico to our STT system — a framework for classifying every mistake:

  • Silly: Careless slips or misreads
  • Theory/Strategy: Concept gaps or flawed approaches
  • Tough: Advanced problems that genuinely test limits

🧠 Example: On a Critical Reasoning question, Federico initially labeled his mistake as “Tough.” But upon review, he saw he had missed a key word in the argument — a classic “Silly.” This shift helped him spot patterns and reduce careless mistakes by over 60%.

Problem 2: No Test-Day Strategy

Federico aimed for perfection — trying to solve every question — which often left him out of time and under pressure.

Our Fix: Smart Test Strategy

Together, we:

  • Built a time management routine
  • Practiced when to move on (especially on “Tough” questions)
  • Designed recovery strategies after mistakes

🧠 Example: When Federico hit a tricky overlapping sets question in a mock, he made a quick, strategic guess and moved on. Result? He finished strong, with time to review.

 

Problem 3: Inconsistent Study Habits

Federico’s prep lacked rhythm. Some days he crammed, others he skipped — and he rarely tracked progress.

Our Fix: Consistency & Accountability

We gave him:

  • A daily routine with STT error log updates
  • Weekly mocks under real exam conditions
  • Ongoing coaching to refine focus areas

🧠 Example: With weekly check-ins and a growing STT log, Federico spotted his weak points and turned prep into a habit — not a chore.

The Results (After 5 Weeks of Coaching)

  • Score Jump: 595 ➝ 645
  • Silly Mistakes: Down from 5 ➝ just 1 per test
  • Mindset: Clear strategy, calm pacing, consistent review

Key Takeaways for Your GMAT Prep

  • STT Logs turn every mistake into a growth opportunity
  • Test strategies help you finish strong under pressure
  • Routine + Coaching = the fastest way out of a plateau