Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current skills, test-taking habits, and target score. A tutor will review your strengths and pinpoint which sections (Quantitative, Verbal, Analytical Writing, or Integrated Reasoning) need the most attention. You'll also discuss your timeline, business school goals, and create an initial study plan tailored to your needs.

The Quantitative section challenges many test-takers because it requires both math skills and strategic problem-solving under time pressure—especially data sufficiency questions that test reasoning differently than traditional math. The Verbal section trips up students who aren't reading carefully or who overthink answer choices. A tutor can teach you the specific strategies and question formats for each section so you're not just solving problems, but solving them efficiently.

Practice tests are essential—they're your best tool for identifying weak areas, building stamina for the 3.5-hour exam, and getting comfortable with the actual test format and pacing. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions helps you discover whether you're rushing through questions, spending too long on difficult problems, or misunderstanding question types. A tutor can review your practice test results to pinpoint exactly what to focus on next.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges on the GMAT because the adaptive format means difficult questions take longer, and you can't skip ahead. A tutor teaches you strategic timing approaches—like knowing when to make an educated guess versus spending time on a problem, and how to allocate your 2 minutes per question across different question types. With practice and feedback, you'll develop the instinct to balance accuracy with speed.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about question formats, time pressure, or past test experiences. A tutor builds confidence by familiarizing you with every question type, teaching proven strategies, and giving you repeated practice until the format feels natural. Knowing you've practiced thoroughly and understand the test inside-out significantly reduces anxiety on test day.

Look for tutors with strong GMAT scores (typically 700+), proven experience teaching the test, and knowledge of business school admissions. Ideally, they've helped multiple students improve their scores and understand the nuances of each section. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have the credentials and track record to guide your preparation effectively.

Most students benefit from 3-6 months of preparation, though your timeline depends on your starting score and target score. Someone aiming to improve from a 600 to a 700 might work with a tutor for 3-4 months, while a more ambitious goal could require longer. A tutor helps you create a realistic schedule and adjust it based on your progress and practice test results.