Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your baseline score, identify which sections challenge you most, and discuss your target score and business school timeline. Tutors will review your test-taking habits—like pacing issues or careless errors—and create a personalized study plan that fits your schedule. This foundation helps ensure every future session builds toward your specific goals rather than generic test prep.

Pacing is one of the most common GMAT challenges, and personalized instruction makes a huge difference here. Tutors teach you strategic approaches—like when to guess and move on, how to recognize question types quickly, and how to allocate time across the quantitative and verbal sections based on your strengths. Through timed practice drills and full-length practice tests, you'll build the rhythm needed to complete each section confidently without rushing or running out of time.

Practice tests are essential—they're the best way to simulate real test conditions, identify patterns in your mistakes, and track progress over time. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who use official GMAC practice materials and help you analyze each practice test to spot whether errors stem from conceptual gaps, careless mistakes, or timing pressure. Regular full-length tests (typically every 1-2 weeks) combined with targeted review sessions create the most effective study rhythm.

This is a common pattern, and personalized tutoring addresses it directly by focusing your study time where you need it most. Tutors can teach you reading comprehension strategies specific to GMAT passages—like active reading techniques, identifying main ideas quickly, and avoiding common inference traps—without wasting time on quantitative review. They'll also help you balance your study schedule so you maintain your math strength while building reading skills efficiently.

Confidence on test day comes from thorough preparation and knowing exactly what to expect. Tutors help reduce anxiety by teaching you proven test-taking strategies, building familiarity with question formats through repeated practice, and creating a study plan that feels manageable rather than overwhelming. Many students also benefit from discussing their concerns directly with a tutor, who can provide perspective on what's realistic to achieve and help you approach the test as a solvable puzzle rather than something to fear.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of preparation, though this varies based on your starting score, target score, and how frequently you meet with a tutor. Some students need intensive preparation (meeting 2-3 times weekly), while others make strong progress with weekly sessions combined with independent practice. Your tutor will help you create a realistic timeline based on your business school application deadlines and current skill level.

Look for tutors with strong GMAT scores themselves, extensive test prep experience, and a track record of helping students achieve their target scores. Ideally, they understand the nuances of each section—quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing—and can explain concepts clearly rather than just drilling you on problems. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven expertise in GMAT preparation and personalized instruction methods.