Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort, but most students see meaningful gains with focused, personalized instruction. Many students improve 5-10 points or more on the 0-60 scale when they work with a tutor to identify weak question types, strengthen foundational grammar and reading skills, and practice strategic approaches. Your improvement timeline depends on how frequently you study and which areas need the most work.

Many test-takers struggle with Reading Comprehension pacing—trying to memorize passages instead of understanding main ideas—and Critical Reasoning, which requires careful argument analysis rather than just reading skills. Sentence Correction trips up students who haven't reviewed grammar fundamentals in years. A tutor can help you develop efficient reading strategies, recognize argument patterns, and refresh grammar rules so you're confident across all three question types.

Effective GMAT Verbal prep combines targeted practice with strategic review. Start by taking a diagnostic practice test to identify which question types (Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, or Sentence Correction) need the most work. Then focus on those areas with timed practice, review mistakes carefully to understand why you missed questions, and gradually build speed without sacrificing accuracy. Spacing your practice over several weeks—rather than cramming—helps reinforce learning and builds test confidence.

Practice tests are crucial—they reveal your actual performance under timed conditions and show which question types consistently challenge you. The official GMAT offers free and paid practice tests that mirror the real exam's difficulty and format. Taking 3-5 full-length practice tests during your prep helps you build stamina, refine your pacing strategy, and track improvement. A tutor can help you analyze your practice test results to pinpoint exactly where to focus your remaining study time.

The Verbal section gives you 65 minutes for 36 questions—roughly 1 minute 45 seconds per question. Many students rush through Reading Comprehension to save time, then struggle with Critical Reasoning and Sentence Correction. The key is reading actively to understand main ideas (not every detail), answering questions strategically rather than perfectly, and managing the adaptive test format, which adjusts difficulty based on your performance. A tutor can teach you pacing techniques and help you practice under realistic time pressure.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GMAT Verbal prep and understand the specific challenges of the exam. Start by scheduling a consultation to discuss your goals, current score, and target timeline. Your tutor will assess your strengths and weaknesses, create a personalized study plan, and work with you on the question types that need the most attention. Whether you're just starting prep or looking to break through a score plateau, personalized instruction accelerates your progress.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about question formats or fear of running out of time. Building confidence through repeated practice with real GMAT questions reduces anxiety significantly—you'll recognize patterns and know what to expect. A tutor can also teach you stress-management techniques like strategic guessing when you're stuck, pacing strategies that prevent panic, and mental approaches to stay focused during the exam. Taking multiple practice tests under timed conditions is one of the best ways to feel prepared and calm on test day.