Your first session typically starts with a diagnostic assessment to understand your current GMAT knowledge, identify strengths, and pinpoint areas needing work. The tutor will discuss your target score, timeline, and any specific concerns—like test anxiety or pacing issues—to create a customized study plan. You'll also learn about the GMAT format, question types, and the tutor's approach to helping you prepare effectively.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges on the GMAT, and tutors teach you strategic approaches like recognizing question difficulty levels, knowing when to guess and move on, and managing the adaptive nature of the test. Through timed practice problems and full-length practice tests, you'll build the rhythm needed to complete each section confidently. Your tutor will also help you understand your personal pacing patterns so you can adjust your strategy for test day.

Absolutely—many students excel in one area but struggle with another, and personalized instruction lets you concentrate on what you need most. Whether you're wrestling with quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, integrated reasoning, or analytical writing, tutors can tailor sessions to your priorities. This targeted approach is especially helpful if you have limited study time and want to maximize your score gains.

Practice tests are essential for GMAT prep—they help you understand question formats, build stamina for the full exam, and identify patterns in your mistakes. Most tutors recommend taking full-length practice tests every 1-2 weeks during your study period and using them diagnostically to guide your focus areas. Your tutor will help you review practice test results to spot trends, adjust your strategy, and track progress toward your target score.

Yes—many students experience anxiety around standardized tests, and personalized tutoring builds confidence through familiarity and mastery. Repeated exposure to question types, timed practice, and understanding the test structure all reduce uncertainty on test day. Tutors also teach mental strategies for staying calm under pressure and can address specific worries, whether that's time pressure, difficult questions, or the adaptive format.

Most students benefit from 6-12 weeks of preparation, though this depends on your starting score, target score, and available study time. Students aiming for top business schools (700+) typically need more intensive preparation than those targeting 650. Your tutor will help you create a realistic timeline based on your goals and can adjust the pace as needed based on your progress through practice tests and lessons.

Look for tutors with strong GMAT scores (typically 700+), proven experience helping students improve, and deep knowledge of test strategy and content. Ideally, they stay current with GMAT changes and use official practice materials. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have demonstrated success in GMAT preparation and can teach both the content and the strategic thinking needed to excel on test day.