Score improvement depends on your starting point and study commitment, but most students see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of focused preparation. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps identify your specific weaknesses—whether that's vocabulary gaps, reading speed, or argument analysis—and targets those areas directly. Many students improve by 5-10 points on the 130-170 scale, though your individual progress will depend on your baseline score and how consistently you practice between sessions.

Timing is one of the biggest challenges on GRE Verbal—you have roughly 1.5 minutes per question across 40 questions in two 20-minute sections. Expert tutors can teach you strategic approaches like identifying question types quickly, skimming passages efficiently, and knowing when to skip difficult questions and return later. Practice with full-length timed tests is essential; working with a tutor helps you develop a pacing strategy that works for your reading speed and question-solving style.

While GRE vocabulary can be challenging, you don't need to memorize every obscure word. Instead, focus on learning high-frequency GRE words (typically 500-1000 core words) and understanding how to use context clues to infer word meanings during the test. Tutors can help you prioritize which words to study, teach you memory techniques like word roots and associations, and show you how to recognize vocabulary patterns in Reading Comprehension and Text Completion questions.

Many students waste time reading passages word-for-word, but GRE Reading Comprehension rewards strategic skimming. Effective approaches include reading the first and last sentences carefully, identifying the main argument or purpose, then scanning for details only when needed to answer questions. Personalized tutoring helps you practice different strategies and determine which works best for your reading style, then build speed through targeted practice with real GRE passages.

Test anxiety is common, especially on a high-stakes exam like the GRE. Working with an expert tutor helps build confidence through repeated practice with authentic test conditions, which reduces anxiety through familiarity. Tutors can also teach you time management strategies that prevent panic, help you develop a pre-test routine, and work with you on maintaining focus during the full 3+ hour exam. Many students find that knowing they've practiced thoroughly under realistic conditions significantly reduces anxiety on test day.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to identify your strengths and weaknesses across Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence. Varsity Tutors connects you with a tutor who will review your goals, target score, and timeline, then create a personalized study plan. You'll also take a diagnostic practice test to establish your baseline score and understand which areas need the most focus.

Practice tests are essential—they help you understand question formats, build stamina for the full exam, and identify patterns in your mistakes. Taking full-length practice tests under timed conditions reveals your true pacing challenges and weak areas. Expert tutors use your practice test results to guide instruction, helping you learn from errors and refine your strategy before test day. Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full practice tests throughout their preparation period.