A solid 5-week plan typically dedicates Week 1 to diagnostic testing and identifying weak areas, Weeks 2-3 to targeted skill-building in those areas, Week 4 to full-length practice tests under timed conditions, and Week 5 to final review and test-day strategy. Personalized tutoring helps you create a realistic schedule based on how much time you can dedicate weekly—consistency matters more than cramming, so spacing out your practice is crucial for retention.

Both sections challenge students differently. Reading Comprehension trips up many test-takers because it requires not just understanding passages but also recognizing nuanced argument structures and inference traps. Quantitative Reasoning, while testing familiar math concepts, is challenging because of its unusual question formats and strict time pressure. Tutors can help you pinpoint which section drains your confidence and develop section-specific strategies to improve speed and accuracy.

Full-length practice tests reveal three critical things: your actual score range, your pacing weaknesses, and which question types consistently trip you up. Taking practice tests under real timed conditions helps you build stamina for the 3+ hour exam and identifies whether you're rushing through sections or running out of time. Reviewing your practice test results with a tutor helps you understand why you missed questions—whether it's a conceptual gap, a reading error, or a timing issue—so you can fix the real problem rather than just memorizing answers.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about question formats. Working through practice tests regularly builds confidence because you've seen similar questions before, reducing the surprise factor on test day. Tutors also teach pacing strategies and mental techniques—like flagging difficult questions and returning to them later—that give you a sense of control. Knowing you have a solid study plan and realistic score goal helps shift anxiety into focused energy.

Analytical Writing often gets overlooked, but it's worth dedicating 1-2 focused weeks to mastering the essay structure and common prompt types. Most students benefit from writing 4-6 full practice essays under timed conditions (30 minutes each) to develop speed and clarity. A tutor can review your essays for argument structure, evidence quality, and grammar—the three things GRE graders prioritize—and help you develop templates that work for you without sounding robotic.

Start with a full diagnostic practice test in Week 1—this shows exactly which question types, topics, and sections need work. Break down your results by content area (algebra, reading inference, grammar, etc.) rather than just looking at overall scores. Personalized tutoring accelerates this process because a tutor can review your diagnostic test, spot patterns in your mistakes, and immediately focus your study plan on high-impact areas rather than spending time on topics you've already mastered.

The Quantitative section gives you roughly 1.5 minutes per question, so speed matters. Many students benefit from the strategy of answering easier questions first to build confidence and secure points, then tackling harder problems with remaining time. Tutors teach you to recognize question types quickly—Quantitative Comparison, Multiple Choice, Numeric Entry—so you can deploy the right approach immediately. Practice tests help you calibrate your pacing so you're not rushing through questions you could solve correctly with 10 more seconds.