Your first session focuses on assessment and planning. Your tutor will review your diagnostic test results, identify which question types and math topics challenge you most, and discuss your target score and timeline. You'll walk away with a clear understanding of your strengths and a customized roadmap for improvement, so you know exactly what to focus on in upcoming sessions.

Timing issues usually stem from either spending too long on difficult questions or not recognizing question patterns quickly. A tutor helps you develop strategic decision-making—knowing when to eliminate answer choices, when to make an educated guess, and how to recognize high-value questions worth more time. With practice and feedback on your approach, most students develop a rhythm that lets them work through all questions without rushing.

The biggest challenges are typically data sufficiency logic (which requires a different mindset than traditional math), pacing under pressure, and gaps in foundational math concepts. Many test-takers also struggle with word problems that require translating English into equations, or with recognizing when a problem is testing reasoning rather than calculation. A tutor pinpoints which of these issues affects your performance and addresses them directly.

Practice tests are essential—they reveal your actual pacing, identify weak topics, and build test-day stamina. Most students benefit from taking full-length practice tests every 1-2 weeks and reviewing them with a tutor to understand mistakes. Your tutor uses practice test results to refine your study plan and ensure you're making progress toward your target score.

Look for tutors with strong math backgrounds, proven GMAT experience, and ideally a high score themselves (typically 90th percentile or above in Quantitative). Beyond credentials, the best tutors understand test strategy, can explain complex concepts clearly, and tailor their approach to your learning style. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have all these qualities and can focus specifically on your weak areas.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of focused preparation, with 5-10 hours per week split between tutoring sessions, independent practice, and review. Your ideal schedule depends on your starting level and target score—someone aiming for 90th percentile needs more intensive prep than someone targeting 70th percentile. Your tutor will recommend a realistic study plan based on your goals and current performance.

Test anxiety often decreases when you feel genuinely prepared and understand the material deeply. Your tutor builds confidence by helping you master difficult concepts, practicing timed questions repeatedly so they feel familiar, and developing strategies for staying calm under pressure. Many students also benefit from discussing test-day logistics and mental approaches with their tutor before test day.