Many test-takers struggle with pacing—the section requires solving 31 questions in 62 minutes, which means spending roughly 2 minutes per question while maintaining accuracy. Data sufficiency questions are particularly tricky because they require a different mindset than traditional problem solving; you're not always solving for a specific answer, but determining if you have enough information. Additionally, students often underestimate the importance of understanding question formats and trap answers designed to catch common mistakes. Personalized tutoring helps identify which specific topics (like geometry or word problems) are holding you back so you can focus your study time effectively.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and commitment level, but most students see meaningful gains within 4-8 weeks of focused preparation. If you're struggling with foundational concepts, you might gain 5-10 points; if you're already scoring in the mid-40s and need to reach the 50+ range, improvement typically comes from refining strategy and eliminating careless errors. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's certain question types, content gaps, or timing issues—and addressing them systematically. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can create a targeted study plan based on your diagnostic test results and business school goals.

Your first session typically starts with a diagnostic assessment to understand your current skill level, identify content gaps, and pinpoint whether your challenges are conceptual, strategic, or timing-related. The tutor will review your test-taking approach, discuss your target score and timeline, and create a personalized study plan. You'll likely work through a few sample questions together to establish a baseline and begin building confidence with the tutor's teaching style. This foundation allows subsequent sessions to focus on the specific areas where you'll see the most score improvement.

Data Sufficiency requires a fundamentally different approach than traditional problem solving. Instead of solving for a numerical answer, you're evaluating whether statements (1) and (2) provide enough information to answer the question with certainty. The key is learning the answer framework: determine what the question is asking, test each statement independently, then consider both statements together. Many students rush through these questions or try to solve them like regular math problems, which leads to errors. Expert tutors teach you systematic strategies for approaching these questions efficiently, recognizing common traps, and building the logical reasoning skills that Data Sufficiency demands.

Practice tests are essential—they reveal your pacing weaknesses, identify content gaps under timed conditions, and help you build test-day stamina and confidence. Taking full-length practice tests every 1-2 weeks allows you to track progress and adjust your study strategy. However, practice tests are most valuable when combined with targeted review; simply taking tests without analyzing your mistakes won't improve your score. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who use practice test results to guide your preparation, helping you understand not just what you got wrong, but why, and how to avoid similar mistakes on test day.

With 62 minutes for 31 questions, you have roughly 2 minutes per question on average, but this doesn't mean spending exactly 2 minutes on each one. The strategic approach is to move quickly through questions you can solve confidently, which buys you extra time for harder questions. Most test-takers benefit from spending 1-1.5 minutes on straightforward problems and 2.5-3 minutes on complex ones. Learning to recognize question difficulty early, knowing when to guess strategically rather than waste time, and managing anxiety about the clock are all skills that tutors help you develop. Practice and feedback from an expert tutor ensure your timing strategy matches your skill level and maximizes your score.

Look for tutors with strong quantitative backgrounds (often mathematics, engineering, or finance), proven GMAT success (ideally scoring in the 90th percentile or higher on the Quantitative section), and experience teaching test-specific strategies rather than just general math. They should understand the nuances of GMAT question design, common student mistakes, and how to diagnose whether your struggles are conceptual or strategic. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GMAT preparation and have a track record of helping students achieve their target scores. During your first session, you'll get a sense of whether the tutor's teaching style and approach align with your learning preferences.