Your first session typically involves a diagnostic assessment to understand your current strengths and weaknesses across the Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing sections. The tutor will review your goals, timeline, and any previous test attempts to create a personalized study roadmap. This foundation helps ensure every subsequent session is focused on the areas that will have the biggest impact on your score.

Pacing is one of the most common challenges on the GMAT, and personalized tutoring addresses this head-on through timed practice drills and strategic problem-solving techniques. A tutor can teach you which questions to prioritize, when to skip and return, and how to manage the adaptive nature of the test. With consistent practice under timed conditions, you'll develop the rhythm and confidence needed to work efficiently through all four sections.

Absolutely. Many test-takers find Verbal more challenging, especially the reading comprehension and critical reasoning sections. A tutor can teach you targeted strategies for each Verbal question type, help you build vocabulary in context, and develop the active reading skills that GMAT passages require. Since the test is adaptive, improving your Verbal score often leads to more manageable Quantitative questions later in the test.

Practice tests are essential—they help you understand the test format, build stamina for the 3.5-hour exam, and identify patterns in your mistakes. Most successful test-takers take 4-6 full practice tests before test day. A tutor can help you interpret your practice test results, pinpoint which question types trip you up, and adjust your study strategy accordingly, rather than just taking tests without learning from them.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about question formats or fear of running out of time. A tutor helps build confidence by demystifying the test structure, teaching you proven problem-solving strategies, and giving you plenty of practice in realistic conditions. Knowing exactly what to expect and having a toolkit of strategies significantly reduces anxiety and helps you perform closer to your practice test level on test day.

Most test-takers benefit from 3-4 months of preparation, though your timeline depends on your target score and starting point. A typical plan includes foundational concept review, targeted practice on weak areas, full-length practice tests, and final review. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can create a customized schedule based on your goals, work or school commitments, and test date—whether you need an intensive 6-week push or a more gradual 4-month approach.

The AWA requires you to analyze an argument and identify logical flaws—a skill that improves with practice and feedback. Many students neglect this section, but a tutor can teach you the structure of a strong essay, common argument weaknesses to spot, and how to write clearly under time pressure. Since you'll write two essays in 30 minutes, targeted practice with expert feedback makes a real difference in your score.