Your first session focuses on assessment and goal-setting. A tutor will review your target score, timeline, and any previous practice test results to understand where you stand. They'll also discuss which sections challenge you most and what graduate programs you're applying to, then create a personalized study plan that fits your schedule and learning needs.

Timing is one of the biggest challenges on the GRE, especially in the Quantitative section where you have roughly 1.5 minutes per question. Tutors help you develop strategies like identifying which question types you can solve quickly versus those requiring more thought, practicing timed drills to build speed, and learning when to skip and return to difficult questions. With consistent practice and strategy refinement, pacing becomes automatic by test day.

They present different challenges depending on your background. The Quantitative section requires solid algebra and geometry skills but rewards systematic problem-solving; the Verbal section demands strong reading comprehension and vocabulary in context. Many students find one section significantly harder than the other, which is why personalized tutoring is valuable—a tutor can spend more time on your weaker area while maintaining your strengths.

Practice tests are essential—they're your best predictor of actual test performance and help you identify patterns in your mistakes. Most students benefit from taking 3-5 full-length practice tests throughout their preparation, starting with one early on to establish a baseline. Tutors use practice test results to refine your study plan, focus on recurring weak areas, and build confidence in test-taking strategies before the actual exam.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the test format or uncertainty about your abilities. Working with a tutor helps by demystifying the test through repeated exposure to question types, building mastery through targeted practice, and developing concrete strategies you can rely on under pressure. As you see your scores improve on practice tests, confidence naturally builds—and that confidence carries over to test day.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, though this varies based on your starting score and target. If you're aiming for a competitive score for a selective program, you may want 12-16 weeks. A tutor can help you create a realistic timeline based on your baseline score, available study hours per week, and application deadlines—and adjust as needed if you're progressing faster or need more time in specific areas.

Look for tutors with strong GRE scores themselves, experience teaching test prep, and familiarity with the current test format and question types. Ideally, they should understand graduate-level content and be able to explain complex concepts clearly. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors for students in Salt Lake City who have proven success helping students improve their scores and gain admission to their target programs.