Your first session focuses on assessment and strategy. You'll take a diagnostic practice test or review your recent GRE scores to identify specific strengths and weaknesses across the three sections. From there, your tutor will create a personalized 5-week study plan that prioritizes the areas where you'll gain the most points, whether that's verbal reasoning strategies, quantitative problem-solving, or essay structure.

Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning present different challenges. Many students find Verbal difficult because it requires both vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension under time pressure, while Quantitative trips up those who haven't practiced geometry or data interpretation recently. The Analytical Writing section is often overlooked but critical—many students underestimate how much their essay structure and argument clarity impact their score. A tutor can identify which sections are holding you back and focus your practice accordingly.

Pacing is one of the most common challenges on the GRE because the adaptive format means harder questions appear as you progress. Effective strategies include learning to recognize question difficulty quickly, knowing when to guess strategically rather than spend 3+ minutes on a single problem, and practicing with a timer consistently. Your tutor will help you develop section-specific timing benchmarks and teach you to balance accuracy with speed—rushing leads to careless errors, but spending too long on difficult questions costs you easier points later.

Most students benefit from taking 2-3 full-length practice tests during a 5-week program—typically one diagnostic at the start, one midway through to track progress, and one final test close to your exam date. Between full tests, you'll do targeted practice on specific question types and content areas. The GRE's official practice tests are essential because they accurately reflect the real exam's difficulty and adaptive nature, so your tutor will likely incorporate these into your study plan.

Score improvement depends heavily on your starting point and how much you study between sessions. Students who commit to 8-10 hours of focused practice weekly typically see 20-40 point improvements, while those with stronger baselines or less study time may see smaller gains. The GRE is scored on a 260-340 scale, so realistic expectations matter—jumping from a 300 to a 320 is excellent progress, while expecting a 40-point jump requires intensive daily work. Your tutor will give you honest feedback after your diagnostic test about what's achievable in your timeframe.

Test anxiety is real, and practicing under timed conditions is the best antidote. Taking full-length practice tests in a quiet environment that mimics test day helps normalize the experience and builds confidence. Your tutor can also teach you breathing techniques, help you reframe difficult questions as learning opportunities rather than threats, and work through your specific anxiety triggers—whether that's running out of time, seeing unfamiliar vocabulary, or second-guessing yourself. Many students find that understanding the test format deeply reduces anxiety significantly.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert GRE tutors who understand the test's nuances and can create a personalized 5-week plan based on your goals and timeline. Start by taking a diagnostic practice test or sharing your recent scores, then you'll be matched with a tutor who fits your learning style. From there, you'll have structured sessions focused on your weak areas, consistent practice with official materials, and honest feedback on your progress toward your target score.