The biggest obstacles are usually pacing (managing 40 questions in 62 minutes), recognizing question patterns you haven't seen before, and distinguishing between concepts that seem similar. Many students also struggle with data interpretation questions and geometry problems, which require both conceptual understanding and strategic problem-solving. A tutor can help you develop systematic approaches to each question type so you're not relying on speed alone.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of preparation, dedicating 5-7 hours per week to GRE Quantitative specifically. A solid plan includes diagnostic testing to identify weak areas, targeted concept review, practice with full-length sections, and timed practice tests to build stamina and strategy. Your tutor can customize this timeline based on your target score and current performance, helping you balance breadth of content review with depth of practice.

Practice tests reveal patterns in your mistakes and help you develop accurate time management under real test conditions—you can't replicate the pressure and fatigue of test day without them. The GRE's adaptive format means your performance on early questions affects the difficulty of later ones, so practicing full sections helps you understand how to pace strategically. Your tutor can review your practice test results to pinpoint whether errors stem from careless mistakes, conceptual gaps, or rushing through problems.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about question formats or feeling unprepared for specific topics—both things tutoring directly addresses. Building confidence through repeated exposure to different question types, mastering time management strategies, and practicing under timed conditions all reduce anxiety significantly. Your tutor can also teach you mental techniques like breaking complex problems into smaller steps and knowing when to skip a difficult question strategically rather than getting stuck.

Look for someone with strong math fundamentals, recent GRE test experience, and proven ability to teach test-specific strategies—not just general math tutoring. Your tutor should understand the adaptive format, be able to explain why answer choices are designed to trap common mistakes, and have experience helping students at your score level. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GRE preparation and can tailor instruction to your specific weak areas.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current strengths, identify specific weak areas, and establish your target score. Your tutor will review your test-taking approach, discuss your timeline and goals, and create a personalized study plan that fits your schedule. This foundation helps ensure every subsequent session builds strategically toward your score goal rather than covering material randomly.

You need both, but the balance depends on your starting point. If you're scoring below 150, concept gaps are usually the priority—you need solid algebra, geometry, and data interpretation fundamentals first. Once you have conceptual confidence, strategy becomes critical: learning to recognize question patterns, manage time effectively, and avoid common traps. Your tutor can diagnose which areas need more attention and adjust the focus as you improve.