Your first session focuses on assessment and strategy. A tutor will review your baseline (either a practice test score or starting point), discuss your target score and business school timeline, and identify which sections need the most work. You'll also cover your learning style and preferences so the tutoring approach fits your needs. This foundation helps create a personalized study plan that's realistic for your schedule.

Pacing is one of the most common GMAT challenges because the test is both long and adaptive. A tutor can teach you time-management techniques specific to each section—like recognizing when to guess strategically on harder quant problems or skimming efficiently on reading comprehension. You'll practice these strategies on timed drills and full practice tests, building the rhythm and confidence to maintain your pace under test conditions.

Not necessarily. Most students benefit from a diagnostic approach: take a full practice test early to identify which sections (Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, or Analytical Writing) are pulling down your score the most. A tutor can help you prioritize based on your target score and the specific question types that challenge you most. Some students need heavy quant work, while others struggle more with reading comprehension or logic—personalized tutoring addresses your actual gaps rather than generic prep.

Most test-takers benefit from 4-6 full-length practice tests spread throughout their prep timeline—ideally spaced out over several weeks to allow time for learning between attempts. The official GMAT practice tests are the most accurate predictor of test day performance. A tutor can help you schedule these strategically, analyze your results to spot patterns in mistakes, and adjust your study plan based on what the tests reveal about your strengths and weaknesses.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the format, time pressure, or past performance struggles. A tutor builds confidence by familiarizing you with every question type, teaching you strategies that reduce guessing, and helping you practice under realistic timed conditions repeatedly. Over time, this exposure and success on practice tests reduces anxiety significantly. You'll also learn mental strategies for staying calm and focused when you encounter a difficult question on test day.

Most students need 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, though this varies based on your starting level and target score. If you're aiming for a top business school (700+), expect closer to 12 weeks; if your target is 650-700, 8-10 weeks is often sufficient. A tutor can create a realistic timeline based on your baseline score, availability, and goals—and adjust it as you progress through practice tests.

Look for tutors with strong GMAT credentials: ideally a 700+ score themselves, proven experience helping students improve their scores, and expertise in the specific sections you need help with. They should be familiar with the latest GMAT format and question types, and able to teach both content (math, grammar, logic) and test-taking strategy. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have deep GMAT knowledge and a track record of helping students succeed.