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 your starting point. You'll likely take a diagnostic practice test or work through sample questions together to identify your strongest and weakest areas—this helps create a personalized study roadmap for your next sessions.

Pacing is one of the biggest challenges on the GRE, especially in the Quantitative section where you have about 1.5 minutes per question. A tutor teaches you to recognize question types quickly, identify which problems to tackle first, and when to strategically skip difficult questions. With practice and feedback on your approach, you'll develop confidence in managing the 3 hours and 45 minutes effectively.

That depends on your strengths and your target programs—some graduate schools weight sections differently. A tutor will review your practice test performance to see where you're losing the most points. Many students find Verbal Reasoning (reading comprehension and text completion) more challenging if English isn't their first language, while others struggle with the logic and geometry in Quantitative. Tutoring lets you focus your energy on what actually needs improvement.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests under timed conditions to build stamina and identify patterns in their mistakes. The official ETS GRE PowerPrep tests are the most accurate predictors of your actual score. A tutor helps you review each practice test strategically—not just looking at what you got wrong, but understanding why, which prevents you from making the same mistakes again.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with question formats or uncertainty about your abilities. Working with a tutor builds confidence through repeated exposure to real GRE questions and proven test-taking strategies. You'll learn what to expect, practice managing time pressure, and develop a sense of control over the test. Many students find that knowing they've prepared thoroughly with expert guidance significantly reduces anxiety on test day.

Most students prepare for 8-12 weeks with consistent study (3-5 hours per week), though your timeline depends on your starting score and target. If you're aiming for a top program or need significant improvement, 12-16 weeks may be more realistic. A tutor helps you create a realistic study schedule based on your baseline performance and can adjust it as you progress, ensuring you're not cramming or studying inefficiently.

The Analytical Writing section (Issue and Argument essays) is often overlooked, but a tutor can help you master the specific structure and reasoning patterns that score well. You'll practice writing timed essays, learn how to identify logical fallacies in argument prompts, and get feedback on your organization and clarity. With 3-4 focused practice sessions on this section, most students gain the skills needed to earn a solid score.