You have 35 minutes to complete four games on the Analytical Reasoning section—ideally about 8-9 minutes per game, including setup time. However, the most effective strategy isn't rigid timing; it's learning to recognize game types quickly and knowing which games to tackle first based on your strengths. Some students work best starting with their easiest game type to build confidence, while others prefer sequencing by difficulty. Personalized tutoring helps you identify your optimal game order and pacing strategy rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.

There's no single "best" diagram system—the most effective approach depends on how your brain processes information. Some students excel with linear diagrams for sequencing games, while others prefer matrix or mapping systems for grouping games. The key is consistency and speed: your diagram should be easy to read quickly and allow you to answer follow-up questions without re-reading the setup. Working with a tutor helps you test different diagramming methods, understand the logic behind each system, and settle on techniques that feel natural while maximizing accuracy and speed.

The first step is identifying which game type is your weakness—whether it's sequencing, grouping, matching, or hybrid games—and understanding specifically why you struggle (is it the setup, making deductions, or answering questions quickly?). Once you pinpoint the issue, targeted practice with 10-15 repetitions of that game type, using varying difficulty levels, builds familiarity and confidence. Many students find that understanding the underlying logic principles—rather than memorizing diagram tricks—makes unfamiliar game variations less intimidating. A tutor can diagnose your specific bottleneck and create a focused practice plan to turn weaknesses into strengths.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and practice consistency, but most students see meaningful gains within 4-8 weeks of focused work. If you're scoring in the lower range (PT 10-20 out of 40), improvement often comes faster because you're learning fundamental strategies for the first time. Students already scoring 25+ typically see more modest gains because they're refining technique rather than building from scratch. The key factor is quality practice—working through games strategically with feedback, rather than simply grinding through practice tests. Many students improve by 5-10 points on this section specifically once they develop a system that matches how they think.

Full practice tests are valuable, but they're only part of an effective study plan. Untimed game drills are where actual skill-building happens—they let you focus on understanding logic and developing diagrams without the pressure of the clock. Once you're consistently accurate on untimed games, you add the timing element back in. After each practice test section, review every game you missed or rushed through, not just the ones you got wrong—understanding where your decision-making broke down is crucial. A tutor helps you structure practice test timing, identify patterns in which games you misjudge, and adjust your approach based on real performance data rather than guessing what might help.

Logic games anxiety often stems from feeling out of control or stuck on a game with the clock ticking. Building confidence through untimed practice first—where you experience success and understand the logic—is the foundation. During timed practice, learning to consciously move on from a difficult game after a set time, rather than spiraling, is a crucial skill that transfers directly to test day. Pre-test routines that reduce pressure (like reviewing your strongest game type first) and breathing techniques during the section itself also help many students. Working with a tutor on both your strategy and your mental approach to the section ensures you're as prepared as possible, which naturally reduces anxiety on test day.