Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your baseline skills, test-taking habits, and target score. The tutor will review your goals, discuss your timeline, and identify which sections (Quantitative, Verbal, Analytical Writing, or Integrated Reasoning) need the most attention, then outline a personalized study strategy for your next sessions.

Tutors break down each section's unique challenges—whether it's mastering data sufficiency logic, improving reading comprehension speed, or refining sentence correction grammar rules—and use targeted practice problems to build both conceptual understanding and test-taking speed. They also teach section-specific strategies like time allocation, question elimination techniques, and how to recognize question patterns that appear repeatedly on the GMAT.

Yes—personalized tutoring builds confidence through familiarity with question formats, repeated practice under timed conditions, and proven success on progressively harder problems. Tutors also teach stress-management strategies and help you develop a test-day mindset, so you walk into the exam knowing you've thoroughly prepared for what to expect.

Practice tests are essential—they reveal your pacing weaknesses, identify knowledge gaps, and help you get comfortable with the computer-adaptive format where question difficulty adjusts based on your performance. Most effective GMAT prep includes full-length practice tests every 1-2 weeks, with your tutor analyzing results to pinpoint exactly where to focus your study efforts next.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, though this varies based on your starting level and target score. With personalized tutoring, you can often compress this timeline by eliminating unfocused study and targeting only what you actually need to improve, making your preparation more efficient and less overwhelming.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have deep knowledge of GMAT content, test strategy, and score improvement—many have scored in the top percentiles themselves and have extensive experience helping students reach their target scores. When you connect with a tutor, you'll learn about their specific background, teaching approach, and success with students working toward similar goals.

Yes—Varsity Tutors connects students throughout Grand Rapids and the surrounding area with expert GMAT tutors who provide personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your schedule and learning style. Whether you're a working professional, a full-time student, or balancing multiple commitments, you can find a tutor who fits your needs.