Timing is one of the biggest challenges students face, since the GMAT gives you roughly 2 minutes per question. The strategy varies by section: on Quantitative, you might spend 3 minutes on harder problems but keep easier ones to 90 seconds; on Verbal, reading the passage carefully upfront saves time on questions. Many students benefit from practicing with a timer early and often to build pacing instincts, then working with tutors to identify which question types slow them down most. Knowing when to make an educated guess and move on is just as important as solving problems correctly.

Start by taking a full practice test under timed conditions—this reveals which section drains your score most. Then review that section question-by-question: are you missing harder problems, running out of time, or making careless mistakes? Once you pinpoint the pattern, targeted work becomes much more effective. For example, if Reading Comprehension trips you up, you might need better annotation strategies; if Data Sufficiency frustrates you, focused practice on recognizing trap answer patterns helps. Tutors excel at diagnosing exactly where the breakdown happens so you can spend study time efficiently.

Most successful GMAT students complete 4-6 full practice tests under timed conditions, spaced throughout their study period. The first test establishes your baseline; middle tests help you track progress and refine strategy; final tests build confidence and let you practice pacing under realistic pressure. Between practice tests, focused drills on weak areas are more valuable than random practice. Working with a tutor helps you extract maximum learning from each test—not just scoring it, but analyzing wrong answers to understand why mistakes happened and how to avoid them next time.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about question formats or timing pressure. Confidence comes from practice: the more you've seen different problem types and practiced under timed conditions, the less the test feels like a surprise on test day. Many students also benefit from learning specific test-taking strategies—like how to efficiently eliminate wrong answers—because having a concrete plan reduces anxiety. A tutor can help you build this confidence by working through challenging problems together, pointing out patterns you might miss alone, and creating a realistic study schedule that lets you practice incrementally rather than cramming.

Most students benefit from 2-4 months of study, though this depends on your starting score and target score. If you're aiming for a top MBA program, expect the longer timeline. A typical schedule might look like: first month building fundamentals in weak areas, second month mixing practice tests with targeted drills, final weeks focusing on test-taking strategy and full-length practice under timed conditions. Working with a tutor can compress this timeline by eliminating wasted effort—instead of studying everything, you focus precisely on what will move your score. Consistency matters more than total hours: 5 focused hours per week over 12 weeks typically outperforms 60 hours crammed in two weeks.

An effective GMAT tutor should have deep familiarity with the test's unique format and strategies—it's very different from the SAT or ACT. Look for someone who can diagnose your specific weaknesses (not just your overall score) and explain why you're missing problems, not just that you missed them. They should also be flexible enough to adapt to your learning style and timeline, whether you're preparing in 6 weeks or 6 months. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GMAT prep and can provide personalized instruction tailored to your target score and schedule.