Your first session is about understanding where you stand and what you need to work on. Expect to take a diagnostic practice test or review your previous GRE scores, then discuss which sections are giving you the most trouble and what your target score is. From there, a tutor will create a personalized study plan that focuses on your priorities—whether that's building math fundamentals, improving reading comprehension speed, or mastering essay structure.

Timing is one of the biggest challenges on the GRE, and tutors help by teaching you which questions to prioritize, how to recognize when to move on, and strategies for managing the adaptive nature of the test. You'll practice timed sections regularly and get feedback on where you're losing time—whether it's overthinking easy questions, struggling with harder ones, or not allocating enough time for the essay. Building this awareness and practicing under real test conditions is something that's hard to do alone.

Both sections challenge students differently. The Quantitative Reasoning section trips up students who haven't done math in years or need to refresh algebra and geometry concepts, while the Verbal Reasoning section frustrates many because it requires both reading speed and deep comprehension of complex passages. A tutor can assess which is your weaker area and focus there, or help you balance improvement across both sections depending on your target score and program requirements.

Practice tests are essential—they're the best way to identify your weak areas, get comfortable with the test format, and build stamina for the 3+ hour exam. Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests throughout their preparation. A tutor helps you interpret your practice test results, pinpoint exactly what went wrong on each question, and adjust your study strategy accordingly rather than just retaking tests without direction.

Most students prepare for 8-12 weeks with consistent effort, though this varies based on your starting score, target score, and how much time you can dedicate weekly. Someone aiming for a 50th percentile score might need 6-8 weeks, while targeting 90th percentile often requires 12+ weeks. Working with a tutor helps you use that time efficiently by focusing on what actually moves your score rather than spending weeks on areas where you're already strong.

Absolutely. Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about the format, unfamiliar question types, or lack of confidence in your abilities. Regular practice with a tutor in a supportive environment builds familiarity and confidence, while learning concrete strategies for managing stress during the test helps too. Many students find that simply knowing they've practiced extensively under timed conditions significantly reduces anxiety on test day.

Look for tutors with strong GRE scores themselves, experience teaching test prep, and knowledge of the specific sections you need help with. It's also valuable to work with someone who understands the graduate programs you're targeting, since different schools and fields weight GRE scores differently. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have proven track records helping students improve their scores and get into their target programs.