Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current skill level, test-taking habits, and specific challenges—whether that's pacing, question comprehension, or particular content areas. The tutor will review your goals and timeline, then create a personalized study plan tailored to your needs. This foundation helps ensure every subsequent session builds directly toward your target score.

Pacing is one of the most common GMAT challenges, and tutors teach specific strategies like time allocation per question type, when to guess strategically, and how to avoid spending too long on difficult problems. Through practice tests and timed drills, you'll develop a rhythm that works for your strengths. Tutors also help you recognize which question types typically slow you down so you can practice those sections more intentionally.

Absolutely—this is exactly where personalized tutoring excels. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can focus intensively on your weaker section while maintaining your strengths. If Verbal is your challenge, a tutor helps you master reading comprehension strategies and sentence correction patterns. If Quantitative is the issue, they break down problem-solving approaches and data sufficiency logic in ways that click for you.

Practice tests are essential—they simulate test conditions, reveal timing issues, and show exactly which question types and content areas need work. Most students benefit from taking full-length practice tests every 1-2 weeks during their prep. A tutor helps you interpret your results strategically, identifying patterns in mistakes rather than just reviewing individual questions, so you avoid repeating the same errors on test day.

Most students prepare for 6-12 weeks, depending on their starting score and target score, though some may need more or less time. A realistic timeline factors in your current skills, how much time you can dedicate weekly, and your target school's average GMAT score. Your tutor will help you create a study schedule that's aggressive enough to see progress but sustainable enough to maintain quality preparation.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about question formats or worry about timing—both things tutoring directly addresses. By practicing under timed conditions, mastering content, and developing reliable strategies, you build genuine confidence rather than just hoping for the best. Tutors also teach stress-management techniques and help you develop a positive mindset about challenging questions, which is crucial for performing well on test day.

Look for tutors with strong GMAT scores themselves, proven teaching experience, and familiarity with the current test format and question types. Ideally, they should have a track record of helping students improve scores and understand business school admissions context. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who meet these standards and can tailor their approach to your learning style and goals.