Your first session focuses on assessment and planning. A tutor will review your background, discuss your target score and business school timeline, and likely administer a diagnostic practice test to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses across the Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing sections. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan tailored to your needs.

Pacing is one of the most common GMAT challenges, and tutors teach section-specific strategies—like when to guess strategically, how to quickly identify question types, and which problems to prioritize. Through timed practice drills and full-length tests, you'll build the rhythm needed to complete all 80 questions across Quantitative and Verbal sections while maintaining accuracy.

Tutors customize instruction based on your profile. If you're stronger in Quantitative, more sessions focus on Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction—the trickier verbal skills. Conversely, if Verbal is your strength, you'll spend more time on Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. This targeted approach ensures balanced improvement across both sections.

Practice tests are essential—they simulate test conditions, reveal timing patterns, and help identify recurring mistakes. Most tutors recommend taking full-length practice tests every 1-2 weeks, then reviewing them with your tutor to understand why you missed questions and adjust your strategy. The GMAC official practice exams are the gold standard for accuracy.

Confidence comes from preparation and familiarity. Tutors reduce anxiety by demystifying question formats, building your problem-solving toolkit, and conducting mock tests under real conditions. When you've practiced extensively and understand the test structure, you approach test day with concrete strategies rather than fear—significantly lowering stress and improving performance.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of structured preparation, though timelines vary based on your starting score and target. Someone aiming for a 700+ from a 600 baseline might need 12+ weeks, while others progress faster. A tutor helps you create a realistic timeline based on your specific goals and can adjust the pace as you progress through practice tests.

Look for tutors with strong GMAT scores themselves (typically 700+), proven teaching experience with multiple students, and familiarity with the current test format. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who understand the nuances of each section and can explain complex concepts clearly—whether you're tackling sentence structure or data interpretation.