Your first session focuses on assessment and planning. A tutor will review your current GRE knowledge, discuss your target score and graduate program goals, and identify which sections need the most work. You'll also take a diagnostic practice test or work through sample questions to establish a baseline, then create a customized study plan that fits your timeline and learning style.

Timing is one of the biggest challenges on the GRE, and tutors help you develop section-specific strategies. For the verbal section, you'll learn to quickly identify key information and eliminate wrong answers. For quantitative reasoning, tutors teach you which problems to tackle first and when to make educated guesses. Regular timed practice tests are essential—they build speed and confidence while showing you exactly where you're losing time.

A tutor will help you prioritize based on your target score and which section offers the most improvement potential. Many students find quantitative reasoning more improvable through focused practice, while verbal skills require more sustained effort. Your tutor will assess your baseline in each section and create a balanced study plan, though you may spend extra time on your weakest area early on to build foundational skills.

Most students benefit from taking 4-6 full-length practice tests under timed conditions during their GRE prep. This gives you enough repetition to build stamina and test-taking rhythm without exhausting yourself. Tutors typically recommend spacing these out throughout your study period and using them strategically—early tests identify weak areas, while later tests measure progress and build confidence heading into test day.

The Analytical Writing section requires practice with both the Analyze an Issue and Analyze an Argument tasks. Tutors teach you to structure clear, well-supported essays quickly and help you understand what the GRE scorers are looking for. You'll write sample essays under timed conditions, receive detailed feedback on your reasoning and organization, and learn to spot common argument flaws—all skills that improve significantly with personalized guidance.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, though this varies based on your starting point and target score. A tutor helps you create a realistic study schedule that balances depth with your other commitments—typically 10-15 hours per week is manageable for working professionals. Your tutor will adjust the timeline based on your progress and help you stay on track through regular check-ins.

Confidence comes from preparation, and personalized tutoring builds both. Working through challenging problems with a tutor, getting immediate feedback, and taking multiple practice tests in a supportive environment all reduce anxiety significantly. Tutors also teach stress-management strategies specific to test day—like pacing techniques and how to handle difficult questions—so you feel prepared and in control when you sit for the actual exam.