Score improvement depends on your starting point and study intensity, but most students see meaningful gains with focused preparation. Many students improve by 3-5 points on the 130-170 scale with consistent practice, though students starting lower often see larger percentage improvements. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's vocabulary retention, reading speed, or argument analysis—and targeting those through deliberate practice and strategic feedback.

Students typically struggle with three main areas: managing time across dense reading passages, building a strong vocabulary foundation quickly, and distinguishing between answer choices that seem similar. Reading Comprehension questions often trip up students who read too slowly or miss the main argument, while Text Completion requires both vocabulary knowledge and understanding how ideas connect within a sentence. Pacing is critical—you have about 1.5 minutes per question, which feels rushed when you're also processing complex material.

Most students benefit from 4-12 weeks of focused preparation, depending on their starting level and target score. If you're aiming for a competitive score (160+), expect to dedicate 10-15 hours per week to study. The ideal approach combines daily vocabulary review, regular practice with full-length passages, and timed practice tests to build both accuracy and speed. A tutor can help you create a personalized timeline based on your baseline score and specific goals.

Practice tests reveal your true pacing challenges, question type patterns, and specific vocabulary gaps under timed conditions—things you can't discover through isolated drills alone. Taking full-length practice tests regularly helps you build stamina for the actual exam and identifies whether your errors come from careless mistakes, time pressure, or genuine comprehension gaps. This diagnostic information is invaluable for targeting your remaining study time where it will have the most impact.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about your strategies—which is why solid preparation and strategic practice are your best defenses. Working with a tutor helps you build confidence through repeated exposure to question types, develop reliable approaches for each section, and practice managing your mental state during timed drills. Many students also benefit from learning to recognize when they're spending too much time on a single question and practicing the discipline to move forward strategically.

Look for tutors who have strong GRE experience, understand the specific challenges of each question type, and can diagnose whether your errors come from vocabulary gaps, reading speed, or strategy issues. The best tutors combine content expertise with the ability to adapt their teaching style to your learning preferences and help you build both skills and confidence. For students in Houston preparing for graduate school, finding someone who understands your timeline and target score is essential.

Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current level, identify specific weak areas, and clarify your target score and timeline. The tutor will ask about your background with standardized tests, review your practice test results if available, and discuss which question types feel most challenging. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that addresses your priorities and fits your schedule—whether that's vocabulary building, Reading Comprehension strategies, or timed practice drills.