Your first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment to understand your current skill level, test-taking habits, and areas needing the most work. The tutor will discuss your target score, graduate program requirements, and timeline to create a personalized study plan. You'll also go over test format, question types, and establish which sections (Verbal, Quantitative, or Analytical Writing) require the most focus.

Timing is one of the biggest challenges on the GRE, especially in the Quantitative section where you have roughly 1.5 minutes per question. Tutors teach strategic approaches like identifying question difficulty levels, knowing when to skip and return to harder problems, and using elimination techniques to work efficiently. Practice tests are essential—they help you build stamina and develop an internal clock for pacing across all three sections.

That depends on your background and target programs. For students in San Antonio pursuing STEM graduate programs, Quantitative often carries more weight, while business and humanities programs emphasize Verbal reasoning. A tutor can review your specific program requirements and your diagnostic scores to prioritize which section needs the most attention, though ideally you'll strengthen both throughout your prep timeline.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with question formats or uncertainty about your abilities. Personalized tutoring builds confidence through repeated exposure to real GRE questions, timed practice drills, and proven test-taking strategies. Tutors also teach stress-management techniques and help you develop a realistic sense of what score is achievable for you, reducing the pressure of perfectionism on test day.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, though this varies based on your starting score and target. A typical schedule includes 2-3 tutoring sessions per week combined with independent practice between sessions. Your tutor will help you create a realistic study plan that balances depth of learning with your other commitments, ensuring you're prepared without burning out before test day.

Practice tests simulate real test conditions and help you identify patterns in your mistakes—whether you're rushing through reading comprehension, making calculation errors, or struggling with essay structure. Taking full-length practice tests every 2-3 weeks allows you to track progress and adjust your study strategy. Tutors use practice test results to pinpoint exactly which question types and content areas need more focus.

Look for tutors with strong GRE scores themselves, proven experience helping students improve, and deep knowledge of test strategy beyond just subject content. Ideally, they've helped multiple students reach their target scores and understand how to adapt teaching methods to different learning styles. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who have demonstrated success in GRE prep and can provide references from past students.