Private GRE Tutoring — NYC, San Diego & Online
Expert one-on-one preparation for the shorter GRE General Test with Dr. Stuart Donnelly, Oxford Ph.D. Personalised strategies for Verbal, Quant, and the Issue essay.
One-on-One GRE Tutoring That Delivers Results
The GRE General Test is your gateway to graduate school, and a strong score can make the difference between an acceptance and a waitlist. At Tutors of Oxford, Dr. Stuart Donnelly provides focused, one-on-one GRE tutoring designed to identify your weaknesses, build on your strengths, and raise your score efficiently.
With a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and over twenty years of private tutoring experience, Dr. Donnelly has helped hundreds of students achieve the GRE scores they need for admission to top-tier graduate programmes. Whether you are aiming for a competitive humanities programme, a STEM doctorate, or an MBA that accepts the GRE, his approach is tailored entirely to your goals.
Sessions are available in person in Manhattan and San Diego, or live online via Zoom from anywhere in the world. Sessions can be recorded if you wish, so you can review key concepts between lessons.
Book a Free GRE ConsultationWhat Makes Our GRE Tutoring Different
Every GRE preparation programme at Tutors of Oxford is built around your specific needs, timeline, and target score.
Oxford-Educated Tutor
Dr. Donnelly holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford and brings two decades of test-prep expertise. You work directly with him in every session — never a teaching assistant or junior tutor.
Personalised Study Plans
Your preparation begins with a diagnostic assessment. Dr. Donnelly analyses the results to build a targeted study plan that focuses your time where it will produce the largest score gains.
In-Person or Online
Meet face-to-face in Manhattan or San Diego, or connect live via Zoom. Many students use a hybrid approach, switching formats as their schedule demands with no difference in quality or price.
Proven Score Improvements
Students who work with Dr. Donnelly see an average score increase of 12–16 points. Regular practice tests track your progress and ensure you are on pace to reach your target by test day.
About the GRE General Test
Understanding the structure and scoring of the GRE is the first step toward building an effective preparation strategy.
The GRE General Test is accepted by most graduate schools and many business schools worldwide. Since September 2023 it has been a shorter test: 1 hour 58 minutes, with no scheduled break and no unscored section. It opens with one 30-minute “Analyze an Issue” essay (the Argument essay was dropped), followed by Verbal Reasoning (12 questions in 18 minutes, then 15 in 23 minutes) and Quantitative Reasoning (12 questions in 21 minutes, then 15 in 26 minutes). Verbal and Quant are each scored 130 to 170 in one-point increments; Analytical Writing is scored 0 to 6 in half-point increments.
| Section | Content | Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | Reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence (27 questions, 41 min) | 130 – 170 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis (27 questions, 47 min) | 130 – 170 |
| Analytical Writing | One “Analyze an Issue” essay (30 min) | 0 – 6 |
The GRE is computer-adaptive by section: your performance on the first Verbal or Quant section determines the difficulty of the second. This design rewards consistent accuracy and makes strategic pacing essential.
GRE Key Facts (2026)
- Fee: $249 in most of the world from August 1, 2026 (rescheduling $55).
- Retakes: once every 21 days, up to 5 times in any rolling 12-month period.
- Score reporting: ScoreSelect lets you choose which scores schools see; official scores arrive in about 8–10 days and are reportable for 5 years.
Always confirm current fees and policies on ets.org before you register.
Our GRE Tutoring Approach
Dr. Donnelly’s GRE tutoring covers every section of the test with strategies proven to raise scores efficiently.
Verbal Reasoning
Dr. Donnelly teaches active reading techniques for passage-based questions, systematic approaches to text completion, and vocabulary-in-context strategies for sentence equivalence. You will learn to identify the logical structure of academic passages and eliminate wrong answers with confidence, even when the subject matter is unfamiliar.
Quantitative Reasoning
Sessions cover the full range of GRE Quant content: arithmetic and number properties, algebra and functions, geometry, and data analysis including tables and graphs. Dr. Donnelly focuses on efficient problem-solving methods, quantitative comparison strategies, and the data interpretation skills that distinguish a good score from a great one.
Analytical Writing
The Analytical Writing section is now a single 30-minute “Analyze an Issue” essay that requires a structured, well-supported argument written under timed conditions. Dr. Donnelly teaches you how to construct a clear thesis, organise supporting evidence, and anticipate counterarguments — all within the time constraint. You will practise with real GRE prompts and receive detailed written feedback on every essay.
Every GRE tutoring programme includes regular full-length practice tests under timed conditions, followed by a detailed review of every missed question. These test simulations build endurance and ensure you are on track to hit your target score.
Applying to business school? Compare the GRE with the GMAT on our private GMAT tutoring page. If Quant fundamentals are holding you back, targeted math tutoring can come first.
What Our GRE Students Say
I aced the math section of the GRE today — score 166 (93rd percentile). Thank you again for all your help.
Thanks for all the tutoring help. I earned a 169 (99th percentile) on the Verbal section of the GRE.
I just wanted to let you know that I got accepted into some amazing programs for grad school! Particularly Georgetown’s school of foreign service, which is among the top schools in the world. I just wanted to say thank you and that you really are amazing!
GRE Tutoring FAQs
Most students need between 8 and 16 weeks of focused preparation, depending on their baseline score and target. Students who are further from their goal or who have been away from academic study for several years may benefit from a longer timeline. Dr. Donnelly builds a personalised study plan during your free consultation so you know exactly what to expect.
A competitive GRE score depends on the programme you are applying to, so start with each programme’s published class profile. Note that the same scaled score means different things on each section: because test-takers score higher on Quant on average, a given Quant score sits at a lower percentile than the same Verbal score (see the current ETS percentile tables). Humanities programmes often weight Verbal more heavily, while STEM and quantitative programmes prioritise Quant. Dr. Donnelly helps you identify your target and build a strategy to reach it.
If you are applying exclusively to business schools, the GMAT is often preferred, although most MBA programmes now accept the GRE as well. If you are considering a mix of graduate programmes — or if you are not yet certain whether you will pursue an MBA or a different master’s degree — the GRE offers more flexibility because it is accepted by virtually all graduate schools. Dr. Donnelly can help you evaluate which test plays to your strengths.
Tutoring rates depend on the number of sessions and the length of your preparation timeline. Dr. Donnelly offers a free 30-minute consultation to assess your needs and recommend a package. Contact us by phone or through the contact page to discuss pricing and availability.
Yes. Dr. Donnelly provides live one-on-one GRE tutoring via Zoom to students anywhere in the world. Online sessions use screen sharing and a digital whiteboard, and they can be recorded if you wish so you can review material between sessions. Many students combine in-person and online sessions for maximum flexibility.
The GRE General Test takes 1 hour 58 minutes: one 30-minute Issue essay, two Verbal sections (27 questions in total), and two Quant sections (27 questions in total). There is no scheduled break and no unscored section. As of August 1, 2026, the fee is $249 in most of the world.
Results depend on your starting point and the practice you complete between sessions, but Dr. Donnelly’s students see an average score increase of 12–16 points. He sets a realistic target after reviewing your diagnostic results.