Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing depends on the number of sessions and your preparation timeline. Dr. Donnelly offers several package options to fit different budgets. Contact us for a free consultation where we'll discuss pricing based on your specific needs and goals.

After an initial free consultation, Dr. Donnelly conducts a diagnostic assessment to identify your strengths and weaknesses. He then creates a personalized study plan targeting the areas where you'll see the greatest score improvement. Sessions are typically 90 minutes, held weekly or twice weekly, either in-person or via Zoom.

Absolutely. Online sessions use Zoom with screen sharing and digital whiteboard tools, creating an experience that many students find equally or even more effective than in-person sessions. Students working online achieve the same score improvements as those meeting in person.

Most students work with Dr. Donnelly for 8 to 16 weeks, though timelines vary based on your starting level, target score, and available study time. During your free consultation, Dr. Donnelly will recommend a preparation timeline tailored to your situation.

Dr. Donnelly uses a combination of official GMAC materials, proprietary problem sets developed over 20+ years, and targeted practice resources. All materials are fully updated for the GMAT Focus Edition format.

While no ethical tutor can guarantee a specific score, Dr. Donnelly's track record speaks for itself: students consistently achieve score improvements of 80 or more points. His personalized approach ensures every session directly contributes to your score improvement.

Yes. The 30-minute consultation is completely free with no obligation. It's an opportunity to discuss your goals, assess your current level, and determine whether private tutoring is the right approach for your GMAT preparation.

Dr. Donnelly holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford and has over 20 years of experience as a private GMAT tutor. He has helped hundreds of students achieve 700+ scores and gain admission to top MBA programs including Harvard, Wharton, Columbia, and NYU Stern.

The GMAT Focus Edition replaced the original GMAT in November 2023. It features three sections — Quantitative Reasoning (21 questions, 45 minutes), Verbal Reasoning (23 questions, 45 minutes), and Data Insights (20 questions, 45 minutes). The total score range is 205 to 805. Notable changes include the removal of the AWA writing section and Sentence Correction questions.

Yes. Dr. Donnelly offers in-person tutoring at his San Diego office (5425 Oberlin Drive, Suite 202, Sorrento Valley), as well as online sessions via Zoom for students anywhere in the country. Many students combine in-person and online sessions for maximum flexibility.