my gmat journey with sarfraz
After taking the GMAT twice and scoring 675 both times, I was at a crossroads. While 675 is a very good score for most people, I needed to aim higher because I was targeting scholarships at top schools. I was panicking about whether I could improve enough. A senior from work recommended Sarfraz, and though I was initially skeptical about private tutoring (it seemed like an unnecessary expense), I decided to give it a shot.
Best. Decision. Ever.
From our first session itself, I could tell Sarfraz's approach was completely different from what I had been doing. While I had been obsessing over content knowledge and drilling hundreds of questions, Sarfraz immediately identified gaps in my test strategy that were holding me back.
What makes Sarfraz different is his incredible understanding of how the GMAT actually works. Anyone can teach you formulas and rules, but Sarfraz taught me how to think during the test. We spent time analyzing not just why answers were wrong, but also understanding the test maker's psychology - how they design traps and how to avoid them.
My biggest breakthrough came when Sarfraz showed me his time management strategy. I was spending too much time on difficult questions early in sections, which left me rushing through questions I could have easily gotten right. He taught me when to cut my losses and make strategic guesses - something I never would have figured out on my own.
What I appreciated most was how he customized everything to my specific weaknesses. This wasn't some cookie-cutter approach - he actually analyzed my error patterns and tailored strategies specifically for me.
After 12 sessions with Sarfraz over 5 weeks, my score jumped from 675 to 765!
To anyone preparing for the GMAT, especially if you've been self-studying: please do yourself a favor and book at least 10 hours with Sarfraz. Even if you think you've covered all the content, his test strategy insights are worth every dime. He completely changed my perception of what private tutoring could be - it's not just about explaining concepts, but about developing a winning mindset and approach.
I can confidently say I wouldn't be here without Sarfraz's guidance. Truly the best investment I made in my application journey.
- Rajat Dhamija (GMAT 765 - Q88/V89/DI87)
How Sarfraz Helped Me Conquer the GMAT
When I first decided to take the GMAT, I was completely lost. My initial diagnostic score was a disappointing 515, and I honestly had no idea how to improve. After trying a few prep courses that didn't seem to work for me, a friend suggested Aristotle Prep's tutoring services, and it turned out to be exactly what I needed.
What sets Sarfraz apart is his practical approach to teaching. Unlike other tutors who get bogged down in academic theory, Sarfraz teaches GMAT concepts in a functional, application-oriented way. He'd always say, "Don't memorize the formula, understand when and why to use it." This made complex quant topics finally click for me.
The way he tracked my progress was incredible. Sarfraz built this super detailed error log system that helped identify patterns in my mistakes that even I couldn't see. "Look, you're not struggling with modifiers in general - just with these specific types in these specific contexts," he'd point out. This targeted approach saved me countless hours of inefficient studying.
One thing I really value now is his insistence on using official GMAT questions. At first, I was annoyed because I wanted more practice material, but he explained that unofficial questions often test concepts differently. He was 100% right - once I focused exclusively on official questions, my understanding of the test improved dramatically.
Sarfraz completely changed my approach to practice. Instead of the "solve 100 problems a day" method I was trying before, he taught me how to extract maximum learning from each question. We'd sometimes spend 15 minutes on a single problem, analyzing every answer choice and understanding the underlying concepts. "Quality over quantity" was his mantra, and it worked!
The best part? Studying with Sarfraz never felt like a slog. Our sessions were focused and efficient - no unnecessary homework or pointless drills. He structured everything around my learning style and schedule, giving me a detailed 8-week Excel plan with weekly tasks leading up to my test day. Having this roadmap made the whole process feel manageable.
On days when I felt like giving up (and there were many), Sarfraz knew exactly what to say to keep me going. "Remember why you started this journey," he'd remind me. His belief in my ability to improve was sometimes stronger than my own, and that made all the difference.
What really helped with my test anxiety (which had been my biggest hurdle) was his strategy of gradually increasing question difficulty throughout our time together. By the time my actual GMAT day arrived, I had already faced and conquered questions that were more challenging than what appeared on the test. That greatly helped keep my nerves in control on test day.
After 8 weeks of working with Sarfraz, my score jumped from 515 to 655! I know that might not sound as impressive as those 705+ scores you often hear about, but for me, this was a life-changing improvement that opened doors to schools I never thought I could get into.
If you're struggling with the GMAT, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed or don't know where to start, I cannot recommend Sarfraz enough. He doesn't just teach you the GMAT - he teaches you how to learn, how to think, and how to believe in yourself.
- Khushi Mehta (GMAT 655 - Q84/V82/DI 82)
The magic of test strategy
When I started working with Sarfraz, my GMAT score was stuck around 625 and I had only 3 weeks before my test. I honestly didn’t think it was possible to improve more than 10-20 points in such short time, but somehow I ended up increasing 70 points in just 20 days. I still can’t believe it.
Before working with him, I thought I already had good test strategy. But after just one session with Sarfraz, I realized how basic my approach was. The way he thinks about the test is completely different. It’s not just about solving questions fast or understanding concepts. It’s about using the test’s structure, timing, question flow – things I never paid attention to.
We didn’t even spend much time discussing concepts or reviewing mistakes in detail. Instead, Sarfraz went deep into my mock test performances. He would analyse every mock I took, and based on that, he gave me very targeted advice and practice questions. Each session was focused on improving my test behavior, not just my knowledge.
This approach made all the difference. I learned how to handle pressure, manage time better, and avoid silly errors that I was repeating again and again. I just wish I had found Sarfraz earlier in my preparation.
If you are retaking the GMAT Focus and even if you have only a few days left, please talk to him. Even a single session can give you insights you probably never thought about. His suggestions were very unique, and actually made sense after I applied them.
To be honest, I was skeptical in our first meeting. He told me he could help increase my score 50 points just by changing my test strategy. I didn’t believe it. But now I am a fan.
Thanks Sarfraz – you completely changed my mindset about this test.
- Raman Lal (GMAT 695)
Struggling with DI?
If Data Insights is holding your GMAT score back, it's not because you're not smart enough. It's because nobody has taught you how to approach it properly.
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