peace of mind and a clear path ahead
A GMAT Tutor to raise your score
Human-Powered GMAT tutoring that is precise, personalized, and to the point. Designed to eliminate your weaknesses and leverage your strengths by developing your core reasoning from the ground up.
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Tailored GMAT tutoring by an experienced 99th percentile instructor
There are two main challenges to GMAT prep:
1. Progress is not linear.
2. There is an enormous amount of information online – more so with AI.
How do you start?
Do you stick to your plan when you are stuck on a score or change your gmat study plan?
A good gmat study plan starts with a thorough diagnosis to determine your strengths and weaknesses. We double down on your strengths, and address your weaknesses.
I have helped numerous ambitious professionals navigate a busy life to overcome the GMAT hurdle and get into business school.
Don’t take my word for it. Here is what some of them have to say
Over the years, I helped many candidates overcome the GMAT hurdle and secure admission into their dream schools. These are some of their stories.
A great GMAT tutor is more than a 99th percentile score
You need a lot more than a 99th percentile score in a gmat tutor. Over the years I helped many non-native English speakers and non-technical candidates make great gains in both quantitative and verbal reasoning. To do that, I had to identify ineffective reasoning habits and program effective ones instead. This can be tough. A great GMAT tutor must be highly empathetic and a great motivator.

Why the GMAT is tough and how a GMAT tutor can help
The GMAT is a timed test and that makes all the difference to your preparation. You must be able to reason effectively to solve questions in on average two minutes per questions.
That is fast and requires high autonomy in solving problems.
Many moving parts must come together as a coherent whole. To do this, you must become a lean reasoning machine and to arrive there may require different strategies and tools for the underlying parts to finally fit. Think of the gmatbuddy approach as an interval training exercises routine. You may need a few sprints to get the results you want, and I will be there to guide you every step of the way.
A GMAT tutor can organize learning tasks into a coherent whole
WHAT, WHEN, and HOW
Diagnose
Sure, we have to eliminate your weaknesses, but must also double down on your strengths. This part identifies both.
Tailored plan
You’re different and so is your study plan. We will build one that addresses your weaknesses and leverages your strengths.
Continuous assessment
You cannot drop the ball with the GMAT. This is like high performance sports. We must always assess progress and make changes.
Constant support
I am always a message away to clarify doubts and make sure you’re doing the right things.
AYHAM SHAKRA
Why I became a GMAT Tutor
In 2010, I landed in Barcelona to begin my MBA at IESE business school. On that very same day I knew I would never leave.
I started Gmatbuddy 10 years ago to help young professionals and MBA aspirants beat the GMAT and not have it hijack their life.
I believe in working from the ground up. My coaching is based on identifying your weaknesses, leveraging your strengths, and using only high quality official material to develop your quantitative and verbal reasoning.

Book a 15-minute consultation
Working with Ayham completely changed the way I approached the GMAT. I had a demanding job with frequent business trips and wasn’t sure how to balance preparation, but his guidance made it manageable and highly effective. From the very first session, it was clear that his program was built entirely around my goals, learning style, and schedule. Every lesson had a clear focus, and Ayham was consistently patient and structured. What stood out most was his focus on real understanding instead of shortcuts or memorization. The program was not overwhelming, and I actually began to enjoy studying, which I never thought possible with the GMAT. Thanks to Ayham’s support, I reached my target score and developed skills that continue to help me throughout my MBA journey. I honestly could not recommend Ayham enough. If you are serious about improving your GMAT and want a teacher who truly cares about your progress, he is the one to go to.
Excellent teacher and above all, a fantastic chap. Ayham was always willing to go above and beyond to helping me achieve my goal in the GMAT. On top of this, his empathy and reputation as an overall nice guy shines through in his lessons, giving them a personal touch. Would highly recommend!
I highly recommend anyone starting the GMAT to work with Ayham. I reached out after first trying alone, feeling super stuck and frustrated. His method focuses on understanding how best to approach the test, how to deal with the anxiety of the exam and also provides such a deep understanding of the question types in a simple and logically format. His platform and method really provided a strong understanding of the concepts while then building on them and gaining confidence. Ayham is available always to answer questions and help with what ever is needed. Thank you Ayham, this wouldn’t have been possible with you! I finally had the dejavu moments on the QR part!
Ayham is an extraordinary teacher and a true game-changer in my GMAT journey! When I started working with him, I wasn’t sure how to bridge the gap to my target score. Ayham puts immense effort into understanding your thinking process, pinpointing focus areas, and tailoring concepts in a way that resonates with you. His commitment to your success is absolute —he’s generous with his time and ensures you approach the exam with confidence and the right mindset. I can’t recommend Ayham enough if you want to hit your target score while genuinely enjoying the learning experience. Forever grateful—thank you, Ayham!
Ayham has been an exceptional teacher and mentor in my GMAT preparation. His comprehensive platform covers all necessary content, making complex concepts easy to understand. Thanks to his clear and effective teaching methods, I achieved my desired results. Ayham's dedication, encouragement, and personalized support were invaluable. Highly recommend him for anyone aiming to excel in the GMAT!
I prepare the GMAT exam with Ayham and I couldn't be more grateful for his guidance and support throughout this journey. From the very beginning, he tailored my study plan to fit my unique needs, ensuring that I focused on areas where I needed the most improvement. This personalized approach made a significant difference in my understanding and confidence. What truly sets Ayham apart is his unwavering emotional support. The process of preparing for such a critical exam can be incredibly stressful, but he was always there to provide encouragement and reassurance. His dedication to his students is evident in how accessible he made himself; no matter the time or day, he was always available to answer any questions I had. In addition to his exceptional teaching, Ayham went above and beyond by assisting me with my university applications. He offered advice and guidance throughout the entire admissions process, making it much less daunting. If I ever had to take the GMAT again, I would not hesitate to choose Ayham as my instructor. His expertise, personalized approach, and genuine care for his students make him an outstanding educator. I highly recommend him to anyone preparing for the GMAT!
When I first started preparing for the GMAT, I felt completely overwhelmed and unsure of how to achieve the score I needed. I was lost, and the daunting task seemed impossible. That all changed when I found Ayham and his GMAT Buddy platform. From the beginning, Ayham's approach was incredibly personalized. He meticulously assessed my strengths and weaknesses, crafting a study plan that targeted the areas where I needed the most improvement. This tailored strategy made all the difference, transforming what felt like an insurmountable challenge into a manageable and structured process. One of the standout aspects of working with Ayham was his unwavering support. He was always available, promptly responding to my messages and providing extra GMAT questions and information whenever I needed them. His dedication was evident in the additional resources he provided, including videos that clearly explained the resolution of complex problems. These videos were particularly helpful, as they allowed me to understand the underlying concepts and approaches to different types of questions. Ayham's support extended beyond GMAT preparation. He also played a crucial role in my application process. He reviewed my essays with a keen eye, offering insightful feedback that greatly improved the quality of my submissions. Additionally, he provided invaluable tips for my interview process, which helped me feel confident and well-prepared. Throughout this journey, Ayham was not only a knowledgeable professional but also a kind and gentle mentor. His patience and encouragement were instrumental in keeping me motivated and focused on my goals. I cannot recommend Ayham and GMAT Buddy highly enough. His expertise, dedication, and personalized approach made a significant impact on my GMAT preparation and application process. If you're looking for a supportive and effective guide on your GMAT journey, Ayham is the person to turn to.
Muy buen guÃa, profesor y apoyo. Sin duda ha sido una gran decisión pedirle soporte para la preparación del GMAT.
Ayham is a real GMAT Buddy from start to finish. Not only he delivers a taylor-made advisory service to the specific needs of the student, but he also cares about you and gives you real support in the most difficult moments. He is available virtually 24/7 and quickly responds to important/urgent requirements of the student, which is extremely important during some situations of the MBA application process. As a professional, and as a person, I would like to highlight his kindness, patience, and empathy with the student. In my case, he helped me to improve from an official 580 up to an official 670 on the GMAT, after only 4 months. For me, it was particularly difficult to improve, since I had already exhausted all the official material and mock tests attempts (done them twice) and had no additional official material to practice on. It also was quite harsh for me to keep improving, since I am not a native English speaker and have had little exposure to the language during my whole life, and I needed to completely reconfigure my Verbal Reasoning, how I processed information, and how I read (also poor reading skills). Ayham designed a completely customised strategy for me, which I followed and managed to get the result that I needed. Thank you very much for your support, Ayham. It has been a pleasure. Mario
I highly recommend GMAT Buddy. With Ayham’s assistance I was able to improve my GMAT score in short order. His programe is tailored for each student and focuses on your strength and weaknesses, allowing you to focus and organize your time.
Exceptional tutor, with a remarkable blend of empathy, precision and generous support.
Ayham helped me enormously on my GMAT preparation to pursue my MBA. He is very patient and focuses on your abilities rather than a pre-assembled program. Also, he provides you with tools beyond academics to help you get the best performance possible.
Great preparation, tailor made to the student's needs. GMAT Buddy can help students of all levels of expertise ace the GMAT. With one on one lessons to improve test strategies and reasoning, as well as recommended tasks to prepare outside class, GMAT Buddy can really take students to the next level. From my personal experience, I did some initial prep for the GMAT on my own, but it was only after GMAT Buddy that I truly grasped the concepts and jumped to the next level. 100% recommend this
Great help for the GMAT prep. Highly reccomend working with Ayham. I contacted him for a last push during my study for the GMAT, and quickly identified my weaknesses to work on! Great experience!
Gmatbuddy and Ayham are a must when it comes to GMAT preparation, specially under tight deadlines or if you are struggling with how to prepare it. I got a recommendation from the admission team of the business school I was planning on attending and I am sure that I made the right decision, as I would not have made it without him. Ayham helped me to achieve the score I needed to secure admission and was key to boost my score from 570 to 680 in 3 months, something that I thought could not be possible. He has done so by his unique approach to the exam and his one-on-one sessions. The program and the way you study will be tailored to your specific needs, which I found to be unique compared to other programs. Also, the way the program is taught focuses on strengthen your foundations and the way you approach the exam, not just repeating questions over and over (which you will eventually have to do, of course). Ayham has helped me to think differently, faster, and more efficiently, which really helps to approach the test questions in a more clear and easier way. The method was easy to follow, well-structured and almost fun (as fun as studying for the GMAT can be). It consists in numerous courses and quizzes that cover all topics included on the exam, with detailed presentations and explanatory videos that made my life way easier. You can also track your progress easily and very intuitively to understand what your weak areas are, how long you take per question, and what is the most efficient way of solving them. Furthermore, one-on-one sessions with Ayham are what puts it all together. He is an outstanding teacher, his explanations are clear and concise, technically he is excellent and there is no question he cannot answer. Nevertheless, for me his greatest asset was his ability to motivate you and make you believe that you can achieve your goal, even when you are really struggling and think it is not possible. He is always available, listens, cares and has great emotional intelligence to guide you through the sometimes-painful process of studying for the GMAT. Therefore, for me Ayham does not only prepare you for the GMAT, but also teaches you how to think in a more efficient and clear way. You will not only invest on skills that are valuable to get a great GMAT score, but also on skills that will be key to perform at your highest in business school and at your job. In conclusion, I am very grateful to Ayham and I definitely recommend him to anyone who is looking to prepare for the GMAT, as his tailored method and unique counseling will enable you to ace the exam and learn to think differently, faster and more efficiently.
Ayham from Gmatbuddy comes highly recommended by both family and friends, and it's not hard to see why. As someone who had been out of the classroom for over seven years, I needed all the help I could get to prepare for the GMAT exam, and Ayham's helpful attitude and availability proved invaluable. What sets Ayham apart is his unique method of preparing for the GMAT exam that delivers significant score improvements in a shorter time frame. The method is easy to follow, not overwhelming, and even enjoyable. However, it's the personal touch and one-on-one sessions with Ayham that truly make the difference. Throughout my preparation process, Ayham was always there for me, regardless of the time zone differences due to my frequent travels. He provided clear explanations to all my doubts, listened to my concerns, and provided much-needed encouragement. I was amazed at how he taught me to approach complex problems with simple solutions, which accelerated my progress significantly. I highly recommend Gmatbuddy and Ayham to anyone looking to prepare for the GMAT exam. Ayham's personalized counseling and unique approach to teaching will give you the ability to see through problems and boost your progress greatly. I'm grateful to Ayham, and I'm not sure I would have made it into an MBA program without his guidance.
Regardless your knowledge, bachelor, overall background or time that you need to dedicate to the GMAT, Gmatbuddy led by Ayham is just the perfect and more tailored mentoring programme that you can have in order to stand out and boost your GMAT. In my experience, Ayham has helped me greatly not only to score a better GMAT grade when I was struggling the most but also to learn faster, more efficiently and think differently to face my GMAT and MBA goals in a better way. Ayham is an outstanding professional and person. From a technical perspective he is excellent, he has been mentoring many students all over the world for years and he perfectly knows the best techniques to make sure that you succeed in your goals. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, I believe his greatest asset is his emotional intelligence and empathy towards his students as well as the way of transferring knowledge to others, he understands very well what is your greatest struggle and he tailors the programme to your needs. Additionally, he always gives his best in all his sessions and he is always willing to help more when needed. I recommend Gmatbuddy and Ayham 200%, without them, I would have not made it.
GMAT Tutoring packages
All plans include the following
Concept Videos
Clear explanations of all concepts tested on the GMAT from the ground up.
Video solutions
Detailed solutions to official GMAT questions that go far beyond concepts. Here I explain how to reason efficiently.
Study Plans
Study plans that explain what material to use, when, and how.
Question Bank
Huge question bank of high quality questions that develop your foundations in math and verbal reasoning.
1 Year GROUP – Starts OCT
2740 Euros
If you prefer the strength and support of a community of like-minded people. Participate in live discussions, competitions, and receive my help for 1 year through the community.
8 week 1-on-1 sprint
2500 Euros
If you’re stuck or close to your goal and need that extra edge to make the most out of your next attempt. We meet 8 times over a period of 8 weeks to identify some quick wins.
1 Year: x5 1-on-1 sprints
10,000 Euros
Ideal for someone who has little experience with quantitative and verbal reasoning. If you are starting around low 400s or 500s and need to arrive at the 90th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our products and services.
Why is it important to work with official material?
It is a question of calibration. GMAT questions are meticulously designed and tested to meet strict standards. The nuance that makes a question difficult is quite elegant and difficult to replicate. Test prep companies who use non-official material train you on poor quality knock offs that compromise your mock tests and deliver a poor calibration.
How do I know I will benefit from your tutoring?
Read all my success stories and reviews. Every single one is real. Better yet, book a consultation. In 15 minutes I will show you, not tell you, why I am better than anyone else in the industry.
What package should I choose?
If you are going for an early start and need time to prepare and feel that you don’t need 1-on-1 support go for the community.
If you need to build a basis upon which you can continue to prepare on your own, or are very close to your target, choose the 8 week sprint.
If you have a hectic lifestyle, have the resources, and are starting from a low score, choose the 1 years 1-on-1.
Do you tutor in-person or online
Online. This saves me and you a lot of time. I know that an in-person session may be perceived as better, but online is equally animated for the experienced engaging tutor.
Will you provide me with a detailed study plan?
Yes. With 1-on-1 tutoring I constantly assess whether progress is made and intervene to change the plan accordingly.