Whether you're a parent or a student, it's hard to judge a tutor from a profile. A short conversation tells you much more than a list of credentials, if you ask the right things.
7 questions to ask
- How will you find out where I'm stuck? Look for a clear answer, such as reviewing a recent test.
- Can you work with my course and textbook? Tutoring should connect with what's graded.
- What happens between lessons? Ask about practice and how it gets reviewed.
- How do you explain something when I still don't get it? They should have more than one way.
- How will we measure progress? Test scores, fewer repeated mistakes, or both.
- What's your cancellation policy? It should be written, and easy to find.
- Can we talk first? A short free call lets you test the fit.
Signs of a good fit
A good tutor asks you to explain your thinking, and lets you make mistakes before correcting them. You should end a lesson able to do a similar problem on your own. That last part is the real test.
Warning signs
Watch out if a tutor does your homework for you, promises a specific score, or pushes a large package before you've talked. Real results depend on the student, the starting point and the time available.
Online or in person?
Online tutoring gives you more choice, since you aren't limited to who lives nearby, and it saves travel time. A shared whiteboard and a video call work well for math. The tutor's skill matters more than the format.
Parents: include your child
Students do better with a tutor they're comfortable asking questions of. Let your child join the first call, and ask them afterward whether the explanations made sense.
Want to talk it through? Book a free consultation. See pricing or tutoring by subject.