What should I ask a tutor before the first lesson?

Ask how they would start with a student at your level, which materials they use, how they measure progress, how long lessons last, what their rate and cancellation policy are, and whether they have taught your exact course, curriculum or exam before.

Does a tutor need a teaching qualification?

Not necessarily. A certified teacher brings classroom experience, but a university student or subject specialist can be an excellent tutor, especially for homework help or a course they took recently. What matters most is subject knowledge at your level and the ability to explain clearly. On WantATutor, a Verified badge means the tutor uploaded a diploma or certificate that our team reviewed.

How do I know if a tutor is working?

After three or four lessons you should see something concrete: fewer mistakes on a topic, better homework or quiz scores, or a student who can explain the material back. A good tutor tells you what they are working on and why. If nothing has changed after a month, raise it with the tutor before booking more.

Is it better to find a tutor near me or online?

For most subjects from middle school up, online tutoring works as well as in-person and gives you many more tutors to choose from. In-person lessons can suit young children, students who struggle to focus on a screen, and hands-on subjects. See our online vs in-person tutoring guide for a full comparison.

Should a parent sit in on tutoring lessons?

For young children, a parent being nearby for the first lessons is sensible. For teenagers, it usually works better to agree goals together, then let the student and tutor work and get a short update from the tutor every few weeks.

What if the tutor isn't a good fit?

Say so early and move on. There is no contract on WantATutor and no fee, so you can message another tutor or post a new request at any time.

Guide for students and parents

How to choose a tutor

Updated November 10, 2026 · WantATutor

Short answer

To choose a tutor, start with one clear goal, then shortlist tutors who teach your exact subject and level, compare their experience, rates and reviews, ask a few specific questions, and judge the first lesson: a good tutor finds out what you already know, explains clearly and leaves you with a plan. Price and credentials matter less than fit.

If you're thinking "I need a tutor", the hard part is rarely finding one: it's choosing the right one. A good private tutor can change how a student feels about a subject in a few weeks; a poor fit wastes money and confidence. These nine checks work whether you want a math tutor for a 7th grader, an online tutor for the SAT or a language teacher for yourself.

1. Define the goal before you search

Tutors are good at different things. "Help with chemistry" could mean catching up after missed lessons, keeping up with weekly homework, raising a grade from C to B, or preparing for a specific exam in eight weeks. Write one sentence: what should be different, and by when? That sentence tells you which tutors to shortlist, and it is the first thing a good tutor will ask you anyway.

2. Match the subject and the level, not just the subject

Someone who is brilliant at university physics is not automatically good at explaining fractions to a ten-year-old. Look for tutors who teach your level: elementary school, middle school, high school and test prep or college and adults. For exams, look for tutors who name the exam you are taking (for example SAT, AP, GCSE or IB) and the curriculum you follow.

3. Read the profile for specifics

Strong tutor profiles are specific: which courses they teach, how they structure a lesson, what kind of students they work best with. Vague profiles ("I am passionate about teaching") tell you little. On WantATutor tutor profiles you can see the hourly rate, subjects, levels, lesson format, experience, education and availability before you send a message.

4. Check experience and credentials sensibly

Experience with students like you is worth more than a long CV. A certified teacher knows how classrooms and grading work; a university student may relate better to a teenager and know the material fresh. Both can be the right choice. If documents matter to you, look for the Verified badge, which means the tutor uploaded a diploma, teaching license or certificate and our team reviewed it. The document itself is never published.

5. Read reviews for patterns

One glowing or one negative review says little. Look for repeated themes: is the tutor punctual, patient, well prepared, good at exam technique? On WantATutor, reviews come from signed-in users, each user can leave one review per tutor, and reviews are read before they are published. A new tutor with no reviews isn't a bad sign on its own; judge them on the first lesson.

6. Compare the rate against the plan

Every tutor sets their own rate, so prices vary widely. Instead of picking the cheapest or the most expensive, compare the total: rate × lessons per week × weeks needed. Our guide on how much a tutor costs explains what drives the price and how to keep it down. On WantATutor there is no commission or booking fee on top of the tutor's rate.

7. Decide online or in person

Searching for a "tutor near me" limits you to whoever lives nearby. Online, you can choose from tutors anywhere, often at a wider range of prices. For most students above about age ten, online lessons work well; younger children and some hands-on subjects can benefit from in-person sessions. Read the full online vs in-person tutoring comparison, or browse online tutors.

8. Ask these questions before booking

Send these in your first message; the answers tell you a lot:

Have you taught this course, curriculum or exam before, and at what level?
How would you spend the first lesson?
How will we know it's working, and when will you tell me?
Do you set work between lessons, and how much?
What is your rate, lesson length and cancellation policy?
For online lessons: which video tool do you use, and do you use a whiteboard?

A tutor who answers clearly and asks about the student in return is usually a good sign. A tutor who promises a guaranteed grade is not.

9. Use the first lesson as a trial

Ask whether the tutor offers a short intro lesson; some offer the first one free. Afterwards, ask the student three questions: Did you understand the explanations? Did you feel comfortable asking questions? Do you know what you'll work on next? If the answers are yes, book a few more lessons and review after a month. If not, try another tutor; there is no contract to break.

Red flags to watch for

Asking for payment for a whole term before any lesson has taken place.
Guaranteeing a specific grade or score.
No questions about the student's current level or goals.
Reluctance to say what they will cover or how long it should take.
Doing the homework for the student instead of teaching how to do it.

The fastest way to compare tutors

You can browse and message tutors one by one, or let them come to you. With "Find one for me", you post a free request with the subject, level, country or online, and a short note. Up to five matching tutors reply with their hourly rate and a message, and you choose. Only the tutor you choose sees your phone number.

Prefer to search yourself? Start from all subjects or go straight to math tutors, English tutors or physics tutors.