What does a tutor do?

People search for a tutor for many reasons: a child struggling with math, a teenager preparing for the SAT, an adult learning Spanish or piano. In every case the tutor's job is the same: help one learner make progress faster than they would alone. Here is what that looks like in practice.

What a tutor does, step by step

1. Finds the starting point. A diagnostic conversation, a short test or a look at recent work shows what the student already knows and where they get stuck.
2. Agrees a goal. A grade, a test score, finishing a course, or being able to hold a conversation.
3. Explains and models. The tutor explains topics in a way that fits the student, often in several ways until one works.
4. Practices together. The student works through problems while the tutor watches, asks questions and corrects mistakes immediately.
5. Sets practice. Short tasks between lessons make the learning stick.
6. Tracks progress. Over a few weeks the tutor checks results against the goal and adjusts the plan.

Tutor vs teacher

A classroom teacher has to move a whole group through a curriculum at one pace. A tutor can slow down on one topic, skip what the student already knows and focus entirely on one person's mistakes. That is why even a few tutoring sessions can make a noticeable difference on a specific topic. Tutors may be certified teachers, university students, subject specialists or professionals; what matters most is knowing the subject at the student's level and explaining it clearly.

Main types of tutoring

• Subject support: keeping up with a school course such as algebra, chemistry or English.
• Test preparation: SAT, ACT, AP, IB, GCSE, A-levels, IELTS, TOEFL and other exams.
• Homework help and study skills: organization, note-taking and revision habits.
• Languages: conversation, grammar, exam preparation and English as a second language.
• Music, art and coding: skills learned through guided practice.
• Learning differences: tutors experienced with dyslexia, ADHD and other needs.

Browse all tutoring subjects or start from a school level.

Online or in person

Tutoring can happen at home, at a library or online over video. Online lessons use a shared whiteboard or document and let you choose from many more tutors. Read online vs in-person tutoring to compare.

Do you need a tutor?

If a student keeps getting stuck on the same topics, has an exam coming up, or wants to go further than the class, a tutor can help. To get started, read how to find a tutor, then browse tutors or post a free request. Thinking of tutoring yourself? See how to become a tutor.