Math tutoring: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What math tutoring is

Math tutoring works one on one to explain concepts, check homework and build problem-solving skills, from arithmetic to advanced courses. Students and parents book it when a class moves too fast, when a test is coming, or when a student says they simply do not understand why the steps work.

Signs you need it

  • Homework takes hours and the answers are still wrong
  • The student can follow a worked example but freezes on a new problem
  • Test scores drop after each new unit, even when the student studies
  • The student says they are bad at math and avoids working problems
  • A new class or a higher level is starting and the student has gaps from earlier units

What the pro does

  • Checks which skills the student has and where the gaps start, using a short set of problems
  • Explains each concept with a worked example and then a similar problem the student solves alone
  • Works through homework step by step, with the tutor asking questions instead of giving answers
  • Builds problem-solving habits, such as reading a question for what it asks and checking the answer
  • Gives practice sets between sessions and reviews the results at the next session

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of each session and how many sessions are in a series
  • The level of math, from arithmetic to advanced courses
  • Whether sessions are in person or online
  • Group or one-on-one tutoring
  • Whether the tutor writes practice sets or uses the school's materials
  • How much homework help versus concept teaching each session needs

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, session length and start date
  • Whether sessions are in person or online, and what software or room is used
  • Whether practice sets and progress notes are included
  • Cancellation and make-up policy for missed sessions
  • Whether the tutor will contact a teacher or share progress with a parent

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you find the gaps in my child's math skills before you start?
  • Do you explain the reason behind a method, or only show the steps?
  • How do you help a student who freezes on a new type of problem?
  • Will you check homework with my child, and will you tell me what they got wrong?
  • If my child is under 18, have you passed a background check?
  • How will we know the tutoring is working, and what will change in the next month?
  • Can you work with the textbook or the teacher's method we already use?

Red flags

  • Does the homework for the student and gives them the answers
  • Promises a grade change or a set score on a test without checking the student's skills
  • Does not ask what the student is studying or what the teacher expects
  • Keeps the student on the same type of problem without showing them how to adapt

What you can do yourself

A student can work through the practice problems in the textbook, watch short explanation videos for a topic, and rework missed problems a day later. Ask the teacher for old tests or answer keys to check work. Hire a tutor when the same type of problem keeps going wrong, when a grade is slipping, or when the student needs someone to explain a method in a different way.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to tutor math privately. If the tutor works in a school or with a school program, the school may have its own rules. Ask whether the tutor has a degree or teaching experience in math, and check with your state or local licensing agency only if the tutoring is part of a school or program that has its own requirements.

Math tutoring questions

Should a tutor do my child's homework?

A good tutor helps the student work through the problems and explains each step, so the student can do the next one alone. If a tutor does the homework for the student, the test will show the gap.

How often should my child meet a tutor?

It depends on the gap. Many students benefit from one or two sessions a week before a test, and fewer once the skill holds. Ask the tutor for a plan with a point where you will review it.

Do I need to sit in on the sessions?

For younger students, a parent nearby can help the tutor share progress. For older students, many tutors prefer the session to be between the student and the tutor. Ask what the tutor prefers and what they will report back to you.

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