What to Expect From Your Tutoring Sessions

About this article
This article discusses what parents and students can expect while evaluating and attending a tutoring program.
View available schools

What to Expect From Your Tutoring Sessions

Once you and your child have decided to enroll in a tutoring program, you may wonder what to expect during your first few sessions. Procedures may vary depending on the tutoring program's method, but there are some basic protocols that most programs follow. This article includes some of the basics.

Skill Level Test

Many tutoring programs begin by giving students a skill level test. If your child is being tutored for several different subjects, the test should include all of them. On the other hand, if your child is being tutored for a single subject, the test will only address that subject. Many of these tests resemble the standardized multiple-choice tests that most children takes at the end of the year for the state education department.

This test is given so your child can be placed with other students with a similar skill level if you're having him or her attend group tutoring. It can also help a tutor determine what material your child needs to review if he or she is receiving one-on-one tutoring. The professionals at Study Guides and Strategies (www.studygs.net) report that these tests aren't meant to diagnose learning disabilities. They say that a professional academic counselor or medical professional should test for learning disabilities.

Tutor's Conduct

You may want to discuss with your child beforehand how the tutor will be working with him or her. According to Candice Kramer of PBS Campus (www.pbs.org/campus), a tutor is like a coach. He or she can provide additional explanations, help with assignments and offer emotional support. She also says that a good tutor asks more questions than he or she answers because the tutor is trying to encourage students to come up with their own answers. Remember a tutor isn't there to give your child answers - a tutor's role is to help the student grow by gaining a better understanding of the material. Your child needs to understand why the answer is what it is rather than simply knowing what the answer is.

Study Plan

Many tutors will ask students what their expectations are for their sessions. Is he or she trying to catch up or stay ahead? By asking students what their goals are, the tutors can tailor a study plan to meet these specific goals. The type of study plan can vary depending on the tutor and the methods he or she chooses to use. Some tutors ask students to complete additional tasks, such as research, in order to gain more background information on the subject. These tutors may also use outside study materials like workbooks or worksheets to help increase the student's understanding of a lesson and help him or build some confidence. Other tutors may only work on the assignments that the student brings to the session. Most tutors will expect assignments to be completed or attempted before the session, so the student can come prepared with questions, making the session more productive.

These are a few of the basics of tutoring. The director of the program may review more procedures with you as you begin to discuss their approaches. Consider taking your child with you to these meetings to help him or her become more prepared for the sessions.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Quantitative Research
      • Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning
    Master's
      • M.Ed. in Early Childhood
      • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities (ITL)
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities (NITL)
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in STEM (ITL)
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Early Childhood
      • B.S. in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Infancy and Early Childhood Studies
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • AAS Early Childhood Education
    Certificate
      • Early Childhood Care and Development Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DME: Doctor of Music Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Middle Grades Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Secondary Education
      • EDS: Curriculum and Instruction
    Certificate
      • CTG: Curriculum and Instruction
      • CTG: Higher Education Administration
  • Campus and Online Programs
    4. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Certificate
      • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning
  • Dillon, MT

    The University of Montana

  • Online Programs Available
    6. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Western Governors University

  • Minneapolis, MN

    University of Minnesota

  • Reno, NV

    University of Nevada

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
  • M.Ed. in Early Childhood
  • BS in Early Childhood

What is your highest level of education?

Bryant & Stratton College

  • AAS Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Care and Development Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Liberty University

  • DME: Doctor of Music Education
  • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
  • CTG: Curriculum and Instruction
  • CTG: Higher Education Administration

What is your highest level of education?

The Chicago School

  • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning

What is your highest level of education completed?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?