For parents and students
15 questions to ask a tutor before you start
A ten-minute conversation before the first lesson saves months of the wrong fit. These are the questions worth asking, and what good answers sound like.
By the Websink Tutors team · · 2 min read
Most problems with tuition come from expectations that were never discussed: which syllabus, how often, what progress looks like, and what happens when a lesson is missed. A short conversation before you start avoids nearly all of them.
Here are fifteen questions worth asking, grouped by topic.
About the subject and syllabus
1. Which exact syllabus or board have you taught? For Cambridge, a good tutor names the syllabus code. For Matric and FSc, the board and textbook. Vague answers like "all boards" deserve a follow-up.
2. How many students have you taught at this level, and how did they do? You are listening for real experience, not a sales pitch. Specific examples are a good sign.
3. Which topics do students usually find hardest? An experienced tutor answers immediately and explains how they teach those topics.
About how they teach
4. How will you find out what my child already knows? Good tutors start with a short assessment or a conversation about recent tests, not with chapter one.
5. What does a typical lesson look like? Explanation, worked examples, practice, and a check at the end is a healthy pattern.
6. Will you set homework, and will you mark it? Marked work with comments is where much of the learning happens.
7. How do you use past papers? For exam classes, the answer should include timed papers and marking against the official scheme.
8. What do you do if my child is stuck on a topic for a while? Look for a tutor who changes the approach, not one who simply repeats it.
About progress and communication
9. How will you keep me updated? A short message after each lesson, or a summary every few weeks, both work. Agree on one.
10. How will we know it is working? Clear milestones, like test scores or topics mastered, make it easy to judge after a month.
About online lessons
11. Which platform and tools do you use? Zoom, Google Meet and WhatsApp are common. Ask whether they use a digital pen or shared whiteboard, so written working is easy to follow.
12. What happens if the internet drops? A sensible tutor has a plan, such as switching to mobile data or extending the next lesson.
About fees and practicalities
13. What are your fees, and how do you prefer to be paid? Per lesson, per month, or per package. Paying through a bank transfer or mobile wallet leaves a record.
14. Do you offer a trial lesson? Many tutors offer one, sometimes at a reduced fee. It is the best way to see whether your child connects with them.
15. What is your policy on missed or rescheduled lessons? Agree this at the start, for both sides, so there are no awkward conversations later.
After you ask
Notice how the tutor answers, not only what they say. Clear, patient, specific answers are usually a good sign of how they will teach. If you feel rushed or pressured to pay a large amount up front, take your time.
Keep reading
Questions people ask
Should I pay a tutor in advance?
Paying monthly in advance is common in Pakistan, but for a new tutor it is reasonable to start with a trial lesson or a shorter period. Use a payment method that leaves a record.
Is a trial lesson worth it?
Yes. A trial lesson shows how the tutor explains things and whether your child is comfortable with them, which no profile can tell you.
How quickly should I see progress?
Give a new tutor three to four weeks. By then you should see better understanding in the topics covered, marked work coming back, and a clear plan for what comes next.
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