Should I Get a Tutor? How to Decide (and What Type of Tutoring Works Best)

The real reasons students (and families) choose tutoring

Every learner’s situation is different, but the decision usually lands in one of these buckets:

You’re struggling and feel behind your cohort

If concepts aren’t sticking or you’ve missed foundational content, weekly or fortnightly sessions are your best bet. A consistent cadence lets the tutor plug gaps, rebuild confidence, and coach you on “how to learn” — note-taking, spaced practice, active recall, and exam technique — not just “what to learn.” Pair lessons with short, regular at-home practice to compound gains.

You want pre-exam or assessment help — without a long-term commitment

Not everyone needs weekly lessons. Many students book targeted intensives across 2–6 sessions to review core topics, sit timed practice, and workshop marking criteria. Be upfront about your timeline and goals so your tutor can build a focused mini-plan.

You’ve lost motivation (or you’re stuck on a plateau)

Great tutors are coaches as much as content experts. Expect accountability, simple study routines you’ll actually follow, and a cheer squad when the wobblies hit. A steady rhythm of small wins often reignites motivation.

You want to improve, but don’t know how

In senior years, marks swing on details: rubric language, method marks, clarifying assumptions, and exam-room discipline. Tutors translate “teacher feedback” into clear next steps, model high-scoring responses, and help you practise under time.

You’d like to learn from top scorers and experienced teachers

Tutors on Learnmate include high-achieving graduates (95+ ATARs and award winners), qualified teachers, and industry professionals. They’ve sat the same assessments or taught them — and can show you the shortcuts, pitfalls and patterns faster than going it alone.

You’re chasing top marks, scholarships, or selective entry

Elite goals demand elite habits: target setting, data-driven revision, marking to criteria, and fine-tuning expression. A tutor can supply high-yield resources, schedule timed drills, and give the kind of precise feedback that moves you from “good” to “great.”

What type of tutoring suits your situation?

There’s no one-size-fits-all. Match the format to the job:

• Regular 1:1 tutoring (weekly/fortnightly): Best for catching up, building foundations, and maintaining momentum through the term.

• Short-burst intensives (2–6 sessions): Best for exam blocks, SACs, assessment polishing, or nailing a single weak area.

• Small-group sessions: Good value for revision cycles and peer learning if students are at a similar level.

• Online tutoring: Flexible, no travel, and powerful when paired with a purpose-built classroom (shared whiteboards, file annotations, recordings).

• In-person tutoring: Ideal for younger learners, hands-on subjects, or when focus is a challenge at home.

Tip: clarity beats volume. Decide the goal (e.g., “lift Methods short-answer from 60% → 75% in 6 weeks”), then choose the cadence and format that fits your calendar and budget.

How to tell if tutoring is working (quick self-check)

• Clarity: Are explanations clicking faster? Can you teach the idea back to your teacher, a peer or someone else?

• Consistency: Are you following a realistic study plan between lessons?

• Feedback: Are you getting specific, criterion-linked feedback with examples?

• Progress: Are quiz scores, practice tasks, SAC marks or past-paper sections trending up?

• Confidence: Are you calmer starting tasks and clearer on how to start?

If any answer is “not yet,” raise it with your tutor — good tutors will recalibrate the plan.

Making tutoring effective: what great sessions look like

• Start with diagnostics. A short skills check or past task reveals gaps and saves time.

• Set a micro-goal per lesson. “Factorising quadratics” is clearer than “Algebra.”

• Active practice over passive notes. Work problems, verbalise steps, and write to criteria.

• Tight feedback loops. Quick mark-ups, model answers, then immediate redo.

• Homework with purpose. Small, targeted drills (15–30 minutes) beat marathon sessions.

• Exam rehearsal. Timed blocks, reading time strategy, and reflection using checklists.

Common objections — answered

• “I’m too busy.” Even one 60-minute session fortnightly can keep you accountable and efficient. When built into your schedule, you will not only find the time but you will likely find you are more efficient in the time you have left in your schedule also.

• “It’s expensive.” Prices vary widely by subject, experience and location. Targeted bursts during critical windows can be highly cost-effective. You might find tutors are more affordable than you thought on Learnmate or that doing lessons in bursts or when needed makes it work within your budget.

• “Shouldn’t school be enough?” Classroom teaching lays foundations; tutoring personalises, patches gaps quickly, and accelerates strengths.

How to pick the right tutor on Learnmate (fast)

1. Define the goal. One sentence you and the tutor can measure.

2. Scan profiles for fit. Look for clear subject focus, a biography that matches your needs and personality, recent outcomes and reviews, and examples of student progress.

3. Check verifications. Working with Children Check, qualifications, and reviews build trust.

4. Message with specifics. Share recent results, topics, and the upcoming assessment timetable to set expectations and objectives upfront.

5. Trial, then commit. After 1–2 sessions, assess fit using the self-check above.

Final thought: tutoring is a lever, not a lifeline

Tutoring works best when it boosts your effort, not replaces it. With clear goals, a realistic study plan, and targeted feedback, most students see real gains in clarity, confidence, and results — whether that’s catching up on foundations, sharpening exam skills, or pushing for top bands.

FAQs

Conclusion

Learnmate connects you with verified, subject-matter experts across Australia for online or in-person support. Browse profiles, compare experience and reviews, and message tutors directly to find the right fit.

• Find a tutor now: head to our search page and filter by subject, year level, location, and online/in-person preferences.
• Compare pricing: see typical ranges and tips in our How much should I pay for private tutoring? guide.
• Study smarter: explore our free resources, including VCE/HSC exam prep articles, past exams and examiner reports, and our ATAR tools.

Find your match, unlock your mind — and take the next step with Learnmate today.