10 Questions to Ask a Tutor Before the First Class

Qualifications tell you a tutor can do the subject. They do not tell you whether they will actually work for your child. Use the demo class to find out the things a resume cannot.

1. How do you handle a topic the student is not getting? Listen for a concrete method, not just "I explain it again slower."
2. Can I see how you have taught this exact board and class before? A specific, confident answer beats a vague "yes, definitely."
3. What does a typical session actually look like? Some tutors mostly explain; some mostly make the student solve problems live. Match this to how your child actually learns.
4. How do you track progress? Even an informal weekly note to you is better than nothing — it means you are not finding out about a gap right before an exam.
5. What is your availability if we need to reschedule? Life happens on both sides; find out how flexible this actually is before you need it.
6. Have you brought identity verification? On The Classwide every teacher is Aadhaar-verified before they can contact you, but it is still reasonable to see it yourself for home tuition, especially the first time.
7. What is your fee, and does it change with more sessions or a harder patch before exams? Agree this upfront, not mid-term.
8. How do you handle a student who is not doing the homework? The answer tells you whether they will actually hold your child accountable, or just let it slide.
9. Can you give a short demo of an actual topic, not just talk about your approach? Watching them teach for ten minutes tells you more than any answer above.
10. Does my child seem comfortable with them? Ask your child directly after the demo — this one matters more than anything on this list.

If a prospective tutor cannot answer most of these clearly, that is useful information too. Post your requirement and you will typically hear from several teachers, so you are never stuck weighing just one option.