Math Problems in Manhattan? The six Inquiries You Must Ask Ahead of You Retain a Private House Math

Likewise, if your child needs help in a specific subject, you should work with a tutor who specializes exclusively in that subject. And if the prospective tutor insists on seeing the student´s work beforehand, that´s a RED FLAG that he has to study and that he´s not a true math expert—this also applies to a "tutor" who requires a detailed list of topics before tutoring your child. Do you want a tutor who "crams for the test"? Or would you rather have a true math expert who knows that he can walk in cold to a tutoring session and "ace the test"? Would you hire a surgeon who had to consult an anatomy textbook to refresh his memory before operating on you?

Question 2: What is your educational background and work history?

It´s important to make sure that your math tutor has a degree in mathematics and can expertly teach all math subjects and standardized tests. Also, your tutor should have many years of post-college tutoring experience. Surprisingly, math teachers don´t always make the best math tutors. That´s because unlike teachers, tutors never know what questions or challenges they´ll face in the course of a workday. Many teachers just teach "from the book" instead of tailoring their teaching styles to a particular student´s needs.

The tutoring company you hire should have a rigorous screening process and take the best and the brightest from all fields that require a high degree of math skills (e.g, top math teachers, accountants, actuaries, engineers).

Question 3: When are you available?

You don´t want to have to structure your life around your tutor´s schedule. Is the tutor available 7 days a week? Will he work around your schedule?

Question 4: Do you offer support outside of regular tutoring sessions?

It´s 10pm on the night before a big test, and your daughter is so frustrated with a tough math problem that she´s almost in tears. Who can she turn to for help? You, of course. But will the uncomfortable parent-child dynamic get in the way? Excellent tutors are available outside of tutoring sessions either by a late-night phone call, fax, or e-mail.

Question 5: Do you offer in-home tutoring?

Many students have anxiety that has them so nervous and stressed that they can´t focus on solving their math problems. Many are convinced that they´re "just not good at math." Since your life is hectic enough as it is, why rearrange your life to match a company´s schedule? Students learn better when they are comfortable and "math anxiety" can be reduced when they are in a familiar setting, whether that is Manhattan, Westchester, the Hamptons, or anywhere in between.

Question 6: Do you offer a guarantee?

Some companies insist that it´s impossible to guarantee a student´s success. Most teens are willing to put in the work—as long as a tutor can teach the material effectively. When students are engaged in the right way, they´ll happily put in the time needed. So ultimately, it´s all up to the tutor. If the tutor knows how to motivate a student and work with her learning style, then he should offer a guarantee. Not offering a guarantee puts the responsibility for success solely on the student.