Tutoring: start the first session with a free placement test
The first tutoring session sets the tone for every session after it. The parent wants to see that you know where to start. The student wants to see that you will not waste their time on what they already know.
The fastest way to do both is to find out, together, where the gaps actually start. Today we opened a page for tutors built around that first hour.
What should a tutor do in the first session?
A simple plan that works for most students:
- Ten minutes of talk. What does the student like? What feels hard? What does the parent want from tutoring?
- The placement test. Run the free Foundation Assessment together in math, reading or English level.
- Read the map with the parent. Agree on the first two or three skills to work on.
- One quick win. Teach one small skill from the map before the session ends, so the student leaves having learned something.
How do I find a new student's learning gaps?
Grade-level work does not tell you much. A grade 5 student who is stuck on fractions might really be stuck on division, or on what a fraction is.
The Foundation Assessment is built for that. It adapts as the student answers: a right answer moves ahead, and a gap sends it back to the steps just before. "I don't know" is never counted wrong, because it shows exactly where to start.
At the end, each skill shows as mastered, working on it, not started or needs extra attention, with the first skills to work on. That is your plan for the next few weeks.
Practical details:
- Subjects: math, reading, or English level for students whose first language is Spanish or Portuguese.
- Time: about 15 to 20 minutes a subject.
- Results: enter the parent's email at the end. For a student under 13 it must be a parent's or guardian's email.
- Who should be there: for students under 18, a parent or guardian nearby. A first session with the parent present is a good time for it.
- What it is not: not a grade and not a medical or psychological evaluation.
Does tutoring actually work?
The evidence is strong. A review of randomized tutoring studies from preK to grade 12 found an average effect of about 0.37 standard deviations, which the authors call consistent and substantial. Effects were largest when tutors were teachers or trained paraprofessionals, and in the earlier grades for reading (Nickow, Oreopoulos and Quan, 2020).
Tutoring works best when sessions go to the right skills. That is the whole point of starting with a skill map instead of with the next page of homework.
How do I plan the sessions after the first one?
Use the map to pick the skill, then match the practice:
- Free practice sheets: 50 questions per grade and subject, K–8, with answers. Free to print and photocopy for the students you teach.
- Math drill generator: 100 questions at a time with a separate answer key, for quick warm-ups.
- Flashcards: read aloud, ten free cards in every deck, good for the last five minutes.
- Full lessons: with a group plan, every lesson tells you what to say, with worked examples, practice and Show What You Know, and each student keeps their own progress.
Re-check the skill a few weeks later and show the parent the change. Nothing builds trust faster.
Can I tutor in Spanish or Portuguese?
Yes. The placement test, the practice sheets and the lessons come in English, Spanish and Portuguese. A parent who is still learning English can read the results in their language and help at home.
For an English learner, the English level check gives a level from 1 to 6, following the WIDA levels many US schools use, with the instructions in Spanish or Portuguese. It is our estimate, not an official score.
If you work with English learners in a classroom, see Printable worksheets for teachers and English learners.
What about a student who is far behind?
Start lower than feels comfortable and move fast through what they know. Our post My child is behind in reading or math walks a parent through the same idea, and it is a good thing to send home after the first session.
Group plans for tutors and tutoring centers
A household membership covers one family. When you teach students from more than one family, a group plan gives each of them the full program: every lesson in every subject, every flashcard deck, saved progress and reward points. The small group plan fits a solo tutor too. It is paid once a year, and nothing is charged until you say yes.
Families who want to keep going between sessions can use single workbooks, a grade bundle or a membership. Free workbook samples and free games are a good start.
If there is a tool that would make your sessions easier, tell us on Share your ideas.
Common questions
Is the placement test really free?
Yes. The Foundation Assessment is free for everyone, with no card. At the end, you enter an email to see the results.
Who gets the results?
The email entered at the end. For a student under 13 it must be a parent's or guardian's email. We suggest the parent's email for every student, so the family keeps the results.
How long does it take?
About 15 to 20 minutes a subject.
Is it a diagnosis?
No. It is a starting point for learning. It is not a school grade and not a medical or psychological evaluation.
Can I use a household membership with my tutoring students?
No. A membership covers one household. For students from more than one family, ask about a group plan. The small group plan fits a solo tutor too.