How To Hire A Tutor

A tutor is paid to provide additional support to students in a subject they require assistance to achieve their potential. Tutors may specialize in a single subject matter or teach across disciplines - such as English, Maths, Science, Music, or Languages. Tutors are commonly hired to prepare students for upcoming exams or to raise their grades if they fall below potential during the school year.

They tend to teach in a one-on-one scenario, with students booked into their schedules week on week so continual progress can be made. In some instances, more intensive periods of tutoring may be required, with a tutor working for a single family.

Tutors may work for a tutoring agency or freelance. They may work from their own home, visit students' homes, or be based in schools. Schools may sometimes have a list of recommended tutors for students and their parents to choose from.

This article will look at the responsibilities of a tutor, the skills and competencies needed, and the pre-employment tests that can be used to make sure the best tutor is hired for the vacant tutoring position.

What should a tutor be able to do?

A tutor needs to be good at connecting with students and conveying the academic or creative material they've been asked to teach. A tutor needs to be an excellent teacher, with clear communication, patience, and understanding. Rapport with students is important, so an approachable and friendly manner is an asset.

Depending upon a pupil's attitude towards a subject, tutoring can be difficult as it tends to be required in weaker or less liked subject areas. Tutors may need to approach the subject in new, creative ways to engage students and create interest in the subject that may have been lacking in class.

Tutors must make students feel at ease and supported so that tutoring is a positive experience. Tutors need to have a strong command of their tutoring subject (or subjects) - whether that's A-level Maths or Key Stage 2 Science - and a knowledge of the relevant exam syllabus so they can effectively assist students in achieving their goals.

Skills to look for in a tutor

To carry out their role effectively, tutors need to have certain key skills. When seeking a tutor, it is sensible to review whether they have the following necessary talents:

Oral communication - Tutors need strong communication skills as they will be teaching students, talking them through subject material, posing questions, giving feedback on answers, and providing support and reassurance. Their ability to deliver the subject engagingly is essential to ensure attention and focus and to inspire commitment to learning. Tutors also need to speak to parents about their child's progress, so must be able to communicate appropriately and professionally.

Written communication - Tutors may need to provide written feedback to their tutees (if they set practice exam papers as homework, for example) and write progress reports for parents or schools. Written communication varies in importance depending upon the subject being taught, however - for example, an English tutor needs to have excellent written communication as the subject matter hinges on that skill. A music tutor, on the other hand, may not need to rely on written communication as much.

Attention to detail - To teach to a high standard, a tutor needs to have an eye for detail - whether it's a musical note, mathematical indices, or a chemical formula. They need to be able to mark tasks (both those completed in a session and set as homework) quickly and accurately. If a tutor has many students on their books, they may be responsible for marking a large quantity of work which all needs reviewing carefully to provide high-quality feedback.

Software skills - Tutors benefit from being able to deliver their teaching material in new and engaging ways. As well as competency in basic programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, the use of different software packages and visual media can help to lift the subject off of the page and increase student engagement.

Useful abilities for a tutor

To be successful in their role, a tutor benefits from having certain abilities. The abilities below help to make tutoring efficient, effective, and engaging:

Problem-solving - Tutors need to be able to solve problems - and not just the mathematical ones they may be teaching. Tutors need to be able to pivot their approach if a student is struggling with the material or with their focus, coming up with new ways of teaching and consolidating material. Being able to think rapidly, logically, and creatively under pressure is essential.

Flexibility and adaptation - The ability to be flexible and adapt is particularly useful if tutors specialize in a variety of subjects. Rapid immersion in the current teaching subject is vital for the quality of a student's tutoring session, so tutors need to be adept at switching between the subject material they teach from hour to hour. Turos also need to be flexible if a tutoring session doesn't go to plan, perhaps due to an approach that doesn't land with the student or down to technical issues with required software. They need to be able to think on their feet and provide a productive session.

Problem sensitivity - Tutors need to be able to build a rapport with their students, displaying an understanding of their needs and treating their tutees with respect and empathy. A teacher in any form has responsibility for a student's mental well-being, as well as academic progress. They therefore need to be sensitive to the student's abilities and context and provide the right level and manner of teaching.

Social perceptiveness - This goes alongside problem sensitivity, as social perceptiveness is about anticipating and understanding other people's reactions. Students may react to tutoring sessions, progress, or setbacks differently, so a tutor needs to be ready to encourage and reinvigorate the learning when required.

Which soft skills tests could I use to hire a tutor?

When hiring a new tutor, you want to be confident you're selecting the best person for the role. Pre-employment tests can be used to gain insight into the soft skills your prospective hires possess. For tutors, consider embedding the following assessments into the recruitment process:

Interpersonal skills - Tutors need to be strong communicators with students of all ages, so an interpersonal soft skills test can help assess the clarity of communication as well as appropriateness and empathy in interactions. It also measures emotional awareness and conflict resolution - all important in a teaching environment. It presents hypothetical situations and applicants are asked to select which is the most or least effective way to respond from a list of options.

Adaptability - As mentioned, the ability to be adaptable and flexible is useful for a tutor, as they may need to shift their teaching approach during a tutoring session. An adaptability test features a selection of scenarios and the applicant is asked to highlight the course of action that most closely resembles the one they would take in each situation. The test is also beneficial for assessing whether the candidate can think under pressure and identify solutions.

Time management - A tutor needs to be able to create lesson plans for their sessions to split the learning up into digestible chunks. It's important they can stick to these schedules and arrive to tutor students on time. When managing multiple tutoring clients, prioritisation of tasks is also vital. The time management test explores both time awareness and organisation.

Which technical or aptitude tests could I use to hire a tutor?

To fully assess the talents of a prospective tutor, pre-employment testing should also cover technical skills and aptitude. The following tests are recommended for use within the recruitment process for a tutor:

Logical reasoning - A logical reasoning test displays patterns made up of shapes and/or symbols. Applicants are required to pick the next figure in the sequence from a selection of multiple-choice options. Through this, the test assesses the ability to think laterally whilst under time pressure. Tutors benefit greatly from having a logical approach to balancing their workload.

Error checking- Tutors are responsible for marking homework assignments and in-session tasks. These will need to be reviewed rapidly and to a high standard to give students the most constructive feedback on their answers. The error-checking test itself requires test takers to compare datasets and highlight any discrepancies between them.

Verbal reasoning - Though particularly useful for tutors in subjects that rely heavily on the written word, a verbal reasoning test is a great way of assessing general language ability. Understanding and interpreting written information is a useful skill across all subjects, as tutors will be required to come up with written tasks and may need to provide written reports on student progress. The test asks candidates to read through paragraphs of text and identify whether related statements are 'true', 'false', or if they 'cannot say' based on the information given.

Numerical reasoning - A numerical reasoning test looks at the ability to handle numbers and make calculations. Whilst most mathematics tutors would need a level of maths beyond the scope of this aptitude test, a baseline grasp of numeracy indicates a level of intelligence that is desired for a tutor of any subject. Charts, graphs, and tables present data, which applicants are expected to use to answer questions involving concepts such as ratios, percentages, fractions, basic arithmetic, sequences, and algebra.

Our recommended test battery for a tutor

To give confidence that the right candidate has been hired to fill the tutoring position, we recommend using the following assessments within the hiring process. As a minimum, prospective tutors should complete a:

Interpersonal skills and communication test - Communication is an essential soft skill.Tutors need to be able to communicate their teaching material effectively as well as interact to build a rapport with their students and their parents. An interpersonal test gives insight into the ability to communicate appropriately and productively.

Error checking test - Tutors require an eye for detail to mark in session tasks, homework and practice exams effectively. A high score on the error checking test indicates the potential to mark work well.

Time management test - Tutors are required to support multiple students and it is essential they can be organised in preparing session plans and reviewing completed work for each tutee. Sticking to time during a session and covering all material intended is important for student progress. Set a time management test to ensure your selected hire is able to manage time and prioritise effectively.

Logical reasoning test - Tutors require the ability to think laterally and solve problems as they are required to adjust to meet a number of different students' needs - and potentially manage different attitudes and learning environments too - which may present their own challenges. A logical reasoning test helps to ensure candidates are practical thinkers when under pressure and can provide a quality teaching experience.

View our guide on teacher testing to find out more about utilising skills and abilities testing to the greatest effect within your hiring process.

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