At a glance
- Steady support
- 1 lesson a week per subject
- Closing a gap
- 2 a week for a term
- Final exam run-in
- 2 to 3 a week for 6 to 8 weeks
- Teen sleep (NHS)
- 8 to 10 hours a night
- Review point
- Every 4 to 6 weeks
A starting point by goal
These are planning suggestions, not rules. Start with the lower number and add lessons only if the work between lessons is being done and there is more to cover.
| Goal | Lessons a week | For how long | What happens between lessons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep a subject on track, homework confidence | 1 | Ongoing, term by term | School homework; 10 to 15 minutes of practice on the week's topic |
| Fill gaps after a weak report or a change of school | 2 | One term, then review | Short practice sets the tutor sets |
| IGCSE or A Level year, aiming up a grade | 1 to 2 | From the start of the exam year | Past-paper questions by topic |
| Final 6 to 8 weeks before exams | 2 to 3 | Until the exams | Timed papers; the lesson reviews them |
| SAT, Qudurat or other single test | 2 | 6 to 10 weeks before the test date | One timed section or practice test a week |
| Young child, reading or number confidence | 1 to 2 shorter-feeling sessions | A term | Reading with a parent 10 minutes a day |
Why more is not always better
A lesson is only as useful as the work around it. A tutor explains, checks understanding and sets targeted practice; the improvement happens when the child does that practice before the next lesson. If a second lesson leaves no time for practice, it adds little. If homework from school already fills the evening, one lesson a week with a small, focused task is often more effective than two.
Time is the real constraint. A Gulf secondary student may be at school until mid-afternoon, with homework, sport, Quran or language classes and family time in the evening. NHS guidance for parents says most teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep and that cramming is less useful than sleep; WHO recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day for 5 to 17-year-olds. Build the tutoring plan inside those limits, not on top of them.
What a month looks like on a LiveTutor plan
Plans are weekly, billed monthly. Each paid month gives 4 lessons per weekly lesson, and unused lessons do not roll over.
| Plan | Lessons a month | Monthly price | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lesson a week | 4 | $60 | One subject, steady support |
| 2 lessons a week | 8 | $120 | One subject closing a gap, or two subjects once a week |
| 3 lessons a week | 12 | $180 | Exam run-in, or several subjects |
| 5 lessons a week | 20 | $300 | Intensive periods across several subjects |
Every lesson is 60 minutes, one to one, at the same {price} per lesson on every plan. Pick the plan that matches the current period and review it each month.
Signs it is time to change the number
- Add a lesson when the tutor is running out of time to cover the gaps and practice is being done.
- Drop a lesson when practice is not being done, or the child is tired and lessons feel like a chore.
- Add lessons for six to eight weeks before major exams, then step back down.
- Move from two subjects to one when one has stabilised; spend the time where the grade is closest to moving.
- Review every four to six weeks with the tutor: what improved, what is next, and is the frequency right?
Planning around the Gulf school year
The school calendar shapes the right frequency. Many Gulf schools run mock exams before the winter break, have shorter school days during Ramadan, and sit external exams from late April into June. A useful pattern is one lesson a week through the autumn, two in the six weeks before mocks, back to one through the winter, then two or three from March or April until the exams. Summer is a good time for one lesson a week to keep skills from slipping without crowding a holiday.
Common questions
Is one tutoring lesson a week enough?
For steady support in one subject, usually yes, as long as there is a little practice between lessons. For closing a big gap or exam preparation, two a week for a period works better.
How long should a tutoring session be?
LiveTutor lessons are 60 minutes, long enough to review, teach and practise. For young children, the tutor varies the activities inside the hour.
How many subjects should my child get tutoring in?
Start with the one where the grade matters most or the gap is largest. Adding a second subject works better once the first is stable.
Do we have to commit to a fixed number of lessons?
LiveTutor plans run from 1 to 5 lessons a week, billed monthly, so you choose the level that fits the current period. Each paid month gives 4 lessons per weekly lesson.
How much does each option cost?
Every lesson is $15. A month on 1 lesson a week is $60, on 2 lessons a week $120, and on 3 lessons a week $180. The first lesson is a free trial.
Sources
Dates and figures on this page come from these official and published sources. Always confirm deadlines on the official page before acting on them.