At a glance
- Stage
- Intermediate: first, second and third intermediate
- Maths time
- Up to 216 periods a year per grade
- Science and English
- Up to 144 periods a year each
- Language in public schools
- Arabic
- Next step
- Secondary: common first year, then tracks
Weekly load in the intermediate stage (general education)
Maximum periods per school year in the Ministry's study plans guide (fifth edition). Maths gets more time than any other subject.
| Subject | 1st intermediate | 2nd intermediate | 3rd intermediate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 216 | 216 | 216 |
| Science | 144 | 144 | 144 |
| English | 144 | 144 | 144 |
| Arabic | 180 | 180 | 144 |
| Digital skills | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Critical thinking | 0 | 0 | 72 |
Source: Saudi Ministry of Education, study plans guide, fifth edition (2025). Schools can adjust within set limits.
Where intermediate maths students struggle
- Negative numbers and order of operations, which underpin every algebra unit that follows.
- Fractions, decimals and percentages, especially word problems on discounts, ratios and rates.
- Moving from arithmetic to algebra: using letters for unknowns, simplifying expressions and solving linear equations.
- Linear relationships: tables, graphs and slope, which return in secondary maths and physics.
- Geometry: angles, area and volume formulas, and the Pythagorean theorem in applied problems.
- Reading the question: in the national tests and school exams, many wrong answers come from misreading what is asked.
Arabic or English lessons: an honest note
The Saudi curriculum teaches maths in Arabic, with Arabic terms and notation conventions. LiveTutor has a small number of Arabic-speaking tutors, so Arabic-medium lessons depend on who is available; Arabic-speaking tutors are available for some subjects, so ask when you book. What we can offer reliably is the same maths explained in English by a tutor who works from your child's textbook and homework.
For many families that is a benefit, not a compromise: English-medium explanation builds the vocabulary students will need for the STEP English test, for English-taught university programmes and for international school transfers. For a child who is already struggling in Arabic-medium maths, though, an Arabic-speaking tutor is often the better choice, and we will tell you plainly if we cannot provide one.
How one-to-one lessons work
Lessons are 60 minutes, one to one, in LiveTutor's online classroom with video and a shared whiteboard. The tutor starts by looking at recent homework and tests, finds where the method breaks down, and goes back to the earliest gap (often fractions or negative numbers) before moving forward with the school's units. Each lesson ends with a few problems for the week.
Lessons can be scheduled outside the Saudi school day, in the afternoon or evening Riyadh time, and families can cancel or reschedule at no cost with 48 hours' notice.
When to start
First intermediate is the best time to fix gaps from primary school, before algebra builds on them. Third intermediate matters because it leads into the secondary common first year, where Maths 1 has 180 periods a year and the pace rises. One lesson a week is enough for most students.
Common questions
Can lessons be in Arabic?
Sometimes. We have a small number of Arabic-speaking tutors, so Arabic-medium lessons depend on availability for your child's subject and level. Ask when you book. Lessons in English that explain the same Saudi maths content are always available.
Will an English-speaking tutor follow the Saudi textbook?
Yes. The tutor works from your child's textbook, homework and school tests, and explains the methods in English, linking the English terms to the Arabic ones your child sees at school.
How much maths is taught in the intermediate stage?
Up to 216 periods a year in each intermediate grade in general education, more than any other subject, according to the Ministry's study plans guide.
What comes after third intermediate?
Secondary school starts with a common first year, then students choose one of five tracks: General, Computer Science and Engineering, Health and Life, Business Administration, or Sharia.
How much do lessons cost?
$15 a lesson, the same for every subject and level, on a weekly plan of 1 to 5 lessons billed monthly. The first lesson is a free trial, one per household.
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.