One of the most common questions parents and students ask before starting tutoring is:
“How much tutoring is actually necessary?”
Too little support can mean slow progress.
Too much support can lead to burnout, dependence, or wasted time.
The goal isn’t “more tutoring” — it’s the right amount for your situation.
This guide will help you work out how much tutoring is right for you or your child, based on year level, subject difficulty, goals, and current gaps.
Table of Contents
- Why There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Answer
- How much tutoring should you do per week? Common options for tutoring
- A Simple Framework to Determine the Right Amount of Tutoring
- When Tutoring Frequency Should Increase (Temporarily)
- Signs You’re Doing Too Much Tutoring
Why There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Answer
Two students in the same year level may need completely different levels of support.
The right amount of tutoring depends on:
- Current academic level
- Size of learning gaps
- Confidence and independence
- Subject difficulty
- Assessment or exam timeline
That’s why effective tutoring is personalised, not packaged.
How much tutoring should you do per week? Common options for tutoring
🕒 1 Hour Fortnightly
This option is best suited for students who are generally doing well but experience occasional difficulties with specific topics.
It works well for:
- Maintaining current performance
- Clarifying confusing concepts as they arise
- Strategising for an upcoming assessment or exam
This option is ideal when a student doesn’t need ongoing support but benefits from regular check-ins and guidance.
🕒 1 Hour Once Per Week
One hour per week is often enough for students who need a small academic boost.
It helps students:
- Review past work
- Prepare for upcoming lessons
- Ask questions in a low-pressure environment
However, for students who are already struggling, one hour can feel rushed — especially once time is spent revising content, answering questions, and reviewing assessments.
This option is most suitable for:
- Primary school students
- High school students who are mostly on track but need extra support 💡
🕒 1.5 Hours Once Per Week
This option allows tutors to slow down and focus on deeper understanding.
The additional time enables:
- More thorough revision
- Exam and assessment reviews
- Reinforcement of study habits and organisation skills
This is ideal for:
- High school students needing moderate improvement
- Students who understand concepts but lack confidence or consistency
For Year 11–12 students aiming for large mark improvements, this option may still be insufficient on its own.
🕒 1 Hour Twice Per Week
Two hours per week is often the most effective option for achieving strong results quickly.
This structure:
- Provides consistency and momentum
- Allows tutors to address gaps without rushing
- Helps students stay on top of content week-to-week
- Builds confidence rapidly
This option is strongly recommended for:
- Students who are behind and need significant improvement
- Year 11–12 students aiming for top results
- Students preparing for exams or major assessments
For many senior students, this is the difference between just keeping up and performing at their best.
A Simple Framework to Determine the Right Amount of Tutoring
1️⃣ Are There Skill Gaps or Just Confidence Gaps?
Small gaps or confidence issues
- Weekly or fortnightly tutoring
- Focus: reinforcement and reassurance
Large gaps or ongoing struggles
- Weekly tutoring (sometimes twice weekly short-term)
- Focus: rebuilding foundations
2️⃣ What Year Level Are You In?
Years 5–6 (Primary)
- 1 session per week is usually enough
- Focus: core skills, confidence, readiness for high school
Years 7–9 (Junior High School)
- 1 session per week per subject
- Ideal for catching gaps early and building habits
Years 10–11
- 1–2 sessions per week, depending on subject load
- Focus: application, assessments, exam technique
Year 12
- 1–2 sessions per week per subject
- Increases closer to exams or during peak assessment periods
3️⃣ What Is Your Goal?
| Goal | Recommended Tutoring |
|---|---|
| Stay on track | Fortnightly or weekly |
| Catch up | Weekly |
| Lift grades significantly | Weekly (possibly short-term increase) |
| Exam preparation | 1–2 sessions per week |
| High ATAR / top bands | Consistent weekly support |
When Tutoring Frequency Should Increase (Temporarily)
More tutoring may be helpful:
- Before exams or SACs
- After a poor report or assessment
- When starting a new subject or curriculum
- During transitions (primary → high school, Year 10 → VCE/HSC)
This doesn’t need to be permanent — intensity can scale up or down.
Signs You’re Doing Too Much Tutoring
Tutoring should support independence, not replace it.
Warning signs include:
- Student relies on tutor to do work
- Burnout or loss of motivation
- No time left for independent practice
Good tutoring should reduce stress, not add to it.
Manoj Arachige
Why Quality Matters More Than Quantity
One focused, well-structured session can be more effective than:
- Multiple unfocused sessions
- Generic worksheets
- Repeating school content without strategy
The right tutor helps students:
- Understand why they make mistakes
- Learn how to fix them independently
- Improve faster with fewer sessions
📘 Not sure how much tutoring you need?
KIS Academics offers personalised academic consultations to help families find the right balance — without overcommitting.
👉 Book a free academic consultation with KIS Academics today
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
FAQs
How much tutoring does my child actually need?
Most students benefit from 1 hour of tutoring per week. Students who are behind or aiming for strong academic improvement may need 1–2 sessions per week, while confident students may only need fortnightly support.
How do I find the right tutor?
We highly encourage you to trial a variety of tutors before you make a final decision. Find a tutor that meets the needs of you/your child, your budget, and most importantly, you're comfortable with! Find out more in this KIS Academics article.
What makes KIS Academics different?
There are so many reasons why:
- Our tutors are hand-picked, and have an average ATAR of 99.5+
- Most of them a recent high-school graduates, meaning they are familiar with the syllabus, as well as the stress involved, so they are better poised to help mentor you through Year 12
- Our flexible payment method
- Free trial before you commit to a tutor
Find out more here.
Want personalised study guidance to help drastically improve your marks? A private tutor from KIS Academics can make the biggest difference!
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