There’s no academic panic quite like the night before an exam when you can’t quite grasp the words in front of you no matter how many times you’ve read them. It’s then that you want help but where to turn?
You’ve played back the professor’s lecture dozens of times already. The teaching assistant is likely fast asleep and not up to answering your frantic messages. And your friends probably don’t know much more than you do. An online tutor can be your sanity—and grade—saver.
Online tutoring services are among the best tools you can use to help get ahead academically, from tutoring videos to live one-on-one help, often 24/7.
Another smart reason to use an online tutor is cost. It tends to be relatively inexpensive compared with private tutoring, which can often cost a few hundred dollars an hour. The online variety can be found starting at just under $30 per hour.
As the school year begins, it’s time to tart thinking about who can help you master their material. We’ve done the homework for you and selected a few to consider.
Aralia
High school students who need one-on-one tutoring, help with projects, and test prep can find it on Aralia. Tutors are full-time high school and college educators. What sets Aralia apart is that tutors provide assistance with things like assembling art portfolios and handling academic stress. Pricing varies but a consultation call is free.
Learn to Be
Learn to Be is the service to turn to when you need tutoring for kids in grades K-12 but don’t have the funds for it. Fill out an application and this nonprofit might be able to match you to a tutor who fits your needs. If you can pay something, it’s welcome, but if not, tutoring is free.
Revolution Prep
Revolution Prep offers one-on-one tutoring (at a pricey $1,398 for 12 hours), group tutoring for up to three students ($199 for five hours), and small-group test prep ($499 for 12 hours) for high school students. Tutors work for the company full time, which does differentiate the service.
Skooli
Skooli has tutoring for elementary through college-age students. There’s a pay-as-you-go option, at 82 cents a minute, or 73 cents per minute for eight hours, 70 cents per minute for 16 hours, or 65 cents per minute for 32 hours. Tutors must have either a bachelor’s degree or higher in the field they’re teaching, a teaching license, or specialized certification in their field.
Smarthinking
Smarthinking from Pearson has 24/7 access to tutoring for students from middle school through grad school and resources for professionals as well, including help with writing resumes and essays. An hour of tutoring is $45, four hours costs $150. Smarthinking says over 90% of its tutors have a master’s degree or PhD and on average have 12 years of experience.
TutaPoint
TutaPoint has tutoring available in 50 subjects for elementary through high school students at $50 per hour. The site also has test prep available, including for students with learning differences. TutaPoint tutors are certified teachers, retired teachers, teaching assistants, professors at colleges and universities, and experts in their field.
Tutor.com
Tutor.com covers over 250 subject areas for students in kindergarten through college. Its tutors are available all day every day. In addition to regular courses, Tutor.com offers SAT prep for high school students, which is not surprising since the company acquired The Princeton Review years ago. There’s an app for help on the go, though it does not see frequent updates.
There are four levels of monthly plans for all tutoring: $39.99 for one hour per month; $79.99 for two hours per month; $114.99 for three hours per month. There are packages for those who don’t want to be tied to a subscription; students have six months to use their 10 hours ($349.99), 30 hours ($949.99), or 50 hours ($1,449.99). An introductory session is free. There is no cost for Tutor.com’s services for military families. Tutor.com tutors are either enrolled in or have graduated from an accredited university and are an expert in the subject they teach.
TutorMe
If you need help immediately, try TutorMe, which matches students in high school through college and beyond with available tutors ASAP. There is a wide and varied list of tutoring for professionals, whether they’re in IT or fashion. Tutors have tutoring or teaching experience and must be experts in their field; each tutor’s qualifications appear in their profile. TutorMe offers a free trial. You can pay as you go for $1 a minute or sign up for two hours per month ($69), four hours per month ($119), or eight hours per month ($209).
UPchieve
UPchieve tutoring focuses on 15 STEM subjects for high school students. It’s completely free for those who qualify and available 24/7. UPchieve also provides college counseling.
Wize
Wize is geared toward high school and college students who need help in STEM classes. It has on-demand video lessons for $14.95 per month. Students can ask 10 questions per month. There’s also test prep for the MCATs and LSATs, too. Wize has acquired EssayJack to expand its expertise into essay writing.
Wyzant
Wyzant is a smart choice for students of any age, from kindergarteners to grad students. The wide range of subjects covered on Wyzant also makes it a good resource for job applicants looking to learn a skill or aspiring musicians thinking about picking up an instrument. Tutor qualifications vary by subject and each tutor has to pass a proficiency test from Wyzant. Tutors set their own hourly rates, and Wyzant charges a service fee.
