Through strategic partnerships with various organizations, exceptional tutoring opportunities are made available for students. Child welfare agencies—both state and nonprofit—cover the cost of tutoring for children in care. In addition, a collaboration with Veterans Affairs provides free tutoring for veterans, while close coordination with schools, school districts, and parents broadens access to quality educational support.
Student FAQ
Do I need tutoring?
One-on-one tutoring is great for students who are falling behind in class or need to prepare for a standardized test AND also for students looking to get ahead, become independent learners, or learn a new skill or hobby!
Unlike most tutoring companies, CogniTutor focuses on helping you to become a proficient learner. These learning skills will not only help you achieve your short-term goals, but will serve you as you take on new challenges long after you’ve finished school!
Which subjects and ages does CogniTutor teach?
CogniTutor has instuctors for all academic subjects as well as enrichment subjects such as music, musical instruments, art, coding, and foreign language. We teach students from the age of 3 years and up! We have even helped adults in their 70s and above!
What is the CogniTutor method?
CogniTutor helps students learn their material while learning to learn. Students are matched with a relatable mentor who will help them learn critical thinking skills, reading comprehension, memory strategies, test-taking skills, time management, and strengthen their weaknesses.
Where can I get tutoring?
Tutors are available to meet you at your house, school, online or in a public location such as the local library.
What hours can I get tutoring?
When you meet for tutoring is largely up to you. We will work to match you with a tutor that can work around your busy schedule.
What payment options/methods are accepted?
We accept credit/debit card, ACH and check payments. Students are billed per session and payment is due once each session is complete. If sending a check, the payment for the month must be received by the 25th of the month before session.
What are the tutors’ qualifications?
Our tutors range from college aged to late adulthood. Tutors must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. We do require that our tutors pass a test for reading, writing, and math to be able to tutor certain subjects and levels of subjects.
We also thoroughly interview them looking for tutors that have a background in education, teaching, tutoring, ABA therapy, behavioral health, and coaching/mentorship.
How are tutors selected?
Each tutor must demonstrate an ability to teach and overcome obstacles before being considered for CogniTutor. Once hired, tutors will complete a detailed training program and receive regular re-training to maintain their skills and methods.
How does it work?
After signing up, students will be:
- Assigned a tutor based on student’s needs
- Given a pre-assessment and work with their tutor to develop a personalized tutoring plan
- Sent a session report following the session that includes detailed session notes and the assigned homework
- Regularly meeting for tutoring and altering tutoring strategy as needed
- Given a post-assessment
How often and long do I need tutoring?
Students learn at different speeds so they have different needs. Typically, we suggest 1.5 hour long sessions once or twice a week for the length of your class.
If you are preparing for a standardized test, you may need 4 months of tutoring. Music lessons are typically 30 minutes long.
Do tutors work with teachers at school?
If you would like our tutors to work with teachers at school, then they are willing. Sometimes tutors receive assessments, suggestions, and grades from teachers so tutoring sessions are more effective.
How much will my score increase?
Score increase depends on how much work you put into learning. Our students increase the most when they are attentive during tutoring, complete their homework, ask their questions, and attend tutoring every week.
90% success rate helping students get their diploma in just 5 days!
Is online tutoring less effective than in-person tutoring?
We have not had any students complain about online tutoring. In fact, students like the online tutoring option because it is so convenient, affordable, and you can record the sessions for later use!
Is group tutoring less effective than individual tutoring?
Both types of tutoring have their pros. Individual tutoring is great because students get one-on-one attention and can move through the material at their own pace. Group tutoring is sometimes preferred because students have study partners to help them learn the material and the tutoring is more affordable.
How do I know if my child is making progress?
Progress can normally be measured by test scores and assessments. Sometimes students need to go back to the basics, which isn’t what they are tested on. Our tutors write session reports that you will receive by email after each session.
These reports go over the concepts the student is working on and give quantitative data to show how the student is progressing. You can also always speak with the tutor and the educational specialist monitoring the account to get more information on how your child is making progress.
Does CogniTutor offer free tutoring and scholarships?
No, CogniTutor does not offer free tutoring or scholarships. We do partner with organizations that cover the cost of the tutoring. We also offer discounted rates to make tutoring more affordable to those on a budget. Some states do offer school choice scholarships and CogniTutor does accept these.
Can you help my child if he has ADD, ADHD, problem concentrating or a learning disability?
We are up-to-date on the latest neuroscience research and our teach has ample experience trying different strategies to find what works for each individual student.
What happens in a session?
Our tutors work on the material that shows the student’s need from the pre-assessment as well as help with homework. If you have requested Learn2Learn (life skills curriculum) to be included, this is usually done as a warm-up in the beginning of the session.
Typically, a session would be Learn2Learn. Then your tutor will go over your homework with you and ask if you have any questions. Then, you will learn new material and practice it with your tutor to help you feel comfortable with the new material. While learning the new material, your tutor will show you how to approach it and different strategies to memorize it.
You will have a break halfway through the session to give your mind a break. At the end, you might be assigned your homework to help with the learning process of the material and you will write a session report with your tutor, answering questions about what you learned and your progress.
How am I matched with a tutor?
Your tutor will be picked based on your specific needs. He/she will be an expert in the subject you need help with, will be close by, and free during your available hours.
Do students like their tutors?
Our students love our tutors because they are relatable, fun, and act as mentors or older siblings. Our tutors engage the student in creative ways that make learning fun! Our tutors plan sessions to involve students’ interests and use real life examples to teach. Sessions can include games and videos that keep students interested and learning!
Assigned a tutor based on student’s needs
Students learn at different speeds so they have different needs. Typically, we suggest 1.5 hour long sessions once or twice a week for the length of your class.
If you are preparing for a standardized test, you may need 4 months of tutoring. Music lessons are typically 30 minutes long.
How often and long do I need tutoring?
Score increase depends on how much work you put into learning. Our students increase the most when they are attentive during tutoring, complete their homework, ask their questions, and attend tutoring every week.
90% success rate helping students get their diploma in just 5 days!
Do you conduct assessments?
Yes! During the first session, we will complete a pre-assessment and will take the same assessment during the last session. This helps us keep track of how much our students improve during tutoring.
What if I need to cancel a session?
We ask that you cancel sessions before 6 hours in advance. This allows your tutor enough time to find another day or time to reschedule your session. Cancelling within 6 hours of the session or not showing up to the session will result in you being charged for the whole session or 1 hour of the session (whichever is less).
What if I’m unhappy with my tutor or my tutoring session?
Our tutors do their best to help students and make the session enjoyable. You will get a call after the first session to see if you have any questions or concerns. If you have a problem that cannot be resolved with the tutor, then you will be reassigned to another tutor.
If we are not able to solve the problem, Our Promise is that money will be refunded for unused hours within first 30 days if you aren’t completely satisfied with your student’s progress.
Who are CogniTutor’s partners?
If your question was not otherwise answered, please contact us!