Question 1

What types of tutoring services do you provide?

Accepted Answer

Kate's Tutoring provides one-on-one tutoring for all K-12 subjects, including AP courses, as well as standardized test prep for the SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT. Kate personally provides college consulting, including essays and applications. We also offer study skills coaching, academic mentorship, and support for students with learning differences.

Question 2

How do I book a session?

Accepted Answer

You can book a session by getting in contact with us. You may fill out the application for a streamlined experience or reach out if you have questions.

Kate is available for direct instant booking. These are online-only sessions, grades 4+. If you'd like to get on her schedule consistently, please get in touch so we can offer discounted rates. Direct bookings are considered ad-hoc and cannot be rescheduled or refunded.

Question 3

Can you explain your tutor match process?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!

We start with an initial email/text or phone consultation. I want to hear all about your student and learn what made you reach out to us. We'll discuss exactly what your child needs and I'll work to create a educational recommendations tailored to you.
If Kate's Tutoring is a good fit, we will invite you to our registration page, which takes no more than five minutes to fill out. This process includes agreeing to our terms of service and paying a $35 registration fee. You may fill this form out at any time if you are ready to jump in!
Once we receive the completed registration form, we find the best tutor for your family. This might take up to 3 days, but usually is finished within a few hours. Once we have that match, we will email or text with available times.
After you confirm times, we schedule you and your tutor. Your first invoice will be due by 4pm on the day you receive it. Once you pay, those times are yours and you are all set!
The tutor will then contact you to confirm logistics for the first session.

Question 4

Where does tutoring take place?

Accepted Answer

For your convenience, we highly encourage families consider our virtual sessions. We do offer very select in-person options in Los Angeles, pending tutor availability. If you have concerns about virtual tutoring, please reach out - we'd love to assuage your fears!

Question 5

Do you accept cancellations?

Accepted Answer

Kate's Tutoring has a no-cancellation policy and a 48-hour rescheduling policy. Lessons canceled without 48 hour prior notice will be charged at the full rate. If sessions are rescheduled, a makeup session must be arranged within 7 days or those missed hours are lost. I understand that this can be a steep price to pay but this policy has proven to be necessary. It is ultimately the parent's responsibility to make sure the student is prepared and on time. The sooner you cancel, the sooner I can try to fill that time slot and prevent losing my income for the day. 
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Fees are based upon the student's ability to attend all lessons as stipulated in the schedule; no discounts or refunds will be given for lessons not attended by the student. All sessions are to be completed within the monthly billing cycle; i.e., if you reschedule in December, the lesson MUST be made up in December and does not forward into Jan/Feb.
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Makeup sessions must be scheduled within 7 days of the missed lesson, otherwise that session fee is forfeit. 
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Exceptions to this policy are solely at the tutor's discretion. 
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If the tutor must cancel, we'll reschedule at your convenience.

Question 6

How much is tutoring?

Accepted Answer

You can peruse our rates here. If our prices are outside your price range, please consider our Semi-Private sessions to work with a friend at a discount. We also offer limited Scholarship Opportunities.

Question 7

Do you have a guarantee?

Accepted Answer

If you are for any reason unsatisfied, please reach out to us. We do not offer any service guarantees but we're more than happy to work with you to alleviate your concerns, including a tutor re-match offer. If you do not believe we're a good fit for you, we do not offer refunds, but you are free to leave at the end of your month!

Question 8

How does virtual tutoring work?

Accepted Answer

We use Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams for online tutoring and whiteboards for visual problem solving. Our tutors are well versed in creating engaging virtual sessions -- we've found the move to be seamless. Without hesitation, I can say that online sessions are as efficient (if not moreso) and productive as in person.

We have more info about our online sessions here and we're always happy to answer any questions.

Question 9

What subjects do you tutor?

Accepted Answer

• All subjects for elementary and high school, including AP Chem, History, English, Calculus, etc.
• College-level courses including history, English, maths, and sciences.
• Essay Assistance
• Organizational and Executive Functioning Coaching
• SAT, AP, ACT, ISEE, and other standardized tests.

Question 10

I need a tutor today. Is that possible?

Accepted Answer

Maybe. We would charge an emergency rate for the session and will have an easier time accommodating a virtual session.

Kate is available for direct bookings, but her calendar is booked out 2+ days in advance. Please email to get on that schedule. Direct bookings are considered ad-hoc and cannot be rescheduled or refunded.

Question 11

What is each session like?

Accepted Answer

I get this question a LOT and I absolutely understand why BUT! I think any tutor worth your time is going to tell you this:
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It depends entirely on the student. I can't answer that accurately until I meet your child.
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And here's why: my lessons are not boiler plate for all kids. If your daughter knows how to write essays and doesn't need help with that for her ACT, we won't focus on it. If your son is struggling with limits but knows how to FOIL, I'm not going to waste his time. Or yours! So let's get to know each other a little and we'll take it from there!

Question 12

Do you offer group tutoring?

Accepted Answer

We love it! In groups of five or less! We do not ever host more than 5 students at a time because we believe in the benefits of individual attention; we also believe that teaching strengthens comprehension, so if your child has friends they'd like to tag in, we love that. You can read more about our semi-private sessions here.

Question 13

What are the credentials of your tutors?

Accepted Answer

Our tutors have university degrees and professional diplomas. They are professional, qualified instructors. You can view each tutor's profile here.

Question 14

Will I see the same tutor every session?

Accepted Answer

We make every effort to make sure you work with your preferred tutor for as long as possible. If the tutor is unavailable at your requested time one week, we can schedule a substitute tutor or you and your tutor can coordinate a make up session!

Question 15

When are you open?

Accepted Answer

Each tutor has their own availability and schedule. Many tutors can accommodated after-school hours and weekends. Kate's Tutoring will match you personally to a tutor who has the correct credentials and availability for you and your family.

Question 16

SAT or ACT, which do I take?

Accepted Answer

I've put together some additional resources for families you can check out. The ACT / SAT Test Prep Timeline, the ACT & SAT average scores, and the schools that accept the ACT's superscore.
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The ACT & SAT are pretty similar at this point; the difference boils down to this: the ACT has more questions, less time; the SAT has tricky, confusing questions. If you don't like feeling tricked, take the ACT. If you like puzzles, take the SAT. Yes, even after 2020, we still recommend taking the exam.
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Getting started ASAP is great; three months is a good sweet spot.
 
We do NOT offer a score guarantee, and frankly, no tutor worth his salt should. There are way too many variables and, as with all things, what you put into it is what you'll get out!
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Make sure you review the timeline to see when you should take the tests.

Question 17

Do you have online booking available?

Accepted Answer

Kate is available for direct instant booking. These are online-only sessions, grades 4+. If you'd like to get on her schedule consistently, please get in touch so we can offer discounted rates.

We believe both in personal communication and that your tutor match is more than just "whoever is available" -- we want to make sure you're partnered with the best teacher for you or your student. This ensures a consistent, dedicated teacher for you who can be prepared for each session.