Most IGCSE, A Level and IB students do well with one hour of tutoring per subject per week, rising to two in the final months before major exams. More hours aren’t automatically better; what matters is focused lessons, consistent timing, and short practice between sessions. This guide gives practical guidance by level and situation.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company. The guidance applies to any tutor.

Key takeaways

• One hour per subject per week is the usual starting point.
• Two hours per subject suits the final two or three months before exams, or larger gaps.
• Tutor one or two subjects at a time.
• Short practice between lessons multiplies the value of each hour.

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Guidance by level

Level	Typical weekly tutoring per subject	When to increase
Lower secondary (Years 7–9)	45–60 minutes	Rarely needed
IGCSE / GCSE	1 hour	2 hours in the final 2–3 months
A Level	1 hour	1–2 hours in Year 13, before exams
IB Diploma	1 hour (SL), 1–2 hours (HL)	Around IA deadlines and before exams

Guidance by situation

Situation	Suggested hours
Small gaps, broadly on track	1 hour a week
Several gaps in one subject	1–2 hours a week for a term
Final months before exams	2 hours a week
Top-grade target	1 hour a week, with timed papers
Post-mock recovery	1–2 hours a week, focused on priorities

Why consistency beats intensity

Weekly lessons let the tutor build on last week, spot what hasn’t stuck, and adjust. Occasional long sessions feel productive but leave long gaps for forgetting. If you can only afford a limited number of hours, spread them evenly.

How many subjects at once?

Usually one or two. Start with the subject where the gap is biggest or the stakes are highest. Add another subject only when the first is on track. Tutoring four or five subjects at once is rarely sustainable alongside school.

Making each hour count

1. Share recent work before each lesson.
2. Agree on a short practice task after each lesson: 20–30 minutes.
3. Review the practice at the start of the next lesson.
4. Track progress with a quiz or past-paper section every month.

Signs you need more hours

• The plan is behind schedule with exams approaching.
• New gaps keep appearing as topics are taught at school.
• Your child benefits from lessons but forgets between them.

Signs you need fewer hours

• Your child is tired or overloaded.
• Practice between lessons isn’t happening.
• Targeted topics are secure and grades are on track.

Curriculum-specific guidance

For more detail by level, see our IGCSE exam preparation plan, is an A Level private tutor worth it? and how one-to-one IB tutoring works.

What should a first lesson look like?

A good first lesson diagnoses the gaps, which tells you how many hours you’re likely to need. Ask the tutor for an estimate after the trial.

A sample term plan

Weeks	Hours per week	Focus
1–4	1	Diagnosis and first priority topics
5–8	1	Next priorities, review of earlier topics
9–10	1–2	Preparation for school tests
Holidays	Optional	Light review or a short bridging block

How to decide with your tutor

After the first few lessons, ask the tutor how many hours they recommend and why. A good tutor will explain the estimate in terms of specific gaps and the time to the next exam, and will suggest reducing hours once targets are on track.

How Tutopiya plans work

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online tutoring across IGCSE, A Level, IB and other curricula.

• Plans from 4 hours a month per subject, roughly one hour a week.
• A free trial lesson with no card required.
• Tutors set their own rates, shown before booking.
• AI lesson analysis, with notes, flashcards and quiz questions for practice between lessons.

Browse tutors by curriculum, such as IGCSE tutors, A Level tutors or IB Diploma tutors, or see our online tuition page. Exam boards publish series dates, such as Cambridge on its IGCSE pages, which help you plan when to increase hours.

Holidays and breaks

School holidays are a good time for a short, focused block, such as bridging into a new year or catching up on a weak topic, without the pressure of term-time homework. Keep it light enough that your child still rests. Adjust as the term goes on.

Common mistakes

• Too many subjects at once → start with one or two.
• Long, occasional sessions → weekly lessons work better.
• No practice between lessons → set short tasks.
• Adding hours without a plan → fix the plan first.
• Not reducing hours when on track → adjust as needed.

Talk to us

If you’re unsure how much support your child needs, read does my child need tuition?, or contact our team for advice.

Summary: one hour per subject per week is the usual starting point, rising to two before major exams. Tutor one or two subjects at a time, keep lessons consistent, and make each hour count with practice.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours of tutoring per week does a student need? +

Most students do well with one hour per subject per week. Two hours per subject is common in the final months before major exams or when there are several gaps. Consistency matters more than total hours.

Is more tutoring always better? +

No. Too many hours can crowd out independent practice, rest and schoolwork. Students improve when tutoring is focused and followed by short practice between lessons.

How many subjects should be tutored at once? +

Usually one or two. Start with the weakest or most important subject, and add another only if the first is on track and time allows.

Should tutoring hours increase before exams? +

Often, yes, for a few months. Many students move from one to two hours a week per subject in the final two or three months, mainly for timed past papers and review.

What is the minimum plan on Tutopiya? +

Plans start from 4 hours a month per subject, which is about one hour a week. The first trial lesson is free with no card required, and tutors' rates are shown before booking.

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