A tutor should usually set short, targeted homework, around 20 to 40 minutes a week per subject for secondary students, that links directly to the lesson and is reviewed next time. Homework between lessons helps learning stick, but too much on top of school work can backfire. This guide explains how much is right, what good tutoring homework looks like and how to balance it.

Written by Tutopiya, an online tutoring company that teaches students one-to-one from primary to A Level.

Key takeaways

• Short, targeted practice beats long worksheets.
• 20 to 40 minutes a week per subject suits most secondary students.
• Homework should be reviewed at the next lesson.
• Balance it with school homework.

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Should a tutor set homework?

Yes, in most cases. Short practice between lessons strengthens memory, shows what has been understood and helps the tutor plan the next lesson. Research summaries such as the Education Endowment Foundation’s homework evidence suggest homework is most useful when it is purposeful and linked to classroom learning.

Benefit	Example
Practice	Five equations like the ones in the lesson
Memory	Reviewing flashcards
Diagnosis	Showing what still needs work
Exam skill	One past-paper question

How much is right?

Stage	Suggested tutoring homework
Primary	10–15 minutes, two or three times a week
Lower secondary	20–30 minutes a week per subject
Exam years	30–40 minutes a week per subject
Final weeks before exams	Past papers, agreed with school revision

What makes good tutoring homework: step by step

1. Link it to the lesson.
2. Keep it short.
3. Include a few exam-style questions.
4. Set a clear deadline.
5. Review it at the next lesson.

When it’s too much

Homework is too much when it regularly isn’t finished, causes stress or crowds out sleep and school work. Tell the tutor; a good tutor adjusts.

Using school homework

Tutors can use school homework as practice, explaining tricky questions rather than adding more. This keeps the total load manageable.

What should a good tutor offer?

What to check	Why it matters
Targeted tasks	Purposeful practice
Reasonable amounts	Avoids overload
Review	Feedback on errors
Flexibility	Adjusts to school load

Browse our Cambridge IGCSE maths tutors, IB Diploma tutors and A Level tutors.

Examples of good tutoring homework

Subject	Example task
Maths	Five practice questions on the lesson topic
Sciences	One six-mark question and a set of flashcards
English	A paragraph rewrite using feedback
Languages	Ten new words and a short speaking recording

How to tell homework is working

• fewer repeated mistakes;
• faster progress in lessons;
• homework done without arguments.

How parents can help

• set a regular homework time;
• check it’s done, not how well;
• tell the tutor if it’s too much.

Questions to ask a tutor

1. How much homework do you usually set?
2. How do you review it?
3. Can you adjust if school homework is heavy?

Homework for younger children

Primary children benefit most from very short, playful practice, such as reading together or a quick maths game, rather than worksheets.

What if homework isn’t done?

If homework often isn’t done, ask why. It may be too long, too hard, badly timed or competing with school. A short chat with the tutor usually fixes it. See why students stop tutoring after a few weeks.

Homework and lesson summaries

Lesson summaries, flashcards and short quizzes are a quick way to review between lessons, especially for busy students.

Homework and exam years

In exam years, homework often becomes past-paper practice, which is the most effective preparation. A tutor can set one timed question or section each week, mark it in the next lesson and track progress over time.

Homework that builds independence

Over time, good tutoring homework helps students learn to study alone: making flashcards, testing themselves and spotting their own errors. These habits last beyond tutoring.

Checking quality without nagging

Ask to see one piece of homework a week, praise effort and leave detailed feedback to the tutor. This keeps you involved without turning homework into a battle.

When to stop setting homework

In the final days before exams, keep homework light, such as short reviews, so your child arrives rested.

Tip: agree a homework day and time with your child, so it becomes routine rather than a negotiation.

Short, regular practice is the goal.

How Tutopiya tutoring works

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online tutoring.

• Practice tasks agreed with your tutor.
• AI lesson analysis gives a summary, flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson for quick review.
• A free first trial lesson, with no card needed.
• From 4 hours a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, shown before booking.

See our online tuition page.

Common mistakes

• Long worksheets → keep tasks short.
• No review → check at the next lesson.
• Ignoring school load → coordinate.
• Unrelated tasks → link to the lesson.

Talk to us

For related advice, see setting tutoring goals for the term. Or contact our team.

Summary: tutors should set short, targeted homework linked to each lesson, around 20 to 40 minutes a week for secondary students, reviewed next time and balanced with school work.

Frequently asked questions

Should a tutor set homework? +

Usually yes, but short and targeted. A small task between lessons helps learning stick and shows the tutor what to focus on next.

How much homework is right? +

For most secondary students, 20 to 40 minutes a week per tutored subject. Primary children need less, often 10 to 15 minutes a few times a week.

What if my child already has lots of school homework? +

Tell the tutor. They can reduce tutoring homework or use school homework as practice, so the total stays manageable.

What makes good tutoring homework? +

It links directly to the lesson, is short enough to finish, includes a few exam-style questions and gets reviewed at the next lesson.

Do Tutopiya tutors set homework? +

Tutors agree practice with each student. Tutopiya's AI lesson analysis also gives flashcards and quiz questions after each lesson for quick review. The first trial lesson is free with no card required.

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