Becoming A Private Tutor? Forum

[ryegye87]

I need some extra cash over this coming summer, and although I'm applying to some test prep companies, I am wondering if anyone has any experience becoming a private LSAT tutor? How did you go about it? What materials did you use? So far the best idea I can come up with is printing off a ton of the old tests, going through them and marking off different types of questions into an organizational format, and then teaching each type of question and assigning homework assignments of those questions. Is this a normal method? Is there anything easier that can be done? Thanks.

[El_Gallo]

I use a similar method to the one you mentioned. Identifying the problem areas of your student and working on those specific problem types is important. I would recommend the Big Orange Book of Real LSAT Questions. It already has the problems divided by type.

[mickeyD]

I used to tutor independently (I work for a prep company now). The easiest way to do it would be to have the student purchase the Powerscore Bibles and books of questions grouped by type (Big Orange Book/Cambridge LSAT/etc). Students usually expect that they will have to purchase books for LSAT prep anyway.

From there, I would meet with students at least once a week (although twice a week is a lot better), and teach concepts in the order that Powerscore does. Then for homework, they can read the chapter to reinforce the concepts, do the practice questions in the Bibles, and then do even more practice questions in the book of questions they purchased.

If anything, make sure you thoroughly prepare before you meet with the student. Teaching the LSAT is a lot harder than understanding it.

I do not work for Powerscore in case that matters.

[bp shinners]

If anything, make sure you thoroughly prepare before you meet with the student. Teaching the LSAT is a lot harder than understanding it.

This more than anything. I've spent a ton of time repairing damage done by a tutor who didn't know what they were doing.

If you're going to use a company's materials, make sure that you understand their methods. If you're not, make sure that you have methods that are consistent. Don't just wing it.

[ryegye87]

Thank you. Yes, I did not plan on winging it whatsoever. I fully realize the responsibility I'm taking on in teaching someone the LSAT and having them rely on me to impart concepts and principles that, if followed, could have a tremendous impact on their lives.

I literally read/used every single company out there's test prep materials when I was studying. I think that each one hits and misses in their own respects, so I planned on using different concepts from different companies. Largely, I was just wondering how to organize the material (I planned on making a syllabus), and I was unaware of the "Big Orange Book" until now. That seems perfect. Thanks again everyone.

[bp shinners]

I think that each one hits and misses in their own respects, so I planned on using different concepts from different companies.

Be careful with this. There are some companies out there that will litigate over copyright infringement (rightfully so) if you go too far with how you use their materials. Also, make sure that the people you tutor have their own versions of the books (which can get prohibitively expensive if you're trying to get them to use methods from everyone) - again, if you don't, you open yourself up to liability.

What are the chances that a single tutor will be hit with a lawsuit? Small. But you don't want to be that tutor.