Finding a math tutor who is an expert in the subject matter is important, but it does not guarantee student success. If a student does not enjoy working with his/her tutor or feel excited about tutoring, productivity can slip and math tutoring may not improve grades. Most students only work with their tutors for an hour or two each week, so the most important impact of a quality instructor is the sense of confidence he/she imparts to the student. A confident, self-assured student will be able to tackle material on his/her own and work independently on assignments outside of tutoring. Personable, engaging math tutors can make regular academic sessions enjoyable and help students become more invested in their schoolwork. When students form strong relationships with their instructors, math tutoring can be an extremely effective and rewarding investment.

When first paired with a new student, an effective math tutor should try to establish rapport and understand the student's learning style. Students struggling to master algebraic fundamentals like the order of operations will often benefit from repetition of basic problems, while those who are beginning difficult classes such as AP Calculus might need a tutor to guide them through unfamiliar material step-by-step. Every student has a unique learning style; some prefer to learn new material visually, while others do best listening to explanations or discussing topics out loud. Some respond well to hands-on, tactile learning approaches, while other students require a combination of different approaches. To be fully effective, math tutors should strive to understand what works for a student and what doesn't. Getting to know a student can also help in this regard. If a student is an avid basketball player, using problems that incorporate statistics from his/her favorite player is an easy way for a tutor to make sessions more interesting and subject matter more relevant. Most students prefer to relate math to their own interests and pursuits, and they respond enthusiastically when tutors can design explanations, review materials, and supplemental exercises with these activities in mind. A single rigid approach will not be optimal for all students, so tutors should be sure to adapt their lessons flexibly to allow students to be successful. The potential for sessions designed with only an individual student's personality and learning style in mind is one of the biggest advantages about private math tutoring. A strong understanding of a student's personality and learning style can help a tutor teach in a way that is uniquely designed for student success

So when considering a math tutor, don't look solely at expertise with subject matter. Although this knowledge is very important, ease of student-tutor interaction is equally significant. Pay attention to how a student feels about his/her tutor, and communicate regularly with the instructor to ensure that he/she is working to understand the student's learning style and target his/her strengths and weaknesses appropriately. When a tutor combines a strong knowledge of math with a firm understanding of how to approach and relate to students, results can be dramatically positive.