Questions You Should Be Asking Any Tutor or Admissions Agency

You may not think to ask them, but the answers can are important in distinguishing substance from bluster.

Choosing a tutor or admissions agency is about more than experience or testimonials. The right provider combines safety, rigorous standards, structured resources, and evidence-based teaching methods. To ensure you get high-quality guidance, ask these ten questions before committing.

1. Are all tutors DBS-checked or background screened?

Student safety is paramount! Ask whether every tutor undergoes DBS checks (or equivalent vetting). Agencies that prioritise verified professionals give you confidence that your learning environment is safe and trustworthy.

2. What is your tutor recruitment and interview process?

High-quality tutors are selected through rigorous interviews, teaching demonstrations, and skills assessments. It is often worth asking how candidates are evaluated before they begin tutoring. Strong agencies maintain high hiring standards to ensure competence and reliability. Just because someone went to Oxbridge does not make them an expert tutor!

3. How is ongoing quality controlled?

Even talented tutors need oversight. Ask about monitoring, performance reviews, and peer assessments: agencies with structured quality control ensure consistency across all sessions and maintain teaching excellence.

4. Are learning materials centrally developed or created by individual tutors?

Some agencies let tutors produce their own resources, which can lead to inconsistent quality. Ask whether materials are proprietary, centrally controlled, and regularly reviewed. Standardised materials ensure every student receives a curriculum that is consistent, accurate, and evidence-based.

5. How are materials tailored to individual students?

Standardised curricula should also be flexible. Ask how content is adapted to your strengths, weaknesses, and learning style.

6. How frequently is the curriculum updated?

Admissions processes and exams evolve constantly. Ask whether the curriculum is regularly reviewed and refreshed to incorporate changes in LNAT requirements, law syllabi, and pedagogical research. A responsive curriculum ensures students are always prepared for current standards.

7. How are tutors trained on your methodology and materials?

Even experienced tutors need guidance to deliver a standardised program effectively. Ask whether all tutors undergo training on proprietary materials, teaching strategies, and curriculum philosophy, ensuring students receive consistent, high-quality instruction.

8. What ethical standards guide your advice?

Some agencies prioritise upselling or exaggerate outcomes. Ask whether the provider offers honest, transparent guidance, including recommendations on whether a particular level of service or tier is necessary. Ethical advisors protect both your time and investment.

9. How is progress tracked and feedback delivered?

Structured feedback drives improvement. Ask how tutors monitor performance, provide essay reviews, and adjust teaching strategies. Ideally, look for programs that combine analytics, structured assessments, and targeted feedback help students see measurable growth and develop confidence in their skills.