# Tutoring and test preparation

**Should we pay for tutoring or test prep?**

Whether your child gets extra academic help: none, only when struggling, enrichment to get ahead, or ongoing programs.

In short: Parents choose between 4 main approaches: None; Only if struggling; Enrichment to get ahead; Ongoing supplementary programs. Evidence: evidence leans one way. Research or guidance points in a direction, but it's thin, small or correlational. Best settled: school age.

- Area: School and academics
- Evidence: Evidence leans one way
- Best settled: School age
- First published: 2026-10-03
- Last updated: 2026-10-05
- Page: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/topics/school-and-academics--tutoring-and-test-preparation

## Tutoring and test preparation: what are the options?

1. **None**: The child has no tutoring.
2. **Only if struggling**: The child gets a tutor only when falling behind.
3. **Enrichment to get ahead**: The child is tutored to move beyond the class level.
4. **Ongoing supplementary programs**: The child attends a regular after-school learning program for years.

## Tutoring and test preparation: what does the evidence say?

**Evidence leans one way.** Research or guidance points in a direction, but it's thin, small or correlational.

Tutoring works (0.37 standard deviations across 96 trials); SAT coaching adds about 20-30 points

Sources:

- [Nickow et al.](https://edworkingpapers.com/sites/default/files/ai20-267.pdf)
- [Briggs](https://nepc.colorado.edu/sites/default/files/Briggs_Theeffectofadmissionstestpreparation.pdf)

## What else is worth knowing?

Tutoring ranges from short-term help for a child who is behind to years of extra programs. It costs money and takes time from play and rest. Families differ on whether it is support or pressure.

## Questions to ask each other

- When would we consider a tutor?
- How do we feel about test prep?
- What would we want to protect?

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General information, not medical advice. Two parents can each answer this and compare: https://www.raisingyourchild.com/explore?cat=school-and-academics&topic=school-and-academics--tutoring-and-test-preparation