Article: This may seem simple, but it's the most important aspect of any tutoring position. You need to know the subject inside and out. Don't hesitate to use books, online resources, or your own teachers as resources to brush up on algebra before you begin tutoring students. When you schedule the tutoring session, be sure to get all the necessary information from the student, so you can provide adequate assistance. Find out what they're currently studying, what they've struggled with in the past, and what their goals are. You should also request access to homework assignments, quizzes, and tests. This will give you a clear idea of where they're struggling, and how to help. Some tutors create a short questionnaire to help them make a good start. This can include all the important data like the student's name, their availability, and their current course schedule. You might want to consider making a quiz for new students. This can help you determine their knowledge level, and better prepare to offer them superior tutoring. Don't "wing it." You want to make sure you're making the most of your time. Make a brief outline of what you're going to do, how much time each thing should take, and what the student will learn, during each lesson. Continually adjust these expectations based on your student's progress. The last thing you want is to have your student arrive only to discover you can't actually work the problem. Work through every problem a few times in advance, so you're certain to be able to offer them guidance as they solve the problem. Remember there is often more than one way to solve the problem, so keep track of the student's method and give them a chance to find the right answer. Then, walk them through the simplest way to solve.

What is a summary?
Know your stuff. Get information from students. Create a lesson plan. Practice the problems.