The Ultimate Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Online Tuition Platform

A sales demo for an online tuition platform can be an overwhelming experience. With so many features, promises and pricing packages, it’s easy to get lost in the presentation and forget to ask the questions that truly matter for your child's success.

How do you cut through the noise and find out if a platform is genuinely effective?

You need to be prepared. Arming yourself with the right questions will help you evaluate any online tuition platform in Singapore and make a confident, informed decision. This ultimate checklist will ensure you cover all the critical areas, from teaching quality to progress tracking.

1. How do you personalise the learning for my child?

Why it matters: A "one-size-fits-all" approach is the biggest weakness of traditional tuition. If a platform can't adapt to your child's unique pace and learning gaps, it's not truly personalised.

What a strong answer sounds like: Look for a response that mentions AI-driven diagnostics, adaptive technology and custom-generated practice. For example, “We use AI to analyse your child’s performance and create AI-personalised worksheets that specifically target their weak spots.”

2. How is your curriculum kept up-to-date with the MOE syllabus?

Why it matters: In Singapore, exam relevance is crucial. An outdated curriculum means your child could be wasting time on irrelevant topics.

What a strong answer sounds like: A confident platform will have a dedicated, in-house team of curriculum specialists who constantly review and update their content based on the latest guidelines from the Ministry of Education (MOE).

3. Who are your tutors and what are their qualifications?

Why it matters: The quality of the teachers is one of the most important factors in your child’s success. You have a right to know who is teaching them.

What a strong answer sounds like: The platform should be transparent about its rigorous vetting and training process for tutors. They should be able to tell you about their qualifications, their experience and how they are trained to teach in an engaging online format.

4. Beyond live classes, how can my child get help when they are stuck?

Why it matters: Learning doesn't just happen during the scheduled 90-minute lesson. The most critical learning moments often occur when a student is struggling with a homework problem late at night.

What a strong answer sounds like: The best online tuition platform offers on-demand support. A powerful answer would be, “We have a 24/7 AI-powered tool called GenieAsk that allows students to get instant, step-by-step solutions to their questions anytime.”

5. How do you measure and report my child's progress to me?

Why it matters: You need to see a return on your investment. Without clear, data-driven progress reports, you are left guessing whether the tuition is actually working.

What a strong answer sounds like: The platform should offer more than just test scores. Look for real-time analytics on topic mastery, a breakdown of strengths and weaknesses and a dedicated app like the Geniebook Parents App for easy, on-the-go monitoring.

6. What happens if my child misses a live class?

Why it matters: Family schedules are hectic and unpredictable. Your child shouldn't be penalised for missing a class due to a CCA, family event, or illness.

What a strong answer sounds like: A flexible platform will have a simple solution. The best response is, “All our Live Classes are recorded, so your child can re-watch the entire lesson at their convenience and never fall behind.”

7. How do you keep younger students engaged in an online environment?

Why it matters: The needs of a Primary 3 student are very different from a Secondary 4 student. A platform must be able to hold the attention of younger learners.

What a strong answer sounds like: Look for features specifically designed for engagement, such as interactive polls, a rewards system (like Geniebook's Bubbles) and a lively, encouraging teaching style.

8. What is your average class size?

Why it matters: This directly affects the level of individual attention your child will receive. In a huge webinar-style class, a student can easily get lost.

What a strong answer sounds like: The provider should be committed to small-group learning to ensure that every student has the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the teacher.

9. What kind of technical and customer support do you offer?

Why it matters: When you have a technical glitch or a billing question, you need to know that someone is there to help you quickly.

What a strong answer sounds like: A trustworthy platform will have a dedicated, easy-to-reach customer support team based in Singapore that can resolve your issues promptly.

10. Can we try the platform before we commit?

Why it matters: This is the ultimate test of a company's confidence in its own product. You should never have to make a long-term financial commitment without experiencing the service first-hand.

What a strong answer sounds like: "Absolutely. We encourage it." The platform should offer a free trial or a comprehensive, no-obligation demo, like our free Strengths Analysis, to show you exactly how it works.

Get the Answers You Deserve

By asking these ten questions, you can empower yourself to make the best possible choice for your child. A truly great online tuition platform will have confident, transparent and detailed answers for every single one.