Tutoring is a means of providing help to students by providing additional instruction outside of class. A classroom typically contains around 25 or 30 students with varied abilities and skill sets. Some students may not do as well in a large classroom, or may just require a little more attention. In this scenario, it is very challenging for the faculty to give each student individual attention, especially when they have trouble comprehending a particular theory or keeping up with the class. One-on-one tutoring maximizes the benefits of classroom teaching by providing personal attention.

A tutor increases the students' mastery of academic skills as all lessons are tailored to individual students' academic aptitude and level of understanding. The instruction simplifies material taught in the classroom, increases subject-specific knowledge, and helps students prepare for tests and coursework at his or her own pace. Owing to their technical expertise combined with constructive feedback to individual problem areas, tutors increase students' confidence and reduce dropout rates.

The tutoring profession grew during the European Renaissance. Many of the tutorial practices that began in Europe gradually progressed to the United States. As education moved from the home to the classroom, tutorial exercises became one of the edifying foundations of progressive schooling. Tutoring today is a $4 billion professional service industry. Once a patrician phenomenon, tutoring is now becoming so common that it is arguably altering the face of American education. Millions of students in both public and private schools are employing the services of tutors. According to Arizona state officials, 6,000 Arizona High School seniors attended state-paid tutoring sessions before they retook the AIMS test for a third time in spring and 91 percent of them improved their scores.

All in all, tutoring is a good way for students to maximize classroom learning and prepare for examinations.