What to prepare before requesting IGCSE support
A clear first enquiry helps us recommend the right starting point: mock marking, one-to-one tutoring, exam planning or a revision package. You do not need every detail, but the items below make the assessment much more useful.
Student profile
Year group, country or region, school route, target subjects and any preferred communication language.
Exam details
Exam board if known, expected exam session, paper type and whether the student is school-based or following another route.
Evidence
Recent mock result, school feedback, topic test, marked paper or a short note on where the student is struggling.
Buying preference
Whether the family needs price guidance, has already checked packages or is ready to book if the match is suitable.
Start timeline
When support needs to start: urgent, within two weeks, before a mock, before final exams or for longer-term preparation.
Useful information to include
The form now lets families upload one optional file, such as a mock paper or school feedback, if it helps explain the student’s current level.
| Information | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Subject and target grade | Shows whether the request is about foundation support, grade improvement or high-grade refinement. |
| Exam board | Helps us think about syllabus, paper style and mark scheme expectations. |
| Recent result | Allows a more evidence-based recommendation instead of a generic lesson plan. |
| Timeline | Changes whether the student needs planning, regular tutoring or short revision support. |
| Availability | Helps us check whether a suitable tutor can realistically match the student’s timezone. |
If you are not sure what to write
Plain language is useful. Parents do not need to diagnose the academic problem perfectly; a short, honest description often tells us what evidence to ask for next.
| What a parent may write | What it helps us check | Likely first step |
|---|---|---|
| “The Maths mock dropped, but school feedback was not very clear.” | Whether mark loss comes from method, topic gaps, timing or exam technique. | Mock marking or diagnostic review before buying lessons. |
| “My child studies a lot but the grade is not moving.” | Whether the issue is poor feedback, wrong materials, weak routine or repeated errors. | Diagnostic review, study plan setup or guided study. |
| “We do not know the exam board or paper route.” | Whether the family needs route clarity before subject support. | Exam planning before tutoring. |
| “We are ready to book if the tutor match is suitable.” | Subject, level, timezone, budget, start date and tutor availability. | Quote after availability and scope are confirmed. |
For a faster quote, include these buying details
Parents often want a price quickly. These details reduce unnecessary back-and-forth and help us recommend the smallest useful paid step.
| Detail | Example answer | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price awareness | I have checked the listed prices, or I need a budget-first suggestion. | Helps us avoid suggesting a package that does not fit the family decision stage. |
| Preferred first paid step | Mock marking, diagnostic review, planning, guided study, one-to-one tutoring or not sure. | Lets us confirm feasibility faster without pushing a larger package too early. |
| Start timeline | This week, within two weeks, before mock exams, before final exams or later. | Changes whether we prioritise urgent marking, a revision sprint or a steadier plan. |
| Budget range | For example, under £100, £250 to £650, or lesson package budget. | Allows a realistic recommendation without wasting the family’s time. |
| Availability limits | Weekday evenings UK time, weekends only, or a specific timezone. | Prevents us from quoting a tutor route that cannot be scheduled. |
A strong enquiry can still be short
The best enquiry is not the longest one. It gives the student’s route, the worry, the evidence and the timing clearly enough for a responsible first recommendation.
Subject concern
“Year 11, Cambridge Maths, target 7, mock was 5. Full working is available. Exam is in May/June.”
Writing concern
“English Language writing is stuck. We can send one recent essay and teacher comments. Need to know whether lessons are necessary.”
Route concern
“Private candidate route is unclear. We need to confirm exam board, paper option and what to ask the centre before buying support.”
What not to send
The assessment should stay focused on learning evidence and service fit. More private data does not make the assessment better.
- Do not send payment card details through the form.
- Do not send passports, identity documents or unrelated family records.
- Do not upload a large folder of school files when one recent mock, writing sample or feedback note would be enough.
- Do not send private tutor payment requests; all booking should follow the confirmed service process.
Ready to submit the assessment?
You can still submit the form if you do not know the exam board yet. Write “not sure” and include any recent evidence you have.
Past papers, syllabus and high-grade notes are useful only when they change the next action
Families often collect more resources when the real question is simpler: is the student using the correct route, losing marks for the same reason, or revising without feedback? We use resources as evidence for a smaller, clearer next step.
Completed work shows the real pattern
A paper is most useful when the student answer, time taken, mark scheme and exam board are all clear.
Best entry: Mock Marking from £45The route must be correct first
A syllabus helps only if it matches the exam board, subject code, paper route and exam session the student is actually taking.
Best entry: Exam Planning from £55Good notes do not prove exam performance
High-grade notes can inspire structure, but the student still needs to turn knowledge into marks under timed conditions.
Best entry: Diagnostic Review £35Mistakes should become a feedback loop
An error log is useful when it leads to a specific task, upload point and parent-visible checkpoint.
Best entry: Study Plan Setup £59Self-marking can miss method marks, command words and repeated lost-mark habits.
Paper route, answer quality, mark-loss pattern and whether the student needs marking, lessons or a sprint.
Mock MarkingA student may revise the wrong paper route or spend time on low-priority topics.
Exam board, subject code, paper route, exam session, available weeks and official items still to confirm.
Exam PlanningCopying polished notes can hide weak application, timing or question focus.
One recent answer or topic test to see whether the student can apply the method independently.
Diagnostic ReviewMore files can make revision feel busy without improving marks.
Weekly time, completed topics, weak evidence, upload rhythm and parent feedback needs.
Study Plan or Guided StudyWe can guide families toward official syllabus, past paper and mark scheme sources and help turn student work into a plan. We do not claim exam-board affiliation, distribute copyrighted paper packs or suggest that another student notes guarantee a result.
Match the student situation to a clear service
If the first step is still unclear, choose the closest student situation. Each route carries the service preference into the free assessment. Before payment, we still confirm subject, exam board, evidence, tutor or marker availability, timing and cancellation rules.
Free Assessment
Use this when you need a first recommendation before paying.
- Best when
- Subject, exam board, timeline or support type is not clear yet.
- Prepare
- Student year, subjects, exam date, current concern and any recent result.
Diagnostic Review
A low-risk tutor judgement before deciding whether lessons are needed.
- Best when
- There is school feedback, a topic test, writing sample or recent work.
- Prepare
- One subject, exam board if known, recent evidence and target grade.
Mock Marking
Turn a completed mock or past paper into mark-loss patterns and revision priorities.
- Best when
- The student has completed one or two papers and needs exam-board-aware feedback.
- Prepare
- Paper, answers, subject, exam board, time taken and school feedback if available.
Parent Review Call
A focused 30-minute parent discussion before approving the next spend.
- Best when
- Parents want to understand assessment, diagnostic or mock feedback before upgrading.
- Prepare
- Existing recommendation, mock feedback, diagnostic result or key questions.
Study Plan Setup
A practical 2 to 4 week plan before committing to guided study or tutoring.
- Best when
- The student can self-study but needs priorities, syllabus coverage and a realistic routine.
- Prepare
- Syllabus, exam date, weekly study time, weak topics and recent evidence.
One-to-One or Guided Support
Use this when the weak subject is clear and regular teaching or checkpoints are needed.
- Best when
- Subject priority, availability and likely support rhythm are already reasonably clear.
- Prepare
- Subject, exam board, availability, target grade, recent evidence and start date.
Submitting a service preference does not collect payment. If information is missing, delivery is not feasible, timing is unrealistic or a grade guarantee is expected, we explain the boundary before any payment step.