A simpler first paid step before committing to lessons
A diagnostic review is for parents who want more than a free enquiry, but are not ready to buy a full lesson package. We use the student profile, recent work and exam timeline to recommend a realistic next step.
Best for uncertain parents
Useful when parents are unsure whether the student needs tutoring, mock marking, planning or independent revision.
Evidence-led
The review works best with a recent mock, topic test, writing sample, school feedback or clear description of the problem.
Clear scope
The review focuses on the student’s evidence, the main priorities and whether paid support is needed yet.
Clear next step
If lessons are appropriate, the review can become a tutoring plan, revision sprint or small group fit check.
What the diagnostic should answer
The output helps you make a decision instead of creating another vague conversation.
| Question | Useful answer |
|---|---|
| What is the main academic issue? | Topic gap, weak method, exam technique, writing structure, time management or unclear exam route. |
| Does the student need lessons? | Not yet, short revision support, mock marking, planning, one-to-one lessons or small group if suitable. |
| What happens first? | A small action you can understand before paying for a larger package. |
| What evidence is still missing? | Mock paper, school comments, writing sample, exam board, expected exam session or availability. |
Price and deliverable
This is a small paid step when you want a tutor judgement before committing to a package.
| Price | Typical turnaround | Included | Not included |
|---|---|---|---|
| £35 | 2 to 3 working days after suitable evidence is received. | One subject profile review, recent work or school feedback review, and a written next-step recommendation. | Full paper marking, live lesson, official grade prediction, exam registration or ongoing tutoring. |
Request a diagnostic review
Select Diagnostic review on the assessment form and upload recent work if available.
One honest sample is usually enough to make the first review useful
The sample does not need to be the student’s best work. It needs to show how the student currently answers, calculates or completes the task.
| Subject | Useful sample | What the review can separate |
|---|---|---|
| English Literature | A timed essay with its question and set-text details. | Text knowledge, task focus, argument, evidence, analysis and timing. |
| ICT | A theory response or practical task, plus the software and paper route. | Concept understanding, tool use, accuracy, workflow and checking. |
| Geography | One map or data response and one extended answer if available. | Knowledge, case evidence, process explanation, source use and command words. |
| History | A source answer or essay with the option topic named. | Recall, contextual use, source reasoning, causation and essay control. |
| Accounting | A complete worked question rather than the final figure alone. | Bookkeeping foundations, adjustments, layouts, accuracy and checking. |
Use Diagnostic Review when the problem is visible but the right support is not clear
This is a practical starting service when you want academic judgement before deciding on regular tutoring.
Recent evidence exists
A topic test, mock extract, writing sample, school feedback or homework pattern gives the reviewer enough evidence to identify likely causes.
One subject and a clear concern
Send the subject, exam board if known, current grade or score, target grade, exam date and the work you want reviewed.
A decision-ready recommendation
The response explains the likely issue, the sensible next step and whether tutoring, marking, planning or guided study is worth considering.
Not a grade guarantee
A diagnosis can clarify direction, but it cannot promise a future grade or replace sustained practice and exam-board-specific feedback.
A diagnostic review helps decide what support would be most useful
The £35 review is useful when parents want an academic view before committing to regular lessons. It works best when at least one piece of recent evidence is available.
Best fit
You have a recent result, work sample or school comment and want to understand which type of support would help most.
What you receive
A written next-step recommendation based on one subject profile, available evidence and the exam timeline.
Prepare first
Subject, exam board, current concern, target grade, exam date and one recent work sample if available.
Before payment
We confirm whether the available evidence is enough for a responsible diagnostic review.
| Decision point | What it means | Prepare | A useful next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent work exists | The review can identify whether teaching, marking or planning should come first. | Upload the strongest available academic evidence. | Use diagnostic review for a focused academic view before deciding on lessons. |
| No work evidence yet | The review may become too speculative. | Add a topic test, writing sample or mock paper if possible. | Use free assessment first if evidence is missing. |
| Parent is unsure about buying lessons | A smaller review can protect the budget. | Main concern, budget range and decision stage. | Use the diagnostic result before deciding on tutoring. |
| Multiple subjects are involved | A one-subject diagnostic may not answer the whole route question. | Subject list, grades and exam dates. | Consider exam planning or staged diagnostics. |
Diagnostic review is not a full mock marking report, full lesson plan, unlimited consultation or grade guarantee.
If the material is too broad, unclear or unsuitable, we may recommend mock marking, planning or more evidence before payment.
Use a diagnostic review when the next spend is still unclear
A good diagnostic should reduce guesswork. It is not there to sell a bigger package; it should help the family see whether lessons, marking, planning or a smaller action makes sense.
What evidence should we send for a diagnostic review?
Send the subject, exam board if known, exam date, current grade or concern, and at least one recent work sample, mock, topic test, writing sample or school comment if available.
Is diagnostic review the same as a lesson or full marking report?
No. It is a focused academic review and next-step recommendation. If the student needs detailed script feedback or teaching, mock marking or tutoring may follow.
Can a diagnostic review save money?
It can reduce the risk of buying a large tutoring package before the real issue is clear. Sometimes the result is a smaller action, marking, planning or a short lesson block.
What if the evidence is not enough?
If the material is too thin or unclear, we may suggest free assessment questions, a timed sample, mock marking or a different first step before taking payment.
When is a diagnostic review not the right first step?
If the student already has a complete paper that needs script-level feedback, mock marking is usually clearer. If the exam route itself is uncertain, exam planning should come first.