A math tutor is a private instructor who teaches the subject to an individual student or a small group. Such focused, one-on-one attention allows the tutor to improve the student's knowledge or skills far more quickly than in a traditional classroom setting.

Qualified tutors provide mathematical assistance to students of all academic levels spanning from elementary math to graduate level math including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, accounting, finance, economics, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. These tutors evaluate the student’s math deficit and provide instructions customized to his or her individual needs.

Regular testing is crucial to ensure that students have grasped the concepts. Math tutoring companies often help prepare specific standardized tests [e.g. SAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT], so having access to tests in the same format is useful. Most students take regular mock tests and ask Math tutors to evaluate and score their work.

Math software and online lessons are also gaining popularity. The American Book Company has released Virtual Math Tutor v2.0, which includes The Basics of Algebra and Analytic Geometry & Trigonometry. This software contains lessons in four algebra subjects in addition to analytic geometry and trigonometry, and includes supplementary, printable worksheets for most lessons, with over 800 problems. During Internet tutorials, tutors speak using headphones or use a whiteboard and digital pen so that one side can see what the other is writing. An increasing number of companies are capitalizing on cheaper labour abroad and the reach of the Internet to undercut the cost of US-based tutors. But critics say offshore tutors don't understand the subtleties of teaching American students.

There's a trend across the nation where students aren't getting enough individual attention. Whether employing a private tutor or signing up for online lessons is what it takes to sort out their math deficiency, it's helpful to isolate each student’s weakness and work individually.