When you first sign up, TutorMate asks a few quick questions about what you're studying and what kind of help you're looking for. This isn't a long quiz — it's just enough to suggest a good starting point.
Based on your answers, you'll be matched with a recommended buddy. Each buddy has a distinct teaching style and subject focus — for example, Sage favors a Socratic, question-led approach to math, while Maryam takes an encouraging, structured approach to ELA.
You're never locked into one buddy. You can switch at any time from the session menu, and many students use different buddies for different subjects or moods.
Your first session will default to step-by-step mode, which is the easiest to get started with. Once you're comfortable, try Socratic mode for a more discovery-based experience, or roleplay mode for language practice.