Alan Marshall | Math Tutor (@alanmarshallmathstutor)

One of the best ways to end a study/homework session, and it works for any subject. When you try to retrieve information without looking, you practise accessing it from memory. Comparing your attempt with your notes then helps you spot gaps and correct mistakes. The aim isn't to produce a perfect…

Our goal isn't simply to help students get through today's homework or the next exam. We want them to understand what they're doing, recognise how to approach unfamiliar questions and become increasingly independent learners. Good tutoring should build a student's ability to work things out for…

When revision feels overwhelming, starting can be the hardest part. Choose one topic. Spend a short session recalling the method, attempting a question and checking your answer. Then plan when you'll revisit it. Short sessions can help you establish a routine and spread practice over time. But…

Are you starting to worry about your child's maths prelims? You might be wondering whether they're doing enough, whether they'll get the grades they need, or whether it's already too late to help. You're not alone in feeling that way. And your child doesn't have to figure it all out by themselves…

“He's no longer that child that doesn't get maths.” That sentence from this parent says so much, because this isn't just a story about passing a resit. It's about a student who went from being seen as the child who “doesn't get maths” to someone who understands it, enjoys it and ultimately passed…

Do you struggle with fractions? Here is a quick explainer on how to convert both top heavy and mixed number fractions. #VirtualLearning #OnlineTutoring #OnlineLearning #MathsTutor #LearnMaths

The first five prime numbers are: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11. But can you explain why they're prime? A prime number is a whole number greater than 1 with exactly two positive factors: 1 and itself. For example, 7 is prime, but 9 isn't, because 9 can also be divided by 3. This is an important foundation for…

Homework can affect the whole household when a child is struggling. Avoidance, frustration and repeated mistakes can have different causes, so there's no single explanation for every student. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Take the pressure down a notch. Ask your child to show you the last step they understood…

Watching your child struggle can leave you feeling frustrated, worried and unsure how to help. But struggling with maths isn't doesn't mean your child can’t learn how to do it. Sometimes the most useful step is to identify a missing foundation and work from there. If this sounds familiar, send us…

Studying doesn’t have to be scary! 🎃 Forget the maths monsters. Our online tutoring sessions help students understand the tricky bits, ask questions, work through problems and build confidence step by step. No scary surprises. No impossible equations. Just the right support to help learners become…

🎃 THE ANSWER IS... 24! 👻 Let's work it out: Step 1: Find 1/4 of 48. 48 ÷ 4 = 12 So the witch gives 12 sweets to the ghost. 48 − 12 = 36 sweets left Step 2: Find 1/3 of 36. 36 ÷ 3 = 12 So she gives 12 sweets to the vampire. 36 − 12 = 24 🍬 The witch has 24 sweets left! Did you get it right? 👇…

Are you struggling with Outlier questions in Higher Maths? In this example you identify the extreme value that stands out, and then use logic to explain its cause. #VirtualLearning #OnlineTutoring #OnlineLearning #MathsTutor #LearnMaths

Is our maths tutoring right for your child? We're not just here to teach your child the maths. We also give students the tools and support they need to become more confident and independent learners. That includes: 📚 Worksheets to practise what they've learned 📝 Regular testing to check…

Being told you’re going to feel maths is really hard to hear. This student decided to sit the exam anyway and he got an F but that didn’t hold them back. He was even more determined than ever to succeed and with our help got an A. It’s just one example that proves the fact that there’s no such…

Need to ask questions but too shy? We get it. That's why we've made our community completely anonymous so you can focus on learning, not worrying about what anyone else thinks! #VirtualLearning #OnlineTutoring #OnlineLearning #MathsTutor #LearnMaths

Do you know how to round and estimate? If not watch this quick explainer. #VirtualLearning #OnlineTutoring #OnlineLearning #MathsTutor #LearnMaths

Online maths tutoring… but make it feel doable 👇 Here’s what students can do: ✅ Understand the maths ✅ Ask questions ✅ Work through problems ✅ Become more confident and independent learners No scary stuff just supportive sessions at their pace. Want to see what we offer? Join our FREE Monday night…

When a question says “show that”, the important thing is that you demonstrate the mathematical steps that establish the required result. Show the calculation. Show the reasoning. Make it possible for the marker to follow your method. Understanding what the words in the exam questions mean before…

Taking notes in maths isn't about copying everything from the board. Your notes should help you learn independently when your teacher isn't there to explain it again. Try this simple system: ✏️ Write what are you learning in your own words 🧮 One worked example that makes sense to you ❓ Where did…

Just 5 minutes a week could help you spot the Maths topics they are struggling with and fix them fast. ➡️ The 5 minute teach back method. Once a week ask your child to teach you what they covered this week as if you knew nothing about it. It shows you how well they have understood the topic and…

One fraction rule worth remembering for Maths: You need a common denominator before adding or subtracting fractions. Why? Because the denominator tells you the size of the pieces. You can't sensibly add “one quarter” and “one third” as though they're the same-sized pieces. Make the denominators…

“Teachers told me not to take Maths because I wouldn't be capable of achieving an award.” She decided to prove them wrong. After working with Alan Marshall Maths Tutoring, Erin achieved an A in National 5 Maths and went on to achieve seven Higher As including Maths. Now she's heading to university…

Pythagoras is used to find a missing side in a right-angled triangle. And that can be any of the three sides. If you're finding the hypotenuse: a² + b² = c² If you're finding one of the shorter sides: b² = c² − a² The key isn't just memorising a formula. Before you calculate, ask yourself: 👉 Where…

With the right support, “I'm not good at maths” can change. After joining us this student went on to enjoy maths, build his understanding and pass his resit. We're incredibly proud of the result. But we're even more proud of the change behind it. Because he's no longer that child who doesn't get…

Ever wondered what online maths tutoring actually looks like? Our online tutoring sessions are designed to help students understand the maths, ask questions, work through problems and gradually become more independent learners. We promise there is nothing scary about it! Find out exactly what we…

Ever wondered what online maths tutoring actually looks like? Our online tutoring sessions are designed to help students understand the maths, ask questions, work through problems and gradually become more independent learners. We promise there is nothing scary about it! Find out exactly waht we…

Power (indice): when a number multiplies to itself It sounds easy but it catches a lot of students out, so here is a quick explainer. #VirtualLearning #OnlineTutoring #OnlineLearning #MathsTutor #LearnMaths #Indices

🎃 OCTOBER MATHS CHALLENGE 👻 Think you can solve this one? A witch has 48 sweets 🍬 She gives 1/4 of her sweets to a ghost. Then she gives 1/3 of the sweets she has left to a vampire. So how many sweets does the witch have left? A) 20 B) 24 C) 30 D) 32 Comment your answer below. We'll reveal the…

Switching schools is tough, especially when that move includes going from GCSEs to Highers. When this student moved from England to Scotland it involved adapting from one curriculum to another and she was worried there might be things she hadn’t been taught before. We helped her navigate the…

Wan't to help your child study in a way that will actually help them remember what they have learned? Try these study tips: 📝 Practice testing — flashcards or quick quizzes force the brain to actively search for answers 🗣️ The Feynman technique — ask your child to explain the topic back to you in…