Frequently Asked Questions

Stumath is an online tutoring platform that connects students with qualified tutors across various subjects. Students can search for tutors based on subject, availability, and price, then book sessions directly through our platform. Tutors set their own rates and availability, and all sessions are conducted online via our integrated video platform.

Creating an account is simple! Click on the "Sign Up" button at the top right corner of the page. You can register as a student or a tutor. Fill in your details, verify your email address, and you're ready to start. Students can immediately start searching for tutors, while tutors need to complete their profile and go through verification.

Creating an account and browsing tutors is completely free. Students only pay for the tutoring sessions they book. Tutors receive payment for their sessions minus a small platform fee that helps us maintain the platform, provide support, and ensure a secure learning environment.

We offer over 100 subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Economics, English, History, Geography, Computer Science, Programming languages, Test Preparation (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL), and many more. You can browse all subjects in our search page or use the subject dropdown to explore available options.

Finding a tutor is easy! Use the search bar on our homepage to search by subject, or use the advanced filters to narrow down by rating, price, and verification status. Once you find a tutor you like, view their profile to see their qualifications, reviews, and availability. Click "Book Session", select your preferred date and time, and complete the payment to confirm your booking.

All tutors undergo a thorough verification process. This includes identity verification, qualification checks (degrees, certifications), and background screening. Verified tutors display a "Verified" badge on their profile. We also monitor tutor performance through student reviews and ratings to ensure quality.

Tutor rates are based on a performance-based calculation system. The base rate is R150, and tutors earn bonuses based on their rating, number of lessons taught, verification status, experience, response rate, and community contributions. The maximum rate is R450 per hour. Tutors can also set their own custom rates within these limits.

You can cancel a booking up to 24 hours before the scheduled session for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may result in a partial or no refund, at the tutor's discretion. If a tutor cancels with less than 24 hours notice, you are entitled to a full refund. No-shows are not eligible for refunds.

We accept credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), PayPal, and bank transfers. All payments are processed securely through our payment partners. Your payment information is encrypted and never stored on our servers.

Yes! Many tutors offer single sessions which are perfect for trying out a tutor. You can book a single session to see if the tutor's teaching style matches your learning needs before committing to a package. Single sessions cost R200 per hour.

Your satisfaction is our priority. If you're unhappy with a session, please contact our support team within 24 hours. We'll review the situation and work with you to resolve any issues. You can also leave a review to help other students and provide feedback to the tutor.

To become a tutor, click on "Become a Tutor" in the navigation menu or the "Sign Up" button and select "Tutor" as your user type. Complete your profile with your qualifications, teaching experience, subjects you can teach, and set your hourly rate. Our team will review your application and verify your credentials. Once approved, you can start accepting bookings!

Tutors must be at least 18 years old and have relevant qualifications in their teaching subjects. This includes university degrees, teaching certifications, or significant professional experience. We require identity verification and may ask for proof of qualifications. All tutors must pass our background check and maintain high teaching standards.

Your earning potential depends on your qualifications, experience, and ratings. Tutors set their own rates between R150 and R450 per hour. The platform fee is deducted from each completed session. Popular tutors with high ratings can earn significantly more. Many of our top tutors earn R400+ per hour and teach multiple sessions daily.

Payments are processed through our secure payment system. You can set up your payment method in your tutor dashboard. Earnings from completed sessions are released to your account according to our payment schedule (typically within 5-7 business days). You can track your earnings, withdrawals, and payment history in your dashboard.

Tutors are evaluated based on several metrics: student ratings (1-5 stars), total lessons taught, response rate, verification status, experience years, and community contributions (solutions, comments, questions). These metrics determine your performance tier (Rising, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Grand Master) and influence your calculated rate.

We provide comprehensive support including: 24/7 technical support, dispute resolution, marketing assistance, profile optimization tips, teaching resources, and a community forum where you can connect with other tutors. We also feature top tutors on our homepage and in promotional materials to help you gain more students.

We offer three lesson packages to help you save money: Single Session (R200/lesson), 5-Lesson Pack (R900, save R100), and 10-Lesson Pack (R1,700, save R300). Packages are a great way to commit to consistent learning while saving money. You can use package lessons with any tutor, and unused lessons can be carried over or refunded according to our policy.

All sessions are conducted online through our integrated video platform. You'll receive a Zoom link or our proprietary video meeting link after booking. Sessions include a shared whiteboard, screen sharing, and chat features to facilitate learning. Tutors can share materials, and both parties can take notes during the session.

You can reschedule a session up to 24 hours before the scheduled time without any penalty. Simply go to your bookings, select the session, and click "Reschedule". Choose a new time from the tutor's available slots. Rescheduling within 24 hours may incur a fee at the tutor's discretion.

Refunds are processed according to our cancellation policy. If you cancel within the allowed window, refunds are automatically processed to your original payment method within 5-10 business days. For disputed sessions or technical issues, please contact our support team and we'll investigate and process refunds as appropriate.

Absolutely. We use industry-standard encryption (SSL/TLS) for all transactions. Payment processing is handled by trusted third-party payment processors (PayFast, PayPal) who are PCI-DSS compliant. We never store your full credit card details on our servers.

If a tutor doesn't show up for a scheduled session, you'll receive a full refund automatically. Please report the issue to our support team immediately. We take reliability seriously and have measures in place to address repeated no-shows by tutors.

You need a stable internet connection, a computer or tablet with a webcam and microphone, and a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). No special software installation is required - our platform works directly in your browser. For the best experience, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer.

First, check your internet connection and ensure your browser is up to date. Try refreshing the page or rejoining the session. If issues persist, contact our support team immediately. We have technicians available 24/7 to help troubleshoot. Your tutor can also switch to audio-only or use the chat feature while we resolve the issue.

If the tutor has enabled recording, session recordings are automatically saved and available in your "My Bookings" section after the session ends. You can download or watch recordings for up to 30 days. This is a great way to review material covered during your lesson.

Don't worry! If technical issues occur, you can use the in-session chat to communicate with your tutor. If the issue can't be resolved, contact our support team. We'll work with you and the tutor to reschedule the session at no extra cost or provide a refund if necessary.

Yes, we take data protection seriously. We comply with applicable data protection laws including POPIA (South Africa) and GDPR (Europe). Your personal information is never shared with third parties without your consent. We use encryption for data transmission and secure storage for all user data.

Student safety is our top priority. All tutors undergo background checks and identity verification. All sessions are monitored for inappropriate behavior, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. Students can report any concerns through our reporting system, and we investigate all reports promptly.

For your safety and privacy, we recommend keeping all communication within the platform. Our messaging system allows you to communicate with tutors without sharing personal contact information. If you choose to communicate outside the platform, we cannot guarantee your safety or provide support for any issues that arise.

Report it immediately! Use the "Report" button on the tutor's profile or in the session interface. You can also contact our support team directly. We take all reports seriously, investigate thoroughly, and take appropriate action which may include warning, suspension, or permanent removal from the platform.