Should we hire a tutor or use self-paced test prep materials?

Both can work, but it depends on your child. If your student is independent, organized, and responds well to structure, self-paced materials might be enough. If your child avoids practice like it’s a plate of steamed broccoli or melts down over tricky math problems, a tutor might save your sanity. Tutors can provide accountability, customized strategies, and someone other than you reminding your kid to study. (That alone is worth it.) You don’t have to choose one forever—some families start with tutoring, then transition to self-paced work once momentum builds. The goal is progress, not perfection, so pick the path that keeps your child engaged and moving forward.