Tutoring

Two students at the computer wth the Knack logo

for information on summer 2024 tutoring, please click here.

Fall 2024 Tutoring with Knack

In collaboration with Knack, the leading peer-to-peer tutoring platform, Iowa State is offering tutoring to undergraduate students. Knack’s unique approach to student learning has helped students reach their academic goals, graduate on time, and find success in the classroom. Best of all, it will be available free to students who are enrolled in eligible courses.

How Knack Works

Knack Tutors are top-performing Iowa State students who have excelled in the courses they are approved to tutor, ensuring high-quality support. Tutoring is free for students who are enrolled in eligible courses, with flexible options for online sessions available before, during, and after traditional office hours. The Knack platform allows students to book one-on-one and group tutoring services or sign up to become a tutor themselves.

Key Details about Knack Tutoring

For peer tutors

  • Knack tutors will be paid $15/hour
  • Students are only eligible to become a tutor in the specific courses in which they earned a B (or better)
  • In order to start tutoring, students must complete Knack Tutor Training: The Basics, a 2-hour course built in partnership with the College Reading and Learning Association

Students interested in becoming tutors can apply after the first day of classes.

For all students

  • Students enrolled in more than 90 courses listed below have access to free, unlimited tutoring. 
  • Flexible options for online sessions available before, during, and after traditional office hours.
Previous Tutoring Model (Spring 2024) Tutoring Model with Knack (Fall 2024)
Small tutoring group (2-5 people) Customized Tutoring (1:1 sessions, small group sessions) 
In-person only Online and in-person options
Students can request a tutor for any course they are enrolled in courses are carefully chosen based on historical data and student needs Eligible courses are carefully chosen based on historical data and student needs
$7.50 a session Free
Groups meet once a week for 90 minutes Flexible and unlimited – students and tutors can determine how often and how long they meet
Tutor receives $15 an hour Tutor receives $15 an hour
Tutors are ISU students who have taken the course and passed with B+ or higher  Tutors are ISU students + Professional Knack tutors are also available on-demand at no additional cost to students
ISU homegrown database accessible on desktop  Knack platform, monitored by Knack Program Success Manager and ASC Tutoring staff

Courses Available for Tutor Requests for Fall 2024

  • A B E 3780
  • ACCT 2150
  • ACCT 2840
  • ACCT 2850
  • ACCT 3860
  • AER E 3100
  • AER E 3210
  • AER E 3510
  • AN S 2140
  • AN S 3310

 

 

  • BBMB 2210
  • BBMB 3160
  • BIOL 2110
  • BIOL 2120
  • BIOL 2550
  • BIOL 3140

  • C E 2740
  • C E 3320
  • CHEM 1630
  • CHEM 1670
  • CHEM 1770
  • CHEM 1780
  • CHEM 2310
  • CHEM 3240
  • CHEM 3310
  • CHEM 3320
  • COM S 1270
  • COM S 2270
  • COM S 2280
  • COM S 2300
  • COM S 3110
  • COM S 3210
  • COM S 3270
  • COM S 3310
  • CPR E 185
  • CPR E 2810
  • CPR E 2880
  • CPR E 3100
  • CPR E 3810

  • E E 2010
  • E E 2240
  • E E 2300
  • E E 4480
  • E M 3240
  • ECON 1010
  • ECON 1020
  • ECON 3010
  • ENGR 1600

  • FIN 3010
  • FIN 3100
  • FIN 3200

  • I E 3050

  • KIN 3550
  • KIN 3580

  • MATH 1040
  • MATH 1050
  • MATH 1400
  • MATH 1430
  • MATH 1450
  • MATH 1500
  • MATH 1510
  • MATH 1600
  • MATH 1650
  • MATH 1660
  • MATH 1950
  • MATH 2010
  • MATH 2070
  • MATH 2650
  • MATH 2670
  • MAT E 2730
  • M E 1600
  • M E 2310
  • M E 3320
  • M E 3350
  • M E 3450
  • M E 4210
  • M E 4360
  • MICRO 2010

  • PHIL 2010
  • PHYS 1150
  • PHYS 1310
  • PHYS 1320
  • PHYS 2310
  • PHYS 2320

  • S E 1850
  • SCM 3010
  • STAT 1010
  • STAT 1040
  • STAT 2260
  • STAT 3260
  • STAT 3300

Tutoring has been such a big help for allowing me to learn from my peers' questions and getting extra review over tough topics from a student who has actually been in my shoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Knack tutor request portal opens on the first day of classes each semester. At that time, you can send out a request for help with a certain class and receive bids from available tutors. The scheduling timeline is based on the supply and demand of tutors; however, you can expect to receive bids from tutors within 24 hours. 

No need to worry about finding a funding source to cover the cost of your tutoring sessions. Tutoring sessions will now be free for all Iowa State University students enrolled in qualified courses. More than 90 Iowa State undergraduate courses are covered through Knack!

We recommend you utilize another academic resource on campus like Supplemental Instruction (SI), help rooms, and office hours with your professor or TA. For help with specific assignments that include writing or public speaking, make an appointment with Writing and Communication Consultations, another free service offered by the Academic Success Center.

Graduate and professional students are able to tutor undergraduate student courses through Knack. They must have taken the course they are interested in tutoring at Iowa State University and received a B or higher. There is no tutoring offered for graduate courses at Iowa State University. 

It can depend on the course you request tutoring for. All qualified tutors are notified of your request, so it could take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. Your tutoring request will remain active for one week. After one week, your request will be canceled, and you will need to submit a new request. Please note that you must be enrolled in the course you are receiving tutoring in. 

Yes, group sessions are available on the Knack platform. When you open a new request form, you will see an ‘Invite Students’ section.  

This is where you can both invite other students and allow others to join the session. Once the request is sent to the tutor, each student will receive a notification to accept/decline the group session invite.  

Invite Students

No, our tutoring services are limited to students who are actively enrolled in the course at Iowa State. 

Iowa State University is not using Knack functionality for essay or writing help. We offer robust writing and communication support here. 

Yes, tutoring will be available during all Iowa State academic terms.