Most important questions you must ask

before joining a coaching/training institute

1. How are you better than the other classes? Past achievements?
Why- As they say, History speaks for itself, the past achievements would give you a
good picture about the reputation of the institute, and would also tell you what extra
efforts the institute put in to achieve it.
2. Batch timings? Is there a rigid attendance system to ensure students attend
diligently? Is rescheduling possible in case one session is missed?
Why- An important question as students usually join coaching when they are in
school/college and often timings of the coaching centre and other private tuition timings
clash or due to various personal reasons students may miss classes. Usually a good
coaching institute will reschedule a class, but do ask whether the class will be arranged
on a day decided by them or as per your convenience. A rigid attendance often doesnt
allow those rare mischievous students to bunk classes and institutes should provide
attendance details to parents, if needed.
3. Do you offer Demo or Trial class before joining?
Why- A good coaching institute usually offers 3-4 demo/ trial classes to students. Just
make sure that you select the subject and time of the class so that you get an
independent assessment of the quality of teaching. That way the institute cannot plan to
impress you with some lecture by their best faculty member, which may not be the case
with their other classes.
4. How much time will you finish the course in?
Why- This will help you in calculating the revision time that you will get with the
coaching institute and its faculty.

5. Are you providing any study material and mock tests, revision, crash courses? If yes,
then how many? Do you provide tips and tricks beyond the syllabus to score better?
What is the teaching pattern regular classes, interactive sessions? Are there
practicals for Group Discussion (GD)/ Interviews?
Why- Good coaching institutes usually tell most of the things mentioned in this question
themselves. But in case they dont, do ask these questions. Revision tests, tips and
tricks, teaching pattern, interactive classes along with time management tips for building
test speed will help you perform better. Practicals for GDs and interviews are important
as that will prepare you mentally and physically about what can happen in that closed
room with 5-6 panel members.
6. What is the experience of the faculty members? Whats the Teacher/Student ratio?
Do you have any tie-ups with schools/ colleges?
Why- To get an idea about the dedicated teachers for a particular subject, educational
qualification of the faculty and also the teacher-student ratio will help in obtaining more
personal guidance.
Some coaching institutes have tie-ups with schools and colleges and conduct classes at
their facility after the school/ college hours. If your school/ college has a tie-up with any
such institute, you can consider it as it will save traveling time. You will have the
advantage of sitting with known faces and dont have to worry about any time clash.
7. How many centres do you have? What is the infrastructure and learning environment
provided?
Why- Infrastructure and conducive learning environment forms the core of any good
institute. Most of the good institutes offer libraries and study rooms to students for
practicing alone.
The number of centres will tell you whether the institute is famous or not. However,
many good institutes have very few centres, but are actually good.
8. Whats the batch size? Will I get personal attention?

Why- An average batch size could be min. 18-22 and max. 25-30. The smaller the
batch, the more personal attention you will get.
9. What is the feedback structure?
Why- Many good institutes conduct one-on-one feedback sessions with the students to
tell them where they are lacking and need to practice; and the students get the
opportunity to share what they feel about their preparation and where the institute is
lacking in guiding them.
10. Whats the fee structure? Are there any discounts and refund policy?
Why- This is usually the first question which one asks. The fee is usually similar in most
of the institutes, but what makes one better than the other is the payment options and
the discount they are offering. Refunds are very rarely made. However, many good
institutes offer an installment option for payment of fees.
Usually discounts are offered on the following basis:
($) Entrance test conducted by the institute.
($) Marks secured in past examination.
($) You can expect some fee refund if you top the exam for which you joined the
coaching institute.