# What is Socratic tutoring?

> Socratic tutoring teaches by asking guiding questions instead of giving answers, so students reason their way to understanding. Here's how it works with AI.

Learn · Glossary

Socratic tutoring teaches by asking guiding questions rather than giving answers, so the student reasons their way to the idea and can do it again on their own.

- Page: https://sparkmentis.ai/learn/socratic-tutoring

## How it sounds

Student: "How do I solve 2x + 3 = 11?" Tutor: "What's stopping x from being alone on the left?" Student: "The 3." Tutor: "How could you remove it from both sides?" The student does the step; the tutor only points.

## Why it works

- Students remember what they worked out
- Mistakes show what's misunderstood
- It builds the habit of asking the next question yourself

## Questions

**Isn't it slower?**

A little at first, but students need fewer explanations later.

**Can AI tutor Socratically?**

Yes, if it's built to hold back answers. SparkMentor is.

## Related

- [What is an AI tutor?](https://sparkmentis.ai/learn/what-is-an-ai-tutor.md): Glossary
- [SparkMentor: Step-by-step tutoring](https://sparkmentor.sparkmentis.ai/features/step-by-step-solutions): Hints first, then the move
- [SparkMentis for students](https://sparkmentis.ai/for/students.md)

## Book a demo

Email info@sparkmentis.ai (subject "SparkMentis demo request") with your organization, your role and the products you're interested in.