Build a Laser-Focused AI Tutor (For One Subject, Your Way)

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Imagine revising with a tutor who knows your syllabus, your weak spots, and your exam dates — and never gets tired. That’s the power of a very specific AI tutor. Instead of a generic chatbot, you’ll craft a focused study partner for one subject or even one chapter (think: Grade 12 CAPS Physical Sciences: Mechanics, or “WITS 1st-year Economics: Elasticity”). Here’s how to build it fast and make it useful from day one.

1) Define the job spec (be ruthless)

Write a one-paragraph “role description”:

  • Scope: the exact topic(s) it covers.

  • Outcome: what “good” looks like (e.g., “help me score 70%+ on NSC past papers”).

  • Style: plain English, step-by-step, short examples.

  • Boundaries: if a question is outside scope, it should say so and point to resources.

Example:

“You are my CAPS Grade 12 Accounting Adjustments tutor. Teach using SA terminology, show workings line-by-line, and end each answer with a 3-question mini-quiz.”

2) Load it with the right context

Give your tutor the materials it must respect:

  • Syllabus snippets: CAPS bullet points or your module outline.

  • Past papers & memos: focus on patterns and common traps.

  • Your notes: key definitions, formula sheet, marking rubric cues.
    Paste short extracts or upload documents where supported. Summarise long PDFs into concise bullet points the tutor can reuse.

3) Create a reusable “system prompt”

This is the tutor’s brain. Save it so you can call it every session. Template:

Role: “You are a specialised tutor for [topic], aligned to [CAPS/module].”
Instruction style: numbered steps, worked examples, no jargon unless defined.
Checks: ask two clarifying questions before solving if the problem is ambiguous.
Output format: explanation → example → 3-question quiz → mark scheme.
Tone: friendly, patient, motivating.
Safety: if unsure, state uncertainty and show how to verify.

4) Add your personal learning profile

Supercharge relevance by pasting:

  • Strengths/weaknesses: “I struggle with diagrams; I’m solid on definitions.”

  • Deadlines: exam/test dates.

  • Time box: “Keep answers under 200 words unless I ask for detail.”

  • Language: “Use UK English; define SA terms (e.g., UIF, VAT) on first mention.”

5) Build a practice loop

Use this simple routine three times a week:

  1. Warm-up recall (5 min): ask the tutor for 5 quick questions from yesterday’s topic.

  2. New concept (15 min): request a micro-lesson + tiny worked example.

  3. Active practice (20 min): generate exam-style questions at easy → medium → hard.

  4. Mark & reflect (10 min): paste your answers; ask for mark breakdown and “two fixes for next time.”

  5. Spaced reminder: tell it to schedule a 2-minute recap for 2, 5 and 14 days later.

6) Keep it honest (verification beats vibes)

Ask the tutor to cite formulas/rules, compare to your textbook, and flag uncertainty. For numerical work, require it to show every step and a quick units check. For essays, ask for a PEEL outline before writing.

7) Save, version, improve

Name your tutor preset: “NSC Mech Tutor v1.2 – forces & motion.” Each week, update:

  • New mistakes it should watch for.

  • Extra examples that clicked for you.

  • Short “If stuck, try this” heuristics.