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Teacher: How is my average response time calculated?
Teacher: How is my average response time calculated?

For teachers to understand average response times, where to view them and how to improve

Updated over a month ago

Students can view your average response time on your profile. Some students will use this to decide whether or not to contact you. However, it does indicate how long they may need to wait for you to respond. This can be useful when setting expectations.

Important Note

Every first message needs a response to be sent by you.

Please note, that sending an Offer to a student is not classed as a response and will not stop the clock.

For every first message either

  • Send a message

  • Click the decline button to send an automated decline message

Where can I see my response time?

You can check your average response time from your dashboard.

  • View the calculation at the top left of your dashboard which will show your response time up to 100 hours

  • If your time is more than 100 hours, open your inbox from your top navigation bar

  • At the top of your messages, you will see your average response time

Calculation

How is my average response time calculated

  1. The average response time is calculated from a new student sending their first message to you replying to it.

  2. The figure is calculated by adding all the durations from the first messages within a 3-month rolling period and dividing this by the number of first messages within this period.

  3. All first messages count, so ensure you respond to every message.

  4. The clock will stop once you have sent a message via the inbox.

How do I improve my average response time?

  1. Ensure that every first message receives a response. If you miss one, your response time will continue to rise.

  2. Focus on responding to every new message as quickly as possible.

  3. The more new messages received and responded to quickly, the lower your response time.

  4. If you choose not to take on a student, please click the decline link within the inbox to notify them you have received their message but unfortunately cannot meet their request. They will be forwarded to support for help in finding a new teacher.

  5. If you receive a message from an existing student who has forgotten their login details and has set up a new profile, please respond to it to avoid harming your response time.

  6. You may find your response time will continue to rise before falling. This happens when fewer new messages are received than the number of older messages lost after 3 months.

What can I do if I think my response time is incorrect?

If you think your response time is incorrect, please email info@musicteachers.co.uk and we will investigate

How can I check for missed message replies?

  • Click on your student tab and look for the mail icon to the right of each student’s name

  • If there is a red dot, this indicates that there could be a new message that you have not seen

  • Remember, there are three student tabs - my students, new students and inactive students, so please check them all

What are the benefits of a low response time?

  • A low response time can encourage students to send you a message

  • Response time is one of the indicators that go towards SuperTeacher status

The lower your average response time, the larger your student list, the greater the number of lessons you will teach.

If you cannot see the reason for an increase in your average response time, please write to us at info@musicteachers.co.uk and we will take a look with you.

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