Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tessera?
Tessera is a conversational AI companion designed for students aged 14-19. It helps teens discover their personality, interests, and career fit through casual, age-appropriate chats -- not one-time quizzes or clinical assessments.
How does it work?
Tessera builds a profile of your teen over multiple sessions. Each conversation fills in a piece of a 20-piece "puzzle" covering areas like personality, strengths, interests, and values. Over time, this puzzle maps to real career paths using proven vocational models (model for classifying career interests).
What age group is Tessera for?
Tessera is designed for students aged 14 to 19 (grades 9 through pre-college, including gap year). The conversation style automatically adapts to the student's age -- younger teens get more playful, scenario-based conversations, while older students get more direct, practical guidance.
Is my teen's data safe?
Yes. Tessera stores all data locally on the device. We do not collect personal information about students or parents (beyond a parent email for account recovery). We never share any information with third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
How long does it take?
The initial setup takes under 10 minutes. After that, sessions are 8-20 minutes each, with a recommended pace of a few sessions per week. Most students complete their profile puzzle over 7-10 sessions across several weeks.
What platforms is Tessera available on?
Tessera is being built for iOS and Android. Stay tuned for launch announcements.
Does Tessera replace a guidance counselor?
Tessera is a supplement, not a replacement. It provides the kind of ongoing, personalized attention that most school counselors (who serve hundreds of students) simply cannot offer. It's always available, remembers every conversation, and adapts over time.
Still need help?
If you have a question, issue, or feedback that isn't covered above, please reach out to our support team:
Email: support@smart4smart.com
We typically respond within 24 hours on business days.