This paper describes preliminary results of a research related to Programming Tutoring Tools (PPTs). The study focuses on three research questions: What are the levels of programming involved?, What type of approach was used? and What type of students characteristics were used?. It applies systematic literature review (SLR) to 21 research papers derived from a number of digital databases published between 2004 and 2014. This study found that the majority of research focuses on knowledge and skills by visualization and simulation at introductory stage. Mainly PPTs are designed to improve knowledge and skills, while other characteristics such as errors and misconceptions, learning styles and preferences, affective and cognitive factors, motivations and meta-cognitive factors are less considered. In conclusion, these characteristics need to be considered so that PTTs can be more adaptive student learning process.