Skip to main content
IB HL Programme

IB Physics HL Tutoring

One-to-one online preparation for the Physics Higher Level syllabus

IB Physics HL tutoring starts by pinpointing exactly where you are stuck, then closes that gap in 90-minute one-to-one sessions. Because Paper 2's long questions reward the reasoning you show rather than the final answer, we also work on how you set your solutions out, and we stay with you through the Internal Assessment from experiment design to report.

Quick Answer

The busiest stretch in Physics HL begins the moment your school announces the IA deadline – we suggest reserving at least three 90-minute sessions for the experimental design alone. Students with content gaps take the 20-lesson package; those who only want exam technique take ten.

HL

Level

Fully Online

Format

90 min

Lesson length

€84 per 90 min one-to-one lesson

Not happy after your first lesson? Full refund.

See packages and lower per-lesson rates
IB Physics HL lesson: equations of motion, Newton's second law and conservation of energy with a numerical example on the boardHL

IB Specialists

Experienced Team

About IB Physics HL Tutoring

Our IB Physics HL tutoring programme fully covers the Physics Higher Level syllabus, one of the most demanding and detailed science courses in the IB Diploma Programme. We cover the fundamental laws of physics, from mechanics to quantum physics, step by step and in detail. Our experienced IB teachers make physics concepts clear with visual materials, simulations and real-world examples.

The core topics covered include mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, conservation of energy, momentum and collisions), thermodynamics (heat, temperature, ideal gas laws, the laws of thermodynamics), waves and optics (wave properties, sound, light, interference, diffraction), and electricity and magnetism (electric fields, circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction). Each topic is studied in depth together with the mathematics behind it.

The advanced HL-only topics get particular attention. We concentrate on wave phenomena (single-slit and double-slit diffraction, interference patterns, the Doppler effect), gravitation and electric fields (field theory, potential, orbital mechanics), electromagnetic induction (Faraday's law, Lenz's law, alternating current) and quantum and nuclear physics (photon theory, the photoelectric effect, matter waves, nuclear reactions, particle physics). Our teachers take these topics step by step, with visualisations.

Problem solving is at the heart of the programme. Physics demands mathematical modelling and analytical thinking, so our teachers show students a systematic approach: understand the problem, identify the given and required quantities, choose the right formulae, carry out the solution and interpret the result. Each lesson works through plenty of example problems, and similar ones are set as homework.

The Internal Assessment (IA) makes up 20% of the IB Physics HL grade; it is where students show their skills in scientific investigation. We work with you at every stage of the IA: choosing a research question, forming a hypothesis, experimental design, data collection and analysis, uncertainty calculations, graphing and scientific report writing. Our experienced teachers know the four current assessment criteria (Research design, Data analysis, Conclusion, Evaluation – 6 marks each, 24 in total) inside out.

Exam preparation follows the current exam format. Under the current IB Sciences syllabus (first assessment 2025), the exam consists of two written components – Paper 1 (multiple choice + data-based questions) and Paper 2 (short and long-response questions) – plus the Internal Assessment (IA). Past papers, mark scheme analysis and timed practice are a regular part of the work. Students learn to read each question the way the mark scheme does, so they can aim for full marks.

Every programme is built around the student's current level and goals. We support students at every stage, from Pre-IB students strengthening their physics foundation to IB 2 students preparing for their final exams. A strong Physics HL grade is a major advantage for students aiming for engineering, physics or related degrees; our programme lays out the content, problem-solving practice and exam preparation those goals need in one clear plan.

IB assessment experience

Lessons are planned with teachers who have relevant subject experience and a strong command of the IB assessment criteria. Matching is done by subject, level, the student's current standing and teacher availability.

Syllabus Topics

Theme A: Space, time and motion (kinematics, forces, momentum, circular motion)
Theme B: The particulate nature of matter (thermal physics, gases, current)
Theme C: Wave behaviour (simple harmonic motion, waves, superposition)
Theme D: Fields (gravitational, electric and magnetic fields, induction)
Theme E: Nuclear and quantum physics (atomic structure, radioactivity, quantum)
HL extensions: the HL-only sub-topics within each theme
Tools 1-3: Experimental techniques, technology and mathematics
Nature of Science and the inquiry process

And what does the board look like at SL?

The same topics, taught at SL

IB Physics SL lesson: motion, Newton's second law (F=ma) and conservation of energy worked through on the boardSL
A frame from a real online SL lesson. The course on this page is not SL – it is here so you can compare the two levels.

Exam Papers

First exams 2025

IB Physics HL exam structure and focus areas

PaperDurationWeightingFocus
Paper 12 hours36%Paper 1A multiple choice + Paper 1B data-based questions, 2 hours total
Paper 22 hours 30 minutes44%Short and long-response questions, 2 hours 30 minutes
IA—20%Internal Assessment – individual research project (Scientific Investigation)

Source: the assessment components and weightings on this page follow the IB Physics HL subject guide published by the International Baccalaureate Organization (First exams 2025). Your school's IB coordinator can access the current session documents. ibo.org

About grade boundaries: According to the grade boundary documents the International Baccalaureate Organization publishes for each exam session, the total percentage needed for a 7 varies by subject, level and session in a band of roughly 55–85%. Your school's IB coordinator can access the relevant May/November Grade descriptors and boundaries document. In our one-to-one lessons we review the student's realistic grade range together using past-session boundaries and mock results.

IA / Written-Task Support

Where do one-to-one lessons help with the Internal Assessment and written tasks?

1

A research question you can actually measure

Most marks lost in a Physics IA are lost at the start, on a question that is interesting but not measurable. Can you vary the independent variable across at least five values, and can your equipment read that change? We check this together before you run anything.

2

Uncertainty carried through the calculation

Quoting the instrument's precision is not enough on its own. We work through how uncertainty propagates under multiplication, division and powers, using your own raw data during the session.

3

Linearisation and what the gradient means

If the relationship is not linear, plotting the raw data gets you nowhere. We work out together what to plot on each axis so that the gradient corresponds to the physical quantity you are after.

4

Which error actually dominates

Listing every source of error in the evaluation earns nothing. Picking the one that genuinely distorts your result and arguing why it dominates does. We make that distinction on the draft.

5

Feedback at three separate drafts

We give feedback on the experimental design, the raw data table and the full report as three separate stages. We do not write the report for you – the IB's academic integrity policy forbids it, and so do we.

Comparing Preparation Paths

How self-study, group classes and one-to-one support compare for IB Physics HL

Preparation pathProsLimitationsBest for
Working on your own
  • The data booklet and past papers are free and unlimited
  • You can set the topic order independently of your school
  • On Paper 2 you can reach the right answer and still lose marks, because the marks go to the reasoning you show
  • A bad habit in uncertainty and error calculation goes uncorrected
  • You find out whether your Scientific Investigation is actually measurable only after you submit it
Students already scoring 6-7 who just want more question practice.
School lessons and group courses
  • Lab access and hands-on experiments
  • A class timetable forces regular work
  • The class does not wait when you get stuck on one topic
  • Everyone gravitates to similar IA experiments, so originality suffers
  • Extended responses cannot be marked individually in a classroom
Students meeting the syllabus for the first time.
One-to-one online lessons with us
  • We find where you are stuck in the first session
  • We work separately on how you write the solution down
  • We give feedback on every IA draft, from experiment design to the final report
  • Costs more than studying alone
Students who understand the physics but score below it in exams.

Lesson packages

Not happy after your first lesson? Full refund. Split 10- and 20-lesson packages across any subjects you like, with no expiry date.

Study Plan Framework

A typical five-phase plan for IB Physics HL in one-to-one lessons, adapted to the student's exam date.

  1. Diagnosis

    weeks 1-2

    • We read your last exam paper together and separate out exactly where the marks went
    • Content gap or the way you write solutions – the two call for different programmes
    • A quick check on resolving vectors and drawing free-body diagrams
  2. Closing content gaps

    weeks 3-8

    • Working through the gaps found, one at a time, in 90-minute sessions
    • Extra sessions on HL-only material such as fields, induction and quantum
    • A matching question set after each session
  3. Scientific Investigation

    6-8 weeks, set by your school's IA calendar

    • At least three sessions on the experimental design alone
    • Checking the raw data and the uncertainty calculation
    • Feedback on the design, data and report drafts
  4. Paper technique

    the 8 weeks before the exam

    • Practice at writing out the reasoning in Paper 2 long questions
    • Using the data booklet at exam pace
    • Comparing your own answer against the mark scheme
  5. Full rehearsal

    the last 3 weeks

    • Full-length past papers under timed conditions
    • A final pass over the mistakes that keep recurring

This framework is a sample plan; it is customised for each student based on exam date, target grade and current level.

How One-to-One Lessons Work

How IB Physics HL sessions are structured

The session starts with your attempt

You do not watch a teacher solve it on the board. You try the question first, we stop where you get stuck, and we open that point up. In physics, which step you stall on tells us more than which topic you have not covered.

The reasoning you show, not the answer

Paper 2 awards marks to the intermediate steps. You can reach the right number and still lose marks if you never wrote down which law you chose and why. That is why we work separately on how you set the answer out.

The phenomenon first, the formula after

For fields, induction and interference we change the setup on screen and watch what happens before writing anything down. A memorised formula is no use in an exam setup you have not seen before.

A written progress report every two weeks

We share what was covered, what improved and what comes next, in writing. Student and parent see the same document.

IA Grader

Evaluate your Internal Assessment report yourself. IA Grader for all subjects →

Upload Your IA Report

Upload your IA report in PDF or DOCX format and let our AI assess it automatically.

Drag your file here

or click to select (PDF, DOCX – max 10MB)

Don't want to upload a file?

IA Preparation Checklist

Check the key elements of your IA report before moving on to scoring.

0/15 completed

0%

Research Design

Data Analysis

Conclusion

Evaluation

Criterion-Based Scoring

Assess yourself on each criterion. Use the slider to set your score.

A: Research Design

0/6

Assesses the Physics research question, its context (dependent/independent variables, description of the system) and whether the methodology can be repeated.

06
Insufficient

Does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

Frame the RQ around a pair of variables (e.g. "What is the effect of X on Y?")
Describe the system (sample, conditions, setting) briefly and clearly

B: Data Analysis

0/6

Assesses how raw data are recorded, how uncertainties are considered and how the data are processed (tables, graphs, statistics) to answer the RQ.

06
Insufficient

Does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

Tabulate all raw data with units and uncertainties
Explain which processing helps answer the RQ

C: Conclusion

0/6

Assesses how consistently the conclusion follows from the analysis and how it is compared with the accepted scientific context (literature, theoretical values).

06
Insufficient

Does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

State the conclusion in one sentence that answers the RQ directly
Compare your results with a literature value

D: Evaluation

0/6

Assesses how methodological weaknesses and limitations are identified, how their impact is discussed and whether realistic improvements are proposed.

06
Insufficient

Does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

Identify at least 3 specific (not generic) limitations
Propose a concrete, workable improvement for each limitation

0/24

Total IA Score

Estimated IB Grade: 1
Research Design0/6
Data Analysis0/6
Conclusion0/6
Evaluation0/6

Areas for Improvement

Research Design0/6
Frame the RQ around a pair of variables (e.g. "What is the effect of X on Y?")
Describe the system (sample, conditions, setting) briefly and clearly
Data Analysis0/6
Tabulate all raw data with units and uncertainties
Explain which processing helps answer the RQ
Conclusion0/6
State the conclusion in one sentence that answers the RQ directly
Compare your results with a literature value
Evaluation0/6
Identify at least 3 specific (not generic) limitations
Propose a concrete, workable improvement for each limitation

Want feedback on your IA from a teacher?

Work one-to-one with teachers who know the IB assessment criteria and IA rubrics inside out, and strengthen your report with feedback on each criterion.

If you'd like personalised feedback on your IA from a teacher, you can work with one of our tutors. This tool produces an estimated score; it does not replace official IB assessment.

Where Students Struggle

Adapting to the IB exam format and assessment criteria
Meeting the standard the Internal Assessment (IA) expects
Time management and getting through a long syllabus
Understanding the IB assessment criteria and shaping answers accordingly

Our experienced IB teachers help you get past each of them.

Our Teaching Approach

IB-Focused Methodology

Work with teachers who know the IB assessment criteria inside out.

Where We Start

The first lesson sets the level, and the topic order follows from it.

The IA and the Exam

From the research question to the report, from past papers to mark schemes.

Past-Paper Focused

Real exam questions and mark scheme analysis.

Share before your first lesson

The information below helps the lesson plan focus on the student's real needs from the very first minutes.

  • Target IB grade (e.g. 6 or 7) and exam date
  • Current level: latest mock grade, predicted grade or weak topics
  • School curriculum: the textbook used, IA / EE topic, deadlines
  • Study schedule: lessons per week, available days and time slots

Who Is This Programme For?

IB students who struggle with IB Physics HL and want to raise their grade
Pre-IB students about to start the IB Diploma Programme
IB 2 students preparing for their final exams
Students who want expert guidance on their IAs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my maths good enough for IB Physics HL?
Students taking Maths SL can also take Physics HL, but a strong maths foundation is recommended. We also strengthen the maths you need along the way.
Can you help with my Physics lab work?
Yes. We help with lab reports and the IA, with guidance on experimental design and data analysis aligned with the IB assessment criteria.
Is IB Physics tutoring online?
Yes, all our IB Physics lessons are fully online through our own teaching platform, using a digital whiteboard and simulations. You can join from anywhere in the world.

Programme Features

  • Writing the reasoning, not just the answer, in Paper 2
  • Using the data booklet at exam pace
  • Resolving vectors and drawing free-body diagrams
  • Calculating uncertainty and error propagation
  • Experiment design for the Scientific Investigation
  • Linearising graphs and reading the gradient
  • Depth in HL topics such as fields and quantum physics
  • 90-minute one-to-one sessions

Contact us for a lesson plan

Tell us your target grade, where you are now and when you sit the exam, and we will work out the weekly schedule with you.

Quick Info

Fully online (our own platform)
90 min
Flexible scheduling
Weekly progress tracking

Tutors who teach this course

  • Tom H.

    IB Physics HL Teacher

  • Cem A.

    IB Physics HL Teacher

  • Pelin D.

    IB Physics HL Teacher

  • Hakan E.

    IB Physics HL Teacher

Our teachers are currently working in IB schools, so we cannot share their full surnames.

Our tutors provide mentoring, structure suggestions and feedback during the IA / EE process. IB Courses does not write a student's IA or assignment for them.

Let's work out where to start with IB Physics HL

In a free consultation with our experienced IB teachers, we'll decide together how many lessons you need and what to focus on.

The consultation is free and non-binding. We do not guarantee a specific IB grade.

Student and parent reviews

Share your experience

Your rating (optional)

Reviews are published after they have been checked.

ConsultationWhatsApp