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IB SL Program

IB Physics SL Tutoring

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

Most students take IB Physics SL because a science is required, and what actually stops them is the maths inside the physics - rearranging a formula, converting units, reading a gradient. We build those one at a time in 90-minute sessions, then move on to uncertainties in the data-based questions and the graphing section of the Scientific Investigation.

Quick Answer

Most students who ask for Physics SL help are stuck not on one topic but on the maths underneath, so the first session diagnoses which skill is missing before we propose a 10 or 20-lesson plan. If that first 90-minute lesson disappoints, we refund it.

SL

Level

Fully Online

Format

90 min

Lesson length

€82 per 90 min one-to-one lesson

Not happy after your first lesson? Full refund.

See packages and lower per-lesson rates
IB IB Physics SL Tutoring SL — one-to-one lesson

Experienced in IB

Specialist Team

About IB Physics SL Tutoring

Our IB Physics SL tutoring programme fully covers the Physics Standard Level syllabus, one of the core science courses in the IB Diploma Programme. We study the fundamental laws of the universe with a systematic, accessible approach. Our experienced IB teachers make physics concepts concrete with visual materials and real-world examples.

The course covers mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum), thermodynamics (heat, temperature, gas laws), waves (sound, light, optics), electricity (circuits, current, resistance) and the fundamentals of nuclear physics. Each topic is handled together with its mathematical foundation.

At SL the focus is on a solid understanding of core concepts and developing problem-solving skills. Rather than the complex HL topics, the core topics are studied in depth. Our teachers balance conceptual understanding with application skills.

The Internal Assessment (IA) makes up 20% of the IB Physics SL grade. We provide support during the IA: choosing a research question, experimental design, data analysis, uncertainty calculations and report writing.

Exam strategy carries particular weight. Different preparation techniques are applied for Paper 1 (multiple choice) and Paper 2 (structured questions). Past-paper practice and mark scheme analysis are done regularly.

Our service is fully individual to the student's current level and goals. Our programme plans together the content, problem solving and exam strategy a student needs for high goals.

IB assessment experience

Lessons are, wherever possible, planned with teachers who have relevant subject experience and a strong command of the IB assessment criteria. For some subjects we can offer lessons with teachers who have IB Examiner experience; matching is done based on subject, level and teacher availability.

Syllabus Topics

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

Exam Papers

First exams 2025

IB Physics SL Tutoring exam structure and focus areas

PaperDurationWeightingFocus
Paper 11 hour36%Paper 1A multiple choice + Paper 1B data-based questions, 1 hour 30 minutes total
Paper 21 hour44%Short and long-response questions, 1 hour 30 minutes
IA20%Internal Assessment - individual research project (Scientific Investigation)

Source: the assessment components and weightings on this page follow the IB Physics SL 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 provide support on the Internal Assessment and written tasks?

1

The gradient has to be the quantity you are after

A physics report is built on extracting a quantity from the gradient of a graph you drew. If the gradient of your two measured quantities has no physical meaning, the analysis section stays empty. So while choosing the experiment we draw that graph first, on empty axes: what goes across, what goes up, and which quantity the gradient is.

2

Error bars and the uncertainty in the gradient

In physics uncertainty is not a sentence, it is something visible on the graph. You need error bars on every point and an uncertainty in your result taken from the steepest and shallowest gradients. We build that calculation before the experiment, so the number of readings follows from it.

3

A wide enough range of readings

At least five values of the independent variable are expected, but what matters more is that they are not bunched together. Points taken across a narrow range make the gradient unreliable. We set the range by looking at the limits your instrument can read.

4

Showing where the deviation came from

Comparing your value with the accepted one is not enough; you have to show which step of the measurement produced the difference. Naming friction, air resistance or reaction time specifically earns marks even when the experiment went badly.

5

The lab window and drafts

When you can run the experiment belongs to your school, and there is usually a single day. We finish the design before it so the lab time goes on taking readings. We do not write the report for you; IB academic honesty does not allow that.

Comparing Preparation Paths

The differences between self-study, group classes and one-to-one support for IB Physics SL Tutoring

Preparation pathProsLimitationsBest for?
Working on your own
  • Explanations and worked questions are plentiful
  • Formulas are in the data booklet, so the memorisation load is low
  • Telling whether you are stuck on the physics or on the maths underneath it is hard alone
  • There is nobody to confirm your uncertainty and error-bar calculations
  • On multiple choice you cannot work out why you were drawn to the wrong option
Students comfortable with algebra who work through questions regularly.
School lessons and group courses
  • Access to a lab and measuring equipment
  • Topics follow the exam timetable
  • A class will not go back and rebuild rearranging equations and unit conversion
  • Experiment choice is confined to the list the school permits
  • Every student's graph interpretation cannot be read
Students meeting the syllabus for the first time.
One-to-one online lessons with us
  • In the first session we separate whether the problem is the physics or the maths
  • We have you draw the experiment's graph on empty axes before any measuring starts
  • Units and significant figures are checked separately on every answer
  • Costs more than studying alone
  • The experiment runs in your school's lab; we cannot supply the equipment
  • If the maths gap is large, a 10-lesson package may not cover the content as well
Students taking the subject because they have to, who feel they cannot keep up.

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 4-phase structure for IB Physics SL Tutoring in one-to-one lessons; adapted to the student's exam date.

  1. Locating where you are stuck

    week 1

    • Separating whether the wrong answers were physics errors or manipulation errors
    • A short check on rearranging equations and converting units
    • The weighting of the programme follows from that split
  2. The maths inside the physics

    weeks 2-4

    • Isolating the variable the question asks for
    • Unit conversion and orders of magnitude
    • Reading a gradient as a physical quantity
  3. The themes

    weeks 5-13

    • Motion, forces and momentum
    • Thermal physics, waves and fields
    • Atomic structure and radioactivity
  4. Scientific Investigation

    5-6 weeks, set by your school's lab calendar

    • Choosing an experiment whose gradient means something
    • Setting up error bars and the uncertainty calculation in advance
    • Rounds of draft feedback
  5. Exam practice

    the 6 weeks before the exam

    • Talking through the distractors in Paper 1
    • Uncertainty in data-based questions
    • Full-length past papers under timed conditions

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

The general structure of IB Physics SL Tutoring sessions

First we find where you are actually stuck

Students usually believe they do not understand the physics, when what defeats them is rearranging an equation or converting a unit. Those two need completely different programmes, so we make the distinction in the first session; a term spent on the wrong diagnosis does not come back.

We read graphs as physical quantities

In this subject the gradient, the intercept and the area under a curve each correspond to a quantity. Drawing the graph correctly is half the mark; the rest is being able to say which quantity the gradient is. We have you write that sentence on every graph question.

A pace that suits students taking it because they have to

Plenty of students say they took Physics SL for the diploma rather than for their plans. With them the aim is not to make the subject enjoyable but to secure the grade they need. The programme follows from that: a small set of question types, heavy repetition, and no detours into detail unlikely to appear in the exam.

A written progress report every two weeks

We share which topics were covered, what stage the report is at and what comes next, in writing.

IA Grading Tool

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?

Where Students Struggle

Adapting to the IB exam format and assessment criteria
Meeting the standards in the Internal Assessment (IA) process
Time management and completing the extensive syllabus
Understanding the IB assessment criteria and shaping answers accordingly

Our experienced IB teachers guide you through overcoming these challenges.

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, deadline dates
  • Study schedule: lessons per week, available days and time slots

Who Is This Program For?

IB students who struggle with IB Physics SL Tutoring and want to raise their grade
Pre-IB students about to start the IB Diploma Programme
IB Year 2 students preparing for final exams
Students looking for professional guidance on IA projects

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Features

  • Finding out whether the block is physics or the maths under it
  • Rearranging formulae and converting units
  • Reading a gradient as a physical quantity
  • Uncertainty in data-based questions
  • The graph section of the Scientific Investigation
  • A pace that suits students taking physics out of necessity
  • First lesson refunded if it does not meet expectations

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

  • Emre Çetin

    IB Fizik SL Öğretmeni

  • Nurseli Tan

    IB Fizik SL Öğretmeni

  • Sercan Bozkurt

    IB Fizik SL Öğretmeni

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.

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Let us work out where to start with IB Physics SL Tutoring

In a free consultation with our experienced IB teachers, let's decide together on the number of lessons and focus areas that fit your goals.

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

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