What IB Students Need Help With

The IB is not like other curricula. It is broader, deeper, and more demanding. Students are expected to master six subjects simultaneously, write a 4,000-word Extended Essay, complete a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, and document 150 hours of Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS). It is intense. And for many students in Bali, it is their first experience of this level of academic rigour.

The most common challenges we see are:

Internal Assessments (IAs): Every IB subject has an IA. These are research projects, investigations, or practical tasks that count towards the final grade. Many students struggle to choose a topic, design a method, collect data, and write up their findings. The IA is often worth 20-25% of the final grade, so getting it right matters.
Theory of Knowledge (TOK): TOK is a unique IB course that asks students to question the nature of knowledge itself. The TOK essay and presentation are unlike anything students have done before. Many students find TOK abstract, confusing, and frustrating.
Extended Essay (EE): The EE is a 4,000-word independent research project. It requires students to choose a topic, formulate a research question, conduct research, and write a formal academic essay. Many students struggle with the research process, essay structure, and academic writing.
Subject depth: IB subjects are taught at a deeper level than IGCSE or A-Level. Students need to understand concepts, not just memorise facts. This is especially challenging for students who have moved from a rote-learning curriculum.
Time management: With six subjects, IAs, TOK, EE, and CAS, time management is critical. Many students are overwhelmed and do not know how to prioritise.
Exam technique: IB exams are demanding. They require students to apply knowledge to unfamiliar situations, write extended responses under time pressure, and use subject-specific terminology accurately.

IB Programmes We Support

PYP (Primary Years Programme): For students aged 3 to 12. The PYP is inquiry-based and transdisciplinary. We support literacy, numeracy, and inquiry skills. We help PYP students develop the research, communication, and thinking skills they need for the MYP.

MYP (Middle Years Programme): For students aged 11 to 16. The MYP has eight subject groups and four assessment criteria per subject. We support all subject groups with an emphasis on maths, science, English, and individuals and societies. We also help MYP students develop the personal project skills they need for the Diploma.

Diploma (DP): For students aged 16 to 19. The Diploma is the most demanding IB programme. Students choose six subjects (three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level), plus TOK, EE, and CAS. We provide subject-specific tutoring, IA support, TOK guidance, and EE planning.

Subject Group Support

Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English A): We support textual analysis, comparative essays, the Individual Oral (IO), and exam preparation. We focus on close reading, literary terminology, and essay structure.

Group 2: Language Acquisition (English B, French, Spanish, German, Mandarin, Indonesian): We support receptive and productive skills, intertextual reading, and exam preparation. We focus on vocabulary building, grammar, and writing for different purposes.

Group 3: Individuals and Societies (History, Geography, Economics, Business Management, Psychology): We support research, essay writing, source analysis, and exam preparation. We focus on argument structure, evidence use, and critical thinking.

Group 4: Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science): We support conceptual understanding, practical skills, data analysis, and exam preparation. We focus on scientific reasoning, mathematical physics, and lab report writing.

Group 5: Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches, Applications and Interpretation): We support all three Diploma maths courses. AA HL is the most demanding and requires deep conceptual understanding. We also support the IA and exam preparation.

Group 6: The Arts (Visual Arts, Music, Theatre): We support the development of the portfolio, the comparative study, and the process portfolio. We focus on artistic analysis, research, and documentation.

TOK (Theory of Knowledge): We support the TOK essay and the TOK exhibition. We help students understand knowledge questions, explore real-life situations, and develop critical thinking skills.

Extended Essay (EE): We support topic selection, research question formulation, research methodology, data collection, and essay writing. We focus on academic writing, referencing, and critical analysis.

Internal Assessment (IA) Support

The IA is a major component of the IB grade. It is worth 20-25% of the final mark in most subjects. We provide comprehensive IA support:

Topic selection: We help students choose a topic that is interesting, feasible, and aligned with the syllabus. We avoid topics that are too broad, too narrow, or already overdone.

Research design: We help students design a method that is appropriate, ethical, and feasible. We focus on data collection, variables, controls, and limitations.

Data collection: We guide students through the data collection process, ensuring they collect enough data and avoid common errors.

Data analysis: We help students analyse their data using appropriate statistical or qualitative methods. We focus on accuracy, interpretation, and presentation.

Write-up: We help students structure their IA report, write clearly and concisely, and use appropriate academic language. We focus on the assessment criteria: personal engagement, exploration, analysis, evaluation, and communication.

Common IA subjects we support: Maths IA, Biology IA, Chemistry IA, Physics IA, Economics IA, Psychology IA, Computer Science IA, and English Language and Literature HL Essay.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

TOK is unique to the IB. It asks students to question the nature of knowledge itself. We support:

TOK essay: We help students choose a knowledge question, explore real-life situations, and develop a coherent argument. We focus on the assessment criteria: clarity, coherence, critical thinking, and engagement with the knowledge question.

TOK exhibition: We help students choose objects, write commentaries, and present their exhibition. We focus on the link between the objects and the knowledge question.

TOK concepts: We teach the key TOK concepts: knowledge claims, knowledge questions, areas of knowledge, ways of knowing, and the knowledge framework.

Extended Essay (EE)

The EE is a 4,000-word independent research project. We support:

Topic selection: We help students choose a topic that is interesting, feasible, and aligned with their subject interests.

Research question: We help students formulate a clear, focused, and researchable question.

Research: We guide students through the research process, including literature review, data collection, and source evaluation.

Writing: We help students structure their essay, write clearly and academically, and use appropriate referencing.

Common EE subjects we support: English Literature, History, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Psychology, and Business Management.

Exam Technique and Past Papers

IB exams are demanding. We teach:

Time management: How to allocate time across questions, how to pace yourself, and how to avoid spending too long on one question.

Question analysis: How to read the question carefully, identify what is being asked, and plan your answer before writing.

Extended response writing: How to structure a long answer, use evidence, and develop an argument. This is especially important for humanities and science subjects.

Past paper practice: We use past papers from the last five years to familiarise students with question types, marking schemes, and common traps.

Mark scheme awareness: We teach students to think like an examiner. What is the mark scheme looking for? How do you maximise marks? What are common mistakes that lose marks?

How We Match IB Tutors

We match IB tutors based on:

Subject expertise: The tutor must have direct experience with the IB subject, either as a teacher, examiner, or tutor.
Curriculum knowledge: The tutor must understand the IB syllabus, assessment criteria, and exam requirements.
IA experience: For students needing IA support, we match tutors who have guided students through the IA process before.
Location: The tutor must be able to travel to the student's villa or provide online tutoring.
Personality and style: We match tutors who fit the student's learning style and personality.

We send you the tutor's profile before the first session. If you are not satisfied, we will find another tutor.

Example IB Students

Scenario 1: Year 12 Diploma Student (Maths AA HL, Physics HL, Chemistry SL)

A student at Green School was struggling with Maths AA HL and Physics HL. The content was moving too fast, and the student was falling behind. We matched a tutor with IB Maths AA HL and Physics HL experience. The tutor visited twice a week for 90-minute sessions. After eight weeks, the student caught up to the class level and scored a 6 on their next mock exam. The tutor also guided the student through the Maths IA, helping them choose a topic and design a method.

Scenario 2: Year 11 MYP Student (English, History, Science)

A student at Canggu Community School was struggling with the transition from primary to MYP. The expectations were higher, and the student was overwhelmed. We matched a tutor with MYP experience. The tutor visited twice a week for 60-minute sessions, focusing on English, History, and Science. After six weeks, the student's grades improved across all three subjects, and their confidence increased significantly.

Scenario 3: Year 13 Diploma Student (TOK Essay and EE)

A student was struggling with the TOK essay and the Extended Essay. They had chosen a History EE topic but could not formulate a clear research question. We matched a tutor with IB TOK and History EE experience. The tutor helped the student refine the research question, design a research method, and structure the essay. The student received a B on the TOK essay and a C on the EE — both strong marks.

FAQ

Can you help with my child's IA?

Yes. We provide comprehensive IA support for all subjects, including topic selection, research design, data collection, analysis, and write-up. Our tutors have guided many students through the IA process.

Do you support TOK and the Extended Essay?

Yes. We have tutors with TOK and EE experience who can guide students through the essay and exhibition processes.

Which IB subjects do you cover?

We cover all six subject groups, plus TOK and EE. We also support the MYP and PYP. If you need a subject not listed, message us — we may have a tutor who can help.

How do you match tutors to IB students?

We match based on subject expertise, curriculum knowledge, IA experience, location, and personality. We send you the tutor's profile before the first session.

Can you help with exam technique?

Yes. We teach time management, question analysis, extended response writing, and past paper practice. We also teach students to think like an examiner.

Do you offer online tutoring for IB?

Yes. We offer online tutoring via Zoom for students who live in remote areas or who travel frequently. We use digital whiteboards, screen sharing, and interactive tools.

What if my child is struggling with multiple IB subjects?

We can provide tutors for multiple subjects. We can also coordinate between tutors to ensure a consistent approach and avoid overwhelming the student.

How much does IB tutoring cost?

Pricing depends on subject, level, and frequency. Message us on WhatsApp for a clear quote based on your child's needs.

IB Tutor in Bali