MH
Mrs Helen Fraser, parent
June 2026
Verified
6IB Physics HL nearly broke my son. His tutor took him through fields and waves systematically over six sessions. He went from a 3 to a 6 in his final exams.
IB Physics HL · Edinburgh
IB specialist tutoring
IB PhysicsTutoring
Expert 1-on-1 IB Physics tutoring for HL and SL. Build problem-solving rigour, master fields and wave optics, and reach Grade 6 or 7.
85%
reach Grade 6 or above
+1.8
average grade improvement
11+
years average tutor experience
Free
first lesson, no commitment
IB Physics HLIB Physics SLIB Physics HLIB Physics SLIB Physics HLIB Physics SL
Built around your exact paper, not generic tutoring.
We cover every major specification. Your tutor matches your board, tier, and mark-scheme language so every lesson points toward exam performance.
IB Physics HLHigher Level+
Three papers and an Internal Assessment. HL extends into astrophysics, engineering physics, imaging, or relativity (option topics). Required for physics, engineering, and many science degrees at top universities.
IB Physics SLStandard Level+
Two papers and an Internal Assessment. Covers mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, electricity, magnetism, quantum and nuclear physics. Sufficient for most science and engineering degrees at non-specialist universities.
IB Physics HL
Higher LevelThree papers and an Internal Assessment. HL extends into astrophysics, engineering physics, imaging, or relativity (option topics). Required for physics, engineering, and many science degrees at top universities.
IB Physics SL
Standard LevelTwo papers and an Internal Assessment. Covers mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, electricity, magnetism, quantum and nuclear physics. Sufficient for most science and engineering degrees at non-specialist universities.
Lesson flow
From confusion to calm, one lesson at a time.
Our tutors build the mathematical fluency and conceptual depth that are both required for Grade 6–7 in IB Physics — neither alone is sufficient.
Step 1
Pinpoint the gaps
We start with recent marks, confidence blockers, and the exact exam board so sessions feel personal from lesson one.
Step 2
Teach the mark scheme
Tutors connect concepts to examiner language, worked examples, and the habits that turn knowledge into marks.
Step 3
Track the lift
Parents see what changed after each session: topics covered, next steps, and the grade trajectory we are building toward.
What we cover
A syllabus map students can actually follow.
1Mechanics+
Kinematics, Newton's laws, work-energy theorem, momentum and impulse, circular motion, and gravitation. The most tested core topic. Many students lose marks by confusing vectors and scalars or omitting significant figures.
2Thermal Physics+
Kinetic theory, ideal gas laws (PV = nRT), internal energy, specific heat, latent heat, and thermodynamic processes. HL extends to the second law and heat engines.
3Waves & Optics+
Wave properties, superposition, diffraction, interference, standing waves, the Doppler effect, and thin-film interference. HL includes wave optics and polarisation.
4Electricity & Magnetism+
Electric fields and potentials, current, resistance, capacitance, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and AC circuits. Fields questions require careful vector analysis.
5Nuclear & Quantum Physics+
Radioactive decay, half-life, nuclear reactions, binding energy, the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, and the uncertainty principle.
6HL Option Topics+
Astrophysics (stellar physics, cosmology), Engineering Physics (rotational dynamics, fluids), Imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, MRI), or Relativity (special relativity). We cover the option required by your school.
7Internal Assessment+
A physics investigation worth 20% of the final grade. We help with: research question design, designing controlled experiments, uncertainties and error propagation, data analysis, and the evaluation section.
Mechanics
Kinematics, Newton's laws, work-energy theorem, momentum and impulse, circular motion, and gravitation. The most tested core topic. Many students lose marks by confusing vectors and scalars or omitting significant figures.
Thermal Physics
Kinetic theory, ideal gas laws (PV = nRT), internal energy, specific heat, latent heat, and thermodynamic processes. HL extends to the second law and heat engines.
Waves & Optics
Wave properties, superposition, diffraction, interference, standing waves, the Doppler effect, and thin-film interference. HL includes wave optics and polarisation.
Electricity & Magnetism
Electric fields and potentials, current, resistance, capacitance, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and AC circuits. Fields questions require careful vector analysis.
Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Radioactive decay, half-life, nuclear reactions, binding energy, the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, and the uncertainty principle.
HL Option Topics
Astrophysics (stellar physics, cosmology), Engineering Physics (rotational dynamics, fluids), Imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, MRI), or Relativity (special relativity). We cover the option required by your school.
Internal Assessment
A physics investigation worth 20% of the final grade. We help with: research question design, designing controlled experiments, uncertainties and error propagation, data analysis, and the evaluation section.
+1.8
average grade improvement
Common blockers
Where students struggle, and how we fix it.
1The mathematical rigour of HL Physics+
IB Physics HL questions require simultaneous application of physics principles and mathematical technique — often across multiple topics. We practise multi-step problems that mirror the difficulty of Papers 2 and 3, teaching students to identify which principles apply before writing equations.
2Experimental uncertainties and Paper 3+
Paper 3 starts with a data-based section requiring precise uncertainty analysis and graph interpretation. We teach a consistent method: absolute and percentage uncertainties, gradient and intercept uncertainties from graphs, and how to structure an evaluation response.
3Fields — gravitational, electric, and magnetic+
The three field topics share common mathematics but have distinct physics. Students who learn the parallels and key differences (signs, directions, dependencies) score across all three. We teach fields as a unified topic, highlighting where the same equations apply and where they diverge.
Real specialists
Meet tutors with examiner instincts.
Specialist tutors with board knowledge, strong academic backgrounds, and proven grade-improvement records.
IB Physics ExaminerDr Thomas Ellis
Cambridge PhD Astrophysics · IB Examiner
IB Physics HL and SL, A-Level Physics (all boards)
Avg +1.9 grade improvement
Wave Physics SpecialistMs Nadia Kowalska
Warsaw University MSc Physics · IB Teacher
IB Physics SL and HL — waves, electricity, and nuclear
87% of students reach Grade 6+
IA & Practical SpecialistMr Rajan Mehta
Imperial MSc Physics
IB Physics HL and SL, uncertainty analysis, internal assessment
Average IA score: 21/24
Proof that feels close to home.
MP
Max P., student
June 2026
Verified
7I always lost marks in the data-based section of Paper 3. After two dedicated sessions on uncertainty and graph analysis I started scoring full marks on that se...
IB Physics SL · Berlin
MH
Mr Howard Lim, parent
June 2026
Verified
7We needed an IB Physics HL examiner. The tutor knew exactly which types of question appear in Paper 2 and how the mark scheme works. Our son achieved a 7.
IB Physics HL · Singapore
Sarah M.
June 2026
Verified
Grade 4 → 6My daughter was struggling with IB Mathematics HL and had almost given up hope of getting a 7. After just two months of weekly sessions with her ComboTutors tut...
Parent of IB Student · London
James P.
June 2026
Verified
B → A*My son started tutoring for A-Level Physics about three months before his exams. His tutor was incredibly patient and broke down complex topics like electromagn...
Parent of A-Level Student · Manchester
Priya K.
June 2026
Verified
+2 GradesWe needed help with GCSE Science for my son who found chemistry particularly challenging. His tutor made the sessions engaging and relatable—using real-world ex...
Parent of GCSE Student · Birmingham
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98%
Student Improvement Rate
4.97
Average Rating
1,200+
Families Supported
Since 2020
Academic Excellence
Family trust
Why parents chose Combo.
Families usually want three things: a tutor their child respects, a plan that fits the real paper, and updates that make progress easy to follow.
Handpicked tutors
We shortlist tutors who know the curriculum, teach clearly, and can coach the exact exam habits that lift marks.
Top-university academics and exam-savvy specialists.
Clear weekly updates
Parents see what was covered, what improved, and what needs attention next, so progress never feels vague.
Structured feedback after every lesson block.
A plan built around your child's paper
Sessions are matched to the student's board, tier, topic gaps, and exam timeline instead of generic subject tutoring.
Board-specific support with a measurable target grade path.
Questions families ask before starting.
Is IB Physics HL harder than A-Level Physics?+
They are comparable in difficulty. IB Physics HL has a broader syllabus including option topics and a heavier internal assessment component. A-Level Physics allows for more in-depth study of core topics without options. Both require strong mathematical skills and conceptual understanding.
How do I prepare for the data-based section of Paper 3?+
The data-based section presents unfamiliar experimental data and asks for graph analysis, uncertainty calculations, and evaluative comments. We practise this section systematically using past IB Physics papers, teaching the exact language and methods the mark scheme rewards.
Do you cover all four option topics?+
Yes — we cover all four HL options: Astrophysics, Engineering Physics, Imaging, and Relativity. Tell us which option your school offers and we will match a specialist tutor with depth in that area.
When should I start IB Physics tutoring?+
Starting in Year 1 (Grade 11) is ideal — building solid foundations in mechanics, waves, and electricity prevents Year 2 from becoming overwhelming. Students who start tutoring in the final semester before exams can also make significant grade improvements with intensive practice.
Is IB Physics HL harder than A-Level Physics?
They are comparable in difficulty. IB Physics HL has a broader syllabus including option topics and a heavier internal assessment component. A-Level Physics allows for more in-depth study of core topics without options. Both require strong mathematical skills and conceptual understanding.
How do I prepare for the data-based section of Paper 3?
The data-based section presents unfamiliar experimental data and asks for graph analysis, uncertainty calculations, and evaluative comments. We practise this section systematically using past IB Physics papers, teaching the exact language and methods the mark scheme rewards.
Do you cover all four option topics?
Yes — we cover all four HL options: Astrophysics, Engineering Physics, Imaging, and Relativity. Tell us which option your school offers and we will match a specialist tutor with depth in that area.
When should I start IB Physics tutoring?
Starting in Year 1 (Grade 11) is ideal — building solid foundations in mechanics, waves, and electricity prevents Year 2 from becoming overwhelming. Students who start tutoring in the final semester before exams can also make significant grade improvements with intensive practice.
Ready to Excel in IB Physics?
Book a free consultation and we will match you with a specialist IB ib physics tutor who can make a real difference.