Expert IB Tutoring for Students at All Levels
Common Challenges Faced by IB Students
The IB Diploma is one of the most demanding qualifications available, requiring students to excel across a broad range of subjects simultaneously. From literary analysis to the Krebs cycle, the breadth of content alone is a significant undertaking, and even highly capable students can find it difficult to keep pace with coursework without dedicated support.
A few challenges come up time and again. Many teachers at international schools did not complete the IB themselves, which can limit the quality of exam-specific guidance they are able to offer. In subjects like English Language and Literature or Theory of Knowledge, students can find it hard to engage without a strong foundational understanding or a good teacher-student dynamic. And standardised group tutoring programmes, however well-intentioned, rarely provide the individualisation needed to make a real difference to results.
What Makes BartyED's IB Tutoring Different?
BartyED's IB tutors work with students one-to-one, online and in person, tailoring every session to the individual learner. Rather than working through a fixed programme, our tutors engage students cooperatively and work with them until mastery is genuinely achieved.
Success in the IB comes down to three things:
A clear awareness of what each syllabus requires to achieve a 7
Strong time management to stay on top of coursework and deadlines
A genuine willingness to improve
BartyED's tutors address all three, combining subject expertise with a distinguished mentoring approach that builds both ability and confidence. Our holistic approach has helped IB candidates in Hong Kong and overseas achieve high scores every year.
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Here’s How to Book a BartyED IB Tutor
Get in touch today to learn about how a BartyED IB tutor can support your IB Diploma journey.
📧 Email: enquiries@bartyed.com
💬 Phone: +852 2882 1017
Or contact us via the form below
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Don’t see the subject you’re seeking tutoring for listed above? Contact us at enquiries@bartyed.com or the form above.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IBDP and its curriculum?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP, or just generally referred to as IB) is a challenging, two-year school leaving certificate aimed at those with a broad international outlook and wide academic interests. Many seek out a tutor for assistance in this challenging programme. The IBDP curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the diploma programme core, which includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) and the Extended Essay (EE). The Programme is open to those aged 16 to 19, and is generally accepted for admission into universities worldwide.
BartyED IB tutors support submission of the EE and TOK essays, alongside revising exam technique for all courses.
How does IB grading work?
The final DP grade is out of 45, which is made up of a score out of 7 for each subject (42) as well as three additional core points from the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. All of our IB tutors went through the IB themselves so understand how to deliver an effective IB tutoring program for high grades. Students must gain at least 12 points overall in their Higher Level choices and at least 9 at Standard Level to receive an IB Diploma, although our IB tutors also support candidates taking the less-demanding IB Certificate. Graduates must also score more than 24 points overall and receive passing grades in each class.
Here, BartyED’s IB tutors might coach organizational skills as well as content and exam technique, all of which are crucial for success.
Can I apply to US universities with the IB?
Yes, all US universities accept the IB for admission, and many see it as prestigious due to its difficulty. Some colleges tend to admit IB graduates at a higher rate than their non-IB counterparts, chances which are augmented by effective tutoring programmes from qualified tutors. Many colleges will even offer course credit for IB HL courses. With the exception of the academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, applicants to US universities and colleges are also expected to complete the SAT or ACT.
Do UK universities prefer IB or A-Levels?
No, there is no disadvantage to any applicant to a UK university applying with the IB Diploma instead of A-Levels. Indeed, many of BartyED’s IB tutors were educated at the UK’s top universities (e.g. Durham, UCL and Oxford). When it comes to UK university applications, the A-Level is still the benchmark against which most universities set their entry requirements for courses. However, the IB is accepted by all universities and they publish the minimum score required for entry. A-Levels are simply more common in the UK, as it is a high school qualification studied in England, Wales and Northern Ireland pre-university.
BartyED’s IB tutors can advise on application strategy for UK universities and advise an appropriate extension tutoring program for those targeting the most competitive universities (e.g. Oxford or Cambridge).
Is the IB easy?
No, the IB is not an easy qualification, but students can maximize their chance of success by carefully choosing their combination of studies. BartyED’s IB tutors assist in this based on strengths and interests. Those who struggle with compulsory courses in Math, Science, or Language can take the SL course, which involves less content and fewer teaching hours than their HL counterparts. The IB is known to be demanding and challenging, which is why seeking extra support from qualified IB tutors can help maximise scores.
Is IB harder than A-Levels?
The IB can be viewed as more difficult than A-Levels simply by considering the number of subjects required. Our tutors certainly view it this way. A-Levels only demands three, while the IB demands six, including two languages, Math, Science, and Humanities/Social Science. On top of this, there are the compulsory TOK, EE, and CAS elements that students must pass to receive their diploma. This may make the A-Levels seem more specialised, while the IB seems more rounded. Some may struggle to do as well in the IB because of the range of work and attention that a greater number of classes demands.
BartyED IB tutors employ a structured approach to tackling academic work. They coach efficient time management as well as academic skills. This ensures that those who wish to succeed can study independently and effectively to improve their IB score.
How much does IB tutoring cost?
The best individualised IB tuition costs HK$1,380 per hour for the following reasons.
IB students should be able to study independently to achieve excellent results. In theory, extra IB tuition or support should be unnecessary. Many of BartyED’s expert IB tutors completed the IB Diploma themselves without extra tutoring, achieving very high scores.
Where BartyED’s professional IB tutors can be most effective is in supporting those who already have a strong foundation but who need exam-focussed coaching to help them move from a 5 to a 7, for example. Such intensive programmes in exam technique are best delivered in the final year of the IB.
However, some IB candidates (in Hong Kong and overseas) struggle to study independently and lack the academic skills required to consolidate some of the more complex elements of their subject choices. Here, BartyED’s individualised expert IB tuition, coupled with holistic support, ensures access to key material and a demonstrable improvement in grades.
What sets BartyED apart is that our tutors have extensive experience coaching IB students in ways that best demonstrate their strengths, regardless of their underlying ability.