One-to-one IB tutoring means private lessons with a tutor who plans around one Diploma student: their subjects and levels, their internal assessment deadlines, and their exam session. The IB Diploma is a two-year juggling act. A good one-to-one tutor helps with the subject in front of them and with the timing of everything else. This guide explains how it works and how to choose well.

Written by Tutopiya, an online one-to-one tutoring company. We also say when tutoring isn’t the answer.

Key takeaways

• Focus tutoring on one or two subjects, not all six.
• DP1 is for foundations and early IA planning; DP2 is for coursework completion and exam technique.
• Tutors can coach IA, Extended Essay and TOK skills, but the work must be the student’s own.
• Choose a tutor who knows your child’s exact subject and level, and test the fit with a trial lesson.

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How does one-to-one IB tutoring work?

A one-to-one IB tutor starts by mapping where your child is in each subject they’ll help with, then builds a plan around content gaps, coursework deadlines and exam dates.

1. Initial review: recent tests, predicted grades and teacher feedback.
2. Priority list: the topics and skills with the biggest gap to the target grade.
3. Calendar: IA and Extended Essay deadlines, mock dates and the exam session.
4. Weekly lessons: content and exam-style practice, adjusted as deadlines approach.
5. Progress checks: past-paper sections and updates for you.

Which subjects should be tutored?

Tutor the subject with the biggest gap to the target grade, or the one most important for university offers.

Situation	Where to start
One subject is far below the rest	That subject
University course requires a specific HL	That HL subject
Several subjects slightly behind	The highest-weighted or hardest HL first
IA deadlines clustering	Short-term skills coaching in that subject

Universities publish entry requirements by course; the IB describes the Diploma Programme and how it is recognised.

What does a year of IB tutoring look like?

Tutoring shifts focus across the two years of the Diploma.

Period	Main focus
DP1, first term	Foundations, study habits, early IA ideas
DP1, rest of year	Content gaps, first IA drafts, mock preparation
DP2, first term	IA completion, Extended Essay, predicted grades
DP2, final months	Past papers, timing, final revision

How to choose a one-to-one IB tutor

1. Confirm the subject and level (and course, for Maths and English).
2. Check experience with the current syllabus, as several sciences changed in 2025.
3. Share recent work with the tutor before the trial.
4. Book a trial lesson on a weak topic.
5. Ask how they handle coursework ethically.
6. Agree on a plan and a review date.

Browse IB Diploma tutors by subject. Subject guides, such as how to choose an IB Chemistry tutor and how to choose an IB Maths tutor, go deeper.

When isn’t IB tutoring the answer?

If the problem is workload or organisation across all subjects, a tutor in one subject won’t fix it. In that case, start with a study plan and conversations with the school’s IB coordinator. Tutoring works best when the problem is specific.

Online or in person?

For most IB students, online one-to-one tutoring is the more practical choice. It widens the pool of tutors who know your child’s exact subject and level, which matters for less common combinations such as Maths AI HL or Psychology. It also fits around the Diploma’s heavy timetable, with no travel, and works when families travel during school breaks. In-person lessons suit students who find it hard to focus on screen, but in most cities the choice of specialists is smaller.

Getting started with Tutopiya

Tutopiya offers one-to-one online tutoring across IB Diploma subjects, including the Extended Essay and TOK.

• Tutors matched to subject, level and course.
• Try before you commit: the first lesson is a free trial, and you don’t need a card to book it.
• Flexible monthly hours, from 4 a month per subject. Each tutor sets their own rate, and you see it before you book.
• Revision built from each lesson: AI lesson analysis turns what was taught into notes, flashcards and quiz questions.

See our IB tuition page for more.

How should parents stay involved?

Ask for a short update every few weeks: what was covered, what improved, and what comes next. Keep an eye on the IB calendar too, so tutoring hours shift towards coursework before deadlines and towards past papers before exams.

What about the Extended Essay and TOK?

Tutors can help with research skills, structure and understanding the criteria for the Extended Essay and the TOK essay, but never with writing them. Many students value a short block of lessons on these alongside subject tutoring.

Common mistakes

• Tutoring every subject → focus on one or two.
• Ignoring deadlines → build the tutoring plan around them.
• Asking a tutor to write coursework → it breaches IB rules and risks the Diploma.
• Starting in the final months → DP1 is cheaper and calmer.
• Choosing a tutor for the wrong course → check AA/AI, HL/SL and syllabus version.

Talk to us

For more on IB support, see our complete guide to online IB tuition. If you’d like help deciding which subject to start with, contact our team.

Summary: one-to-one IB tutoring works best when it targets one or two subjects, follows the Diploma’s calendar, and builds skills without ever writing coursework.

Frequently asked questions

What is one-to-one IB tutoring? +

One-to-one IB tutoring is private lessons with a tutor who plans around one Diploma student's subjects, levels, internal assessment deadlines and exam session. It can cover content gaps, exam technique and coaching on IA skills.

How many IB subjects should be tutored? +

Usually one or two, starting with the subject where the gap between current and target grade is biggest, or the one that matters most for university offers. Tutoring all six is rarely necessary or sustainable.

Can a one-to-one tutor help with IAs, the Extended Essay and TOK? +

Yes, within IB rules. Tutors can explain criteria, help narrow questions and teach research and evaluation skills. All IAs, the Extended Essay and the TOK essay must be the student's own work.

When should IB tutoring start? +

Early DP1 is best, while foundations are being built and before IA deadlines pile up. DP2 tutoring is still valuable but must balance content, coursework and exam practice.

How does Tutopiya's one-to-one IB tutoring work? +

You choose a tutor matched to the subject and level, book a free trial lesson with no card required, and then a plan starting from 4 hours a month per subject. Tutors' rates are shown before booking.

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