Expert IB Chemistry Tutor (HL & SL)

Master the Demanding Syllabus and Excel in Your IA & Exams

Join the 94% of my IB students who achieve a top Level 6 or 7, with 95% securing places at leading universities

The IB Diploma: A Unique and Demanding Challenge

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is far more than a set of exams; it is a comprehensive programme where academic pressure can quickly become overwhelming. For many students and their parents, this leads to a specific set of challenges:

  • An overwhelming volume of topics and the demanding jump to Higher Level (HL) concepts.

  • Juggling complex concepts like organic mechanisms alongside an Extended Essay, the IA, and five other subjects.

  • The risk of anxiety and burnout from a relentless and unsustainable workload.

  • The critical worry that they may not achieve the high IB points (e.g., 40+) needed for entry to competitive courses like Medicine, Veterinary Science, or Engineering.

A Strategic Approach to a 7 in IB Chemistry

A significant investment in an IB education deserves a specialist’s support. My tutoring process is designed specifically to meet the demands of the IB Diploma, providing the structure and expertise needed to turn hard work into high scores.

Our work is built on a clear, confidence-boosting methodology:

1. Plan: A Roadmap for the Entire Diploma

We begin by creating a strategic timeline that integrates the IA deadlines and manages the overwhelming curriculum content. This plan provides a clear path, reducing anxiety and ensuring all components of the Diploma are given the right focus at the right time.

2. Do: Understand the Topics and the IA Goals

Sessions are focused on active problem-solving for the most demanding topics. We dedicate specific time to the Internal Assessment, from refining the research question to proofreading the draft report, ensuring every criterion on the vague rubric is met for the highest possible marks.

3. Review: Turn a 6 into a 7

Through regular review of marked work against the official IB marking criteria, students gain a precise understanding of what examiners are looking for. We analyse every point lost in mocks to turn “low scores despite effort” into tangible improvements.

4. Master: Secure a High-Points Total

Mastery in IB Chemistry is the key to a high overall score. We focus on developing the skills to handle unpredictable question styles and building the deep understanding needed to confidently secure a 7, providing a strong foundation for a 40+ point university application.

The IB Advantage: AI as Your Research Assistant

Success in the IB Diploma hinges on independent inquiry.

I coach students to use sophisticated AI tools as a powerful research assistant, particularly for the Internal Assessment (IA). They learn how to responsibly gather sources, analyse data, and structure complex arguments, developing the advanced research skills that are the hallmark of the IB programme.

Success Stories from IB Parents & Students

“Carl has a clear and effective teaching style, provides good study materials,  emphasizes problem-solving and is patient.”

“My son received weekly tutoring from Carl in IB Chemistry HL over the course of two years. Carl has a clear and effective teaching style, provides good study materials,  emphasizes problem-solving and is patient. He is reliable, professional, and easy to communicate with. His support significantly deepened my son’s understanding,  boosted his confidence in the subject, and motivated him to improve further. We recommend Carl without hesitation.”

Mrs P., Parent of IB Chemistry student from Den Haag, The Netherlands (Summer 2025)

“It was by far my most challenging subject, and I honestly don’t think I could have achieved a 7 without his help.”

““I am so grateful for Dr Carl’s support throughout my two years of IB Chemistry HL. It was by far my most challenging subject, and I honestly don’t think I could have achieved a 7 without his help. He has an incredible way of explaining very difficult concepts, like Gibbs free energy and Hess’s Law, making them feel logical and manageable. His guidance on dealing with the new syllabus and where to find practise materials was also invaluable. He helped me in particular refine my techniques for the data and practical sections, which made a huge impact on my final mark. His structured approach to exam preparation was key to my success. Thank you, Dr Carl!”

Anja K., IB Diploma Chemistry student, International Baccalaureate (Summer 2025)

“The investment paid dividends: she achieved a 7, which was instrumental in her successful application to study at a top-tier university in the UK.”

“As a family based in Hong Kong, we needed an exceptional online tutor for our daughter’s IB Chemistry HL, and Carl delivered outstanding results. The subject is demanding, and she was particularly challenged by the complexities of organic synthesis and spectroscopic identification. Carl’s approach was methodical and rigorous, perfectly suited to the IB’s demands. He provided targeted support that yielded a clear and measurable improvement in her understanding and exam performance. The investment paid dividends: she achieved a 7, which was instrumental in her successful application to study at a top-tier university in the UK. We were impressed by his professionalism and the tangible outcomes he produced. I recommend him without hesitation.”

Zhou H., parent of IB Diploma Chemistry student, International Baccalaureate (Summer 2025)

The IB Chemistry Specialist

A strategic plan requires an expert strategist to execute it.

The IB Diploma isn’t just a curriculum to be taught; it’s a complex system that needs to be navigated with insider knowledge.

As an examiner, I have a unique perspective on exactly what is required to satisfy the mark scheme requirements and excel on the most demanding exam questions that unlock the top grades.

My background as a PhD chemist provides the deep subject mastery needed to close the knowledge gaps left by inconsistent teaching and make the most demanding Higher Level topics click.

Uniquely, my experience as the CEO of a chemistry R&D company allows me to teach beyond the textbook. I connect the syllabus to the real-world applications in medicine and engineering that my students aspire to, turning a source of stress into a subject of genuine interest.

  • Specialist Examiner: Experienced marker for UK and international boards, with insider knowledge of what secures top grades.
  • Academic Authority: PhD in Organic Chemistry and co-author of a Cambridge University Press A-Level Chemistry textbook.
  • Exceptional IB Results: 94% of my IB students secure a top Level 6 or 7 grade, unlocking offers from leading universities.
  • Real-World Industry Leader: Former CEO of a chemistry R&D company with global pharmaceutical clients.

My goal is to do more than help your child achieve a 7. It is to replace the anxiety and frustration of the IB with the confidence and resilience of a student who is fully prepared for the challenges of a top-tier university.

Professional headshot of Dr Carl Thirsk, an expert A-Level, IB, and GCSE chemistry tutor.

Organic chemistry PhD

Qualified Teacher

Experienced Examiner

Former R&D CEO

Your IB Questions Answered

This is a situation I see all the time, so please be reassured that it’s not unusual at all. The IB Diploma is a uniquely challenging programme. Often, the difficulty a student has with Chemistry comes from the demands of the whole course, not just the subject itself.

All of a sudden, they have to handle a greater depth of content at a much faster pace, all while balancing five other subjects, the Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge.

My first step is always to find out the real root of the struggle. After that, we can build a structured plan that does two things: it addresses any specific gaps in their chemistry knowledge, and it also focuses on time management and effective study habits to make the entire workload feel manageable.

There’s no getting around it; IB Chemistry HL has a well-earned reputation as one of the most demanding science courses a student can take before university.

The difficulty comes from a few key areas. There’s the huge amount of content to cover, the very high level of understanding required for complex topics (some of which go beyond A-Level), and the challenging nature of both the final exams and the Internal Assessment.

While it is an intense course, it’s completely doable with the right approach. As an experienced IB examiner, I focus on teaching students how to think in the way the IB requires. That means learning how to connect topics, look at data with a critical eye, and apply what they know to unfamiliar problems.

The mathematical side of IB Chemistry can be a real hurdle, even for students who understand the chemistry concepts well.

The problem usually isn’t the pure maths itself. It’s knowing how to apply it in complex, multi-step chemistry problems. There’s also a big emphasis on handling data, dealing with uncertainties, and analysing graphs, which is a major part of the Internal Assessment.

My approach is to teach these mathematical skills as part of the chemistry content, not as a separate topic. We break down calculation-based problems into a clear, repeatable process. Then, we work through a lot of exam-style questions until the student feels confident they can tackle these challenges on their own.

Yes, organic chemistry is a very common challenge, especially at the HL level where it becomes incredibly detailed.

I always encourage students to think of it not as a long list of facts to be memorised, but as a new language. It’s a logical language with its own grammar rules, which are the reaction mechanisms. As a PhD organic chemist, my approach is to focus on the fundamental principles of why reactions happen. We use visual aids and work on spotting patterns to break down complex mechanisms into just a few key ideas.

This method helps build a deep and flexible understanding, which allows students to solve synthesis problems they’ve never seen before

This is a really important decision, as it has a direct impact on university applications. The choice comes down to what your child is aiming for in their career.

For highly competitive, science-based university courses, particularly Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, and Chemical Engineering, Higher Level (HL) Chemistry is almost always a requirement you can’t get around. However, this varies around the world; in the US, students take the “pre-med” route at university, completing all the required chemistry there, so HL Chemistry isn’t essential at school level. That said, HL gives stronger preparation and keeps more options open internationally.

Standard Level (SL) provides a fantastic grounding in the subject, but it just doesn’t have the depth these top-tier university programmes look for in applicants.

My advice is always to check the specific entry requirements of any university courses your child is considering.

It’s true that most students entering the IB Diploma will have studied a course like IGCSE Chemistry or the MYP programme, but it is not an official requirement.

The IB curriculum is designed to be taught from its own foundational principles.

For a student without that prior chemistry experience, the key to success is a strong work ethic, confidence in their mathematical skills, and a commitment to closing any initial knowledge gaps quickly.

My initial diagnostic process is ideal for this kind of situation. It allows us to identify and build a plan to strengthen those foundational topics right from the start, ensuring they’re on a level playing field.

I know that revising for IB exams can feel like a huge task. There’s a massive amount of content to cover, and students are trying to balance multiple subjects at the same time.

The most important thing is to move away from passive revision, like just re-reading notes, and towards active recall, which is all about constantly testing your knowledge. My own approach is built on a ‘Plan, Do, Review, Master’ system. We lay out a smart revision plan that tackles the most difficult topics first, and then we focus heavily on practising with past papers.

Thanks to examining experience, I can offer an insider’s view on how to understand what questions are actually asking, how to manage time in the exam, and how to structure answers to hit the specific points on the mark scheme. This is particularly useful for the tricky data-based and practical questions on Paper 1B.

I understand that concern completely. It’s a big piece of the final grade, and a lot of students find it overwhelming.

I must point out here that the IBO’s rules (under their ‘Academic Honesty’ policy) are very strict: the IA must be the student’s own work. My support must respect that line.

IB Examiner Reports reveal that marks are often lost due to poor or inappropriate project selection (i.e., not rooted in scientific principles, or too straightforward), and because the final report doesn’t align with the specific marking criteria. My role, therefore, is to provide IA help at two critical stages:

  1. Guidance on Project Selection (Before they start): I provide a detailed breakdown of the IA marking criteria to help students understand what a high-scoring investigation looks like. This strategic advice helps them select a viable and promising research question that has the potential to meet all the assessment objectives.
  2. Feedback on the Draft Report (After they’ve finished): Once a student has completed their investigation and produced a full draft, I offer one round of detailed proofreading and feedback. My comments are focused on helping them improve their report in line with the marking criteria.

This process gives them expert advice at the two critical stages. It helps turn a stressful project into a genuine opportunity, and the work they submit is entirely their own.

It’s completely understandable for a student to feel demoralised by a disappointing mock result. The key is to frame it not as a failure, but as a really valuable guide. The mock has done the hard work for us by pinpointing exactly where the weaknesses lie.

The most effective next step is to do a “post-mortem” on the paper, categorising why every single mark was lost. Was it a gap in knowledge on a specific topic? A misunderstanding of a command word, or a problem with the data analysis section on Paper 3?

Once we have that data, we can create a smart, targeted revision plan that focuses only on the areas that will make the biggest difference to the final grade.

Practical work is right at the heart of the IB sciences. It’s assessed in two main ways: through the skills shown during the course which lead to the Internal Assessment (IA), and through the practical-based questions on the final written exams, especially Paper 1B.

While schools are responsible for the hands-on lab work, it’s often the written questions about these practicals where students tend to lose marks.

My tuition focuses heavily on these specific skills. We work on experimental design, data analysis, and how to evaluate errors and uncertainties. This ensures students are confident enough to handle any experimental scenario they might face in their exams

Ready to Secure Your IB Points?

The first step is a no-obligation consultation to discuss your specific needs and goals. Let’s build a strategic plan for success in IB Chemistry.