IB Chemistry tutor online
Taught for IB.
At a glance
Our IB Chemistry tutors teach the Diploma Programme Chemistry course at SL and HL in live 1:1 or small-group online classes. Lessons follow the structure and reactivity framework of the current guide, covering bonding, energetics, kinetics, equilibrium and reaction mechanisms, with practice on data-based questions and support for the scientific investigation.
IB Chemistry key facts
| IB | IB Diploma Programme Chemistry, 3 papers/components (official syllabus) |
|---|---|
| May session series | Exams run from late April to May; results are released in early July. |
| November session series | Exams run in November; results are released in mid-December (16 December for the 2024 and 2025 sessions). |
| Topics covered | 23 syllabus topics, with past-paper practice |
| Lesson format | Live online, 1:1 (60 min) or small group (75 min); first class free |
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IB Chemistry is a common choice for students heading towards medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, chemical engineering, biochemistry and veterinary science, and several of these degrees ask for it at Higher Level. The current guide, first assessed in 2025, organises content under two broad ideas, structure and reactivity, rather than a long list of separate topics. Structure explores the particulate nature of matter, bonding and classification, while reactivity asks what drives reactions, how much, how fast and how far, and by which mechanisms.
External assessment uses two papers. Paper 1 pairs multiple-choice Paper 1A with data-based Paper 1B, takes 90 minutes at SL or two hours at HL and is worth 36%. Paper 2, with short-answer and extended-response items, lasts 90 minutes at SL or two and a half hours at HL and is worth 44%. The remaining 20% comes from an individual scientific investigation. A chemistry data booklet is provided in the exams, and every student contributes to the ungraded collaborative sciences project.
Students who studied chemistry at IGCSE, GCSE or in the MYP know the mole and simple bonding, yet often struggle when calculations combine several steps or when explanations must refer to electrons and orbitals. Organic mechanisms and equilibrium questions can feel like memorisation until the underlying patterns of electron movement click. We practise stoichiometry until it is automatic, connect each reaction type to its mechanism, and use the data booklet to tackle enthalpy, entropy and acid–base questions confidently.
How is IB Chemistry examined?
IB Diploma Programme Chemistry
Official syllabus from IB| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (Paper 1A multiple-choice + Paper 1B data-based questions) | 1 hour 30 minutes (SL) / 2 hours (HL) | – | 36% (SL and HL) |
| Paper 2 (short-answer and extended-response) | 1 hour 30 minutes (SL) / 2 hours 30 minutes (HL) | – | 44% (SL and HL) |
| Internal assessment: scientific investigation | – | – | 20% (SL and HL) |
New guide, first assessment 2025. Teaching hours: 150 (SL) / 240 (HL). A chemistry data booklet is provided. Students also complete the collaborative sciences project, which is required but not graded.
May session series
Exams run from late April to May; results are released in early July.
November session series
Exams run in November; results are released in mid-December (16 December for the 2024 and 2025 sessions).
Plan your revision with our exam dates guide and where to find official past papers.
What topics are in IB Chemistry?
- 1
S1.1 The particulate nature of matter
Describing changes of state without referring to particle energy and arrangement.
- 2
S1.2 The nuclear atom
Mixing up mass number and relative atomic mass when calculating isotopic abundance.
- 3
S1.3 Electron configurations
Removing electrons from the wrong sub-level when writing configurations for transition metal ions.
- 4
S1.4 The mole
Rounding intermediate values too early in multi-step calculations.
- 5
S1.5 Ideal gases
Not converting volume to cubic metres or temperature to kelvin in the ideal gas equation.
- 6
S2.1 The ionic model
Explaining the properties of ionic lattices in terms of molecules rather than ions.
- 7
S2.2 The covalent model
Predicting molecular shapes without counting lone pairs on the central atom.
- 8
S2.3 The metallic model
Mentioning delocalised electrons without explaining how they account for conductivity.
- 9
S2.4 From models to materials
Classifying a substance from one property instead of treating bonding type as a continuum.
- 10
S3.1 The periodic table
Explaining periodic trends without referring to nuclear charge and shielding.
- 11
S3.2 Functional groups
Naming organic compounds with the carbon chain numbered from the wrong end.
- 12
R1.1 Measuring enthalpy changes
Dropping the negative sign for exothermic reactions, or using the wrong mass in the heat calculation.
- 13
R1.2 Energy cycles
Reversing a Hess's law step without changing the sign of its enthalpy change.
- 14
R1.3 Energy from fuels
Leaving combustion equations unbalanced, particularly for incomplete combustion.
- 15
R1.4 Entropy and spontaneity (HL)
Combining entropy in J K⁻¹ with enthalpy in kJ without converting units.
- 16
R2.1 The amount of chemical change
Identifying the limiting reactant by comparing masses rather than moles.
- 17
R2.2 The rate of chemical change
Explaining a temperature rise only through more collisions, without mentioning the proportion exceeding the activation energy.
- 18
R2.3 The extent of chemical change: equilibrium
Claiming that a catalyst shifts the position of equilibrium.
- 19
R3.1 Proton transfer reactions
Confusing strong with concentrated, or weak with dilute, when describing acids.
- 20
R3.2 Electron transfer reactions
Assigning oxidation states incorrectly and so naming the wrong species as oxidised.
- 21
R3.3 Electron sharing reactions
Omitting initiation, propagation or termination steps when describing radical substitution.
- 22
R3.4 Electron-pair sharing reactions
Drawing curly arrows that start from atoms instead of from lone pairs or bonds.
- 23
Internal assessment: scientific investigation
Planning a method that cannot collect a sufficient range of reliable data in the time available.
Not sure which fits? Chat on WhatsApp
How do our online Chemistry classes work?
Diagnostic
A short check of what your child already knows against the syllabus.
Topic teaching
Clear explanations on a shared whiteboard, one topic at a time.
Past-paper practice
Exam questions from your board, timed and marked to the mark scheme.
Feedback
What went well, what to fix and what to practise before next class.
How do you get top marks in IB Chemistry?
Carry units through every calculation and give the final answer to a sensible number of significant figures.
In Paper 1B, describe the trend in the data before explaining it, and quote values to support each point.
Use the data booklet for constants and enthalpy data, but know which ideas and equations you must recall yourself.
Draw curly arrows precisely, from a lone pair or bond towards an atom, because careless arrows lose marks.
When explaining, name the particles involved, such as electrons, ions or molecules, rather than just 'the substance'.
Learn what command terms such as outline, explain and deduce require so the depth of each answer fits the question.
How much does IB Chemistry tutoring cost?
Prices shown in US dollars
- Recommended
One-to-one
Fully personalised to your child
USD 35 / class
- 60-minute live classes at times you choose
- A plan built from a diagnostic of your child's gaps
- Past-paper practice marked against the mark scheme
- Progress notes for parents
Small group
Up to 6 students, 8 live classes a month
USD 10 / class
- 75-minute live classes, 8 per month
- Taught to your exam board and syllabus code
- Weekly past-paper questions with feedback
- Class recordings and notes
Intensive exam prep
12 one-to-one classes a month before exams
USD 32 / class
- Three 60-minute classes a week
- Timed past papers and full mock exams
- Topic-by-topic weak-spot drills
- Pack discount of 10% applied
Prices are per class unless shown per month: one-to-one classes are 60 minutes and group classes 75 minutes. Your trial class is free and doesn't turn into a paid plan by itself. Pricing FAQ
IB Chemistry FAQs
How do I get a 7 in IB Chemistry?
There is no guaranteed path to a 7, but mastering the mole, practising data-based questions regularly and learning precise mechanistic language give you a strong foundation. Work through past papers by theme first, then under timed conditions, and rewrite weak explanations until they match mark scheme wording. A well-focused scientific investigation also matters, since it carries 20% of the grade.
Is IB Chemistry harder than IB Biology?
IB Chemistry is usually considered more mathematical than IB Biology, while biology tends to involve a larger volume of content and extended written explanation. Which feels harder depends on your strengths: confident problem-solvers often prefer chemistry, whereas strong readers and writers may find biology more natural. Many students intending to study medicine take both, so preparation matters more than the comparison.
Do I need IB Chemistry HL for medicine?
Many medical schools ask for IB Chemistry at Higher Level, but requirements vary by university and country, so check each university's published entry requirements before confirming your subjects. Some courses accept chemistry or biology at HL with the other at SL, while others expect both at HL. Making this decision early avoids having to change levels after the Diploma has started.
What is the IB Chemistry IA?
The IB Chemistry IA is an individual scientific investigation worth 20% of your final grade at both SL and HL. You develop a research question, design a method, collect and analyse data, and evaluate your conclusion. Safety, feasibility and a sufficient range of data all need attention at the planning stage. Tutors can help you refine ideas, while the design and write-up stay your own.
How is the new IB Chemistry syllabus organised?
The current IB Chemistry guide, first assessed in 2025, is organised under two frameworks: structure and reactivity. Structure covers the particulate nature of matter, models of bonding and the classification of matter, while reactivity covers energetics, the amount, rate and extent of change, and reaction mechanisms. HL students study extra content within these same headings rather than in separate options.
How can I improve at IB Chemistry calculations?
A reliable way to improve chemistry calculations is to practise a small set of core methods, such as moles, concentration, gas volumes and enthalpy, until each one is automatic. Write every step with units, check that answers are chemically sensible, and round only at the end. Mixing question types during revision builds the ability to choose the right method under exam pressure.
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