IB DIPLOMA TUTORING
Expert IB Biology Tutors
in Hong Kong
IBDP Biology remains the most popular Experimental Science course offered at IBDP level, and students enjoy the academic challenge and wide applicability of the subject. Based in Hong Kong, BartyED’s IB Biology tutors work with students every day across both HL and SL Biology; we aim to provide expert advice to students who are either struggling with their IB Biology studies, or wish to push themselves further.
Common IBDP Biology challenges
Memorisation of content
A classic myth is that IB Biology has excessive content requiring memorisation. While it’s true that there is a lot of material to be learned, our IB Biology tutors focus on combining the content with deep understanding, making the task less overwhelming.
Selecting an effective IA topic (Internal Assessment)
Our IB Biology tutors at BartyED work with students to develop appropriate IA experiments. These will be achievable, demonstrate strong engagement with concepts from the Biology course, and allow for a fascinating discussion in the written report.
Extended response questions (Paper 2)
While most students realise that they need to memorise and understand the content, they underestimate the importance of excellent exam technique. That’s why BartyED’s IBDP Biology tutors work consistently across the two years to develop strong essay writing skills to accompany their subject knowledge.
Command words
When under the pressure of exams, it’s essential that candidates understand what the question is asking. BartyED’s IB Biology tutors work with students to develop a more precise awareness of command words.
BartyED ensures high-quality IB Biology tutoring
From our strict hiring process, through our comprehensive on-going tutor training, BartyED places a strong emphasis on teaching quality. Our reputation for rigour is at the heart of what we do.
3-phase hiring process
Our 3-phase hiring process consists of a structured interview with Jerome, a written exam across proposed subject areas, and an engagement session to assess teaching style.
A strong CV is not enough: candidates need to demonstrate strong subject knowledge, resilience and adaptability. We place our bar deliberately high in the full knowledge that most candidates will fail. Our students will benefit from the strong communication skills and pedagogical passion of the best applicants.
Rigorous training programme
Once hired, candidates undergo a six-month training programme to ensure deep subject and curriculum knowledge. This is conducted by our Heads of STEM and English/Humanities, and overseen by our Director of Studies.
The IB examiners know their own curriculum, so it's essential that we do, too. Our training programmes are designed to instil strong academic rigour, and consistent teaching across subjects.
On-going professional development
Whether in IBO-led workshops on the latest changes to the Extended Essay marking criteria, or knowledge sharing across the team in informal sessions to improve our support of SEN students, BartyED's IB tutors enjoy continued professional development.
International curricula like the IBDP, A-Levels and IGCSEs are subject to change and adaptation. It's essential for teaching quality that our IB tutors are ready and aware of all developments so we can maintain our exemplary support of all students.
THE BARTYED DIFFERENCE
Why BartyED for IB Biology Tutoring
Biology tutors equipped for teaching
Our expert team of IB Biology tutors are graduates of top universities like Durham and HKU, and have proven dedicated to supporting students throughout the programme. They develop individualised lesson plans for each and every student to ensure progress.
Exam technique for IB Biology
Students can underestimate the different skills needed to succeed in an IB Biology exam; from moving efficiently and accurately through multiple-choice questions, to developing strong extended responses. Our team of IB Biology tutors prioritise the required exam technique.
Internal assessment support
BartyED’s tutors are experienced in guiding students to IA topics that are well-developed and show academic rigour. We ensure that each IA topic makes sense for that student, rather than selecting from a pre-written list of generic experiments.
Personally vetted by Jerome, our Managing Director
Every BartyED tutor sits a supervised written exam reviewed personally by Jerome and the Head of the relevant Department before joining the team. For Biology, this includes sitting an IB Biology paper under timed conditions, as well as an engagement session.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Success stories
Our students have gone on to Oxford, Edinburgh, UCL, Duke, Brown, and Harvard.
How IB Biology is Graded
Like all IBDP subjects, the final IB Biology grade is weighted across a series of external and internal assessments, resulting in a grade out of 7. Both HL and SL students take Papers 1 and 2, as well as an Internal Assessment. However, there are distinctions between the SL and HL assessment structure.
Paper 1A: Multiple-choice questions
Paper 1B: Data-based questions
Paper 1A consists of multiple-choice questions, and
Paper 1B asks students to demonstrate their data analysis skills across four questions that address all the themes.
There are 55 marks available, and it is worth 36% of the final grade (1 hour 30 minutes)
Paper 1A consists of multiple-choice questions, and
Paper 1B asks students to demonstrate their data analysis skills across four questions that address all the themes.
There are 75 marks available, and it is worth 36% of the final grade (2 hour 30 minutes)
Paper 2: Data-based, short answer and extended response questions
In Section A, students answer questions across a range of Biology topics and formats. Section B consists of a series of extended response questions. There are 50 marks available, and it is worth 44% of the final grade (1 hour 30 minutes).
In Section A, students answer questions across a range of Biology topics and formats. Section B consists of a series of extended response questions. There are 80 marks available, and it is worth 44% of the final grade (2 hour 30 minutes).
Internal Assessment
In this Biology assessment that is graded internally, students conduct an independent scientific investigation on a topic of their own choice. It is worth 20% of the final grade.
Students conduct a scientific investigation on a Biology topic of their choice. This is then graded internally by their teacher, and moderated by the IB. It is worth 20% of the final grade.
Total external / internal split
80% external, 20% internal.
80% external, 20% internal.
WHAT WE COVER
Explore other IB subjects we tutor
Applications & Interpretation (AI) SL/HL
Literature SL/HL
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Outside of lengthier external assessments for both Paper 1 and 2, IB Biology HL students learn additional content, with significantly more time devoted to topics such as chemical signalling.
The Biology IA is graded internally, resulting in a mark out of 24. The grades are subsequently moderated and verified by the IB at the end of the course.
Paper 1B in Biology focuses on data analysis. Students respond to four questions relating to their interpretation of data, tables and graphs. Candidates must respond to short answer questions accurately and efficiently.
The Biology IA counts for 20% of the final grade.
The relative difficulty of Chemistry and Biology is dependent on student preference. While IB Biology requires more memorisation, there are fewer question types designed to test students’ mathematical skills. Students should play to their strengths when selecting their IB course load.
There are fairly substantial differences in the topics covered between IB and A-Level Biology, and the assessment structure differs significantly. If hesitating between the paths, students should consult with an academic advisor or mentor.
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FURTHER READING