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Award-Winning IB Psychology HL Tutors

Rebecca

Certified Tutor

Rebecca

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (minor in Religious Studies)
Rebecca's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math
Elementary Math

I am a graduate of Northwestern University where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies. I am currently pursuing a masters degree in social work at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. I am passionate about tutoring because I wan...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (minor in Religious Studies)

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Jessi

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Jessi

Masters, Religion
Jessi's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics Graduate Level
Pre-Algebra
IB Mathematical Studies SL
Arithmetic

I am really excited about working with students in the Philadelphia area! I grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated high school with an IB diploma. For college, I moved to Houston to attend Rice University, where I majored in Psychology. I then earned a masters degree in Religion at Yale and I am...

Education

Yale Divinity School

Masters, Religion

Rice University

Bachelors in Psychology

Test Scores
ACT
32
Nicole

Certified Tutor

Nicole

Bachelor of Science
Nicole's other Tutor Subjects
1st-12th Grade math
1st-12th Grade Reading
3rd-8th Grade Science
AP Calculus BC

I am very thorough in the material and diligently work, while being patient, to make sure each student is understanding the lessons because I know everyone has a unique way he/she processes and learns.

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor of Science

Melanie

Certified Tutor

Melanie

Master of Social Work, Social Work
Melanie's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ACT Writing
ACT English

I am very passionate about my undergraduate major, but I explored all different subjects and courses, as well. I was very active on my school's crisis hotline, and was an anonymous peer listener for this organization for most of my college experience. In addition, I was an intern at The Door, a non-...

Education

New York University

Master of Social Work, Social Work

Justine

Certified Tutor

Justine

Bachelor in Arts, Film Production
Justine's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Earth Science
Public Speaking

I am a senior studying Film Production at Emerson College. Though I am pursuing a career in filmmaking, I am also passionate about education. I have volunteered extensively to tutor children through various programs. At the Rosedale Achievement Center in the Bronx, I worked one-on-one with a high sc...

Education

Emerson College

Bachelor in Arts, Film Production

Test Scores
SAT
1500
Gabriel

Certified Tutor

Gabriel

Bachelor's
Gabriel's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Reading

I am a TEFL certified English language teacher, with multiple years of experience teaching English overseas, having lived in both Thailand and Laos, and worked with students of all ages and skill levels. My lessons have ranged from language activation and phonics in kindergarten, to grammar instruct...

Education

University

Bachelor's

Test Scores
SAT
1430
Jenny

Certified Tutor

Jenny

Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Jenny's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Arithmetic
Statistics

I am an empathetic tutor, as I strongly believe that subject matter expertise must be combined with a true understanding of a student’s learning style, strengths, weaknesses, and confidence level in order to create an effective learning environment.

Education

Georgetown University

Bachelor in Arts, Psychology

Test Scores
SAT
1560
Robert

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Robert

Bachelors, Psychology
Robert's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Calculus

I'm currently applying for medical schools and hope to matriculate in the fall of 2017.

Education

New York University

Bachelors, Psychology

Test Scores
SAT
1550
Maurice

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Maurice

Masters, Communication
Maurice's other Tutor Subjects
AP German Language and Culture
Conversational German
German
German 1

I am a native of Germany, and I lived there for over 10 years. I speak, read, and write the language fluently, and I completed my bachelor's degree in German with a minor in French and Linguistics in 2010. I have previous experience in tutoring fellow students during my degree, and I have experience...

Education

Angelo State University

Masters, Communication

Angelo State University

Bachelors, German

Shana

Certified Tutor

Shana

Masters, Bilingual Elementary Education (1-6)
Shana's other Tutor Subjects
Algebra
Algebra 2
College Algebra
College English

Greetings! My name is Shana Cloud and I am looking forward to working with students eager to achieve.I graduated cum laude from the Horace Mann School in Bronx, NY in 2002, Harvard University in 2006 with a B.A. in Sociology, and from Pace University in 2008 with an MS Ed in bilingual elementary edu...

Education

Pace University-New York

Masters, Bilingual Elementary Education (1-6)

Harvard University

Bachelors, Sociology

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Edwin

7th Grade Science Tutor • +8 Subjects

Tutoring is a great opportunity for me to continue to pursue a mission of education and providing a venue for anyone to receive help in understanding science. I believe science literacy is incredibly important in our modern society. I have ten years of experience teaching middle school science and a degree in chemistry education from the University of Delaware. My experience has allowed me to develop a variety of strategies to appeal to multiple learning styles and hopefully help any student persevere over any learning challenge.

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Laura

ACT Prep Tutor • +59 Subjects

I am currently a first year graduate student at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health working towards my Masters in Public Health in environmental health sciences. For my undergraduate, I attended Fordham University and received a Bachelors degree in both biology and anthropology. I know how difficult advanced science and math classes can be on top of other studies, and I am really looking to work through these issues with potential students. I am available for sessions in biology, chemistry, physics, as well as a range of math levels. I am also available for SAT, PSAT, and ACT prep. I have ample experience with academic writing, so I can work with students through many different types of assessments. I know that the subjects I tutor can be frustrating and difficult at time, so I believe in low pressure tutoring where we can delve into the material and move at whatever pace the student needs.

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Justin

ACT Math Tutor • +42 Subjects

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.

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Marina

Conversational Spanish Tutor • +20 Subjects

I am a college grad from National Louis University with a bachelor's in Applied Educational Studies with a minor in science and concentration in education. I am pursuing my certification for Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a post-baccalaureate program at National Louis University, which I will complete in December 2021.Since graduation, I have worked in an elementary school in the Gold Coast of Chicago helping in all areas of elementary education. I mostly assisted kindergartners and fourth graders in Spanish workloads. My strengths are math and science mostly, however, I work with young children from kindergarteners through fourth grade in all subjects. In high school I had assistant high school students with homework during their study hall period as a requirement for my Education enrichment course.I am very passionate when it comes to helping out children with learning disabilities. As I want to make a change in that community to help them be able to pursue their dream careers without any obstacles.In my spare time, I like to go for runs and join little marathons. I also like to paint and read many books as I believe we never stop learning in life.

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Christine

5th Grade Reading Tutor • +27 Subjects

I am aware of students' emotional, social, psychological and physical development as well as their cognitive growth. I have degrees in Regular and Special Education and have worked as a Teacher and Special Education Administrator in suburban and inner city school systems, for more than 30 years. I worked in the areas of Behavior Disorders and Special Education.I attended Morris Brown College where I attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. I attended Atlanta University where I attained a Master of Arts degree in Behavior Disorders and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership for Director of Special Education. My experience working with children includes supervising teachers, changing students behavior, working on social skills, study skills, social studies and teaching reading on the elementary and middle school levels. I am currently tutoring tenth grade students on study skills, organizational skills, critical thinking skills and social skills. The subjects that I tutor are social studies, reading, language arts, study skills, critical thinking skills and organizational skills. My favorite subjects to tutor are Critical Thinking Skills, Reading, Social Skills, Study Skills and Organizational skills.My philosophy as a teacher is to teach the students who are willing to learn, and to motivate the students who are not willing to learn, with the knowledge of how to have influence on the child's total self. Every child who enters a classroom should feel safe and comfortable. Every classroom should be full of nurturing and enrichment.I am a huge college and NFL football and basketball fan. I enjoy attending games on both levels. I enjoy playing golf, riding my bike, singing and reading.

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Ndidi-Amaka

Algebra Tutor • +17 Subjects

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Grant

ACT English Tutor • +15 Subjects

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Aja

Adult ESL/ELL Tutor • +18 Subjects

Hello! My name is Aja and I am passionate about teaching learners of all ages.I studied Spanish Literature and Elementary Education at University and taught in a Montessori school for one year before deciding to follow my dreams of becoming a professional photographer. I went back to school, started my own business, and spent the last four years traveling the world, taking on numerous photography projects. My clients have ranged from nuns to brides, to motorcycle tour agencies. The one common thread that strings all of these jobs together is a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn about the world around me. I would love to instill that same type of enthusiasm in my students. My photography classes introduce the possibilities of the art by providing examples, asking questions, and allowing students to fill in the blanks. My hope for all of my learners is to help them communicate their own unique perspectives of the world and to acknowledge those perspectives as valid.I have also spent the last three and a half years teaching English online, ages 6-75 (NO, it is never too late to learn)! My classes have covered different topics at various levels, but my teaching style remains the same - learning through demonstration, prompt, and practice (I do, you do, we do). The focus is on learning through conversation and topics that are already familiar to the student - and then gradually introducing new material.I hope to see you in the classroom!

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Anita

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Frequently Asked Questions

IB Psychology HL requires students to master both broad conceptual knowledge across six core units and develop critical analytical skills—a combination that challenges many learners. Common struggles include:

  • Balancing breadth and depth: Students must understand diverse topics from neurobiology to sociocultural psychology while developing nuanced arguments about each.
  • Research methods complexity: The course demands fluency with statistical concepts and study design evaluation, which can feel disconnected from the psychology content itself.
  • Essay writing under pressure: Exam essays require precise terminology, balanced analysis of multiple perspectives, and clear linkage between evidence and claims—all within strict time constraints.
  • Integrating perspectives: Synthesizing biological, cognitive, sociocultural, and psychodynamic viewpoints into coherent arguments is intellectually demanding.

Personalized instruction helps by breaking these challenges into manageable pieces and building skills progressively rather than trying to cover everything at once.

IB Psychology HL is uniquely rigorous because it emphasizes critical evaluation and research literacy alongside content knowledge. Unlike standard courses, IB Psychology requires students to:

  • Evaluate research studies for methodological strengths and limitations—not just learn findings.
  • Compare multiple psychological perspectives on the same behavior or mental process.
  • Understand how cultural context shapes psychological phenomena and research itself.
  • Apply psychological concepts to real-world scenarios with evidence-based reasoning.

The course culminates in three exams testing recall, application, and extended analytical writing. A tutor experienced with IB requirements can help you develop the specific analytical frameworks and essay structures that earn top marks, rather than just preparing you for a standard psychology test.

An expert IB Psychology HL tutor combines psychology expertise with deep knowledge of IB assessment standards. Look for someone who:

  • Knows IB grading criteria inside out and can pinpoint exactly what separates a 6 from a 7 in essays and exam responses.
  • Understands research methodology: Can explain statistical concepts and study design in ways that make sense, then help you evaluate real studies critically.
  • Teaches essay structure explicitly: Provides frameworks for organizing complex arguments and balances evaluation throughout writing, not just at the end.
  • Connects theory to application: Uses relevant examples and helps you apply concepts flexibly across different contexts and exam questions.
  • Adapts to your learning style: Some students need visual concept maps, others need practice writing under timed conditions, and great tutors adjust accordingly.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have proven experience helping IB Psychology students reach 6s and 7s.

Realistic improvement depends on your starting point and commitment. Students who work with a tutor consistently typically see:

  • 1-2 point jumps when moving from foundational understanding (3-4 range) to solid competency (5-6 range)—this requires building both content knowledge and analytical skills.
  • 0.5-1 point gains when aiming for the 7 from a 6—this is harder because it demands polishing already-strong work and mastering the highest-level analytical nuances.

The timeline matters: students who start tutoring 3-4 months before exams see more dramatic gains than those starting a few weeks out. Personalized instruction accelerates improvement because tutors identify exactly which concepts you're weak on and which essay habits are costing you points, then target those gaps directly rather than reviewing material you already know.

Research methods evaluation is a skill that improves with structured practice. Start by learning a consistent evaluation framework—for example, assessing validity, reliability, ethics, and generalizability—then apply it to multiple studies until it becomes automatic. Effective strategies include:

  • Build a study evaluation checklist: What was the sample size? Was it representative? What were the variables? Could confounding variables explain the results?
  • Compare similar studies: Look at two memory studies or two depression studies and identify what made one design stronger than another.
  • Practice writing evaluation paragraphs that balance strengths and limitations—not just listing weaknesses.
  • Connect methodology to findings: Explain how a study's design actually supports (or limits) the conclusions researchers drew.

A tutor can provide targeted study examples, give you immediate feedback on your evaluations, and help you develop the analytical language that earns top marks on exam questions.

IB Psychology essays reward clear structure that integrates evaluation throughout, not just at the end. A strong framework typically includes:

  • Introduction: Define key terms precisely, outline the perspectives or theories you'll discuss, and briefly signal your balanced approach.
  • Body paragraphs: Present a theory or perspective, support it with research evidence, then immediately evaluate it—discuss limitations, cultural biases, methodological strengths/weaknesses, or competing evidence.
  • Synthesis across paragraphs: Show how different perspectives complement or contradict each other rather than treating them as separate topics.
  • Conclusion: Synthesize your findings and acknowledge legitimate points on multiple sides rather than declaring one perspective "winner."

Many students lose marks by relegating all evaluation to the final paragraph when examiners want to see critical thinking woven throughout. Personalized tutoring includes practice writing essays with feedback on both content accuracy and argument structure.

While all units present challenges, students often find certain topics conceptually harder or require more support:

  • Option units: The four option topics (Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Well-Being, Human Relationships, or Psychobiology) feel overwhelming to many students because they're newer to the curriculum and have limited study resources compared to core units.
  • Research methods: Statistical concepts like standard deviation and the difference between correlation and causation confuse visual learners, and the abstract nature makes practice essential.
  • Sociocultural unit: Balancing individual psychology with cultural context challenges students trained to think in terms of universal human processes.
  • Neurobiology: The anatomy and biochemistry aspects intimidate students without strong science backgrounds, even though the IB version is less technical than university neuroscience.

A tutor can assess which units are your weak points and provide targeted support—whether that's breaking down research methods with concrete examples or finding clear explanations of neurotransmitter function.

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