The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is designed to stretch students: six subjects, Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, CAS, and coursework in almost every subject alongside final exams. For families in Riyadh, the right support in Math, the sciences and English can make the two years far more manageable.
This guide is for parents and students comparing IB tutoring in Riyadh. It explains how the Diploma is scored, what to expect from an IB Math tutor and from science and English specialists, what the best IB tutors in Riyadh have in common, and how to plan IB Diploma prep across both years of the programme.
At a glance
- The IB Diploma is scored out of 45: up to 7 points in each of six subjects, plus up to 3 points from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.
- In IB Math and the sciences, internal assessment is worth 20% of the subject grade.
- In IB English A, the individual oral is worth 30% at SL and 20% at HL.
- The DP sciences moved to a new syllabus for exams from May 2025, so materials need to match the current course.
How the IB Diploma Is Scored
- Six subjects, each graded 1 to 7. Subjects are taken at Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL), and both count equally, up to 42 points in total.
- Up to 3 core points. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay (EE) are each graded A to E and combined through the IB’s core points matrix.
- CAS is required but not graded. Creativity, activity, service must be completed for the diploma to be awarded.
- 45 is the maximum; 24 is the minimum. The IB also sets failing conditions, such as an E in TOK or the EE, so 24 points alone does not guarantee the diploma.
Most subjects combine external exams with internally assessed coursework that is marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB. Strong IB tutoring prepares students for both. The full rules are on the IB’s Diploma Programme passing criteria page.
IB Math Tutor in Riyadh: AA or AI, SL or HL
The IB offers two mathematics courses, each at SL and HL:
- Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (AA) suits students who enjoy algebra, abstract reasoning and building mathematical arguments.
- Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (AI) focuses on mathematical modelling and statistical analysis, and includes functions and calculus, with technology used throughout.
Some university courses specify which IB Math course and level they accept, so check entry requirements before choosing.
In both courses, exams make up 80% of the grade and the mathematical exploration, an individual piece of written work investigating an area of mathematics, makes up 20%. HL students also sit Paper 3, a one-hour paper with two compulsory extended-response problem-solving questions. The IB’s subject briefs for Analysis and Approaches and Applications and Interpretation set out the full structure.
A good IB Math tutor in Riyadh should help with:
- Choosing the right course and level early
- Securing algebra, functions and calculus foundations in DP1
- Exam technique for each paper, including Paper 3 at HL
- Choosing a workable exploration topic and understanding how it is marked
IB Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics
The DP sciences moved to a new syllabus for first assessment in May 2025, with the old option topics and Paper 3 removed. All three sciences now share the same assessment model:
- Paper 1 (36%): Paper 1A multiple-choice questions and Paper 1B data-based questions, taken together.
- Paper 2 (44%): short-answer and extended-response questions.
- The scientific investigation (20%): an open-ended task in which the student gathers and analyses data to answer their own research question, marked by the teacher and moderated by the IB.
- The collaborative sciences project: required, but it does not count towards the final grade.
The IB recommends 150 teaching hours at SL and 240 at HL. The IB’s Biology subject brief shows the model in full.
Good IB science tutoring should cover:
- Core concepts across the new themes, with extra depth at HL
- Data-based questions, graphs and calculations under time pressure
- A focused, workable research question for the scientific investigation
- Past papers and materials from the current syllabus, not pre-2025 versions
IB English: Language A Assessments
The IB offers two English A courses, English A: Language and Literature and English A: Literature. Both are assessed through four components at HL and three at SL:
- Paper 1: guided analysis. An unseen text analysis exam. In Language and Literature the texts are non-literary, such as speeches, advertisements or opinion pieces; in Literature they are literary extracts. HL students analyse two texts.
- Paper 2: comparative essay. Students answer one of four questions by comparing two works they have studied. It counts for 35% at SL and 25% at HL.
- Individual oral. A 10-minute prepared oral followed by 5 minutes of teacher questions. It is the only internally assessed component and counts for 30% at SL and 20% at HL.
- HL essay. HL students also write an essay of 1,200 to 1,500 words on one text, worth 20% of the HL grade.
Good IB English tutoring should help with:
- A reliable method for analysing unseen texts quickly
- Planning comparative arguments and choosing evidence from studied works
- Rehearsing the individual oral, including handling follow-up questions
- Developing the HL essay from a focused line of inquiry, without writing it for the student
What the Best IB Tutors in Riyadh Have in Common
- IB-specific experience. IB assessment is criteria-based and coursework-heavy, so tutors need experience with the DP, not just the subject.
- Current-syllabus knowledge. The sciences changed for May 2025 exams, and the IB has published subject briefs for revised Math courses with first assessment in 2029. Materials should match the version your child is studying.
- Teaching to the assessment criteria. The best IB tutors in Riyadh show students how each paper and coursework task is marked, then help them meet those criteria.
- Coursework support within IB rules. Internal assessments and the Extended Essay must be the student’s own work. Good tutors coach research, structure and use of feedback, but never write the work.
- A clear plan. Support should follow a plan built around school deadlines, mocks and the final exams, with regular updates for parents.
- A first session or consultation. This shows how the tutor diagnoses gaps and plans next steps before you commit.
IB Diploma Coaching vs IB Exam Prep in Riyadh
Many students combine ongoing support with focused preparation at key moments.
IB Diploma coaching in Riyadh is long-term, one-to-one support across the two years. It suits students who want to secure foundations early, plan coursework properly and keep steady progress in demanding HL subjects. Over time, a coach can spot patterns, such as recurring errors in data-based questions or in calculus, and fix them at the source.
IB exam prep in Riyadh is shorter and more intensive: revision before mocks, or a structured run-in to the final exams. It works best with timed past papers from the current syllabus and targeted work on the papers where the most points are available.
IB Diploma prep before the DP starts helps students joining from another curriculum, or anyone who wants a head start on HL content. UniHawk’s IBDP Bridge Program is designed for this transition.
Whichever format you choose, ask how progress will be measured and how often you will receive updates.
A Two-Year IB Diploma Prep Plan
Exact deadlines vary by school, so map this plan onto your school’s calendar.
- Before DP1: choose subjects carefully. Check which Math course and level, and which HL sciences, your target university courses expect.
- DP1, first term: build foundations. Secure core concepts in HL subjects early, and set up good habits for notes and practice questions.
- DP1, second half: plan the coursework. Start thinking about ideas for the Math exploration, the scientific investigation, the English individual oral and the Extended Essay, so they are ready when school deadlines arrive.
- DP2, first term: finish coursework well. Use feedback on structure and criteria, within IB rules, while internal assessments and the Extended Essay are being finalised.
- DP2, mocks: diagnose. Use mock results to find the papers and topics where extra points are most realistic.
- DP2, final months: IB exam prep. Focus on timed past papers from the current syllabus and on exam technique for each paper.
IB Tutoring in Riyadh with UniHawk
UniHawk’s IB tutoring supports Diploma students in Math AA and Math AI, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English Language and Literature, alongside Economics, Business Management, Psychology, Computer Science, French and Spanish. Support also covers TOK, the Extended Essay and internal assessments.
- Online tutoring. Sessions can be delivered online, so students in Riyadh can work with UniHawk’s IB specialists. Speak to our Riyadh team about the formats available locally.
- Specialist tutors. Our IB tutors include subject specialists with Master’s degrees and PhDs, many with six to ten or more years of teaching experience.
- A plan for each student. Sessions follow a customised study plan built around the student’s subjects, school deadlines and target grades.
- Support from the start. Students joining the DP from another curriculum can begin with the IBDP Bridge Program.
IB tutoring connects with UniHawk’s wider support, including university admissions counselling, Profile Building and test preparation such as SAT and IELTS. Students in other curricula can explore AP tutoring, A Level tutoring and IGCSE tutoring.
Visit us in Riyadh. Our office is at 109, Ground Floor, UNBOX Community, Al Olaya, Riyadh (+966 50 172 5915). See all locations on our locations page.
Book a free consultation or enquire now to discuss your child’s IB subjects and goals.
