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Award-Winning IB Chemistry Tutors

Certified Tutor
James
I am currently a senior at Harvard College where I study chemistry, and I'll be attending Columbia Medical School next year. I have years of experience tutoring college students in math (mostly calculus) and chemistry including both general and organic chemistry. In addition, I am very familiar with...
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry

Certified Tutor
8+ years
Amanda
I'm currently a fourth year medical student at a private medical school in Texas. I've been involved with tutoring since middle school continuing all the way through medical school. There are so many different ways to teach based on how students learn best and I am passionate about meeting the indiv...
The University of Alabama
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Baylor College of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine, Public Health

Certified Tutor
Shawn
I am a patient teacher who can explain problems in many different ways according to how individual students learn best. I only ask that you know and explain to me what topics you do not know or get so far. I know that every student can learn a subject with a combination of practice and patience, but...
University of California Los Angeles
Master of Science, Chemistry

Certified Tutor
Matthew
I am currently conducting breast cancer research as the lab manager in an immunology lab at Columbia University Medical Center. I am extremely comfortable with physics and mathematics (from my studies) as well as biology, chemistry, and biochemistry (through my research experience) and sincerely enj...
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor in Arts

Certified Tutor
Eric
I am looking to use my passion for Chemistry and teaching to help students excel. I recently took the MCAT exam and I am currently applying to medical school. I look forward to helping you or your child succeed in Math and Science.
University of Delaware
Master of Science, Inorganic Chemistry
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science

Certified Tutor
Emerson
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Chicago, working towards a pre-med double major in Psychology and Biology (with a specialization in Neuroscience). Beginning in my early teens, I began working and volunteering as a tutor in a variety of environments: I began as a volunteer at a sum...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Science, Biology and Psychology

Certified Tutor
3+ years
Yu
I am a strong believer that anyone can learn anything! I attended the University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate and recently finished my Master's in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As a tutor, I create a space where my learners can feel empowered and safe to take on the s...
Harvard University
Masters in Education, Education Policy Analysis
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science, Political Science and Government
University of Pennsylvania
Undergraduate studies (attended)

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Brian
I'm a recent graduate of the California Institute of Technology in Economics and Computer Science. I was also accepted at Harvard, Princeton, MIT, and Stanford. I have a broad range of interests spanning science, math, engineering, social science, the humanities, the arts, and athletics (I also play...
University of California-Santa Cruz
PHD, Technology & Information Mgmt (Indef. deferred)
California Institute of Technology
Bachelors in Economics and Computer Science

Certified Tutor
6+ years
William
I'm a project manager, who has worked for Kraft Heinz and nonprofits, and is currently training to become a secondary English literature teacher. I was born and raised in Germany but have spent more than 10 years abroad.
Brown University
Bachelor in Arts

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Ben
I am an undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. I have been tutoring for over 6 years now, and I have found it to be an extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience. I specialize in mathematics, particularly at the high school level, and I also have experience tutoring other subject...
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, Mathematics
Top 20 Science Subjects
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Soung
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +33 Subjects
I'm a highly skilled, professional tutor with over 20 years experience. I have an exceptional ability to teach math to students with severe learning challenges. I make all levels of math understandable and foster confidence in the student. I'm also expert in SAT/ACT test preparation and high school admission tests.
Nivedina
Middle School Math Tutor • +30 Subjects
I'm a recent graduate with a BS in chemistry and currently a PhD student in materials science. While I've always been fascinated with math and chemistry, they didn't come easy for me. I've had great teachers and tutors who helped me build a solid foundation in the physical sciences and inspire me to pay that forward.
Wesley
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +72 Subjects
I am currently a graduate student at Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester conducting research in Biophysical Chemistry. I recently graduated in June 2017 from the University of California - Irvine with two Bachelor degrees. One was in Biomedical Engineering and the other was in Materials Science and Engineering. With two engineering degrees, I feel comfortable working with students in all realms of Math and Science.
Juan
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +72 Subjects
I am a Senior at the University of Florida studying Industrial Engineering and Statistics. My areas of expertise include Statistics, High School and College level Math, and Government. I emphasize maintaining trust and steady communication with my students to maintain a healthy and comfortable learning environment. I believe developing micro-goals and positively reinforcing students help them stay motivated and excited.
Mackenzie
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +47 Subjects
I'm starting my junior year at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. I'm currently getting my degree in biology with a concentration in health and human disease, global health, and a minor in French. I love reading, traveling, learning and helping others learn! I have experience tutoring high school and elementary school students in math, science, and English and I love tutoring in each subject equally. Eventually, I see myself going to medical school and researching topics related to viral diseases which I've been interested in since a very young age. I'm very passionate about the subjects I teach and hope to pass my passion on to the individuals I tutor! Hobbies: art, books, traveling, hiking, travel, reading, music, writing
Dane
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +23 Subjects
I am a rising sophomore at Duke University and am double majoring in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science with a minor in Economics. I love problem solving and analyzing situations creatively and enjoy studying the real-world applications that accompany engineering. I mostly tutor math and science courses and hope to illustrate my passion for these subjects to my students.
Michelle
Calculus Tutor • +21 Subjects
I am a current undergraduate student at Duke University seeking a major in neuroscience and a possible minor in literature or chemistry. I have been tutoring higher level courses since the beginning of high school, and although I tutor in a variety of subjects, I specialize in writing, English, and essay editing (especially IB Extended Essays or college essays). I also help students with standardized testing, particularly in the SAT Reading portion of the exam. My passion for tutoring comes from my love of learning and helping others learn, and in my free time I enjoy painting, poetry, and fashion design.
Preston
Middle School Math Tutor • +23 Subjects
I am currently a rising junior attending Pennsylvania State University with a major in chemical engineering. I have been a learning assistant for general chemistry 1 and organic chemistry 1 my past two semesters. I also will be a learning assistant this upcoming semester for general chemistry 1. I tutor SAT and ACT prep and math and science subjects from middle school to college. My favorite topic to tutor is chemistry. My goal for my tutoring sessions is for my students to be able to teach the topic back to me. I believe in student-centered methods of instruction and I am always open to looking at problems from different point of views.
Sidharth
Calculus Tutor • +20 Subjects
I am a passionate and hardworking computer science student at the University of Pennsylvania. I love teaching because it solidifies my concepts of the subject matter, and also is a very rewarding experience! I enjoy swimming, working out, and coding.
Alec
Calculus Tutor • +28 Subjects
I am a recent Cornell University graduate (Dec '23) majoring in Biological Sciences with a focus on Genetics, Genomics, and Development. My passion lies in healthcare, as I am currently preparing to attend medical school this upcoming fall. However, I have always had an interest in teaching. I started as a general chemistry TA, supporting students during problem solving sessions. Then, I helped teach our genetics lecture course, coordinating individual and group tutoring sessions that guided students in content application. This position transformed into a leadership role, organizing our teaching team while spearheading an initiative to train fellow teaching assistants in pedagogical techniques that I learned in a course I took on the art of teaching. Lastly, in an ethics of medicine course of non-STEM majors, I prepared and facilitated discussion sections on current topics in personalized medicine. These experiences, combined with my time as a teaching assistant in correctional facilities, helped me grow as a varsity tutor now going into my 4th year on this platform. Given this breadth of experience teaching diverse and unique students, I am eager and excited to support young scientists in any subject related to this field.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Students typically find equilibrium calculations, thermodynamics, and organic reaction mechanisms most challenging. Equilibrium requires understanding Le Chatelier's principle and manipulating equilibrium expressions—concepts that feel abstract until connected to real systems. Thermodynamics involves mastering enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy simultaneously, which many students treat as memorized formulas rather than interconnected principles. Organic chemistry becomes difficult when students try to memorize reaction pathways instead of understanding electron movement and nucleophilicity. A tutor can help by working through these topics systematically, using visual representations of electron flow and equilibrium shifts to build conceptual understanding rather than reliance on memorization.
The IA requires not just executing an experiment correctly, but demonstrating scientific reasoning throughout the design, execution, and analysis phases. A tutor can help you develop a researchable question, identify and control variables, and design a procedure that will generate meaningful data—skills that go beyond following a lab manual. They can also guide you through data analysis, helping you interpret results in context of chemical theory and evaluate sources of error with scientific rigor. This targeted support is especially valuable since the IA accounts for a significant portion of your final grade and requires integration of practical skills with theoretical understanding.
Balancing equations often trips students up because they approach it as a mechanical puzzle rather than understanding that it represents the conservation of atoms during a chemical reaction. Stoichiometry compounds this by requiring students to connect mole ratios from a balanced equation to real quantities (grams, liters, molarity), which involves unit conversions and proportional reasoning. A tutor can help you see the logic behind each step—why coefficients matter, how to systematically balance by element, and how mole ratios act as conversion factors. Once you grasp the underlying chemistry, these calculations become straightforward applications rather than confusing procedures.
Organic mechanisms are often taught as memorized arrow-pushing exercises, but IB Chemistry rewards understanding the underlying logic: nucleophiles attack electrophiles, bonds break and form, and electron movement drives everything. Rather than memorizing 20 different reactions, a tutor helps you recognize patterns—SN2 vs. SN1 substitutions, E1 vs. E2 eliminations, and addition reactions all follow predictable principles based on molecular structure and conditions. By learning to predict mechanisms from first principles (considering sterics, electronics, and reaction conditions), you'll handle unfamiliar reactions on exams with confidence. Practice with arrow-pushing combined with conceptual understanding transforms organic chemistry from intimidating to manageable.
IB Chemistry exams reward clear working and correct methodology even when final answers contain minor arithmetic errors, but systematic mistakes in setup or unit handling cost significant marks. Common errors include forgetting to convert between moles and grams, misapplying equilibrium expressions, or losing track of significant figures. A tutor can help you develop a consistent problem-solving framework: write out what you know, identify the relevant equation or concept, show each step with units, and check that your answer makes chemical sense. By practicing this disciplined approach repeatedly, you'll catch errors before they happen and communicate your thinking clearly to examiners.
Concepts like molecular orbital theory, resonance structures, and dynamic equilibrium exist at a scale you can't observe directly, making them genuinely difficult to grasp. A tutor uses multiple approaches to build your mental models: drawing electron density diagrams, using molecular modeling tools, working through equilibrium shifts step-by-step with Le Chatelier's principle, and connecting abstract theory to observable phenomena (like why certain reactions are spontaneous or why colors change at equilibrium). This multi-sensory approach—combining visual representations, written explanations, and worked examples—helps cement understanding in ways that textbook definitions alone cannot.
Each paper tests different skills: Paper 1 (multiple choice) rewards quick recall and conceptual clarity under time pressure; Paper 2 (short and long answer) requires you to explain reasoning and show working; Paper 3 (practical-focused) tests your ability to analyze experimental data and apply chemistry to novel scenarios. A tutor can help you develop targeted strategies for each—for Paper 1, practicing rapid problem-solving and eliminating distractors; for Paper 2, learning to structure explanations that address all parts of multi-step questions; for Paper 3, building confidence in data interpretation and experimental design critique. Practicing past papers with this strategic lens, rather than just reviewing answers, significantly improves performance across all three papers.
An effective IB Chemistry tutor should have strong chemistry credentials (ideally a degree in chemistry or related field) and specific experience teaching or tutoring the IB curriculum—not just general chemistry. They should understand the IB assessment structure (internal assessment requirements, exam paper formats, and command terms like 'explain,' 'deduce,' and 'suggest'), be able to explain concepts at multiple levels of complexity, and have experience helping students move from memorization to conceptual mastery. Equally important is their ability to diagnose where your understanding breaks down and adapt their teaching accordingly. When you connect with a tutor through Varsity Tutors, you can discuss their IB experience and teaching approach to ensure they're the right fit for your learning style and goals.
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