How To Support Your Child In IB Physics
You don't have to understand Physics to help them succeed!
Download the Free PDF GuideYou can help your child by encouraging a step-by-step, strategic approach to their individual study.
OR.... let our Chief Physics Tutor, Sally, do it for you 😉 (click here)
Can my child really excel in IB Physics?
Welcome to the GradePod Parent Guide for IB Physics—a resource designed to help you support your child through one of the most challenging, yet rewarding, courses in the IB curriculum.
It might seem overwhelming at first, but with the right guidance, your child can excel. I promise!
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️I firmly believe that with strategic study and the right tools, every student has the potential to achieve top grades in IB Physics. |
By strategic study, I mean following a tried-and-tested path that other students have followed successfully.
That’s where I come in!
I'm Sally Weatherly and I’ve been teaching IB Physics since 2004.
Over the years, I’ve helped thousands of students navigate the complexities of IB Physics, using the exact strategies and techniques you’ll find in this guide.
I don’t know what else to say… it works!
Throughout this guide, I’ll share practical tips, expert advice, and free resources that will make a real difference in your child’s IB Physics journey.
As you follow along, you’ll gain valuable tips and resources tailored specifically for parents of IB Physics students.
By the end of this guide, you'll feel confident and equipped to support your child all the way to their ultimate goal—success in IB Physics.
This guide aims to answer all your questions allowing you to support your child in IB Physics. If you have any further questions, email me at [email protected]
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It's a long article and if you'd prefer to download this guide as a PDF (with all free resources included) |
(and Free Resources)
HERE!
CONTENTS
1. IB Physics Course Structure
2. IB Physics Assessment
3. How to Support Your Child
4. Common Challenges in IB Physics
5. How IB Physics Affects College Applications
6. 8 Questions To Ask A Potential IB Physics Tutor
7. Gradepod's Chief Physics Tutor: Sally Weatherly
8. Introduction to GradePod's TrIBe Physics
9. IB Physics Parent Checklist
10. Meet GradePod Success Stories
IB Physics Course Structure
The IB Physics course is a challenging program that equips students with a deep understanding of physical concepts, preparing them for higher education, particularly in science and engineering.
Whether your child is in Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL), knowing the course structure is key to providing effective support.
New IB Physics Specification (From 2025)
The IB released a revised IB Physics syllabus for all exams in May 2025 and beyond. Therefore your child will sit exams based on the new syllabus. This revised syllabus is very different to the previous version.
Need to Know: The concepts are different, the exams are different and the internal assessment is slightly different too.
This has the following impact on your child's learning:
First Time Teaching
Your child's teacher is teaching a new specification for the first time. It's huge and they will be nervous about getting through all the concepts in time for the final exams. They may never have taught some of the new concepts (e.g. Special Relativity) and will be trying out new teaching methods and resources.
Lack of Past Papers
The exams are different: assessing different concepts, using a different structure and different allocated timing. This means that past papers from before May 2025 will not accurately reflect what your child will face in their own exams.
Need to know: Effective use of past papers must play a key element in exam preparation for your child. We'll discuss later how to navigate this problem.
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️The new syllabus is a lengthy and complex 78-page document, making it difficult for your child to pinpoint what they need to learn. GradePod’s free checklist simplifies this, providing a clear, concise list of what’s covered. Your child should bring this checklist to every lesson.
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Classroom Teaching Hours
The specification dictates that your child should have a certain number of classroom teaching hours. These are vital to cover the syllabus in time for the final exams. The IB Physics course is HUGE. Your child's teacher will need all of these hours to teach the content of the course (and squeeze in some revision time at the end). It is important your child receives as many of these teaching hours as possible.
Standard Level
150 teaching hours (includes 20 hours of practicals)
Higher Level
240 teaching hours (includes 40 hours of practicals)
Five Central Themes
These classroom teaching hours will largely be devoted to teaching the new IB Physics syllabus (for May 2025+ exams), which is split into 5 key themes:
A. Space, Time, and Motion
B. The Particulate Nature of Matter
C. Wave Behaviour
D. Fields
E. Nuclear and Quantum Physics
Each theme is divided into 4-5 topics. Some topics are exclusive to HL, while others have additional HL elements that expand on the SL content. This ensures HL students gain both greater depth and breadth in their understanding.
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️To help your child stay focused on what truly counts, make sure they have a copy of GradePod’s free learning objectives checklist for IB Physics. GradePod’s free checklist highlights exactly what your child needs to learn. Your child should take this checklist to lessons.
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IB Physics Assessment
The key elements that contribute to your child’s final grade in IB Physics are the external and internal assessments.
IB Physics Internal Assessment (Coursework)
- Your child will conduct a scientific investigation and submit a clear, concise report.
- Worth 20% of final IB Physics grade
- Marked by your child’s teacher and moderated by the IB examiner.
- Need to know: SL and HL students are graded on the same criteria. Keep the IA simple and focused; full marks are achievable with proper guidance.
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️The key is choosing the right research question. GradePod has 100 IB Physics IA research questions to choose from here. These questions are designed to allow your child to hit all the marks on the marking criteria - just choose one. |
Collaborative Sciences Project
Your child will work peers from other sciences on a real-world problem. This project requires participation and reflection, which will be assessed by your child’s teacher, but does not impact the final Physics grade.
IB Physics External Assessment (Exams)
- Your child will complete two papers over two days:
- Day 1
Paper 1A: Multiple-choice
Paper 1B: Data-based questions. - Day 2
Paper 2: Short-answer and extended-response questions
- Day 1
- Worth 80% of final grade
- Marked by IB examiners. Before results are released, the IB identifies and re-marks exams that are at risk of being too low based on predicted grades.
- If your child is unhappy with their final grade, they can request an external examiner re-marks Paper 1B and Paper 2.
- Need to know: Performance in final exams is ultimately down to developing problem-solving skills and exam technique. Getting a 7 in IB Physics is relatively straightforward if your child studies strategically.
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️
In IB Physics exams, some topics carry more weight than others in the exams. With GradePod’s TrIBe Physics, your child gets a focused, step-by-step approach to mastering these high-impact topics first. Our program not only prioritises the most exam-relevant material but also teaches essential, topic-specific exam techniques, ensuring your child is fully prepared to maximise their score. |
Extended Essay
Your child may choose to complete their Extended Essay (EE) in Physics and will work with a school-assigned mentor. It’s assessed externally. The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge are each graded from A to E, and the combination of these grades can add up to 3 bonus points.
Step 1: Master the Majority
Your child should use GradePod's learning objectives checklist and our revision note template to create their own revision notes, which will reinforce understanding and retention.
Step 2: Activate the Application
Next, using a bank of past paper questions for each topic will help them discover patterns in exam questions and learn specific exam techniques tailored to each topic.
Step 3: Propel Progress
Our Magic Marking Grid helps your child identify their weaknesses in concept knowledge and exam technique for each topic. This tailored analysis will allow them to focus on areas that need improvement.
Step 4: Get the Grade
Maximise Internal Assessment (IA) grades well before final exam revision begins.
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Sally will help your child follow these steps inside TrIBe Physics |
Common Challenges In IB Physics
The IB Physics course is demanding, and it’s normal for students to face challenges along the way. Here are some of the most common difficulties your child may encounter and how you can support them in overcoming these hurdles.
Sudden Drop in Grades / Increased Difficulty
It's common for students to experience a sudden drop in grades during the first year of IB Physics (IBDP1). This can be a source of stress and worry for both you and your child.
However, it's important to remember that IB Physics is designed as a two-year course for a reason... in a normal classroom setting, it takes two years to develop the advanced problem-solving skills and exam techniques necessary to get that grade 7 in IB Physics.
The difficulty of early internal exams may feel overwhelming, even if your child understands the content. They simply haven’t yet mastered the skills needed to excel in these exams.
Fortunately, you can help accelerate this development by encouraging your child to study strategically. GradePod’s 4-Step Success Path™️ is specifically designed to accelerate your child’s progress by tailoring their revision towards personalised problem-solving and exam technique needs.
Understands Concepts, But Can’t Answer Exam Questions
One of the most frustrating challenges for students is understanding the concepts but struggling to answer exam questions effectively. This is by design.
Need to Know: IB exams are structured so that 50% of the questions are difficult.
For Paper 1 (multiple choice), this often means multi-step calculations. For Paper 2, students need to tackle questions using specific exam command words like "analyse," "determine," "discuss," "explain," and more.
It's crucial your child tackles these difficult questions as soon as possible. TrIBe Physics addresses these from Day 1 of enrolling, teaching your child how to approach and master them, which is essential for performing well in the exams.
Uneasy Relationship with the IB Physics Teacher
IB Physics is a tough and demanding course to teach, and many schools face challenges with staffing and resources.
While every IB Physics teacher is dedicated and hardworking, they often juggle numerous responsibilities, from managing classroom behaviour to addressing the diverse learning needs of students.
Encourage your child to invest time in building a positive rapport with their teacher. Remember, a strong teacher-student relationship can make a significant difference in your child's learning experience.
Time Management: Dealing with the Demands of the IB Course
Managing the numerous demands of the IB program can be overwhelming. To maximise your child’s grades with minimal effort, encourage them to prioritise tasks that directly contribute to their grades. For example, while the Collaborative Sciences Project is valuable, it’s important not to spend excessive time on it. Similarly, the Internal Assessment should be kept simple—focusing on meeting the marking criteria rather than overcomplicating the research topic.
Direct your child’s study efforts toward topics where they are weakest and which are more heavily-weighted in exams. There’s little benefit in revising topics they’re already comfortable with.
Finally, strategic study is key. GradePod’s 4-Step Success Path™️ is effective not only for IB Physics but for all IB subjects.
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️
These common challenges are all part of your child’s IB journey, but with the right support and strategies, they can be effectively managed. If your child needs extra support with IB Physics specific challenges, TrIBe Physics (and Sally!) can ensure stay on track and achieve their best possible results |
How IB Physics Affects College Applications
Understanding how IB Physics impacts your child’s chances of admission can help you guide them effectively.
United States
In the U.S., college admissions are holistic, meaning that while academic performance is important, it is considered alongside extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. Here’s how IB Physics fits in:
- Demonstrating Rigour: Completing IB Physics showcases your child’s ability to handle a challenging curriculum, which can strengthen their application, particularly for competitive STEM programs.
- Earning College Credits: Although the final IB Physics grade might not be the deciding factor for admission, a high score can earn college credits, allowing your child to bypass introductory courses.
Rest of the World
Outside the U.S., the final IB Physics grade is often a key factor in University admissions, directly influencing your child’s entry to their first choice
- Meeting Entry Requirements: Many universities require specific IB scores for admission. A high grade in IB Physics is often essential to meet these criteria.
- Scholarships and Specialised Programs: Exceptional performance in IB Physics can open doors to scholarships, making it even more valuable.
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️Whether in the U.S. or elsewhere, excelling in IB Physics can significantly impact your child’s college/university applications. |
8 Questions To Ask A Potential IB Physics Tutor
Hiring an IB Physics tutor can be a great step if your child needs extra help. However, it’s crucial to choose the right tutor who can provide quality instruction and deliver real results.
Sally recorded a full video on how to find an IB Physics Tutor here.
In the meantime, here are the key questions you should ask:
1. Have You Taught IB Physics Before?
IB Physics has its own set of challenges, and the exam style is unique. General physics knowledge isn’t enough—experience with the IB curriculum is essential.
2. How Much Experience Do You Have?
Years of experience often translate into better teaching strategies, clearer explanations, and a deeper understanding of how to help students improve.
3. Can You Provide Testimonials?
A good tutor should have a track record of success. At GradePod, we take this seriously, with verified reviews on platforms like Trustpilot to ensure transparency and trust.
4. What Are Your Tutoring Strategies?
Different tutors use different methods. At GradePod, we believe in a strategic approach using GradePod’s 4-Step Success Path™️: focusing on the most heavily-weighted topics, practicing exam techniques, and continuously testing to reinforce learning.
5. How Many Sessions Will I Need?
It’s important to set expectations regarding the number of sessions needed. Traditional tutoring can be costly and often lacks a clear end point. With an online course like TrIBe Physics, costs are fixed, and you have the flexibility to learn at your own pace, with a money-back guarantee if you don’t see results.
6. Will You Be Available Between Sessions?
Your child will likely have questions between tutoring sessions. Make sure the tutor is available to answer questions outside of scheduled times. With TrIBe Physics, students can ask questions anytime and receive prompt responses directly from Sally Weatherly, ensuring they’re never left waiting.
7. Are You Experienced with the IB Physics Internal Assessment?
The Internal Assessment (IA) is a crucial part of the IB Physics grade. Ensure your tutor has direct experience with the IA and understands the specific marking criteria. TrIBe Physics includes a comprehensive guide to writing the perfect IA, along with personalised support.
8. How Effective Are You in Online Tutoring?
It’s unlikely you’ll find a highly qualified IB Physics tutor who live close by. Therefore, it’s important to find a tutor who is skilled at delivering effective and productive online sessions. At GradePod, our online course, TrIBe Physics, is designed to make online learning both engaging and impactful.
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️
Choosing the right support is crucial. At GradePod, your child will be guided by Sally Weatherly, an international IB Physics specialist (and Author) with over 20 years of experience teaching IB Physics since 2004. By joining TrIBe Physics, your child gets direct access to Sally. Rest assured, Sally is committed to answering their questions and clearing any doubts along the way. TrIBe Physics offers a modern, comprehensive solution that not only covers key concepts but also provides strategic exam preparation and continuous support. With transparent pricing, a money-back guarantee, and a proven track record, TrIBe Physics is designed to help your child succeed effectively and efficiently. |
GradePod’s Chief Tutor: Sally Weatherly
Sally Weatherly is a world-renowned expert in IB Physics education and a pioneer in online learning. Sally's journey in physics began with her graduation in Astrophysics from the University of Edinburgh in 2001, followed by a PGCE from King's College London.
Her career highlights include:
- Published Author | 3 x IB Physics books & 1 Family Adventure Book
- GradePod | Chief Physics Innovator and Founder
- Institute of Physics | Fellow & Steering Committee Member
- Dynamic Earth | Trustee (Non-Executive Director)
- AQA Exam Board | Senior Practical Adviser
- Fettes College | Head of Physics
She is the creator of GradePod’s 4-Step Success Path™️ and she has helped literally thousands of IB Physics students to improve their grades and confidence, using her tried-and-tested study blueprint.
When you invest in the TrIBe Physics program, you’re not just signing up for an online course—your child is getting direct access to Sally herself.
As the main point of contact, Sally is there to answer questions, provide insights, and ensure that each student receives the personalised support they need.
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️
Sally is a real person who cares
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Here’s what makes TrIBe Physics unique:
- Full Money-Back Grade Guarantee: We’re so confident in the effectiveness of TrIBe Physics that we offer a full money-back guarantee if your child doesn’t see the grade improvement they’re aiming for. This risk-free promise underscores our commitment to your child’s success.
- Direct Access to a Real IB Physics Tutor: Unlike other online platforms that rely on AI bots or generic content, TrIBe Physics provides direct access to Sally Weatherly herself. Sally’s personal guidance ensures your child gets expert, personalised support tailored to their unique needs.
- Perfectly Complementary to School Lessons: TrIBe Physics is designed to work alongside your child’s school curriculum, reinforcing what they learn in class while providing targeted, effective revision strategies as exams approach. It’s not just an add-on; it’s an essential companion to their schoolwork.
- Proven Success with Thousands of Students: TrIBe Physics has been tried and tested by thousands of IB students worldwide. With countless glowing reviews, it’s a program that has consistently delivered top grades and boosted student confidence.
⚠️ What REALLY Matters ⚠️
By enrolling in TrIBe Physics, you’re giving your child access to a resource that has been meticulously crafted to maximise their potential, with the added assurance of a grade guarantee and a track record of proven success. |
IB Physics: Parent Checklist
Supporting your child through IB Physics can feel daunting, but with the right guidance and resources, you can help them succeed.
Here’s a checklist to ensure your child is on the right track:
| 1. | Download GradePod’s free learning objectives checklist, which will help your child track their progress in class. | |
| 2. | Encourage your child to study strategically for each internal class test (Use GradePod’s 4-Step Success Path). | |
| 3. | Reassure your child that a drop in grades is normal in the first year and encourage them to follow the 4-Step Success Path to accelerate skill development. | |
| 4. | Ensure your child understands and practices using IB exam command words like "analyse," "determine," and "explain." | |
| 5. | Encourage your child to focus on tasks that directly contribute to their grades (i.e., Internal Assessment and improving exam technique). | |
| 6. | Encourage your child to develop a respectful and cooperative relationship with their IB Physics teacher. | |
| 7. | Understand how IB Physics impacts college/university applications in your region—whether it’s earning college credits in the U.S. or meeting entry requirements elsewhere. |
⚠️ Next Steps ⚠️
If your child needs extra help, consider enrolling them in TrIBe Physics, where they’ll receive direct guidance from Sally Weatherly |
⚠️ Next Steps ⚠️
If your child needs extra help, consider enrolling them in TrIBe Physics, where they’ll receive direct guidance from Sally Weatherly |
