MJ
Mrs Janet Wilson, parent
June 2026
Verified
7My son was overwhelmed by the volume of content in IB Biology HL. His tutor created a topic map that showed him how everything connected. He went from a 4 to a ...
IB Biology HL · Manchester
IB specialist tutoring
IB BiologyTutoring
Expert 1-on-1 IB Biology tutoring for HL and SL. Master cell biology, genetics, and ecology — and reach Grade 6 or 7.
87%
reach Grade 6 or above
+1.7
average grade improvement
10+
years average tutor experience
Free
first lesson, no commitment
IB Biology HLIB Biology SLIB Biology HLIB Biology SLIB Biology HLIB Biology SL
Built around your exact paper, not generic tutoring.
We cover every major specification. Your tutor matches your board, tier, and mark-scheme language so every lesson points toward exam performance.
IB Biology HLHigher Level+
Three papers and an Internal Assessment. HL extends into additional biochemistry, physiology, and an option topic (Neurobiology, Immunology, Ecology, or Biotechnology). Required for medicine, dentistry, and biology degrees.
IB Biology SLStandard Level+
Two papers and an Internal Assessment. Covers cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and human physiology. Sufficient for many health, psychology, and science degrees.
IB Biology HL
Higher LevelThree papers and an Internal Assessment. HL extends into additional biochemistry, physiology, and an option topic (Neurobiology, Immunology, Ecology, or Biotechnology). Required for medicine, dentistry, and biology degrees.
IB Biology SL
Standard LevelTwo papers and an Internal Assessment. Covers cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and human physiology. Sufficient for many health, psychology, and science degrees.
Lesson flow
From confusion to calm, one lesson at a time.
Our tutors build both deep content knowledge and the analytical skills — data interpretation, experimental evaluation — that determine grade outcomes in IB Biology.
Step 1
Pinpoint the gaps
We start with recent marks, confidence blockers, and the exact exam board so sessions feel personal from lesson one.
Step 2
Teach the mark scheme
Tutors connect concepts to examiner language, worked examples, and the habits that turn knowledge into marks.
Step 3
Track the lift
Parents see what changed after each session: topics covered, next steps, and the grade trajectory we are building toward.
What we cover
A syllabus map students can actually follow.
1Cell Biology+
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure, membrane transport, cell division (mitosis and meiosis), and the cell cycle. Foundation for all subsequent topics.
2Molecular Biology+
DNA structure and replication, transcription and translation, the genetic code, enzyme kinetics, photosynthesis (light and dark reactions), and cellular respiration.
3Genetics+
Mendelian inheritance, sex-linkage, codominance, polygenic inheritance, and gene mutation. HL extends to gene expression and regulation, epigenetics, and the human genome.
4Ecology+
Food chains and webs, energy flow and efficiency, nutrient cycles (carbon, nitrogen, water), population ecology, and the impact of human activity on ecosystems.
5Evolution & Biodiversity+
Natural selection, speciation, phylogenetics, cladograms, and classification. Students are expected to interpret phylogenetic trees and evolutionary evidence from multiple sources.
6Human Physiology+
Digestion, gas exchange, blood and circulation, immune system, neurons and synapses, hormones, and the musculoskeletal system. Major content area tested across both papers.
7Internal Assessment+
A biology investigation worth 20% of the final grade. We support the full IA process: designing a controlled experiment, collecting biological data with appropriate technique, statistical analysis, and writing a rigorous evaluation.
Cell Biology
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure, membrane transport, cell division (mitosis and meiosis), and the cell cycle. Foundation for all subsequent topics.
Molecular Biology
DNA structure and replication, transcription and translation, the genetic code, enzyme kinetics, photosynthesis (light and dark reactions), and cellular respiration.
Genetics
Mendelian inheritance, sex-linkage, codominance, polygenic inheritance, and gene mutation. HL extends to gene expression and regulation, epigenetics, and the human genome.
Ecology
Food chains and webs, energy flow and efficiency, nutrient cycles (carbon, nitrogen, water), population ecology, and the impact of human activity on ecosystems.
Evolution & Biodiversity
Natural selection, speciation, phylogenetics, cladograms, and classification. Students are expected to interpret phylogenetic trees and evolutionary evidence from multiple sources.
Human Physiology
Digestion, gas exchange, blood and circulation, immune system, neurons and synapses, hormones, and the musculoskeletal system. Major content area tested across both papers.
Internal Assessment
A biology investigation worth 20% of the final grade. We support the full IA process: designing a controlled experiment, collecting biological data with appropriate technique, statistical analysis, and writing a rigorous evaluation.
+1.7
average grade improvement
Common blockers
Where students struggle, and how we fix it.
1The volume of content at HL+
IB Biology HL covers an enormous syllabus. We use a structured revision approach: topic maps that show connections between areas (e.g., how DNA links to protein synthesis, enzyme action, mutation, and evolution), spaced repetition for factual content, and application practice for analytical questions.
2Data analysis and Paper 3+
Paper 3 opens with a data-based question requiring analysis of unfamiliar biological data — graphs, tables, experimental results. We practise identifying trends, writing precise causal explanations, and evaluating experimental design. The language of the mark scheme is specific and learnable.
3Genetics calculations and Mendelian problems+
Genetics questions requiring Punnett squares, chi-squared tests, and Hardy-Weinberg calculations appear in every exam. We work through these systematically from first principles — not just as calculation routines but with the biological reasoning behind each step.
Real specialists
Meet tutors with examiner instincts.
Specialist tutors with board knowledge, strong academic backgrounds, and proven grade-improvement records.
IB Biology ExaminerDr Amara Johnson
UCL PhD Cell Biology · IB Examiner
IB Biology HL and SL, A-Level Biology (AQA, Edexcel)
Avg +1.8 grade improvement
Genetics & Physiology SpecialistMr Samuel Park
King's College London BSc Biomedical Science
IB Biology HL and SL — genetics, molecular biology, human physiology
89% of students reach Grade 6+
IA & Ecology SpecialistMs Isobel Murray
Edinburgh MSc Ecology
IB Biology SL and HL, ecology and environmental systems
Average IA score: 20/24
Proof that feels close to home.
LT
Lily T., student
June 2026
Verified
6Genetics was my weakest topic and the chi-squared test completely confused me. After two sessions working through it from basics I could answer any genetics que...
IB Biology SL · Zurich
MC
Mr Christopher Tan, parent
June 2026
Verified
7We needed an IB Biology examiner who understood exactly what marks look like at Grade 7. The tutor knew the mark scheme language precisely. Our daughter achieve...
IB Biology HL · Kuala Lumpur
Sarah M.
June 2026
Verified
Grade 4 → 6My daughter was struggling with IB Mathematics HL and had almost given up hope of getting a 7. After just two months of weekly sessions with her ComboTutors tut...
Parent of IB Student · London
James P.
June 2026
Verified
B → A*My son started tutoring for A-Level Physics about three months before his exams. His tutor was incredibly patient and broke down complex topics like electromagn...
Parent of A-Level Student · Manchester
Priya K.
June 2026
Verified
+2 GradesWe needed help with GCSE Science for my son who found chemistry particularly challenging. His tutor made the sessions engaging and relatable—using real-world ex...
Parent of GCSE Student · Birmingham
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98%
Student Improvement Rate
4.97
Average Rating
1,200+
Families Supported
Since 2020
Academic Excellence
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Why parents chose Combo.
Families usually want three things: a tutor their child respects, a plan that fits the real paper, and updates that make progress easy to follow.
Handpicked tutors
We shortlist tutors who know the curriculum, teach clearly, and can coach the exact exam habits that lift marks.
Top-university academics and exam-savvy specialists.
Clear weekly updates
Parents see what was covered, what improved, and what needs attention next, so progress never feels vague.
Structured feedback after every lesson block.
A plan built around your child's paper
Sessions are matched to the student's board, tier, topic gaps, and exam timeline instead of generic subject tutoring.
Board-specific support with a measurable target grade path.
Questions families ask before starting.
How much of IB Biology is memorisation?+
Content knowledge is essential but higher-order questions require analysis, evaluation, and application to novel data. HL students particularly need to demonstrate depth of understanding rather than pure recall. Our sessions build both the factual base and the analytical skills.
What is the difference between IB Biology HL and SL?+
HL covers all SL material plus extended topics: additional biochemistry (enzyme inhibition, DNA technologies), advanced physiology, and option topics (Neurobiology, Immunology, Ecology, or Biotechnology). HL sits an additional Paper 3. Most medicine and biology degree applicants take HL.
How do option topics work?+
HL students choose one option topic studied at school (the teacher selects). Paper 3 Section B tests the option you have studied. We cover all four HL options: Neurobiology & Behaviour, Immunology & Disease, Ecology & Conservation, and Biotechnology & Bioinformatics.
Can you help with the Internal Assessment?+
Yes — the IA is worth 20% of the final grade. The most common errors are: too broad a research question, insufficient biological justification, and weak statistical analysis. We work through every section of the IA criteria to ensure students maximise their marks.
How much of IB Biology is memorisation?
Content knowledge is essential but higher-order questions require analysis, evaluation, and application to novel data. HL students particularly need to demonstrate depth of understanding rather than pure recall. Our sessions build both the factual base and the analytical skills.
What is the difference between IB Biology HL and SL?
HL covers all SL material plus extended topics: additional biochemistry (enzyme inhibition, DNA technologies), advanced physiology, and option topics (Neurobiology, Immunology, Ecology, or Biotechnology). HL sits an additional Paper 3. Most medicine and biology degree applicants take HL.
How do option topics work?
HL students choose one option topic studied at school (the teacher selects). Paper 3 Section B tests the option you have studied. We cover all four HL options: Neurobiology & Behaviour, Immunology & Disease, Ecology & Conservation, and Biotechnology & Bioinformatics.
Can you help with the Internal Assessment?
Yes — the IA is worth 20% of the final grade. The most common errors are: too broad a research question, insufficient biological justification, and weak statistical analysis. We work through every section of the IA criteria to ensure students maximise their marks.
Ready to Excel in IB Biology?
Book a free consultation and we will match you with a specialist IB ib biology tutor who can make a real difference.