IB Diploma · AA/AI · HL/SL

IB Exam Preparation: Past Papers Strategy and Exam Technique

PhD in Physics · 10+ years of experience. Specialist in IB Diploma Maths AA and AI and Physics, HL and SL: exam prep, Internal Assessment and grade improvement.

PhD in Physics · AA & AI, Physics · HL and SL · 1:1 · Online worldwide

Request an initial assessment

Twenty minutes, one to one, online. We look at where the marks are going. No charge, no commitment.

5.015 Google reviews

Pietro Meloni, PhD in Physics, IB Mathematics and Physics tutor

IB Physics HL: a predicted 4, a 6 in the May exams, after four months.

T. Brown, parent · Google review

IB Exam Preparation Milan

The IB exams are approaching and every mark counts. My intensive exam preparation programme combines systematic past paper practice, mark scheme analysis, and proven exam techniques to help you maximise your scores in Math, Physics, and Chemistry.

My Exam Preparation Approach

Effective IB exam preparation is not just about doing past papers — it's about understanding the examiner's expectations, learning how marks are allocated, and developing time management strategies for each paper type.

Topic-by-topic past paper drills with timed conditions
Mark scheme analysis: understand exactly what examiners want
Common mistake patterns and how to avoid them
Time allocation strategies for Papers 1, 2, and 3

When results don’t move, more practice is rarely the answer.

Something specific is costing the marks, and until it is named, extra hours only repeat it. In my experience, the cause usually falls into six areas, often in combination.

Conceptual gaps
Problem solving
Exam technique
Time management
Reading the question
Gaps from earlier years

Does this sound familiar?

Do you recognise your child?

Works hard, but the grade doesn’t move.

The hours go into what already works.

Understands in class, loses it in the exam.

Exam performance is a separate skill, and it was never trained.

Has lost confidence in the subject.

Anxiety now costs more marks than the subject does.

Already strong, aiming for a 7 at HL.

The last boundary is decided by the hardest questions and the IA.

What is usually happening, and what changes

The approach

Diagnosis before repetition.

1
Assess
A real official past paper, worked through while I watch how the student thinks.
2
Diagnose
Conceptual, technical and exam-performance problems, separated.
3
Rebuild
Work on the areas with the greatest impact, on real papers.
4
Measure
Timed papers against the baseline. Progress measured, not assumed.

See what a diagnosis looks like

Results

You don’t have to take my word for it.

IB Physics HL: a predicted 4, a 6 in the May exams.
“What impressed us most was how he helped turn her anxiety about the subject into genuine curiosity. His background in particle physics meant he could explain complex ideas clearly and effectively.”
T. Brown, parent · March 2026 · Google review

IB Physics HL: full marks on Paper 3, her biggest worry.
“Pietro showed me a really clear way to approach it.”
Asia, IB student · March 2026 · Google review

+1.3

IB grades, average improvement for students followed for four months or more.

72%

reached a 6 or 7 in IB, among students followed for six months or more.

The cases, the figures and their limits

I work with students from international schools like these.

Zurich International School
Inter-Community School Zurich
SIS Swiss International School Zurich
Dubai College
Repton School Dubai
GEMS Wellington International School
Australian International School
Brighton College Singapore
Canadian International School Singapore (Lakeside)
Canadian International School of Hong Kong
Chinese International School
Discovery Bay International School

SubjectsIB Mathematics AA & AI · HL and SL IB Physics · HL and SL IGCSE Mathematics · Core and Extended IGCSE Physics · Core and Extended Foundation and transition to the IB

About

A research physicist who teaches.

A PhD in Physics, over ten years of tutoring, and research experience in the United States. I teach every lesson myself. There is no team of junior tutors.

About me

Fees

From $1,040 per month.

Eight lessons a month, a short written update after each, periodic timed papers and your private family area. The initial assessment is at no charge.

What is included

Initial assessment

Request an initial assessment.

Twenty minutes, one to one, online. No charge, no commitment.

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