Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About Our Service & Tutors
What makes IB Tutors Canada different from other tutoring companies in Canada?
Our entire model is built on specialization. Unlike generalist agencies that cover K-12, we focus exclusively on the IB curriculum across Canada. This means our tutors are not just subject experts, but experts in the specific demands of the IB program as implemented in Canadian schools. We combine this with active management oversight and professional, vetted Canadian educators to deliver a fundamentally better experience from coast to coast.
Should I get a tutor for IB in Canada?
Honestly, not every student needs a tutor for every subject. Many bright Canadian students excel on their own. However, the IB is uniquely demanding, and even the strongest students often seek support for specific challenges where a specialist can make a significant difference. Tutoring is most valuable for:
- Mastering IAs, EEs, and TOK: These components have complex markschemes. A specialist Canadian tutor can provide precise, markscheme-aligned guidance that classroom teachers often don't have the time to offer individually.
- Exam Preparation: Targeted review of past papers and exam strategy with a Canadian expert can significantly boost confidence and scores.
- Building Foundational Skills: For challenging subjects like HL Math or Physics, a tutor can solidify understanding and prevent small gaps from becoming major problems.
A tutor is a strategic investment in navigating the most difficult parts of the IB, ensuring Canadian students earn marks that reflect their true potential.
What is your approach to using AI in tutoring?
We embrace modern tools, and AI can be incredibly effective for tasks like checking essays for grammar or getting quick, one-time help on a concept, especially if students know how to use it correctly. In fact, our Canadian tutors are encouraged to leverage AI as a productivity tool to enhance their teaching.
However, AI is a tool, not a mentor. It cannot replicate the deep, personalized guidance of a specialist Canadian educator who understands the nuances of the IB markschemes and your student's unique learning style. We believe in teaching students how to use AI effectively and ethically—as a powerful assistant, not a replacement for critical thinking and genuine understanding. We highly recommend its correct use as part of a modern learning strategy.
Are your tutors actual teachers or university students?
Our tutors are vetted, Canada-based professional educators. Many hold advanced degrees (M.Sc., PhD, B.Ed.) from top Canadian universities and have significant teaching experience in Canadian IB schools. We do not hire peer tutors. Our acceptance rate is highly selective (in the single digits) to ensure we only bring on elite, professional educators. Some are certified teachers and some IB certified teachers. However, no matter the tutor, you will get the highest quality of work with IB Tutors Canada across Canada.
Can I choose or change my tutor?
Yes, you have complete flexibility. While our expertise shines in our specialist matching process—where we select the ideal Canadian educator for your student based on our deep experience—you are certainly welcome to request a specific tutor.
All our Canadian families benefit from a First Session Satisfaction Guarantee. If the first session isn't a perfect fit, you will not be charged. Here is how it works with tutor selection:
- When we match you with a tutor: The Satisfaction Guarantee is fully in effect. This is our recommended path, as it allows us to use our expertise to find the best long-term mentor for your student, risk-free.
- When you select a specific tutor: You can absolutely request a particular tutor. In this case, the Satisfaction Guarantee may be voided. We believe in complete transparency and will clearly confirm this with you during the booking process. Our priority is to ensure there are no surprises.
If at any point the match isn't working out, we are always happy to find a different tutor for you from our nationwide network.
Please note: Key exclusions apply to the Satisfaction Guarantee for certain short-term engagements, such as exam preparation or essay reviews. Full details are outlined in our service contract.
How do you track and report student progress?
Our Canadian management team actively reviews session reports submitted by our tutors after each session. This allows us to monitor progress, share feedback, and proactively support families across all provinces and territories. We are engaged partners in your child's success and provide continuous quality control.
Are your Google reviews legitimate?
Yes, absolutely. We are proud of our 200+ (and growing) verifiable 5-star Google Reviews from Canadian families. We believe in full transparency, which is why we use a public platform like Google, in contrast to many agencies that display curated, non-verifiable testimonials on their own websites.
Do you have tutors across Canada?
Yes. We have a strong presence nationwide with offices in Toronto, Vancouver, and Seattle serving the Pacific Northwest. Our Canadian focus allows us to understand the nuances of IB schools across all provinces, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, providing a level of local context that international agencies cannot match. We serve students in all major cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Halifax, and everywhere in between.
Academics & IB Curriculum in Canada
Do you offer support for both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) subjects?
Yes. Our Canadian specialists have deep experience with the distinct requirements of both HL and SL courses across the IB curriculum as taught in Canadian schools. We ensure your tutor is an expert in the specific level your student is taking.
How do you help with specific IB components like the Extended Essay (EE), Internal Assessments (IAs), and TOK?
Our instruction is precisely aligned with official IB markschemes while considering Canadian academic standards. Our tutors are trained to teach students what actually earns marks on these critical components. We go beyond simple content review to focus on the structure, formatting, and analytical depth required by the IB to score highly.
Do your tutors follow the most recent IB syllabus updates?
Yes. Staying current with curriculum changes is a core part of our specialist focus. Our Canadian educators are required to be up-to-date on the latest syllabus requirements, exam formats, and markscheme adjustments to provide the most accurate and effective instruction for Canadian IB students.
Pricing & Policies
What are your tutoring rates and packages?
We offer transparent hourly rates in Canadian dollars and optional, discounted packages for long-term commitments. There are no hidden fees. Package hours are flexible and never expire. Please book a free consultation for the most current rates. Our prices reflect the premium quality of our Canadian tutors who are paid competitively and provided with necessary materials. We invest significantly in ensuring quality standards are met across all provinces.
Are there any exceptions to the Satisfaction Guarantee?
Yes, integrity and clarity are important to us. The guarantee is designed for finding the right long-term fit and does not apply to short-term engagements like exam preparation or essay review, IA help or EE check, or when a client specifically requests a particular tutor.
What is your cancellation policy?
We require a minimum of 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule any session to avoid being charged. This policy applies to all sessions, including the very first one, as our professional Canadian tutors reserve that time specifically for you, accounting for time zone differences across Canada.
Logistics & Scheduling
How does scheduling work across Canadian time zones?
Once you are matched with a tutor, you will coordinate scheduling directly with them. This provides maximum flexibility to find a time that works for both your family and the educator, whether you're in Pacific, Mountain, Central, Eastern, or Atlantic time zones. Our tutors are experienced in managing cross-timezone scheduling for Canadian families.
Do you offer online or in-person tutoring?
The majority of our sessions are conducted online, allowing us to connect you with the best possible specialist tutor from across Canada. This is especially valuable for students in smaller communities who want access to top-tier Canadian IB expertise. In-person tutoring is available in select locations including Toronto, Vancouver, and other major cities; please inquire during your consultation.
How do I get started with IB Tutors Canada?
The first step is to book a brief, no-obligation consultation with our Canadian management team. Call us at 888-717-2533 or 888-770-2533. This allows us to understand your student's specific needs so we can make the perfect specialist match from our nationwide network. A contract outlining our terms is required before the first session to ensure clarity for both parties.