For HSC students, Term 3 is when the year becomes real. Independent Trial Exams start arriving in schools from 21 July. The CSSA trial window runs 3-17 August. The first HSC written exam is on 13 October - just weeks after the September holidays end. Everything between now and then is preparation.
For IB Diploma students, the pressure is different but equally intense. Most Internal Assessments are due for final submission in Term 3. The Extended Essay deadline is approaching. And the November exam session - the culmination of two years of work - begins in late October.
This is the stretch where targeted support has the greatest impact. Learnmate's research shows that 70% of students achieving ATARs of 99+ engaged one or more tutors. Research from Evidence for Learning confirms that one-to-one tuition adds the equivalent of five additional months of academic progress. The effect is strongest when tutoring is focused on specific weaknesses - and by Term 3, you have the mid-year data to know exactly where those weaknesses are.
Learnmate Tutors Supporting HSC & IB Students
Learnmate's HSC and IB tutors combine outstanding academic achievements with professional teaching and tutoring experience. Some have recently completed the HSC or IB with exceptional results, while others bring years of classroom, university and specialist tutoring experience.
Every tutor personalises their lessons to suit the student's goals, learning style and current level, making Term 3 an excellent opportunity to prepare for final assessments with confidence.
The tutors below are currently welcoming new students and are available to support learners through to the end of the school year.
Mathematics Tutors
Arian D
Arian graduated with a 98.35 ATAR and is currently studying Exercise Science together with a Master of Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology at UNSW. Having tutored more than 40 students from primary school through to Year 12, he specialises in HSC Mathematics, Physics, Engineering Studies and EAL/D, delivering personalised lessons that simplify complex concepts and strengthen problem-solving skills.
Arian is particularly effective at helping students transition from understanding classroom content to applying it under HSC exam conditions. By breaking down past-paper questions and marking criteria, he helps students recognise exactly what examiners reward and approach unfamiliar problems with greater confidence.
Tarek S
With an engineering background and more than five years of tutoring experience, Tarek specialises in HSC Mathematics Advanced, Extension Mathematics and Physics. Rather than encouraging students to memorise methods, he focuses on helping them understand why mathematical and scientific concepts work, enabling them to confidently tackle unfamiliar exam questions.
One of Tarek's strengths is helping students develop strong mental models before tackling more advanced questions. By connecting mathematical and scientific concepts to real-world situations, he makes abstract ideas easier to understand and remember long after the lesson ends.
Graham D
Graham combines an Engineering Honours degree in Mathematical Modelling with professional experience as a data analyst and engineer. Alongside private mathematics tutoring and coaching experience, he helps students understand mathematical concepts through engaging lessons that connect theory with practical problem solving.
Graham draws on his experience to show students how mathematical thinking is applied beyond the classroom. His lessons encourage curiosity by demonstrating how mathematics can be used to solve practical, real-world problems.
Victor J
Victor is a PhD-qualified mathematics tutor with more than 25 years of tutoring experience and expertise in mathematical reasoning and problem solving. He also serves on the NSW HSC Minimum Standards Test Numeracy exam question writing committee and has delivered mathematics workshops for high school students through schools and UNSW's Gifted Education Centre.
Students working with Victor benefit from a calm and methodical learning environment where accuracy is valued over rushing to an answer. His patient teaching style encourages students to think carefully through each step, building habits that support long-term mathematical confidence.
Science Tutors
Nicholas T (IB Specialist)
Nicholas graduated from Trinity Grammar School Sydney with an IB score of 42.50 (ATAR 98.55) and is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science at the University of Sydney. Having achieved 7/7 in IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL, Chemistry HL and Physics HL, he offers first-hand insight into what it takes to succeed in the IB Diploma Programme.
Nicholas provides students with access to resources that are often difficult to find independently, including exemplar Internal Assessments, mark schemes and detailed syllabus guidance. His feedback is designed to help students understand not only what to improve, but why those improvements matter against IB assessment criteria.
Kelly M
Kelly also provides expert support across Chemistry, Biology and Physics. A 99.10 ATAR graduate and HSC All-Round Achiever, she combines recent syllabus knowledge with curated study notes, exam strategies and practical advice to help students perform at their best.
Kelly combines practical revision techniques with a strong understanding of the current HSC syllabus. Her focus on marking strategies and common high-scoring mistakes helps students refine how they approach assessments, not just what they study.
Shirin Rose K
With a PhD in Nanotechnology and more than 4,500 hours of professional tutoring experience, Shirin specialises in Chemistry for both HSC and IB students. Shirin takes a highly personalised approach, adapting lessons to each student's strengths and areas for development. She also places a strong emphasis on creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions throughout the learning process.
Having worked with students from Australia as well as the UK, Europe and Asia, Shirin brings experience supporting learners from a wide range of educational backgrounds.
Hawra R
Hawra combines professional STEM expertise with more than seven years of academic coaching. Holding a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Project Management from the University of Sydney, she tutors HSC Physics, Biology, Mathematics and junior Science using highly structured online lessons that simplify challenging concepts.
Rather than relying solely on standard teaching materials, Hawra incorporates each student's own school resources into carefully planned learning pathways. Her use of interactive online tools and customised problem-solving strategies helps students build skills they can continue applying long after each lesson.
English & Humanities Tutors
Kat M
Kat brings more than four years of tutoring experience together with degrees from the University of Sydney. Having completed the HSC herself, she understands the academic pressures students face and is passionate about helping them thrive both inside and outside the classroom. She tutors English, Legal Studies, Business Studies, History, Geography, English as an Additional Language (EAL), and a wide range of humanities subjects.
Kat sees tutoring as an opportunity to become part of a student's wider support network, recognising that academic progress is often closely connected to confidence and wellbeing. This balanced approach allows lessons to adapt to each student's individual goals while encouraging steady growth throughout the year.
Kirsty L
Kirsty holds postgraduate qualifications and tutors English, Literature, Humanities, and Academic Skills for students from Years 5 to 12. With extensive experience teaching and tutoring across both secondary and tertiary education, as well as volunteering with literacy-focused non-profit organisations, she has supported students with a wide range of learning needs while helping them strengthen their communication, analytical thinking, and academic writing skills.
Kirsty takes a practical and personalised approach to learning, tailoring each lesson to suit her students' individual goals and learning styles. By breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps, she equips students with strategies they can apply confidently across their studies.
Jaye S
With more than 12 years of private tutoring experience and over 150 students taught, Jaye has supported learners across multiple Australian curriculums, including the HSC. She tutors English, English Advanced, English Extension, History, Legal Studies, Spanish and Mathematics.
Having taught students across several Australian curriculums, Jaye brings a broad perspective to lesson planning and adapts her approach to suit different learning needs. This flexibility allows her to support students across a wide range of essay-based subjects without relying on a one-size-fits-all method.
Find the right HSC or IB tutor for your child
The tutors above are just a sample. Learnmate connects families with vetted tutors across every HSC and IB subject - browse by subject, year level and location to find the right fit.
What IB Students Need in Term 3
The IB Diploma has its own Term 3 rhythm, distinct from the HSC:
Internal Assessment final submissions. Most IAs are due for final submission in Term 3. These contribute 20-25% of your final grade in each subject. A tutor who understands the IB marking criteria can review your IA drafts and identify where you're leaving marks on the table before you submit.
Extended Essay deadline. The EE is typically due early in Term 3. Combined with TOK, it contributes up to 3 bonus points to your total score. If your EE is still in draft, a tutor can help you sharpen your research question, strengthen your analysis and ensure your presentation meets the assessment criteria.
The shift to exam preparation. Once IAs and the EE are submitted, the focus shifts entirely to the November exam session (late October onwards). IB exams reward precise, structured responses that use subject-specific command terms - and the marking is international, not school-based. A tutor who has sat the IB exams themselves understands what global examiners expect in a way that goes beyond what classroom teaching alone can provide.
For a complete overview of the IB Diploma Programme, see our International Baccalaureate guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. For HSC students, Term 3 is the highest-impact time for tutoring. Trial exams start in August and provide concrete data on where you're losing marks, with 9 weeks of targeted revision still available before the first written HSC exam on 13 October. For IB students, IAs and the Extended Essay are often being finalised in Term 3, and a tutor who understands the IB marking criteria can help you maximise your score on these internal assessments before the November exam session.
Yes. Learnmate has experienced IB tutors who have completed the Diploma Programme themselves and understand its unique structure - from managing six subjects and three core components to the specific marking criteria for IAs, the Extended Essay and TOK. Browse IB tutors on Learnmate or see our complete International Baccalaureate guide for a full overview of how the programme works.
For Year 12 students, a tutor with specific HSC or IB experience is almost always more effective than a generalist. They understand the syllabus, the exam format, the marking criteria and the common mistakes students make. On Learnmate, you can filter specifically for HSC tutors [link to /tutors/hsc-tutors/] or IB tutors and read their profiles to check their credentials and experience.
Find the Right HSC or IB Tutor with Learnmate
Every student's pathway through the HSC or IB is unique, and the right tutor can make a meaningful difference during the final months of the school year. Term 3 is short, and the stakes are high. HSC trials start in weeks, IB IAs are due, and the November exam session is approaching. The tutors featured above are currently accepting new students on Learnmate. Whether your child needs trial paper review, IA feedback, practice exam support, or someone to keep them focused through the September holidays, the right tutor can make the difference in the final stretch.
