National 4 and 5 Physics Tutor Online
My Physics Buddy (MPB) offers 1:1 online tutoring & homework help in Physics and related subjects. If you are searching for a National 4 and 5 Physics tutor near me but prefer the flexibility of online sessions, MPB connects you with specialist tutors who know the SQA National 4 and 5 Physics curriculum inside and out. Whether you are an early college student, a secondary school pupil, or a parent looking for structured support, MPB is designed to help you aim for stronger understanding and better exam performance.
- 1:1 online sessions — no classrooms, no distractions
- Tutors matched to the SQA National 4 and 5 syllabus
- Flexible time zones — sessions available across the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and the Gulf
- Structured learning plan built after a diagnostic session
- Ethical homework and assignment guidance — we explain concepts so you can do the work yourself
Who This National 4 and 5 Physics Tutoring Is For
This tutoring is aimed at a broad range of learners who need focused, personalised support with SQA Physics.
- Secondary school pupils in Scotland sitting National 4 or National 5 Physics for the first time
- Students who found classroom teaching too fast or too slow for their pace
- Pupils who need help with specific units such as Dynamics, Electricity, or Waves
- Parents in the UK, Canada, Australia, Gulf, or US whose child attends a Scottish-curriculum school or international school following the SQA pathway
- Students who have missed classes due to illness and need to catch up before assessments
- Pupils who want structured homework and assignment guidance to reinforce what was taught in school
- International students or expats enrolled in SQA-aligned programmes outside Scotland
Outcomes: What You’ll Be Able To Do in National 4 and 5 Physics
The goal of each session is to build observable skills and real confidence, not just to cover content.
Solve multi-step numerical problems using the correct equations and units, showing clear working that matches SQA marking expectations. Analyse everyday physical phenomena — from the motion of vehicles to the behaviour of circuits — and explain them using precise scientific language. Model relationships between variables using graphs, data tables, and proportionality arguments appropriate for National 5. Explain the principles behind key topics such as nuclear radiation, space physics, and wave behaviour in your own words and in exam-style answers. Apply knowledge of electricity and energy to practical scenarios, including calculations involving power, resistance, and efficiency. Present written responses in a format that addresses the command words used in SQA exam questions — describe, explain, state, calculate.
“Personalised learning — where the student has an expert tutor who knows where the student is, knows where they want to go, and knows how to get them there — roughly doubles the performance of an average student.”
— Benjamin Bloom, Educational Researcher (American Federation of Teachers)
What We Cover in National 4 and 5 Physics (Syllabus / Topics)
MPB tutors work through the SQA National 4 and National 5 Physics content as set by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). Exact assessment arrangements vary by level and academic year, so tutors always confirm the current specification with you before planning sessions.
National 4 Physics — Key Areas
- Electricity: series and parallel circuits, voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm’s Law
- Properties of Matter: density, pressure, gas laws, and specific heat capacity
- Waves and Radiation: wave properties, the electromagnetic spectrum, nuclear radiation types and safety
- Dynamics and Space: speed, velocity, acceleration, Newton’s laws, and basic space science
- Energy: forms of energy, conservation, and efficiency calculations
- Added Value Unit (National 4): research task, problem-solving, and scientific report writing
- Common problem types: unit conversions, formula rearrangement, and reading experimental data
National 5 Physics — Key Areas
- Dynamics: scalars and vectors, velocity–time graphs, Newton’s laws, projectile motion, and momentum
- Space: Hubble’s law, stellar classification, and gravitational field strength
- Electricity: circuit analysis, electrical power, and domestic electricity
- Properties of Matter: specific heat capacity, specific latent heat, gas laws, and the kinetic model
- Waves: wave equations, diffraction, refraction, and the electromagnetic spectrum
- Radiation: activity, absorbed dose, equivalent dose, and nuclear reactions
- Exam-style question types: numerical calculation, extended response (explain/describe), data-handling, and experimental design
- Assignment: research task structure, scientific methodology, and conclusion writing
National 5 Assignment Support
- Choosing a suitable physics topic for investigation
- Understanding the SQA assignment marking criteria
- Structuring the report: aim, underlying physics, data analysis, conclusion
- Guidance on communicating results clearly — MPB does not write or submit the assignment for you
How My Physics Buddy Tutors Help You with National 4 and 5 Physics (The Learning Loop)
Diagnose: The first session begins with a short diagnostic. The tutor reviews your current level, recent test results, and the topics you find most difficult. This shapes every session that follows.
Explain: Concepts are broken down using clear language and visual tools. Tutors use digital pen-pads or iPad with Apple Pencil so working is shown step by step on screen — not just read from a slide.
Practice: You work through SQA-style questions during the session with the tutor present. Problems are chosen to match your level and current unit.
Feedback: The tutor reviews your method, not just your final answer. Common errors — such as missing units, wrong formula rearrangement, or vague written responses — are caught and corrected live.
Retest / Reinforce: At the start of the next session, a quick recap checks whether the previous topic has been retained. Weak areas are revisited before moving on.
Plan: After each session, a short note is shared covering what was covered, what to review before next time, and what comes next.
Accountability: For students on longer programmes, the tutor checks in on progress between sessions via WhatsApp or email — light-touch but consistent.
Sessions adapt to your pace. If a concept needs more time, the tutor slows down. If you are ahead, the tutor introduces harder SQA-style problems or the National 5 assignment structure early. All sessions run via Google Meet, which requires no installation and works on any device.
Before your first session, it helps to share your current SQA unit, any recent test papers or results, and your exam date if known. The tutor will use this to plan a focused diagnostic and live teaching block, then outline the next steps for you by the end of that session.
“The research on tutoring is remarkably consistent: students who receive one-to-one instruction perform significantly better than those taught in conventional classroom conditions.”
— Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), One-to-One Tuition Toolkit
Tutor Match Criteria (How We Pick Your Tutor)
Every student is matched with a tutor who fits their specific needs. No random assignments.
Level and syllabus fit: The tutor must know the SQA National 4 and 5 Physics specification, including the current assignment criteria and question paper format.
Topic strengths: If you are weak in Waves or Radiation, your tutor is strong in precisely those areas.
Tools and setup: Tutors use Google Meet with a digital pen-pad or iPad and Apple Pencil so live working is always visible on screen — essential for physics calculations.
Time zone and availability: Sessions are available at times that suit students in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and the Gulf.
Learning style and pace: Some students need more visual explanation; others prefer to jump straight into problems. The tutor adapts from the first session.
Language and communication: Tutors communicate clearly in English with a tone that suits the student’s age and confidence level.
Goals: Whether the goal is to pass National 4, improve a National 5 grade, complete the assignment, or understand concepts more deeply — the tutor aligns to that goal.
Urgency and timelines: If exams or assessment deadlines are close, MPB prioritises tutors with immediate availability.
Study Plans (Pick One That Matches Your Goal)
MPB offers three main plan types: a short catch-up plan (typically 1–2 weeks) for students behind on a specific unit; an exam preparation plan (typically 4–8 weeks) for students working toward their National 4 or National 5 SQA assessments; and ongoing weekly support for consistent reinforcement throughout the school year. The tutor designs the specific session plan — topics, resources, and pacing — after the diagnostic session, not before.
National 4 and 5 Physics covers six key areas: Dynamics, Space, Electricity, Properties of Matter, Waves, and Radiation. Each area involves both conceptual understanding and numerical problem-solving. MPB tutors work through these areas in the order that matches your school’s current teaching sequence, your upcoming assessment dates, and your individual weak points identified in the diagnostic — ensuring every session is targeted, not generic.
Pricing Guide
MPB tutoring fees for National 4 and 5 Physics start at USD 20 per hour and typically range up to USD 40 per hour. Pricing varies based on the level of the content (National 5 is priced slightly higher than National 4 due to greater complexity), tutor experience, and session scheduling. Shorter timelines or urgent exam preparation may also affect availability and rate. For very advanced Physics subjects beyond National 5, rates can go higher.
FAQ
Is National 4 and 5 Physics hard?
Difficulty depends on the student’s mathematical background and prior science exposure. National 5 Physics in particular involves formula rearrangement, multi-step calculations, and extended written answers. With consistent practice and targeted guidance, most students find the subject more manageable than they expected.
How many sessions are needed?
This varies by goal and starting level. A student behind on one unit may need 4–6 sessions. A student preparing for the full National 5 exam over 4–8 weeks might need 8–16 sessions in total. The tutor will give a clearer estimate after the diagnostic.
Can tutors help with homework and assignments?
Yes, but in a guided way. MPB tutors explain the underlying physics, walk through similar example problems, and help you understand where your own working went wrong. The student always completes and submits their own work. MPB does not write or submit work on behalf of students. Academic integrity is a firm principle at MPB.
Will the tutor cover my exact SQA syllabus?
Tutors work from the current SQA National 4 and National 5 Physics specifications. However, small details can vary by academic year or school delivery. Students are encouraged to share their school’s unit schedule and any past papers used by their teacher so the tutor can align sessions precisely.
What happens in the first session?
The first session includes a short diagnostic to identify gaps, followed by live teaching on the most urgent topic. By the end of the session, the tutor will outline a recommended plan for upcoming sessions including what to focus on and in what order.
Is online tutoring as effective as in-person?
For Physics, online tutoring with a digital pen-pad or tablet replicates the whiteboard experience effectively. Research from the UK Department for Education supports online one-to-one tutoring as a high-impact intervention. Many students find online sessions easier to schedule and less stressful than in-person arrangements.
Can the tutor help with the National 5 Physics Assignment?
Yes. Tutors can help you choose a suitable topic, understand the SQA marking criteria, structure your report correctly, and check whether your conclusion follows from your data. However, MPB does not write the assignment for you. All written content must be the student’s own work.
What if my child is sitting National 4 and wants to progress to National 5?
This is a common goal. The tutor can cover the National 4 content needed to pass the Added Value Unit while simultaneously introducing National 5 concepts in parallel, helping the student build toward a future National 5 entry.
What equipment does my child need for online sessions?
A laptop, tablet, or desktop with a camera and stable internet connection is sufficient. Google Meet is used for sessions — no download required. Having a pen and paper or a stylus tablet for working out calculations on-screen is useful but not essential.
Can sessions be recorded for later review?
Session recording is possible with the agreement of both the tutor and the student. Many students find it useful to re-watch worked examples before their exam. This can be arranged directly with the tutor.
The SQA National 5 Physics exam assesses students across all six key areas in a question paper format that includes multiple-choice items, structured questions, and extended response questions. The National 5 assignment — worth a portion of the overall grade — tests a student’s ability to apply physics to a chosen investigation. Tutors at MPB are familiar with both components and structure sessions to ensure students are prepared for the full range of question types. Assessment details may vary by year, so always refer to the latest SQA guidance.
Trust & Quality at My Physics Buddy
Tutor selection: MPB tutors hold degrees in Physics or closely related disciplines. Every tutor goes through a vetting process that includes subject knowledge checks, a live demonstration session, and ongoing student feedback review. Tutors who receive consistently poor feedback are not retained on the platform.
Academic integrity: MPB’s role is to guide, not to do the work for students. Every homework explanation, assignment discussion, and exam preparation session is framed around helping the student understand so they can complete their own work. We guide — you submit your own work. This applies to all SQA coursework including the National 5 Physics Assignment.
About MPB: My Physics Buddy is a Physics-focused online tutoring platform serving early college students, secondary school pupils, graduate students, and their parents across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and the Gulf. The platform covers Physics in all its forms — from school-level programmes like GCSE Physics and IGCSE Physics (0625) to advanced university subjects. Students studying related Scottish curriculum subjects or other UK-based physics programmes may also find the following pages useful: A/AS Level Physics (9702), Edexcel A Level Physics, and HSC Physics. For students preparing for university-level topics that build on National 5 content, MPB also covers Classical (Newtonian) Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Waves and Optics.
For guidance on the science behind effective physics learning, the American Physical Society’s research on physics education provides useful context on how students build conceptual understanding over time.
“Evidence shows that targeted one-to-one and small group tuition — especially in STEM subjects — is among the highest-impact and most cost-effective interventions available for students who have fallen behind.”
— Education Endowment Foundation, COVID-19 and the Attainment Gap Review
Content reviewed by a National 4 and 5 Physics tutor at My Physics Buddy.
Next Steps
Tell us your current National 4 or National 5 Physics level, the topics giving you the most difficulty, and your exam or assessment dates. Share your availability and preferred session times. MPB will match you with a tutor who fits your syllabus, time zone, and goals — and you can get started within days.