“HYC has been incredibly supportive and professional. As a school administrator, I have been impressed with their values.”
Meet Our Founder: Masoud
The driving force behind Hack Your Course's commitment to excellence.
Masoud is the founder of Hack Your Course AP & IB Tutoring Service, which he established in 2015 after more than 15 years of experience teaching and tutoring at various institutes worldwide.
He holds two master's degrees in biochemical engineering and environmental engineering from UBC, along with a bachelor's degree in education. In addition, he is a certified teacher.
He is dedicated to teaching and tutoring students in math and chemistry at all levels, including AP and IB students.
Masoud is actively engaged in all aspects of the company and committed to ensuring the highest quality of education for HYC's students.
Our Commitment to Quality
Hack Your Course was established on the premise of providing students with high-quality education while simultaneously taking care of the tutors. Tutors, experienced or not, all deliver superior work because of their dedication and our one-of-a-kind quality control system.
No matter who your tutors are, as long as you are with Hack Your Course you will be taken care of, and you will see the results you expect and deserve!
Please note: Our website may not always reflect the most current roster of tutors, as changes occur based on tutors' performance and availability.
Here are just a few of our tutors
Rob
Rob has a master's in English (creative writing) and a bachelor's in English from the University of Calgary. He is also an author and a filmmaker. Additionally, he has extensive experience teaching and tutoring university courses, as well as IB and AP English, including AP seminars, TOK, EE, and IA. He has also been tutoring students from Canada and the USA in SAT preparation for about five years now, and he has all the necessary material and experience. To date, he has received highly positive feedback from all the students he tutored and achieved remarkable results. He has tutored more than 2600 hours with us during the years and has received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
“Our experience with both this company and the tutors assigned to us was excellent. I especially appreciated how quickly we were able to get started as well as the fact that we were not burdened with a long term contract. Will will definitely use them again if we need to. Thank you Masoud and tutor Bahram!”
Selena
Selena holds a PhD in English Literature from the University of Birmingham and is a Dual IB Examiner for English A Paper 2 and Theory of Knowledge. With 15+ years of international teaching experience, she brings unparalleled insight into IB scoring criteria and exam strategies. Her examiner experience allows her to guide students with precision on what examiners look for, helping them craft responses that meet the highest standards. Selena specializes in IB English at all levels and TOK, making her an invaluable resource for students aiming for top marks.
“Very professional and helpful service. The tutors are knowledgeable and patient. My child has improved significantly in their IB courses. Highly recommend!”
Birute
Birute holds a BA (Honours), MA, and B.Ed from the University of Toronto with graduate work in Applied Linguistics. With 20+ years of international teaching experience, including 15 years dedicated to the IB Diploma Programme, she brings exceptional depth to her instruction. As a Former IB Coordinator and IB Examiner, Birute possesses strategic assessment knowledge that helps students understand exactly how their work is evaluated. She specializes in IB English HL/SL and Theory of Knowledge, guiding students to excel through her comprehensive understanding of IB standards and expectations.
“Outstanding experience from start to finish. The quality of instruction and personalized attention exceeded our expectations. Worth every penny!”
Claire
Claire is a certified teacher with a bachelor's degree in French. With over a decade of experience, starting in 2010, she's well-acquainted with the IB curriculum and AP French. Claire has been with us for a few years, and the feedback for all the tutoring sessions has been positive.
“This teacher was very good at explaining different concepts and allowing for familiarization through a lot of practice with a large array of questions, and it helped me tons in preparing for tests. I would recommend these sessions for anyone who wants to get ahead or review math topics.”
Kelly
Kelly is a distinguished Canadian educator and active IB Examiner (History & TOK since 2016) with a Master of Arts in Education Studies and over 15 years of international teaching experience. He specializes in the IB Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, leveraging his insider knowledge of assessment standards to guide students through History, Theory of Knowledge, English Literature, and the Extended Essay. With a pedagogical focus on high-level research, critical thinking, and academic writing, Kelly excels at bridging the gap between high school and university rigor, using inquiry-driven strategies to ensure success for diverse learners in the British Columbia, IB, and AP systems.
“I highly recommend Masoud and Hack Your Course IB tutoring services. Masoud is very professional in finding the right tutors to match our needs and responds quickly to our requests. Thanks to Aria & Claire, my daughter's confidence and grades have improved considerably since she has been working with them for Math & French IB courses....”
Caroline
Caroline is one of our most distinguished tutors. She holds an honors bachelor's degree in English and is pursuing her Ph.D. in Law. Her deep understanding of the humanities, demonstrated through her successful tutoring of IB History, English, and Theory of Knowledge (TOK), makes her perfectly suited to guide students in strengthening the analytical and structural skills required for these complex assignments. Her time with Hack Your Course has been marked by a consistent record of excellence, achieving a 100% satisfaction rate among her students.
“Excellent tutoring service. Very good and efficient communication.....”
Carlos
A Canadian-Salvadoran writer and published author, Carlos brings a rich academic and cultural perspective to his teaching. He holds an Honors Degree in Social Anthropology from York University and has five years of experience teaching Spanish to young adults aiming for undergraduate degrees. With a passion for literary icons like García Márquez and Borges, Carlos specializes in preparing students for the IB and AP Spanish exams, possessing a thorough understanding of the cultural and grammatical nuances across Latin America and Spain. His extensive background as a counselor provides him with a unique sensibility for the specific and complex needs of his students, making him particularly effective for second-language learners. Currently, Carlos is writing a speculative novel, further deepening his lifelong engagement with literature and language.
“Fantastic tutors, great with IB, study skills, building confidence and keeping learning fun!”
Saba
As a former IB student who completed both the MYP and DP, Saba offers an unparalleled, firsthand understanding of the curriculum's demands. A certified full-time teacher, she holds an Honors degree in English Literature from UBC and is currently deepening her expertise by pursuing a Master's degree in Education. Saba specializes in teaching English at all levels, from foundational skills to advanced AP and IB courses, and maintains a 100% satisfaction rate with her students at Hack Your Course. She is not taking any new students.
“Great teachers and lessons, effective and time efficient.”
Constantine
With a Master of Arts in English from Concordia University and a Bachelor of Education from McGill University, Constantine brings a wealth of knowledge from over 15 years of teaching in both high school and university settings. He specializes in English Language Arts, creative writing, and the nuanced demands of the AP courses & IB curriculum. His classical expertise is deepened by specialized training on Shakespeare completed at Oxford University. Renowned for his engaging and dedicated approach, Constantine is highly skilled at equipping students with the critical tools and confidence needed for academic excellence.
“I've worked with several different tutoring services, but HYC is by far the best....”
Moira
Moira is an accomplished academic and a doctoral candidate in English Literature at the University of Ottawa, holding both an MA with a 4.0 GPA and a BA from Memorial University. Her outstanding research has been recognized with multiple prestigious SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier Graduate Scholarships at both the doctoral and master's levels. This scholarly foundation informs her diverse teaching background, which includes guiding first-year university students as a Teaching Assistant and extensive one-on-one tutoring with learners from middle school to the post-secondary level, including adult ESL students. Moira's expertise lies in demystifying the entire writing process—from brainstorming and critical reading. Driven by a passion for making complex material accessible, she employs a dynamic and supportive approach to help every student build confidence and achieve their academic potential.
“Received very quick response when desperately needed tutor. Was quickly matched up with two very good tutors who jumped right in to help.”
We are USA and Canada's First IB and AP Focused Tutoring Service
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our Language & Humanities tutoring services
What is the "Elite IB Examiner Tier," and how does it differ from your standard tutoring?
While all our tutors are exceptional, highly qualified educators, our Elite IB Examiner Tier connects students with active IB Examiners—the very professionals hired by the IBO to grade final exams. These tutors (like Selena, Birute, and Kelly) possess "insider" knowledge of the marking rubrics and IB grading guidelines. They don't just teach the material; they teach exactly what the examiner looks for, common pitfalls, and the precise command terms needed to secure a 7. This tier is ideal for students seeking the highest level of strategic exam preparation. Learn more about what makes us different.
What qualifications do your Language and Humanities tutors hold?
We do not hire undergraduate students to teach advanced courses. Our roster includes PhD holders (like Selena), PhD candidates (like Moira), Master's degree holders (like Constantine and Rob), and certified teachers with decades of experience (like Claire and Birute). Many are published authors or have specialized training from institutions like Oxford and UBC. Learn more about what makes our tutors different and see what families say in our Google reviews.
Do you offer support for Theory of Knowledge (TOK)?
Yes. TOK is often the most confusing part of the IB Diploma for students. We have specialists like Birute and Selena (who are TOK Examiners/Coordinators) who can help students navigate the Exhibition and the TOK Essay, ensuring they understand the complex epistemological concepts required to score well. Use our IB credit transfer tool to see how your scores may convert to university credit.
What is your "First Session Satisfaction Guarantee"?
We are confident in our quality—just read our Google reviews. If you are not satisfied with your first session, you will not be charged for it (provided we selected the tutor). Please note: Due to the high demand and seniority of our Elite IB Examiners, this guarantee applies differently to the Examiner Tier, where a risk-minimized policy (50% charge) applies if the first session is unsatisfactory. Contact us to learn more about what makes us different.
Can you help with University Application Essays?
Yes. Many of our English tutors, such as Rob and Constantine, have extensive experience helping students craft compelling personal statements and university application essays for Canadian, American, and UK universities. Understanding how IB grades translate can also strengthen your application strategy.
How do you ensure the quality of your tutors?
Our founder, Masoud, personally oversees the vetting process. We prioritize educators with proven track records, high academic credentials, and the ability to connect with students. We also utilize a class report system where progress is tracked after every session to ensure the student's needs are being met. Read our verified Google reviews to see what parents and students say about us, and learn more about what sets HYC apart.
How quickly can we get started?
We can usually match you with a tutor within 24 to 48 hours. If you have an urgent deadline (like an IA or Extended Essay due next week), please let us know immediately, and we will expedite the process. Feeling exam anxiety? We can help with that too.
Can your tutors help with the IB Extended Essay (EE) and Internal Assessments (IA)?
Absolutely. This is one of our specialties. Tutors like Rob, Caroline, and Kelly have extensive experience guiding students through the research, structure, and writing phases of the Extended Essay and Internal Assessments for History, English, and TOK. They help students refine their research questions and ensure their analysis meets the rigorous academic standards required by the IB Diploma Programme. Check out our tips for writing a strong EE.
My child struggles with "analysis" in English Literature. How can a tutor help?
Moving from plot summary to deep analysis is the biggest hurdle in IB English and AP English. Our tutors, many of whom are literature experts, teach specific frameworks for deconstructing texts. They help students identify literary devices, understand context, and structure their essays to formulate a coherent, sophisticated argument—skills essential for Paper 1 and Paper 2. For IB students, our IB English Literature guide is a great starting resource.
Do I have to purchase a package of hours upfront?
No. We respect your freedom of choice. We operate on a strict pay-as-you-go model. You are invoiced monthly only for the sessions you use. There are no long-term contracts or locked-in packages. This is just one of the ways we're different from other tutoring services. Ready to start? Request a callback.
Do you offer support for French and Spanish?
Yes. We have specialized tutors for second languages, such as Claire (French) and Carlos (Spanish). They are experts in the specific oral and written requirements of the IB (Ab Initio, SL, HL) and AP curriculums, focusing on grammar, cultural nuance, and conversational fluency. Explore our full language and humanities resources.
Do you offer in-person tutoring?
Yes, we offer in-person tutoring in select cities where we have physical offices, including Vancouver (North Shore), Toronto, and Seattle. However, many of our most specialized tutors (like our PhDs and Examiners) work with students globally via our highly effective online platform. Contact us to find out which option works best for you.
My child is in AP (Advanced Placement), not IB. Is this right for us?
Absolutely. While we are renowned for IB, our tutors are equally expert in the AP curriculum. Tutors like Kelly and Constantine specialize in the specific demands of AP English Literature, AP Lang, AP European History, and AP Capstone, focusing on the time-management and multiple-choice strategies unique to College Board exams. Explore our tips for AP students and free AP resources.
What happens if my child doesn't "click" with the tutor?
The relationship between student and tutor is vital. If the fit isn't right, simply let us know. Because we have a diverse roster of experts—from strict, structured examiners to creative, encouraging mentors—we can quickly transition you to a tutor who better matches your child's learning style. See what other families experienced in our reviews.
Where To Find Us
Vancouver Office
North Vancouver, BC, V7P 1V7, Canada
Seattle Office
Suite 1578, Seattle, WA 98107, USA