— Boasman Family Tutoring

Master the
subjects
that shape
your world.

Boasman Tutoring is a family-owned service built on a simple belief: every student deserves a teacher who genuinely cares. Rob, Sarah, and Sam Boasman are experienced educators who bring professional expertise directly to your learning across Physics, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. Whether you're working through NCEA, Cambridge, IB, or preparing for university, you're in expert hands.

— Physics
From mechanics
to quantum theory.
NCEA · Cambridge · IB · University
→
— Biology
Life science,
deeply understood.
NCEA · Cambridge · IB · Pre-Med
→
— Mathematics
Numbers made
to make sense.
NCEA · Cambridge · IB · University
→
— Engineering
Build the future
from first principles.
Bridging · Year 1–4 · Software Focus
→
— Our Pricing

Simple,
transparent rates.

Click any option below to begin booking your session.

Solo — 1 Hour
$100 / session
One student, one tutor. Focused, personalised instruction tailored entirely to your goals and current level.
Book this →
Solo — 2 Hours
$150 / session
Extended sessions for deeper dives. Ideal before assessments or when tackling complex new concepts.
Book this →
Pair — 1 Hour
$140 / session
Study with a friend. Two students, one tutor. Collaborative learning with the full benefit of expert guidance.
Book this →
Pair — 2 Hours
$200 / session
Two-hour pair session. Extended time for deeper coverage — split between two students for excellent value.
Book this →
— How It Works

From first visit
to first session.

01
Choose your subject
Browse Physics with Rob or Biology with Sarah. Read about what we cover, which qualifications we support, and what to expect from a session.
02
Pick a time
Select from available timeslots — weekdays 5–7 PM, weekends 12–5 PM NZST. Sessions run online or in person depending on your location.
03
Fill in your details
Tell us your name, email, qualification level, and session type. We'll confirm your booking by email and answer any questions you have.
04
Show up and succeed
Attend your session, work through the content, and leave with clearer understanding. Payment is collected at the start of each session.
💡 How does this work?
— Meet the Tutors

Professional teachers.
Personal attention.

R
Rob Boasman
Physics — MEd Leadership
Rob is an experienced classroom teacher holding a Master of Educational Leadership. With years of senior physics teaching across NCEA, Cambridge, and IB programmes, he brings professional rigour and genuine care to every tutoring session.
S
Sarah Boasman
Biology — MEd Leadership
Sarah is a qualified and experienced biology teacher with a Master of Educational Leadership. She teaches across NCEA, Cambridge, and IB pathways, with specialist expertise in pre-med preparation for Health Sciences First Year programmes.
S
Sam Boasman
Engineering & Maths — MSc AI (in progress)
Sam is a software engineer currently completing a Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence. He brings industry experience and academic depth to engineering and mathematics tutoring — from high school foundations through to university-level software engineering.
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely, completely, 100% obsessed with playing ball. Will sit attentively through an entire session if there is even a remote possibility that a ball may be produced at the end of it.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for entirely in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for the concept of "indoor voices." Deeply committed to making his presence known at all times. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— Physics Tutoring

Physics,
unravelled.

Whether you're working through NCEA Level 1 mechanics or preparing for Cambridge A-Level and IB HL exams, Rob Boasman brings the clarity and rigour of a trained, experienced teacher to turn confusion into confidence. Sessions are built around your specific qualification pathway — not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

Rob holds a Master of Educational Leadership and has extensive experience teaching senior physics. That professional background means you're getting someone who knows exactly how students learn, where they get stuck, and how to get them unstuck.

"Physics is the language the universe speaks. Our job is to teach you the grammar — so that every equation becomes a sentence you can read, not a wall you can't see past."

Rob's physics tutoring spans NCEA Levels 1–3, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level, and IB Physics (SL and HL). For students bridging into university, Rob also provides transition support and assistance with first-year university physics content. Sessions can be structured as revision, concept-building, problem-solving workshops, or exam preparation — whatever you need most, every time you book.

Kinematics & Motion
Forces & Newton's Laws
Energy & Work
Waves & Optics
Electricity & Magnetism
Electromagnetism
Thermodynamics
Nuclear & Modern Physics
Quantum Theory
Astrophysics (IB/NCEA)
Relativity (IB HL)
Rotational Motion
Practical Skills & IA
— Self-Paced Learning

NCEA Level 2
Physics Courses

Structured video courses built by Rob — each lesson includes a recorded video, formula sheet, practice questions, and worked answers. The introductory lesson of every course is completely free.

⚙
NCEA Level 2
Mechanics
Motion, forces, energy, and momentum. The foundation of classical physics — mastered step by step.
1 free lesson · 6 lessons total
〜
NCEA Level 2
Waves
Transverse and longitudinal waves, sound, light, and wave behaviour — interference, diffraction, and resonance.
1 free lesson · 6 lessons total
⚡
NCEA Level 2
Electricity
Circuits, voltage, current, resistance, and power. From Ohm's Law to complex circuit analysis.
1 free lesson · 6 lessons total
Book a session with Rob
Select a timeslot and complete your booking details below.
R
Rob Boasman
Master of Educational Leadership
Experienced NZ physics teacher. NCEA Levels 1–3, Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level, IB SL & HL, and first-year university physics. Professional, structured, and student-focused.
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely, completely, 100% obsessed with playing ball. Will sit attentively through an entire session if there is even a remote possibility that a ball may be produced at the end of it.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for entirely in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for the concept of "indoor voices." Deeply committed to making his presence known at all times. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— Biology Tutoring

Life science,
made clear.

Biology demands both precise recall and genuine conceptual understanding. Sarah Boasman bridges that gap — drawing on her experience as a trained, professional teacher to help students build a real mental model of how living systems work.

Sarah holds a Master of Educational Leadership and has taught biology across NCEA, Cambridge, and IB programmes. She knows where students struggle, how each qualification assesses understanding, and how to build the skills and confidence that translate to results on exam day.

"Biology is not a list of facts to memorise — it's a set of stories about how life solves problems. Once you understand the story, the details fall into place."

Sarah's biology tutoring spans NCEA Levels 1–3, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level, IB Biology (SL and HL), and university bridging and first-year support. Sessions can be structured as revision, concept-building, or exam preparation, and are tailored entirely to your syllabus and assessment pathway.

— Pre-Med Support
Getting into medicine
starts here.
Aspiring medical students face some of the most demanding biology content in the NZ system — from Health Sciences First Year (HSFY) at Otago and Auckland to the prerequisite biology knowledge needed for competitive entry. Sarah provides dedicated pre-med tutoring across cell biology, biochemistry, human physiology, genetics, and microbiology — the core areas that determine outcomes in HSFY and first-year health science programmes. Sessions can be tailored specifically to the Otago or Auckland HSFY structure, helping students build the depth and exam confidence they need for highly competitive cut-offs.
Cell Biology
Genetics & Heredity
DNA & Protein Synthesis
Evolution & Natural Selection
Human Physiology
Ecology & Ecosystems
Biochemistry
Immune System
Nervous System
Reproduction & Development
Microbiology
Plant Biology (IB/NCEA)
Practical Skills & IA
HSFY / Pre-Med Content
Book a session with Sarah
Select a timeslot and complete your booking details below.
S
Sarah Boasman
Master of Educational Leadership
NCEA Levels 1–3, Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level, IB SL & HL, first-year university, and pre-med (HSFY) support. Structured, caring, and results-focused.
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely, completely, 100% obsessed with playing ball. Will sit attentively through an entire session if there is even a remote possibility that a ball may be produced at the end of it.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for entirely in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for the concept of "indoor voices." Deeply committed to making his presence known at all times. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— Current Offers

Deals

Our current offers for students and families — more tutoring, better value.

Package Deal
5-Session Pack
$400
Was $500 (5 × solo 1hr)
Purchase a block of five one-hour solo sessions upfront and receive 20% off the standard rate. Ideal for students working toward NCEA, Cambridge, or IB exams, or families wanting consistent weekly support. Sessions can be used flexibly and don't expire.
Referral Offer
Refer a Friend
50% off
One session each
Refer a friend to Boasman Tutoring — when they complete their first paid session, you both receive your next one-hour solo session at half price. No limit on referrals.
Pair Sessions
Study Together
$140
vs $200 for two solo sessions
Two students, one session. A single one-hour pair session costs $140 total — saving $60 compared to two individual bookings.
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely, completely, 100% obsessed with playing ball. Will sit attentively through an entire session if there is even a remote possibility that a ball may be produced at the end of it.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for entirely in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for the concept of "indoor voices." Deeply committed to making his presence known at all times. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— Policies

FAQ

Everything you need to know about how we operate.

— Policies & Offers

Deals & FAQ

Our current offers for students and families — plus everything you need to know about how we operate.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask for a minimum of 4 hours notice to cancel or reschedule a session. Cancellations made with less than 4 hours notice will be charged the full session fee. We understand that life happens — if something urgent comes up, please get in touch directly and we'll always do our best to accommodate you.
What if I need to reschedule?
Rescheduling is totally fine, provided you give at least 4 hours notice. Simply contact us via email or phone and we'll find a new time that works. Repeat rescheduling with short notice may result in a rescheduling fee.
Where do sessions take place?
Sessions are available both online and in person. Online sessions are conducted via video call (Zoom or Google Meet) — all you need is a device, a stable connection, and somewhere quiet to work. In-person sessions can be arranged depending on your location; please enquire directly to discuss availability.
When are sessions available?
During the school week (Monday to Friday), sessions run from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM NZST — designed to fit around a student's school day. On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), sessions are available from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM NZST, giving more flexibility for longer or back-to-back bookings.
What year levels and qualifications do you cover?
We tutor across NCEA Levels 1–3, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level, and IB (SL and HL) for both Physics and Biology. We also offer university bridging support and first-year university assistance, including pre-med preparation for HSFY programmes at Otago and Auckland.
How do I pay?
Payment is collected at the start of each session. For package deals, payment is made upfront at the time of purchase. We accept bank transfer and most major payment methods.
Can two students share a session?
Yes — pair sessions are available for two students booking together. The pair rate is $140 for one hour and $200 for two hours (total, not per student). Both students must be at a compatible level and studying the same qualification for the session to be effective.
Policies
Late arrivals
Sessions start at the booked time. If a student arrives late, the session will still end at the scheduled time. The full session fee applies regardless of arrival time.
What happens if the tutor cancels?
In the rare event we need to cancel a session, we will provide as much notice as possible and offer a full rescheduling at no additional cost. We are committed to reliability and respect your time.
Are sessions recorded?
Sessions are not recorded by default. If you'd like to record a session for personal study review, please let us know in advance so we can discuss the arrangement.
Do you provide notes or resources?
Yes — tutors may provide session summaries, worked examples, or supplementary notes where appropriate. Our Resources page also lists free and purchasable materials to support your study between sessions.
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely, completely, 100% obsessed with playing ball. Will sit attentively through an entire session if there is even a remote possibility that a ball may be produced at the end of it.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for entirely in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for the concept of "indoor voices." Deeply committed to making his presence known at all times. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— Mathematics Tutoring

Mathematics,
demystified.

From algebraic foundations through to university calculus and statistics, Sam Boasman makes mathematics click. Whether you're building confidence at NCEA Level 1 or tackling first-year university content, sessions are structured around your current level and your goals.

Sam brings a software engineer's precise, systematic approach to mathematics — showing you not just how to solve problems, but why the methods work.

"Mathematics is not about memorising formulas — it's about developing a way of thinking. Master the reasoning and the formulas look after themselves."

Sam's mathematics tutoring covers all high school levels (NCEA 1–3, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level, IB SL and HL), university bridging programmes, and first-year university mathematics including calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. Sessions can focus on concept-building, worked examples, exam technique, or all three.

Number & Algebra
Geometry & Trigonometry
Statistics & Probability
Calculus (Differentiation)
Calculus (Integration)
Linear Algebra
Sequences & Series
Complex Numbers
Differential Equations
Discrete Maths
IB Mathematical Studies
NCEA Achievement Standards
Book a session with Sam
Send an enquiry and Sam will be in touch to confirm a time.
S
Sam Boasman
Software Engineer · MSc AI (in progress)
All high school levels, Cambridge, IB, university bridging, and first-year university mathematics.
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely obsessed with playing ball. Probably understands projectile motion better than most Year 12 students.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for indoor voices. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— Engineering Tutoring

Engineering,
built from
first principles.

Sam Boasman is a software engineer completing a Master's in Artificial Intelligence who tutors across general engineering foundations and software-specific university content. Whether you're bridging into first-year engineering or working through advanced software papers, Sam brings real industry experience to every session.

Sessions cover general engineering fundamentals for first-year students as well as software engineering content for Years 2–4 — including algorithms, data structures, systems, and AI/ML foundations.

"The best engineers aren't just good at writing code — they understand the principles behind it. We build that understanding from the ground up."

Sam's engineering tutoring covers university bridging content, first-year general engineering (across all disciplines), and software engineering from Year 2 through to Year 4. Topics include programming foundations, algorithms and data structures, systems architecture, software design patterns, and introductory AI and machine learning concepts.

Engineering Maths
Programming Foundations
Algorithms & Data Structures
Object-Oriented Design
Systems Architecture
Databases & SQL
Software Design Patterns
Web Development
Machine Learning Foundations
AI Concepts & Applications
Version Control & Git
Engineering Problem Solving
Book a session with Sam
Send an enquiry and Sam will be in touch to confirm a time.
S
Sam Boasman
Software Engineer · MSc AI (in progress)
General engineering (Year 1), software engineering (Years 2–4), AI & ML foundations. Industry experience and academic depth.
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely obsessed with playing ball. Probably understands projectile motion better than most Year 12 students.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for indoor voices. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— Study Support

Resources

A curated collection of free and purchasable materials to support your study. Our own in-house resources are crafted by Rob and Sarah — designed to complement your NCEA, Cambridge, IB, or university coursework directly.

In-House Resources
Created by Rob and Sarah Boasman — built to match the syllabus and designed to actually help.
Free
HSC Physics — Formula Sheet
A clean, syllabus-aligned formula reference for HSC Physics. Covers all modules with annotations on common exam applications.
Coming Soon
Free
HSC Biology — Key Terms Glossary
Comprehensive glossary of key biology terms for Year 11 & 12. Formatted for quick review and active recall practice.
Coming Soon
$12
Physics Worked Examples Pack
40 fully worked exam-style problems across all HSC Physics modules. Includes step-by-step solutions and tutor notes on common mistakes.
$12.00
Coming Soon
$12
Biology Exam Prep Guide
A structured study guide for NCEA, Cambridge, and IB Biology covering module summaries, likely exam question types, and high-yield revision checklists.
$12.00
Coming Soon
$18
Science Bundle (Physics + Biology)
Both the Physics Worked Examples Pack and the Biology Exam Prep Guide together at a discounted bundle price.
$18.00 save $6
Coming Soon
Free
How to Approach Exam Questions
A short guide by Rob and Sarah on reading exam questions carefully, structuring responses, and avoiding common marks-losing mistakes.
Coming Soon
External Resources
Carefully selected external tools and references we recommend to our students.
External — Free
NZQA Past Exam Papers
Official past NCEA exam papers and assessment schedules from NZQA. Essential for Physics and Biology exam preparation across all NCEA levels.
Visit NZQA →
External — Free
Khan Academy — Science
High-quality free video lessons and practice exercises in physics and biology. Excellent for concept reinforcement between tutoring sessions.
Visit Khan Academy →
External — Free
PhET Interactive Simulations
University of Colorado's free science simulations. Particularly useful for visualising physics concepts like forces, waves, and circuits — great for all NZ curricula.
Visit PhET →
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely, completely, 100% obsessed with playing ball. Will sit attentively through an entire session if there is even a remote possibility that a ball may be produced at the end of it.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for entirely in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for the concept of "indoor voices." Deeply committed to making his presence known at all times. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— Get in Touch

Contact Us

Send us a message or a booking enquiry directly from here. We'll get back to you via email as soon as possible — usually within a few hours.

— Send a Message
✓ Message sent! We'll be in touch via email shortly.
— Or Reach Us Directly
Email
[email protected]
Session Hours
Monday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM NZST
Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM NZST
Response Time
We aim to reply within a few hours. For urgent booking enquiries, email directly is the fastest option.
Location
New Zealand. Online sessions available nationwide. In-person sessions by arrangement — enquire for details.
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely, completely, 100% obsessed with playing ball. Will sit attentively through an entire session if there is even a remote possibility that a ball may be produced at the end of it.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for entirely in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for the concept of "indoor voices." Deeply committed to making his presence known at all times. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— What Students Say

Reviews

Honest feedback from students and families who've worked with Rob and Sarah. We're proud of every result.

★★★★★
"Rob made NCEA Level 2 Physics feel genuinely manageable for the first time. His explanations are clear, patient, and he really understands where students get stuck."
— Year 12 Student
NCEA L2 Physics · Mechanics
★★★★★
"Sarah helped my daughter go from failing biology tests to achieving Excellence. Her ability to explain complex genetics concepts in simple terms is remarkable."
— Parent
NCEA L3 Biology · Genetics
★★★★★
"I was struggling with IB Physics HL and feeling completely lost. After just a few sessions with Rob I had a completely different understanding of electromagnetism."
— IB Student
IB Physics HL · Electromagnetism
★★★★★
"The HSFY pre-med preparation with Sarah was invaluable. She knew exactly what Otago expected and structured our sessions perfectly around the content that mattered most."
— University Student
HSFY Pre-Med · Cell Biology
★★★★★
"Both tutors are incredibly professional — they respond quickly, show up prepared, and genuinely care about results. We've recommended them to several families."
— Parent
Physics & Biology · Multiple Sessions
★★★★★
"The online session format works really well. No wasted travel time, great whiteboard tools, and Rob is just as engaging online as in person."
— Cambridge Student
Cambridge A-Level Physics
Had a session with us?
We'd love to hear how it went. Reach out and share your experience.
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely, completely, 100% obsessed with playing ball. Will sit attentively through an entire session if there is even a remote possibility that a ball may be produced at the end of it.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for entirely in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for the concept of "indoor voices." Deeply committed to making his presence known at all times. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud
— From Rob & Sarah

Study Tips

Practical advice from two experienced teachers on how to study smarter, prepare for exams, and get the most out of every session.

Exam Technique — Rob
Read the question. Then read it again.
The single most common mistake in physics exams is answering the question you expected, not the one that was asked. Before writing anything, underline the key command word (calculate, explain, describe, compare) and identify exactly what quantity or concept the question is asking about. Many marks are lost not because students didn't know the content — but because they answered a slightly different question.
— Rob Boasman · Physics
Active Recall — Sarah
Close the textbook before you think you're ready.
Re-reading your notes feels like studying but it's one of the least effective methods. Instead, read a section, close the book, and try to write down everything you remember from scratch. The struggle of retrieval is exactly what builds long-term memory. In biology especially — where terminology and processes need to be precise — active recall is far more effective than passive review.
— Sarah Boasman · Biology
Physics Problem Solving — Rob
Always start with what you know.
When you see a physics problem you don't immediately recognise, don't panic — start listing what's given. Write down every quantity in the question with its symbol and unit. Then ask: what formula connects these quantities to what I'm trying to find? This process alone will unlock the solution to the vast majority of exam questions. Physics is systematic, not mysterious.
— Rob Boasman · Physics
NCEA Strategy — Sarah
Know your Achievement Standards inside out.
NCEA is an achievement standard-based system — which means the marking schedules are public. Download the assessment specifications and past marking schedules for every standard you're sitting. Understand exactly what Achieved, Merit, and Excellence answers look like. The difference between Merit and Excellence in biology is almost always depth of explanation — not knowledge of more facts, but a more complete account of the same facts.
— Sarah Boasman · Biology
Time Management — Rob & Sarah
Study in blocks, not marathons.
Research consistently shows that shorter focused sessions (45–60 minutes) with deliberate breaks outperform long passive study marathons. Use a timer. Work with full concentration, then step away completely. Return refreshed. The night before an exam is for light review only — your brain consolidates learning during sleep, so a full night's rest is worth more than three hours of exhausted cramming.
— Rob & Sarah Boasman
Past Papers — Rob & Sarah
Past papers are your most important resource.
Nothing prepares you for an exam like doing exam questions under timed conditions. Start past papers earlier than you think you need to — ideally several weeks before your exam, not the night before. When you get something wrong, don't just look up the answer. Work through why your reasoning was incorrect. That process of correction is where the real learning happens. NZQA past papers are freely available at nzqa.govt.nz.
— Rob & Sarah Boasman
🐾 Psst — meet our study buddies 🐾
Study Buddies
The unofficial mascots of Boasman Tutoring. They supervise every session. Mostly.
Charlie the dog
Charlie
Chief Ball Officer · Physics Consultant
Charlie is the brains of the operation. Highly intelligent, deeply analytical, and absolutely, completely, 100% obsessed with playing ball. Will sit attentively through an entire session if there is even a remote possibility that a ball may be produced at the end of it.
🎾 Ball Enthusiast
Alphie the dog in a red jumper
Alphie
Director of Noise · Biology Consultant
Alphie is a very good boy. What he lacks in brain cells he makes up for entirely in enthusiasm, volume, and a complete disregard for the concept of "indoor voices." Deeply committed to making his presence known at all times. We love him unconditionally.
📢 Loud & Proud