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Award-Winning AP Physics Tutors

Steve

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Steve

Bachelors
Steve's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Trigonometry
Geometry
Calculus

A chemical and biomolecular engineering degree means Steve spent years applying thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and electromagnetism to real systems — the same core principles that drive AP Physics 1 and 2. He's particularly sharp at teaching students how to connect free-body diagrams to Newton's l...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelors

Aaron

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Aaron

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Aaron's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus 2
Calculus
Algebra

I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...

Education

The University of Texas at Dallas

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Duke University

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1530

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Com...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics

University of Chicago

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1560
ACT
33

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Phillip

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
Phillip's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Geometry
Calculus

I'm a rising junior at Brown University studying biomedical engineering. I have lots of experience in middle school through college level instruction in STEM and SAT/ACT prep. My goal is to provide a fun and productive learning environment by only teaching subjects that I am passionate about.

Education

Brown University

Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1560

Certified Tutor

Kate

Masters, Environmental Engineering
Kate's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus

I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Masters, Environmental Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1580

Certified Tutor

4+ years

Ainsley

BS
Ainsley's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
AP Physics 1
High School Science

I am a graduate of Rice University with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy, and a minor in Neuroscience. My previous tutoring experiences have primarily focused on college level physics, math, and chemistry; AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry; the ACT and SAT ...

Education

Rice University

BS

Test Scores
SAT
1400
ACT
33

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Florence

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Florence's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Trigonometry
Statistics
Pre-Calculus

I am a rising senior at Duke University. I major in Computer Science and am also getting a minor in Physics. I have had experience tutoring/teaching as a teaching assistant for three classes: Intro to Databases, Electricity and Magnetism (for engineers), and Computer Network Architecture. I have had...

Education

Duke University

Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

Test Scores
Perfect Score
ACT
36

Certified Tutor

Dennis

Masters, Chemical and Physical Biology
Dennis's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Physics 1
AP Biology

I'm an Iowa native who moved to Nashville for graduate school. My background is in the life sciences; I have a Masters from Vanderbilt in Chemical and Physical Biology, and my undergraduate degree is in Biochemistry. However, my education has been well rounded and I have interests in philosophy, lit...

Education

Vanderbilt University

Masters, Chemical and Physical Biology

Grinnell College

Bachelors, Biochemistry

Test Scores
SAT
1450
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Jeffrey

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Jeffrey's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra

I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science

Rice University

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

6+ years

William

Bachelor in Arts, Linguistics
William's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I'm a junior at Yale University pursuing a double major in Linguistics and Theater. I have experience tutoring in a variety of subjects, but I'm particularly excited to help students with writing, critical reading, and SAT or ACT preparation. I had a strong support network of teachers and mentors th...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor in Arts, Linguistics

Test Scores
SAT
1580
ACT
35

Meet Varsity Tutors Experts

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Dane

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +23 Subjects

I am a rising sophomore at Duke University and am double majoring in Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science with a minor in Economics. I love problem solving and analyzing situations creatively and enjoy studying the real-world applications that accompany engineering. I mostly tutor math and science courses and hope to illustrate my passion for these subjects to my students.

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Emily

AP Statistics Tutor • +34 Subjects

I am a student at Cornell University pursuing a double major in Biological Sciences, concentrating in computational biology, and Computer Science. I have tutored math, biology, physics, and French to middle school and high school students. I have also facilitated group discussion sessions for English language learners. I love learning new things and helping others understand these concepts as well.

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Benjamin

AP Statistics Tutor • +43 Subjects

I am a 2023 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a Finance/Economics major and a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. I am a passionate student in the math and business realms, as I enjoy the intuitiveness of the former and the real-world potential of the latter. During classes in middle and high school, I developed a reputation of being a good source of help within my classes in a non-tutor capacity, and grew that into a peer tutor role a couple times a week during lunch my senior year of high school. What I hope to accomplish with my tutoring is ensure that you not only achieve your desired grade/score, but see how the different concepts relate to each other in the bigger picture. The more important part is to critically think about the subject matter in other, more unfamiliar contexts. Also, in my math subjects, I seek to provide personal secrets in realms including quicker computation strategies, unique acronyms for certain rules, and other intuitive shortcuts.

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Ava

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +37 Subjects

I am current master's student pursuing an advanced degree in environmental engineering. I have about 3 years of experience tutoring a standard math and science curricula to students ranging in age from 7-17. I attended college at Washington University in St. Louis receiving a degree in mechanical engineering and energy engineering in 2020. During my time there, I worked as a teaching assistant for several different engineering courses, tutoring students outside of class in the calculus and physics related topics. As someone that benefitted greatly from tutors and teaching assistants, I really love being able to help students that are struggling in certain areas. I am able to help with standardized tests, focusing on math and science sections, AP Calculus and AP Physics exams, and high school math. Hobbies: books, writing, reading, music, hiking, art

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Andrea

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am also adept in tutoring english grammar, language, and literature. There are few things I enjoy more than a true challenge, whether it be physical or mental. I aspire to be a great inventor and hope that my ideas and creations may simplify life as we know it and bring health, comfort, and joy to the masses. My favorite book is "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett and I recommend that everyone read promptly.

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Michael

Calculus Tutor • +21 Subjects

I am a lifelong learner, teacher, and researcher in the field of physics. I received a PhD in Physics from the University of Michigan and a BS in Physics from Rice University. I have four years of physics teaching experience at the University of Michigan, primarily undergraduate laboratory courses with an emphasis on electromagnetism, circuits, waves, optics, and real-world applications of these and other physical phenomena. Many of these courses, including one I helped design, focused on helping non-STEM students master physics concepts that may be difficult to grasp in a standard classroom setting. I have tutored in a variety of subjects since high school, but most recently I have spent several years helping students understand concepts and succeed in coursework throughout a large variety of college-level physics topics, from basic mechanics to advanced electrodynamics and special relativity.

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Beau

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +49 Subjects

I am an undergraduate at Yale University. I am pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on fluid mechanics and energy conversion. I have tutoring experience from my senior year in high school, when I ran my own test prep and tutoring service for sophomores and juniors. Most of my experience is in SAT and ACT test prep, but I have also done tutoring in the maths and sciences and English composition. While I am a Mechanical Engineering major, I have always had a profound appreciation for great literature and for writing good English, and I would love to pass that along to all of my students. Whenever I tutor, my main objective is not simply to plant more knowledge in the student's mind, but to give them a greater understanding of broader fields of inquiry, so that they reach a greater understanding of how the different academic domains are connected and interdependent. Outside of academics, I am a Midshipman in the Navy ROTC program at my school and hope to someday serve as a Submarine Officer in the Pacific. I am also a member of the Yale Glee Club, the Yale Club Soccer Team, and the Freshmen Outdoor Orientation Trip program at Yale. In my spare time, I enjoy running marathons, learning songs on the piano, and reading.

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Aimee

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +42 Subjects

I am a current (though almost graduated) student in Chemical Engineering at Georgia Tech. I absolutely love teaching and tutoring, and I have 3 years experience tutoring and just over a year's experience in being a teacher's assistant. I am passionate about math and science, and I love helping people understand new material. Learning is something I have always loved, and I want to share that passion with others.

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Dennis

AP Statistics Tutor • +50 Subjects

I'm Dennis. I study physics, math, and computer science. I have done research about cosmic ray acceleration at supernova shock fronts in the Princeton University Department of Astrophysics, simulating how the turbulent plasmas push protons and ions. I have also worked at the Norfolk State University Department of Engineering, designing, simulating, optimizing, and building light filters for wavelength-division optical-electronic multiplexers. Another field I study is the mathematics of quasicrystals and aperiodic tilings, such as the Penrose tiling of rhombuses.

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Richard

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +70 Subjects

I am a rising senior at Harvard College pursuing an AB in Government. Academically, I have diverse interests, including history, language, math, physics, philosophy, music, and politics. In high school, I tutored elementary, middle, and high school students in music, math, ACT and SAT prep, and Spanish. At Harvard, I spent a year as a course assistant in the math department, helping to teach introductory undergraduate calculus. Currently, I volunteer with the Leadership Institute at Harvard College (LIHC) as part of its Social Outreach Committee. This work involves teaching a weekly course called "Fundamentals of Leadership" to a class of middle school students. Overall, I have found my experiences tutoring math to be the most rewarding.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students typically find circular motion, rotational dynamics, and the relationship between torque and angular acceleration particularly challenging because they require visualizing motion in non-linear ways. Electromagnetism—especially Faraday's law and the interaction between electric and magnetic fields—is another major stumbling block. Additionally, many students struggle with the conceptual understanding of energy conservation and work-energy problems, often treating them as purely computational rather than grasping the underlying physics principles.

Free-response questions require you to show your reasoning and setup, not just the final answer—partial credit is available for correct methodology even with calculation errors. Start by identifying what physics principles apply, draw force diagrams or relevant sketches, define your variables clearly, and show each step of your solution. Many students rush through the setup to get to calculations, but tutors can help you develop a systematic approach that maximizes points by emphasizing conceptual clarity over speed.

Memorizing formulas without understanding when and why to use them leads to mistakes on the exam. Strong preparation involves working backwards from problems—given a scenario, identify which physics principles apply before reaching for equations. Tutors can guide you through this process by asking probing questions about what's happening physically in each problem, helping you build mental models of concepts like Newton's laws, energy, and momentum rather than just plugging numbers into equations.

Taking full practice tests under timed conditions is essential, but the real learning happens in the review. After completing a test, identify patterns in your mistakes—are they conceptual misunderstandings, calculation errors, or pacing issues? Tutors can help you analyze your performance systematically, focusing your study time on weak areas rather than reviewing content you already understand. Spacing out practice tests over several weeks, with targeted review between attempts, is more effective than cramming multiple tests together.

The AP Physics exam requires balancing speed with accuracy—rushing leads to careless errors, but spending too long on one problem wastes time. Tutors can teach you to quickly categorize problems by difficulty and tackle easier questions first to build confidence and secure points early. Practicing with timers helps you develop intuition for how long different problem types should take, and learning to recognize when to skip a difficult problem and return to it later is a crucial exam strategy.

AP Physics questions frequently present motion, force, or energy data in graphs, requiring you to extract information and connect it to underlying physics principles. Many students treat graphs as isolated visuals rather than representations of physical relationships—for example, understanding that the slope of a position-time graph represents velocity, or that the area under a force-displacement graph represents work. Tutors can develop your graph literacy by having you practice translating between graphical, mathematical, and physical representations until these connections become automatic.

Test anxiety often stems from feeling unprepared or uncertain about problem-solving approaches. Regular tutoring sessions build confidence through repeated exposure to different problem types and reinforced problem-solving strategies, so you enter the exam with a toolkit of approaches rather than relying on memory alone. Tutors can also help you develop mental strategies for managing stress during the test—like breaking complex problems into smaller steps and using your scratch paper effectively to stay organized and focused.

An effective AP Physics tutor should have strong content knowledge in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and waves—the core topics on the exam—and ideally have experience with the specific AP Physics course you're taking (AP Physics 1, 2, or C). Beyond subject expertise, they should be skilled at explaining complex concepts in multiple ways, asking questions that guide you toward understanding rather than just providing answers, and recognizing the difference between conceptual gaps and calculation mistakes. Experience with AP exam format and scoring rubrics is also valuable for helping you develop strategies that maximize your score.

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