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Award-Winning AP U.S. Government & Politics Tutors

Erika

Certified Tutor

Erika

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Erika's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...

Education

Harvard University

Master of Public Policy, Public Policy

Test Scores
ACT
32
Molly

Certified Tutor

Molly

Master of Science in Education
Molly's other Tutor Subjects
1st-8th Grade math
1st-8th Grade Writing
1st-8th Grade Reading
Pre-Algebra

I am an Illinois certified Teacher in grades K-9. I attended Northwestern University and received a Master's of Science in Education. I have ample classroom experience and expertise in elementary Math and Reading intervention. I have several tools and resources from various curricula to work with an...

Education

Northwestern University

Master of Science in Education

Columbia University in the City of New York

Bachelor in Arts, History

Test Scores
SAT
1480
Nathan

Certified Tutor

4+ years

Nathan

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

I am currently a student at Rice University studying both History and Neuroscience. Being the oldest of five kids, working with younger students has always been a part of my life. I can tutor a wide variety of subjects, but I specialize in writing, public speaking, and test taking. My goal for every...

Education

Rice University

Bachelor in Arts, History

Test Scores
SAT
1530
Lauren

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Lauren

Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience
Lauren's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Neuroscience

I am a student at Duke University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience with Chemistry and German minors. On campus I am involved in the Bilbo lab, which focuses on neuroimmune interactions in abnormal brain development. I am very passionate about helping others enjoy and learn about variou...

Education

Duke University

Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience

Test Scores
SAT
1450
ACT
35
Sarah

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Sarah

Bachelor of Economics, Economics
Sarah's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
ACT Writing
ACT English

I am an incoming freshman at Northwestern University, and I will be studying economics and international studies. I have lots of experience in mentoring students individually and teaching in the classroom through being a student intern for a sophomore honors English class. I love working with studen...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Economics, Economics

Test Scores
SAT
1510
ACT
34
Michael

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Michael

Bachelor in Arts
Michael's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Statistics

I'm now a few years removed from academia, I still consider myself an intellect at heart. Stints at New York University's Stern School of Business and Northwestern University have given me extensive scholastic training, and running my own private tutoring service throughout college as a means of mak...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
ACT
33
Ethan

Certified Tutor

Ethan

Bachelor in Arts, Environmental Science and Public Policy
Ethan's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra

I am not teaching or grading papers, I can usually be found playing some brass instrument or another, umpiring baseball, trying out a new recipe in the kitchen, or spending far too much time on Netflix.

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts, Environmental Science and Public Policy

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1510
ACT
36
Patrick

Certified Tutor

Patrick

JD
Patrick's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SAT Subject Test in World History
PSAT Writing Skills

I'm a graduate of Duke University where I received a JD and an MA in History. I received my undergraduate degree from Emory University also in History. My legal experience includes working as a summer law clerk for two appellate judges and as a summer associate at a large law firm in New York City. ...

Education

Emory University

Bachelor in Arts, History

Duke University

JD

Duke University

MA in History

Margot

Certified Tutor

4+ years

Margot

Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Margot's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Trigonometry

I am a student at Boston College studying Economics and English. I have an excellent academic record, haven taken 14 AP courses throughout high school, and have preformed well on many standardized exams. I strive to help other students to do the same! I have three years of experience tutoring peers ...

Education

Boston College

Bachelor in Arts, Economics

Test Scores
SAT
1530
Catherine

Certified Tutor

Catherine

PHD, History
Catherine's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math
Elementary Math

I am a graduate student in the humanities who is lucky enough to teach, read, and write for a living. I am passionately committed to educational access and helping young people reach their full potential. It has been my privilege to work with dozens of bright and talented students over the years, ra...

Education

Stanford University

PHD, History

Princeton University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1590

Meet Our Expert Tutors

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Kevin

AP Statistics Tutor • +47 Subjects

I am currently a rising Junior at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and minoring in Science, Technology, and Society. From early on, the intellectual development of others has been very important to me. In high school, I developed my school's first summer tutoring program to ensure that students retained information and were prepared for the upcoming year. I am most passionate about tutoring Political Science, History, and Math, with significant experience in helping students in each of these subject areas. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and playing the bass. Hobbies: art, reading, writing, books, music

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Timothy

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +38 Subjects

I am one of many Varsity Tutors. I attended Jesuit High School in Carmichael, CA where I graduated with a 4.3 GPA taking multiple AP and honors courses (AP Bio, Chem, Physics B, Gov, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, English Lit, and English Lang). I also participated in several tutoring organizations throughout high school.

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Tom

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects

I am a firm believer that clear, precise communication between student and tutor makes for a productive and fulfilling learning experience. When I work with students, I strive to listen carefully to find out exactly where they are struggling, and to impart corresponding strategies clearly and concisely. I work with them step by step until we zero in on exactly where the problem is occurring, and tailor solutions from there. These collegial and yet very focused discussions go a long way toward helping me to discern where the student needs help and helping the student to master the content he or she must learn, besides ensuring a pleasant and interesting learning experience.

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Molly

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects

I am a Communications Major with a penchant for reading, writing, some math, and film! (I picked up a Cinema Studies Minor as well) I used to be an editor in a few newspapers, so I love working with others to improve their writing skills. I have tutored many areas in both high school and college and have coached softball to girls of many ages. I especially love helping students master their test-taking skills, because I understand what it was like having to navigate such a high pressure environment! Providing just a few tools can make a world of difference.

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Vivian

Calculus Tutor • +66 Subjects

I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in violin performance at the Juilliard School. I have tutored privately and through Chegg Tutoring, Varsity Tutors, PrepExpert, and iLearn World throughout high school and college, with most of my experience being in standardized test prep and English. The most fulfilling moments that I have with my students are when I see them applying previous lessons and skills to new challenges. I believe that a good teacher not only helps a student tackle specific, formulaic kinds of questions, but also imparts the skills necessary for adapting to the diverse intellectual challenges that life presents. My goal is always for my students to leave their sessions having learned something that will be useful for years to come, not just on the next test that they are preparing for. After all, education is a lifelong process!

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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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Deirdre

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +23 Subjects

I am currently living and working in Boston, where I grew up. I received my BA in History of Science from Harvard University, completing coursework in history, government, social sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics. I recently graduated with First Honors from National University of Ireland, Galway with my Masters in Gender, Globalization, and Human Rights. I was just accepted to medical school at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and will begin there in the fall of 2018. Hobbies: reading, music, writing, art, sports, books, traveling, travel

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Kristin

Calculus Tutor • +32 Subjects

I am a current Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing accelerated student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. I graduated from the University of Chicago in 2016 with a BA in Biological Sciences and minor in Philosophy. I have always had a deep and lifelong love of learning that I wish to impart to other students. My goal is to help students achieve their learning needs by utilizing a passionate, creative, and fun teaching approach. I have extensive experience in the subjects of Biology, Life Science, U.S. History, and the Social Sciences.

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Alissa

Calculus Tutor • +44 Subjects

I am passionate about the importance of education and hope to be able to help my students attain their goes. I am particularly passionate about and experienced with helping in all levels of reading, writing, editing, English, public speaking, and political science. Additionally, as a law school graduate and someone that was successful on the LSAT, I am experienced with helping students effectively prepare for the LSAT.

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Finley

Calculus Tutor • +35 Subjects

I am a junior at Harvard University where I study History and Economics. I maintain a 3.9 GPA while playing on a varsity sports team. I understand the challenges that students today face because I too have experienced them. I have plenty of tips to help you stay organized and on top of your work. But most importantly I love to learn and to help others learn. I look forward to working and learning together.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Score improvement depends on your starting point and how actively you engage with personalized instruction. Students who work with tutors typically see gains of 1-2 points on the 5-point AP scale, though some improve more significantly. The key is identifying your specific weak areas—whether that's understanding Supreme Court cases, analyzing political institutions, or mastering free-response writing—and targeting those gaps with focused practice.

Consistent practice with real AP exam questions, combined with feedback on your reasoning, makes the biggest difference. Most students benefit from starting tutoring at least 2-3 months before the exam.

The free-response section (3 questions, 100 minutes) rewards clear, evidence-based reasoning. Tutors who excel at AP U.S. Government & Politics help students develop a consistent structure: identify the relevant concept, explain it with specific examples (like court cases, legislation, or political movements), and connect it back to the question.

Practice is essential—writing full responses under timed conditions, getting specific feedback on argument clarity and evidence selection, and revising based on the AP rubric makes a real difference. Most students benefit from working through at least 15-20 complete free-response questions before test day.

The multiple-choice section tests comprehension and analysis across institutions, behavior, policy, and civil rights. Common stumbling blocks include questions requiring you to distinguish between similar concepts (like powers of different branches) and interpret primary sources or data. Many students rush through, missing nuance in answer choices.

Effective preparation involves working through practice questions strategically: identify why you got questions wrong (misreading? weak content knowledge? poor reasoning?), study the specific topics behind your errors, and practice pacing to ensure you have time for careful reading. Tutors can help you recognize your personal patterns of mistakes and develop strategies to slow down where it matters most.

The AP U.S. Government & Politics exam spans five units: Foundations (Constitution, federalism, rights), Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, and Civil Rights & Civil Liberties. The Judicial Branch and Civil Rights units appear frequently on both multiple-choice and free-response questions, so mastery of landmark Supreme Court cases and their implications is critical.

Understanding how institutions interact—how Congress checks the President, how courts interpret laws—matters more than memorizing isolated facts. A strong tutor helps you build these conceptual connections and identify which cases and concepts appear most often across past exams.

Ideally, tutoring support begins 3-4 months before the May exam (January or February), giving you time to address content gaps and practice under realistic conditions. If you're starting later, focused study on your weakest units and intensive practice on free-response questions can still yield improvement in 6-8 weeks.

A realistic study schedule involves reviewing content 3-4 times per week, completing full or partial practice exams every 1-2 weeks, and dedicating specific sessions to your problem areas. Tutors help you create a personalized plan based on where you stand and what you need most.

Expert tutors in this subject combine deep knowledge of the AP curriculum with the ability to explain complex topics—like federalism, separation of powers, or constitutional interpretation—in ways that click for individual learners. They're skilled at identifying why you're struggling (Is it content? Test-taking strategy? Time management?) and tailoring their approach.

The best tutors also understand the AP grading rubric and can give you honest, constructive feedback on your free-response writing. They stay current with recent Supreme Court decisions and political developments, since the exam sometimes references current events. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who have proven success helping students master this exam.

Test anxiety is common, especially for high-stakes exams. Practical strategies include practicing under timed conditions so the test format feels familiar (reducing the "fear of the unknown"), developing a pre-exam routine that calms your mind, and using breathing techniques during the exam itself. Knowing you've thoroughly reviewed content and practiced extensively builds confidence.

Tutors can also help you develop a realistic time-management plan for the exam—knowing you have roughly 1.5 minutes per multiple-choice question and about 33 minutes per free-response question. When you have a clear strategy going in, anxiety decreases and performance improves. If anxiety significantly impacts your test-taking, connecting with your school counselor in addition to tutoring can provide additional support.

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