Students in San Francisco often struggle most with the biopsychology unit, which requires understanding neurotransmitters, brain structures, and research methods simultaneously. The statistics and research design sections also trip up many test-takers because they require both conceptual understanding and the ability to apply those concepts to new scenarios.

Memory, learning, and conditioning can feel abstract without real-world examples, and the social psychology unit contains many similar theories that students confuse. A tutor can break down these complex topics into manageable pieces, use concrete examples, and help you distinguish between similar concepts like classical conditioning vs. operant conditioning or intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation.

Ideally, begin tutoring at least 8-10 weeks before the May exam if you're looking for significant score improvement. This timeline allows you to cover all 9 units thoroughly, take multiple full-length practice tests, and refine your test-taking strategies. For students starting closer to exam day, even 4-6 weeks of consistent weekly sessions can help you focus on your weakest units and avoid common mistakes.

Weekly 1-on-1 sessions work best when combined with independent studying between sessions. Your tutor can assign targeted practice problems, review essays, and help you track which question types and topics need the most attention.

The two free-response questions on AP Psychology require you to demonstrate deep knowledge of psychological concepts while clearly connecting them to specific scenarios. Many students lose points by describing a concept correctly but failing to explicitly link it to the question prompt. Tutors teach you a structured approach: restate the question, identify the relevant psychological principles, explain how each principle applies to the scenario, and use accurate terminology throughout.

Practice is essential—writing under timed conditions (45 minutes for both essays) helps you develop efficiency. Tutors can review your drafts, show you exactly where you're losing points on the rubric, and help you eliminate vague language that costs you points.

With 70 minutes for 100 questions, you have less than 45 seconds per question—a pace that feels rushed if you're not strategic. Expert tutors teach you to move quickly through straightforward definitional questions (neurotransmitter functions, key researchers, major theories) so you have more time for application-based questions that require deeper thinking.

Practice tests are your best tool here. Taking full-length, timed practice tests helps you calibrate your speed, identify which units you can answer quickly, and spot where you tend to second-guess yourself. Tutors can help you eliminate inefficient reading habits and teach you to recognize question patterns that appear repeatedly across different years of the exam.

Test anxiety often stems from uncertainty about what to expect or feeling unprepared for specific question formats. Tutors help you build confidence by ensuring you understand the material deeply and by simulating exam conditions during your sessions. The more practice tests you take under timed conditions, the more familiar and less intimidating the actual exam becomes.

Tutors also teach practical strategies: arriving early to the exam, taking deep breaths between sections, and having a clear plan for which questions to attempt first (usually easier ones to build momentum). Knowing exactly how the exam is structured, what each section emphasizes, and which concepts appear most frequently reduces anxiety significantly.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert psychology tutors who understand the AP curriculum and the specific pace needed to prepare for the May exam. You can specify that you're looking for someone with AP Psychology expertise, and you'll get matched with tutors who have proven success helping students improve their scores.

When connecting with a tutor, ask about their experience with the AP exam format, whether they use official College Board materials, and how they structure sessions (some focus on content review, others on practice testing and strategy). Many students benefit from tutors who combine unit review with full-length practice exams in the final weeks before the test.