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Award-Winning 9th Grade AP Psychology Tutors

Julie

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Julie

Bachelor
Julie's other Tutor Subjects
9th Grade AP Psychology
K-6th Grade English
1st-5th Grade Reading
1st-4th Grade math

I am committed to providing academic support to students to help them reach their full potential. With a background in education and a passion for empowering learners, I strive to create a supportive and engaging learning environment. My goal is to inspire students to develop critical thinking skill...

Education

The University of West Florida

Bachelor

Mimi

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Mimi

Masters in Education, Education
Mimi's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all su...

Education

Harvard University

Masters in Education, Education

Dartmouth College

B.A.

Test Scores
SAT
1560

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

10+ years

Nina

Masters in biostatistics
Nina's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics Graduate Level
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant ...

Education

Columbia University

Masters in biostatistics

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)

Columbia University in the City of New York

Current Grad Student, Biostatistics

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

Reid

PHD, Education
Reid's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults...

Education

Harvard University

PHD, Education

Wesleyan University

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Test Scores
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

Liz

Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12
Liz's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received ...

Education

Simmons College

Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor of Arts in History (minors in Humanities and Anthropology)

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

Charles

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Charles's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best descr...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1440
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Clara

Bachelors, Psychology
Clara's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math

I am tutoring I tend to ask my students to try to "teach" me concepts they are struggling with, or walk me through a problem that is challenging them, so that any conceptual mistakes or assumptions they are making become clear. In addition, I am a firm believer in never providing the answer to a spe...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelors, Psychology

Test Scores
SAT
1510

Certified Tutor

Michelle

Current Grad Student, M.D.
Michelle's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus

I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medici...

Education

Baylor College of Medicine

Current Grad Student, M.D.

Rice University

Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Test Scores
SAT
1570

Certified Tutor

Christopher

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Christopher's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Trigonometry

I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tut...

Education

Harvard College

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
35

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Solange

Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects

I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing. Hobbies: books, hiking, reading, music, writing, art

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Justin

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +48 Subjects

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 Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.

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Daniel

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects

I am excited to be home and help fellow straphangers on their educational paths! My largest wealth of tutoring experience is in foreign languages--particularly French--but I also feel very comfortable editing essays of any kind and working through standardized test concepts. My availability is extremely flexible, and anywhere in New York City works for me. I look forward to working with you.

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Asta

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +74 Subjects

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago where I received my undergraduate degree in political science. Right after graduation, I worked as an academic and test prep tutor as well as admissions consultant in Hong Kong. For the past two years, I worked with a number of students to help prepare them for college in the United States.

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Elena

Calculus Tutor • +32 Subjects

I am a graduate of McGill University (BA First Class Honors) and the University of Edinburgh (MSc First Class Honors with Distinction) with over eight years of tutoring experience. I am currently a curriculum developer for a company which creates relatable and culturally-literate courses for middle and high-schools, and am particularly adept at communicating and explaining concepts in a quirky, engaging, and intelligent manner. I was named Scotland International Young Thinker of the Year 2014 for exactly that sort of work. Much of my tutoring background is in test-prep and essay coaching, which I enjoy because it allows the tutor and student to think strategically together, and work as a team to achieve concrete results. I have worked with students ranging in age from 6-32, and believe that, in an educational context, a few jokes never hurt anybody. I love reading and learning, and my educational approach is centered around making the material just as engaging to students as it is to me. I think J.K. Rowlings, the writer of Harry Potter, is just as brilliant as Stephen Hawking, and in my free time, I manage my (terrible) fantasy baseball team, write songs for my comedy band, and crack jokes about terrible science-fiction movies with my friends.

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Andrew

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects

I am comfortable tutoring math subjects up to multivariable calculus and differential equations, as well as college physics. Hobbies: books, music, art, reading, writing

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Henry

Calculus Tutor • +41 Subjects

I'm eager to help you in your education. I'm a recent graduate of Harvard College looking to apply to law school. My senior thesis was written on John Dewey's ideas of education, which I deeply believe has incredible power to transform individuals and society.

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Isabella

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects

I am a graduate of MIT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies. Since graduation, I have started my PhD at Georgia Tech in Operations Research. Throughout my career I have TA'd several math and computer science courses at the college level. I have also taught at summer programs for gifted middle school and high school students. I am passionate about tutoring kids in math and science because I think that a strong foundation in STEM at an early age can set the tone for their future. In my spare time I like to engage in athletics, and was a Division 1 rower in college. Hobbies: reading, swimming, writing, books, music, running, art

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James

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +41 Subjects

I am currently a senior at Harvard College where I study chemistry, and I'll be attending Columbia Medical School next year. I have years of experience tutoring college students in math (mostly calculus) and chemistry including both general and organic chemistry. In addition, I am very familiar with all sections of the SAT and ACT having prepared several high school students for these tests. I believe that every student is capable of boosting his or her baseline score on these tests, so long as he or she works hard to get to know the format of the tests and the most popular types of questions. I tutor because I love seeing students develop a genuine passion for the subjects they once disliked (such as math and science), once they understand the power of these subjects and their applications to the real world.

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Ingrid

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +51 Subjects

I am exploring my creativity by pursuing a double major in Asian Languages and Cultures with a focus in Korean, studying abroad in South Korea as a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar, leading workshops that teach 3D printing and CAD for undergraduate students as the president of 3D4E, advocating for the first-generation and low-income student community as the Outreach Chair of the Quest+ Scholars Network, and getting involved with the Society of Women Engineers' outreach committee. I currently hold a work-study position as an administrative clerical aide in the Institute of Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern and was an undergraduate researcher in the John Rogers Lab. As I look forward with aspirations of applying to graduate school, areas of research in biomedical engineering and biotechnology that I am particularly interested in include biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and drug delivery systems. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy learning on my own and sharing my experience and knowledge with my peers and other students. I hope to make use of my experiences with academics and learning in high school and so far in my undergraduate career in order to effectively tutor students who may be experiencing the same struggles in learning that I also experienced.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students typically find Units 5-7 most demanding: Learning and Conditioning (classical vs. operant conditioning distinctions), Cognition (memory systems and attention), and Motivation/Emotion (biological bases and theories). The jump from descriptive psychology to understanding mechanisms—like why the hippocampus matters for memory consolidation or how neurotransmitters affect behavior—often trips up students who are seeing neuroscience concepts for the first time. Tutors can break these abstract connections into concrete examples and help students build the foundational biology knowledge needed to understand psychological processes.

The AP Psych exam has 100 multiple-choice questions in 70 minutes—roughly 42 seconds per question—so pacing practice is essential. Many students spend too long on definition-heavy questions (Unit 1-2) and rush through scenario-based questions that require applying concepts. Tutors can help you develop a triage strategy: identify which units you're strongest in and move quickly through those, then allocate more time to units like Research Methods or Social Psychology where application questions demand careful reading. Practice tests with strict timing build the automaticity you need to recognize patterns quickly.

The FRQ section (2 questions, 50 minutes) requires you to apply psychological concepts to novel scenarios—something that's very different from memorizing definitions. Strong responses use precise terminology, cite relevant studies (like Milgram or Ainsworth), and explain the 'why' behind your answer, not just the 'what.' Tutors can teach you to identify the psychological concept being tested in the prompt, select 2-3 relevant theories or research findings, and structure your response to show you understand mechanisms, not just facts. Many students lose points by listing concepts without connecting them to the scenario—practicing this skill repeatedly is key to moving from a 4 to a 6 or 7 on FRQs.

AP Psychology requires knowing 100+ studies, theorists, and key terms—but pure memorization leads to burnout and shallow understanding. Effective learners organize information by psychological principle rather than by unit: for example, grouping all memory-related research (Ebbinghaus, Atkinson-Shiffrin, Baddeley) together, then understanding how each study answered a specific question about how memory works. Tutors can help you build concept maps that show relationships between ideas, use spaced repetition strategically on your weakest areas, and practice retrieval (testing yourself) rather than re-reading notes. This approach reduces cognitive load and makes connections stick better than cramming.

Unit 1 (Research Methods) is abstract and doesn't feel like 'real' psychology to students yet—it's easy to see it as just statistics and terminology. However, this unit is the foundation for understanding every study you'll encounter later, and the exam frequently tests whether you can identify experimental design flaws, distinguish correlation from causation, or spot bias in a study. Many students memorize definitions but can't apply them to new scenarios. Tutors focus on building intuition: why does random assignment matter? What makes a sample biased? Once you understand the 'why,' recognizing these concepts on the exam becomes much easier, and you'll score better on scenario-based questions throughout the test.

Test anxiety in AP Psych often stems from the sheer volume of content and the speed required—students worry they'll blank on a key study or misread a complex scenario. Building confidence comes from repeated exposure to the exam format under timed conditions, so you're not surprised on test day. Tutors can help you take full-length practice tests, review your performance patterns (Do you rush through certain units? Misread scenario questions?), and develop a pre-exam routine that calms your nervous system. Additionally, understanding that you don't need to be perfect—a 70% on the multiple-choice section is solid—can reduce pressure. Focusing on mastering the concepts you know well rather than panicking about gaps is a more effective mindset.

A tutor's first step is administering a diagnostic practice test or unit quizzes to pinpoint exactly where you're losing points: Is it Units 3-4 (sensation/perception)? Unit 8 (clinical psychology)? Unit 10 (social psychology)? Once weak areas are identified, tutors can adjust pacing—spending more time on those units—and use targeted strategies. For example, if you struggle with distinguishing between similar concepts (like different memory stores or therapeutic approaches), a tutor might use comparison charts or case studies. If you're weak on applying research to new scenarios, you'll do more practice with that skill. This personalized approach is much more efficient than reviewing everything equally.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level. Students who start with weak foundational knowledge (scoring 40-50% on practice tests) often see 10-20 percentage point gains with consistent tutoring focused on concept mastery and practice test review. Students already scoring 70%+ typically improve 5-10 points by refining their test-taking strategy, strengthening weak units, and practicing FRQs. The national average AP Psychology score is around 2.9 out of 5, so reaching a 3 or 4 is a realistic goal with focused preparation. Most improvement happens through doing full-length practice tests, reviewing every wrong answer to understand why you missed it, and adjusting your study strategy based on patterns.

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