Your first session focuses on understanding where you stand. A tutor will review your academic background, discuss which AP Exam you're preparing for, and likely work through some practice problems to identify your strengths and biggest challenges. This diagnostic helps create a personalized study plan tailored to your timeline and goals—whether you're preparing months in advance or cramming before May.

Timing is one of the most common challenges students face on AP Exams. Tutors help you develop a strategic approach by practicing with real AP questions under timed conditions, learning which problems to tackle first, and building confidence in your speed. Regular timed practice tests are essential—they help you identify whether you're rushing through reading, overthinking problems, or getting stuck on certain question types.

The best way is to take a full-length practice AP Exam and analyze your results by topic and question type. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can review your practice test, pinpoint patterns in your mistakes, and determine whether you're struggling with content knowledge, test strategy, or both. This targeted analysis saves you time by focusing your studying on what actually matters.

Confidence comes from preparation and familiarity. Tutors help reduce anxiety by walking you through the exact format and timing of the AP Exam, practicing with authentic questions repeatedly, and teaching you strategies to manage stress during the test. When you've practiced similar problems dozens of times, the actual exam feels less intimidating—you know what to expect and how to approach it.

Most students benefit from starting prep 2-3 months before the May exam, dedicating 5-8 hours per week to studying. If you're starting later or struggling with the material, more intensive tutoring can help you make the most of your remaining time. A tutor can create a realistic study schedule based on your current level and target score, breaking the material into manageable chunks rather than overwhelming yourself.

Look for tutors with strong subject expertise in the specific AP course you're taking, ideally with experience teaching or tutoring that subject. Many expert tutors have scored well on the AP Exam themselves or have taught the course. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who understand both the content and the test format, so you get someone who knows what the College Board is looking for.

Free response questions require a different strategy than multiple choice—you need to show your work clearly and address all parts of the question. Tutors help you practice writing concise, well-organized responses that earn full credit, teach you how to allocate time between free response and multiple choice sections, and review your actual responses to give feedback on clarity and completeness. Practicing with real AP prompts and getting personalized feedback is the fastest way to improve on this section.