Score improvement depends on your starting point and how actively you engage with tutoring. Many students see meaningful gains by focusing on weak units, practicing free-response questions, and understanding the reasoning behind economic models rather than just memorizing them. Working with a tutor helps you identify which topics need the most attention and develop a targeted study plan for the remaining weeks before the exam.

Students often struggle with understanding cause-and-effect relationships in economic systems—like how interest rate changes ripple through the economy—and applying models to real-world scenarios. Many also find the free-response section challenging because it requires explaining economic reasoning clearly, not just identifying correct answers. Time management during the exam is another common issue, as students need to balance 60 multiple-choice questions with three free-response questions in 2 hours and 10 minutes.

For the multiple-choice section, read questions carefully to identify what's actually being asked—economic questions often contain subtle distinctions. For free-response questions, label your diagrams clearly, define key terms, and explain the mechanism behind your answer rather than just stating conclusions. Practice full-length exams under timed conditions to build comfort with pacing, and review past AP prompts to understand what graders expect. A tutor can help you refine these strategies and catch patterns in the types of questions that trip you up.

Diagrams are essential—they're central to understanding and explaining macroeconomic concepts. You'll need to draw and interpret supply-demand curves, Phillips curves, money market graphs, and loanable funds diagrams. Many free-response questions specifically ask you to draw a diagram and explain what it shows. Mastering diagram drawing and being able to explain how shifts in curves affect equilibrium is crucial for both understanding the material and earning points on the exam.

Start by working through each unit conceptually, using practice problems to reinforce understanding. Once you've covered all six units, begin taking full-length practice exams to identify weak areas and get comfortable with exam timing. In the final weeks before May, focus on your weakest units while doing regular mixed-topic practice to maintain what you've learned. A tutor can help you create a personalized timeline based on your current level and the exam date, ensuring you're balancing depth of understanding with breadth of coverage.

Look for tutors who have strong economics backgrounds and specific experience preparing students for the AP exam. They should be able to explain complex concepts clearly, help you draw and interpret diagrams accurately, and give you feedback on free-response answers using actual AP rubrics. For students in Grand Rapids, connecting with a tutor who understands your school's curriculum and pacing can also be valuable.

Your first session typically focuses on understanding where you are in the course and what you need most help with. The tutor will likely assess your grasp of key concepts, identify which units or question types challenge you most, and discuss your goals for the exam. From there, you'll develop a personalized study plan that targets your specific weak areas while building confidence in topics where you're already strong.