Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but students typically see meaningful gains when they focus on their weakest areas—whether that's understanding supply and demand curves, interpreting policy impacts, or mastering free-response question formats. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps you identify gaps quickly and develop targeted strategies, often resulting in score increases of 1-3 points on the 5-point scale within a few months of consistent work.

Students often struggle with graph interpretation—understanding what shifts in supply and demand curves mean, or how to read and create economic models. Free-response questions also trip up many test-takers because they require you to explain your reasoning clearly and apply concepts to unfamiliar scenarios. Time management is another pain point; the exam moves quickly, and you need to balance careful analysis with efficient pacing to complete all sections.

Start by identifying your weakest units—whether it's elasticity, market structures, or monetary policy—and dedicate sessions to building conceptual understanding before moving to practice problems. Work through released AP exam questions and past free-response prompts with your tutor to understand the exact wording and format the College Board uses. Finally, practice full-length timed sections to build confidence and refine your pacing strategy for test day.

If you're taking the course, starting tutoring in the fall or early winter gives you time to strengthen foundational concepts before the May exam. However, even starting in March or April can help if you focus on test-taking strategies, practice tests, and your most challenging topics. The earlier you start, the more time you have to work through difficult concepts at a comfortable pace rather than cramming.

On the multiple-choice section, eliminate obviously wrong answers and watch for tricky wording that reverses the correct logic. For free-response questions, read the prompt carefully, label your graphs clearly, and explain your reasoning step-by-step—partial credit rewards clear thinking even if your final answer isn't perfect. Practice managing your time: aim to spend about 1 minute per multiple-choice question and allocate roughly 20 minutes per free-response question to allow time for review.

Aim for at least 3-4 full-length practice tests in the weeks leading up to the exam, ideally spaced out over several weeks to allow time for review and targeted studying between attempts. Each practice test should be taken under timed conditions to simulate the real exam experience. After each test, spend time reviewing incorrect answers—not just to see what you got wrong, but to understand why the correct answer is right and what concept you need to reinforce.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Las Vegas who specialize in AP Economics and understand the specific challenges of the exam. When you get matched with a tutor, you can discuss your current level, target score, and scheduling preferences—whether you need weekly sessions, intensive prep closer to the exam, or focused help on particular units. Your tutor will create a personalized plan that fits your learning style and timeline.