AP Microeconomics covers six main units: basic economic concepts, supply and demand, production choices and behavior, factor markets, market structures, and measurement of economic performance. The course emphasizes both conceptual understanding and real-world application, with heavy focus on graphing and interpreting economic models. Tutors help students master the visual and analytical skills needed to explain economic phenomena and predict market outcomes.

The biggest hurdle for most students is translating economic concepts into accurate graphs and interpreting what those graphs mean—especially when questions involve multiple shifts in supply or demand curves. Free-response questions also trip up many students because they require clear explanation of economic reasoning, not just correct answers. Time management during the exam is another common issue, as students often spend too long on calculations when the test emphasizes conceptual understanding and written explanations.

The exam is split between 60 multiple-choice questions (70 minutes) and 3 free-response questions (50 minutes). For multiple choice, focus on eliminating clearly wrong answers first, and don't get bogged down on any single question. For free-response, read all three questions before starting, tackle the one you're most confident about first to build momentum, and always show your work and explain your reasoning—partial credit is available. A tutor can help you practice this pacing strategy with real AP exam formats so it feels natural on test day.

Graphs are the language of economics on the AP exam—you'll encounter them constantly in multiple-choice questions and must draw or interpret them in free-response answers. Mastering supply and demand graphs, cost curves, market structures, and factor market diagrams isn't optional; it's essential to demonstrating economic understanding. Tutors focus heavily on building your graph fluency so you can quickly identify what's being shown, predict how changes affect equilibrium, and explain the economic reasoning behind shifts.

Most students benefit from taking 3-4 full-length practice exams under timed conditions in the weeks leading up to the test. This builds familiarity with the format, helps you identify which topics need more work, and reduces test anxiety by making the exam feel routine. After each practice test, a tutor can help you analyze your mistakes—whether they stem from conceptual misunderstanding, careless errors, or timing issues—so you don't repeat them on exam day.

Ideally, tutoring works best when you start in the fall or early winter, giving you time to build a strong foundation before the May exam. However, even starting in March or April can help if you focus on your weakest topics and practice test strategies. For Buffalo students, connecting with a tutor early in the school year allows you to work alongside your class, reinforce concepts as they're introduced, and avoid cramming unfamiliar material in the final weeks.

Your first session is about understanding where you stand and what you need most. A tutor will likely review your current coursework, discuss which topics feel confusing, and possibly work through a practice problem or two to identify specific gaps—whether that's conceptual understanding, graph interpretation, or test-taking strategy. From there, you'll develop a personalized plan targeting your priorities, whether that's strengthening fundamentals, mastering free-response writing, or building exam confidence.